ELNORA’S BIBLE STUDY WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS, Titus 2 and 3 , Saturday, October 24, 2026

Context for Chapter 2 & 3

The Book of Titus is one of the three Pastoral Epistles, along with 1 Timothy and 2 Timothy. The apostle Paul wrote this letter to Titus, a trusted coworker in ministry, to guide him in establishing healthy churches and developing godly leadership on the island of Crete.

In Titus 1, Paul emphasized the importance of appointing qualified church leaders and confronting false teachers who were misleading believers. He also addressed the troubling behavior of some people in Crete, a culture known in the letter for dishonesty, divisiveness, and moral problems (Titus 1:10–16).

Chapter 2 moves from correcting false teaching to demonstrating what sound Christian teaching should look like in everyday life. Paul explains that the gospel should influence the character, conduct, and relationships of every believer.

To understand chapter 3, it helps to remember the progression of the letter:

·       Titus 1: Establish qualified church leadership and confront false teaching.

·       Titus 2: Teach believers to live in ways that reflect sound doctrine.

·       Titus 3: Show how the gospel should influence Christians' relationships with society, their understanding of salvation, and their treatment of others.

The central message of Titus 3 is that we are saved by God's mercy, transformed by His grace, and called to demonstrate our faith through good works.

1. Promote Right Teaching, Chapter 2, Verses 1-15, TBD

¹As for you, Titus, promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching. ² Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. ³ Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers.^[a] Instead, they should teach others what is good. ⁴ These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, ⁵ to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes,^[b] to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands. Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. ⁶ In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely. ⁷ And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching. ⁸ Teach the truth so that your teaching can’t be criticized. Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us. ⁹ Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back ¹⁰ or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way. ¹¹ For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. ¹² And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, ¹³ while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. ¹⁴ He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. ¹⁵ You must teach these things and encourage the believers to do them. You have the authority to correct them when necessary, so don’t let anyone disregard what you say.

SECTION QUESTIONS: To Be Added

Context for Chapter 3

The Book of Titus is a letter written by the apostle Paul to Titus, a trusted ministry partner whom Paul left on the island of Crete to help organize the churches and appoint qualified leaders (Titus 1:5).

Crete was known in the letter for serious moral and spiritual challenges. Some people were teaching false doctrines, causing division, and living in ways that contradicted the truth of the gospel. Paul wanted Titus to help establish churches where sound teaching was reflected in godly conduct.

To understand chapter 3, it helps to remember the progression of the letter:

·        Titus 1: Establish qualified church leadership and confront false teaching.

·        Titus 2: Teach believers to live in ways that reflect sound doctrine.

·        Titus 3: Show how the gospel should influence Christians' relationships with society, their understanding of salvation, and their treatment of others.

The central message of Titus 3 is that we are saved by God's mercy, transformed by His grace, and called to demonstrate our faith through good works.

 Do What Is Good & Paul's Final Remarks, Chapter 3, Verses 1-15, TBD

¹Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. ² They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. ³ Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. ⁴ But— When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, ⁵ he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.^{[a] 6} He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. ⁷ Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. ⁸ This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone. ⁹ Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees^[b] or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time. ¹⁰ If people are causing divisions among you, give a first and second warning. After that, have nothing more to do with them. ¹¹ For people like that have turned away from the truth, and their own sins condemn them. ¹² I am planning to send either Artemas or Tychicus to you. As soon as one of them arrives, do your best to meet me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to stay there for the winter. ¹³ Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos with their trip. See that they are given everything they need. ¹⁴ Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive. ¹⁵ Everybody here sends greetings. Please give my greetings to the believers—all who love us. May God’s grace be with you all.

SECTION QUESTIONS: To Be Added

Prayers for Titus, Chapters 2 and 3

 ² Teach the older men to exercise self-control, to be worthy of respect, and to live wisely. They must have sound faith and be filled with love and patience. ³ Similarly, teach the older women to live in a way that honors God. They must not slander others or be heavy drinkers.^[a] Instead, they should teach others what is good. (Titus 2:2-3)

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word and for calling me into Your family, through faith in Christ. Help me to take heed of all that You would teach me, and use me, I pray, to point the lost to Christ and to encourage those that are saved by grace. Thank You that we have been equipped with knowledge of the truth, which is according to godliness. Thank You, in Jesus' name, AMEN.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the mothers and women that have influenced those around them, in godly living and virtuous behavior. I pray that in these increasingly difficult days, all of us, both women and men, would seek to live godly in Christ Jesus, in the power of the Holy Spirit, so that Your Word would not be dishonored in our lives and others would be attracted to the beauty of Christ, through our living testimony. In Jesus' name, Amen. 

 ³ Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. (Titus 3:3)

Heavenly Father, thank you for the truths that are contained in Your Word and for the stark reminder of what I was before my salvation. Thank You that I have been saved by grace through faith, and I pray that I may take to heart the warnings and instructions that are given in this letter to Titus. I pray that I would give due respect to those who are in authority and demonstrate the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God to a lost and dying world so tha they may come to know Him as their Redeemer and Lord, to Your honor and glory. In Jesus' name, amen. 

⁴ But— When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, ⁵ he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.^{[a] 6} He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. ⁷ Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. (Titus 3: 4-7)

Father, how I praise and thank you for I have been saved, not on the basis of my good deeds but because of your great mercy, by the washing of regeneration by the Holy Spirit. Thank you that I have been born of the Spirit, washed in the blood of Christ, and am no longer a lost sinner, but a saved saint. Thank you that I have been clothed in Christ's reighteousness and declared righteous because of what He has done on my account. May I live and work for your greater glory for you alone are worthy of all praise. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.