Real Christian discussion

Hey, for those who are just randomly checking out this thread and didn't hear my explanation, let me explain again :) Someone mentioned that we needed to get Bible Buddy reads back up again and I totally agreed. After asking around a while, I decided to set up a poll for February to get everyone's input and possibly a larger crowd of people participating. But in the meantime, it would be nice to still be in God's Word discussing things together and drawing encouragement from it. The last Bible Buddy Reads we had, went very well and I was really able to see God at work. If you still want to check out that thread, you can find it here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/....

So, we decided on going with Titus, a short little book with only three chapters. Since it is so short there's no need to read an entire chapter a day and you can divide it up however you would personally like to read it.

I found an excellent site that has a lot of helpful background and setting notes for Titus. You can find it here: http://www.biblica.com/bible/online-b.... I would highly recommend check it out to find out a bit more about Titus, a convert of Paul and the man to whom this letter is sent. Also, it has an excellent outline to get basic overview of what is spoken about (a lot of teaching) in this letter.

I'm in. Will start reading tomorrow.

Okay, sounds good, Andrea :)

Chapter one:
This chapter is a great reminder that God sets high standards for His people. I am so grateful my parents also saw that and taught my sister and me to have those high standards from childhood. Even now that I am 29, I don't cuss, drink, do drugs, etc. I still hold myself accountable to those high standards God expects of me. But I don't do it just because He expects it. I do it because that's one way I show my love for Him. High standards is something He desires for me, and so I also desire it, and I long to give it to Him as an offering of love.

In my vocab lesson today, we went over the word "edify," which was defined as building up in faith and holiness through instruction. Translated literally from Latin, it means to erect a building.

The instruction we receive as children and young adults, lays a foundation to a pattern of godly living. Paul boldly states this as the purpose of his letter to Titus. (vs. 1-3 NIV)

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness— 2 in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, 3 and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior

This instruction, if it is headed, will build up a godly life style that the world will notice.

Notice this instruction given to the qualifications of elders and tell me whether you think this isn't something that all believers should exemplify: (vs. 8 & 9)

Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

Andrea wrote: "Chapter one:
This chapter is a great reminder that God sets high standards for His people. I am so grateful my parents also saw that and taught my sister and me to have those high standards from ch..."

Amen! It is such a blessing to have godly parents!

Absolutely, every believer should exemplify those qualities. But I think they were given to the elders for a reason. The elders are the leaders; the goal would have been for those elders to set an example of those qualities for the younger generations to learn from. And perhaps some mentoring from the elders to the youngers would have happened, personal teaching rather than just being a living example. Great, great thoughts, Karis, thank you!

You're right. We should all have high standards, but seeing them lived out in the lives of people that you look up to and that are in leadership is impacting. Actions often are just as powerful as words.

And it is even more powerful and discouraging when you don't see those qualities lived out :(

Exactly. I try to live them out the best I can, especially (but not limited to) because I work with children. They are so impressionable, and it's good for them to have positive influences in their lives.

Think about how different the last year would have been if some Pastors had paid more attention to these passages than to worldly matters. If more of today's youth had been brought up using these standards, the rioting and violence of this past year would not have gotten so out of control.

Amen, sister.

1:1 ...truth which accords with Godliness...
In bible study I was reading it said that all truth is God's truth but not all truth is relevant to Godliness meaning that not all truth will save a soul from hell. (Example Science and Psychology may be true but that knowledge won't save your soul.)
https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/...

Very good point, Rita Faye. (Beautiful name, by the way.)

Rita Faye wrote: "Think about how different the last year would have been if some Pastors had paid more attention to these passages than to worldly matters. If more of today's youth had been brought up using these s..."

Personally, you're right somewhat. God didn't make a perfect world, if we were perfect He'd have taken us up to live with Him. Some things just have to happen. Mathew chapter 24 explains that these are the signs of the time. I won't share all twenty nine verses of that passage just verses three to fourteen.

3 Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?”

4 And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all[a] these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences,[b] and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

I agree with you all. I think Lee's right to remind us that we do live in a broken world that's only getting progressively worse as Christ's second coming gets closer.

And, Andrea, I think that you're right about children being especially impressionable.

Thanks Andrea, I didn't always like my name, my dad gave my older sister and I similiar names and people called me by her name (Anita) or mispronounced mine as Rida or Freda. By the time I grew up, I had learned to like my name and eventually love it

Do all young girls go through that? I also disliked my name for a time. Love it now, though.

I don't think disliking your name is indigenous to to girls only.

Really? That might be a relief. :) Hopefully everyone comes to appreciate their names, though.

I don't know about that, I knew this guy named Carl, his parents were Carol (father) and Carolyn, Oldest son Carol Jr, daughters Caroline and Carla. I don't think he ever learned to like his name.

Chapter 2: This chapter is a great follow up to the previous one. In the first one, the elders were instructed in their behavior. Now in the second chapter, there are instructions for the older men and women, in how they are to behave, but also in how they are to teach the younger generations. I love this, because it showcases the proper circle of life, so to speak, that the church should go through in every generation. Titus is a good book by which to measure if our churches are healthy by God's standards. Pretty cool.

Rita Faye wrote: "I don't know about that, I knew this guy named Carl, his parents were Carol (father) and Carolyn, Oldest son Carol Jr, daughters Caroline and Carla. I don't think he ever learned to like his name."

That is a lot of Carol derivatives. Wow.

Rita Faye wrote: "I don't know about that, I knew this guy named Carl, his parents were Carol (father) and Carolyn, Oldest son Carol Jr, daughters Caroline and Carla. I don't think he ever learned to like his name."

Lol. There was a boy in my brother's class named Jody-Ann

Andrea wrote: "Chapter 2: This chapter is a great follow up to the previous one. In the first one, the elders were instructed in their behavior. Now in the second chapter, there are instructions for the older men..."

I like your perspective. I agree.

My son (19) leads a high school/college Bible study with his friend aimed at learning how to navigate college and adulthood. I told him that Titus woud be a good book for them to study.

Lee wrote: "There was a boy in my brother's class named Jody-Ann."

Okay, I take it back. Maybe not all names should be gotten used to. :)

When I name characters in my novels, I try to find names that aren't easily mistaken, unless that's a part of the plot.

Rita Faye wrote: "My son (19) leads a high school/college Bible study with his friend aimed at learning how to navigate college and adulthood. I told him that Titus woud be a good book for them to study."

It definitely would! And it's one that they could read through several times since it's so short.

Andrea wrote: "Lee wrote: "There was a boy in my brother's class named Jody-Ann."

Okay, I take it back. Maybe not all names should be gotten used to. :)

When I name characters in my novels, I try to find names ..."

You're an author?

Rita Faye wrote: "My son (19) leads a high school/college Bible study with his friend aimed at learning how to navigate college and adulthood. I told him that Titus woud be a good book for them to study."

I applaud him. Many youths are afraid to stand up for God in these days. You must be doing a wonderful job at parenting :)

I've missed quite a bit of the conversation here :)

About the name conversation, personally, I've always loved my name. Well, I take that back. I have a vague memory of when I was really little and went to a friend's house and told them to call me Kara. Afterward, I remember getting all upset because they started calling me that and I realized that I hated it. So, besides that moment I've always loved my rather unique name.

Getting back to Titus, I really believe that there's a lot of excellent teaching in Titus that churches and church leaders should make a habit of trying to live by. Titus chapter two also has a beautiful reminder in verses eleven through fourteen on why we should live by these standards.

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

Karis wrote: "I've missed quite a bit of the conversation here :)

About the name conversation, personally, I've always loved my name. Well, I take that back. I have a vague memory of when I was really little a..."

It is a very unique and lovely name Karis :)

Very true.

Amen.

Lee, yes, I'm a writer. Nothing published yet, but I'm working hard and am eager to see if publication is something God's got for me down the road.

Karis, I got a good little chuckle about you asking to be Kara and then hating it. Kids are so funny. (Including ourselves when we were that young.)

And I really love it when we find those verses that explain the "why" of something. We don't always understand the "whys" in life, so it's extra-special when we are gifted with that.

All the best with getting published sis :) Just do your part and God will do the rest.

Thanks, Lee.

Chapter 3: I really enjoyed this chapter. It's a wonderful reminder to never forget where we came from (and from what God delivered us when He saved us), to practice humility, and to maintain the good works God places in our lives. In both verses eight and fourteen, "maintain good works" is mentioned. Works don't earn our faith, but rather prove it. And, according to verse eight, they "are good and profitable to men." (NKJ version) I think they also showcase our servitude to God. When we're getting our hands in the dirt and doing those good works -- without trying to impress anyone, but rather for the joy of serving our God -- He really shines brightly in this dark world, and I imagine He grins really big to see such faithful children putting their God-given talents to good use too. I imagine in those moments, He's proud of us. Can't you just picture our proud Papa saying, "That's MY baby, right there. Just look at how much he/she loves me. They're giving everything they've got. Only they're about to be surprised, because I've got double in store to bless them with, just around that next corner." Doesn't that just give you the good kind of chills? It sure does me.

Lee wrote: "Rita Faye wrote: "My son (19) leads a high school/college Bible study with his friend aimed at learning how to navigate college and adulthood. I told him that Titus woud be a good book for them to ..."

I think my son has taught me as much as I have him. His bosses at his part time job at a coffee shop are our pastor and the youth leader. They had the youth meeting for middle school there after hours because we are outgrowing our church.( I just found out that the youth meeting moved back to church in a room that has been remodeled The coffee shop is also where my son's group meets. My son has been blessed to be surrounded by men who have faith in God and take time to mentor him. I just hope and pray that one day my husband will be a man of faith too.

Andrea wrote: "Lee, yes, I'm a writer. Nothing published yet, but I'm working hard and am eager to see if publication is something God's got for me down the road.

Karis, I got a good little chuckle about you ask..."

@ Andrea Yes, I almost have to laugh at myself when I think of that memory ;) Good luck at writing!

Andrea wrote: "Chapter 3: I really enjoyed this chapter. It's a wonderful reminder to never forget where we came from (and from what God delivered us when He saved us), to practice humility, and to maintain the g..."

I really have to just say, "amen!" That's a beautiful picture to envision, God being proud of His children. I feel like so often we can see God as impersonal and feel like we can never please Him because we so often fail Him. We can be ashamed to show our faces to Him just like Adam and Eve were because there's something in between us- sin.

I think these verses in chapter 3 are a reminder of the purpose all of us Christian should have in every word, deed, or thought that we form. We're also given a roadmap of where we've been and where we should be heading. (verses 3 through 8)

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

Beautiful thoughts, Karis. Keep our divine purpose at the forefront of all we do is hard, but I think it's something we should strive for, with God's help and guidance, of course.

That's true.

Rita Faye wrote: "Lee wrote: "Rita Faye wrote: "My son (19) leads a high school/college Bible study with his friend aimed at learning how to navigate college and adulthood. I told him that Titus woud be a good book ..."

That's good to hear. Some parents today only teach and don't take the time learn. It's very good that he has mentors and people of the faith surrounding him. Serving God in this time is harder than ever before, more so for youths as there are many more distractions. I pray God will continue to guide you and your family.

Wow, out growing the church! That's wonderful. God is truly an amazing God, and people need to take the opportunity to worship Him when they can.

My children have always given me golden nuggets of knowledge but I haven't always been smart enough to listen and hold on to them.

Much of the growth of our church is in the number of children, there has been so many children born that the former Pastor onced joked that if you didn't want to get pregnant you'd better not drink the water. We also have many foster and adopted children in the church.

Hi Everyone,

I just found this discussion, and it was a blessing and very encouraging to read all of your comments. May God be with our churches and our youth! Satan is working over-time to lead people astray, and we must remain vigilant, and true to God's word.

Through Christ we will continue to stand up for Him and His holy word!

God bless,
C. Read

Thanks, C. I think that we're through discussing Titus mostly, but I'm really looking forward to February's Bible Buddy Reads.