Titus' Syllabus

Monday, February 23, 2009: Titus 3:3

For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
Background: The Island of Crete in the Mediterranean Sea had a reputation of being peopled by those of low moral fiber. Titus, a gentile convert, was asked by Paul to recognize elders in every Church on the Island.

Titus 3:4

But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,
If ‘once’ is the past, what is amazing about the kindness and love of God? It is amazing that He could love us and be kind to us who are described so vividly in verse 3.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009: Titus 3:5a

not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us,
If ‘once’ is the past, what is the change that has brought us into the present? He saved us by His mercy and NOT by our good work. Our good works can never cancel out our sin.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009: Titus 3:5b

(He saved us) through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
What is another way of expressing ‘washing and renewing’? Being born again, believing in Jesus Christ, etc.

Thursday, February 26, 2009: Titus 3:6

(the Holy Spirit) whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
What is the connection between this and John 7: 37-39? Poured = water for the thirsty.

John 7:37–39

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Friday, February 27, 2009: Titus 3:7

that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
What is our hope for the future? We will be heirs of God!