The North Church Women

In contrast to the false teachers, Paul instructs Titus to “teach what accords with sound doctrine”(Titus 2:1). The following verses in chapter 2 then provide specific instruction for the believers in the Cretan churches. All believers are to live out the practical application of sound doctrine in their daily lives. Titus 2:10 then concludes, “so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.” May we live in ways that accord with sound doctrine and put the gospel on display for the world around us.

When we embrace the beautiful truth that our times are in God’s hands, we gain the clarity and vision needed to glorify God as we shepherd our families and intentionally disciple others.

The Power of a Godly Life

Reverence demands a fitting response to the true nature of things—whether persons, circumstances, or natural wonders. Someone who is reverent respects the respectful, laughs at the laughable, mourns over the mournful, and glorifies the glorious. ~Andrea Hoglund, The Loveliness of Reverence

A fitting response to the true nature of things. Doesn’t that sound like whatever accords with sound doctrine? A reverent woman lives a life that reinforces truth. A reverent woman knows the appropriate way to behave in a variety of situations. And with God’s help, good teaching, within a community of godly women surrounding us, and with constant awareness that we live and work our entire lives in God’s presence, we can become women like this: women who are reverent in behavior whom God sees as splendid, holy, glorious, and set apart for sacred purpose.

Titus Week 4: Doctrine Opposed & Protected

Paul’s priorities in his instructions to Titus are to guard and protect the clarity of the true gospel. We will also see the heart of Paul shine forth for the lost, as he instructs Titus in how to respond to those living with wrong doctrine, wrong motives, and wrong actions. Paul opens his instructions in Titus 1:5 with: “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you.” The true backdrop to the qualifications for elders in Titus 1:5-9 will become clear as we examine Titus 1:10-16. “[The Elder] must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it (1:9).”

The Church and the Home: Partnering to Disciple the Next Generation

A vision for how the local church and the home partner together in teaching the next generation to know, love, and treasure Christ in all of life. Whether you are navigating the early years of parenting, single mothering, or carrying a heavy burden for a wayward child, we will explore how a deliberate church-family partnership shapes our homes and strengthens the church body.

Our study in Titus continued this week with Titus 1:5-9. In Titus 1:5, Paul wrote, “This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order and appoint elders in every town as I directed you.” He then provided Titus with a list of qualifications for elders. Those qualifications reflected godly character traits necessary for men who would aspire to be elders in the church. We can also aspire to these godly character traits as we seek to grow in spiritual maturity today.

A Word to Live By: Paul’s Greeting to Titus

As we walk through the first four verses of this letter, in one sense we are simply reading the opening phrases of a traditional ancient correspondence. We see the letter’s author, the letter’s recipient, and the letter’s formal greeting. But packed into those standard structures are some powerful shaping realities about the purpose and identity and foundation of God’s people, including us today. This is a far cry from “To Whom It May Concern.” In addition, these four brief verses also provide the bones and themes of Paul’s full message, like a topical index of the content to follow.

To kick off a new season of MOMS, Liz Stein will unpack our theme for the year: My Times are in Your Hands. We'll also enjoy a time of reconnecting and sweet fellowship.

Titus: Redeemed by Grace for Godly Living

This week we had the opportunity to hear from Dr. Brian Tabb, the President of Bethlehem College and Seminary. His overview examined the plan, the people, the places, the problems, and the priorities of Paul as he wrote to Titus. Brian highlighted “Gospel-Fueled Godliness” throughout the text of Titus, especially seen in Titus 3:4-8: “But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.”

This week, Psalm 63 showed us that when we are in the wilderness of waiting or suffering, we thirst–and we must seek satisfaction where it may truly be found. Refresh your heart in worship, meditating on the Lord, and looking to the eternal joy of God’s presence forever.