PROLIFERATING THE GOSPEL
Opening Prayer
As I read, Father, help me to discern your will for me today. Show me how to serve you in ways that make a difference in the lives of others.
Read TITUS 2:1–10
Doing Good for the Sake of the Gospel
2 You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine. 2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.
3 Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
6 Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7 In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness 8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
Take this time to draw closer to Jesus today, that you may discern his voice in all that you encounter, and so follow him better.
Think Further
Paul has the privilege and responsibility to teach Titus, and Titus has the privilege and responsibility to teach the men and women in his care in Crete. The Cretan believers cover a wide demographic of men and women, of all ages and varying social status. The culture in which we live may look rather different to that of this Greco-Roman island, but people are people, godliness is godliness, and sin is sin. As you read this passage you may find that specific things speak to you, but there is one general principle that we are focusing on today: proliferation.
Each of us has a unique circle of influence. The friends, neighbors, and colleagues you have are particular to you. God can use you where you are to be an influence for the kingdom, shining good news into a needy world, but it is sometimes easier to assume that someone else will be that witness, rather than expect God to use us. The different characters that Paul is expecting Titus to teach each have their own circles of influence. For instance, it was natural in that culture for older women to influence younger women. Within each example given by Paul the issue is to teach a practical approach to following Jesus. Living in response to receiving the good news, is to live a life desiring to be godly.
Those who are mature in the faith must find ways to pass on what they have heard to those who are newer in the faith. Whether or not we call this ‘discipleship,’ there is always something we can share with someone. The emphasis remains on us to live for Jesus and to help others to do the same. This proliferation, or multiplication, is at the heart of Paul’s approach to the health of the global gospel.1
Apply
Consider the people that God will put in your path today. How can you help them to draw closer to God? Is there something you can do or say?
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, thank you for the family and community of faith you have given me. Help me today to express your grace and mercy in meaningful ways.
1 2 Tim 2:2
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