1 of 1

In Titus 1:5-9, Paul presented a well-thought-out checklist of qualities required to become a church leader. A list he wrote for the church in Ephesus

(1 Timothy 3:2-7) is nearly identical. In both, the qualifications mostly involve character, rather than knowledge or skill. Of course, these standards make an excellent yardstick by which all believers can measure their effort and self-discipline.

Titus 1:5-9

1. Why (v. 6) is a man's reputation of primary importance?
   
   
2. How does how a man's treatment of his family provide a window into his character?
   
   
3. Christian workers and volunteers sometimes think their work so important that it justifies ignoring their families. How do these standards deal with that view?
   
   
4. How (v. 7) does a man's lifestyle figure into his fitness to lead?
   
   
5. How (v. 8) can you tell if a person is wise and fair?
   
   
6. Self-discipline is essential for achieving "a blameless life." What are the characteristics of a self-disciplined man?
   
   
7. The last criterion listed (v. 9) is strong belief. How strong and steadfast is your confidence in the gospel?
   
   

Ask God for the self-discipline to enable you to live the devout and disciplined life Paul describes in this passage.

Titus 1:5-9

5 I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you. 6 An elder must live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who don't have a reputation for being wild or rebellious. 7 For an elder must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money.

8 Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life. 9 He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.

Copyright © 2009 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

 1 of 1

share this page

Prayer for the Week

Ask God for the resolve and discipline to be consistently faithful with routine matters in ordinary times.

				Try an Issue of Men of Integrity Free! Name Street Address City/State/Zip E-mail Address No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders. If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless. Give Men of Integrity as a gift Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!

FREE Newsletter Sign up for the Men of Integrity Newsletter (All fields required)    RSS Feed   RSS Help