Leading and Following

Titus 2:1-8

Verse 1  You, however, must teach what is appropriate to sound doctrine.

    Growing requires community, true community, where there is teaching and learning going on by all.  We have talked about following a leader and how that helps us move forward, but there is a second side to this growth – our teaching responsibilities.

    It is easier to seek someone to follow than it is to accept the fact that we need to be willing to accept people following us in the way of the Father.  Most of us are not willing to teach others that are coming along behind and beside us and yet that is exactly what we are called to do.  Paul was a teacher to multiple people including Titus.  But Paul knew the teaching couldn’t stay with Titus any more than it could stay with Timothy, the Ephesians, Galatians or any of the others.  If they hadn’t picked up the teachers role how would it have ever gotten to us?

    Passing the truth on to others is very important for them and for us.  There is a saying that the teachers learn the most.  This is a concept that we often forget about in the Church and yet it was known as a very vital part of the New Testament Church.

    The lists that Paul gives Titus are gender specific.  Not that each gender can’t learn something from the other list.  In fact we should be learning things from each other no matter our gender, although we need to use wisdom in inter-gender relationships to make sure they remain reflective of God’s desires of purity in the community of faith.

    Once again, we need to remember that we are to be humble and accept teaching from others in the community of God.  Humility enables us to see the wisdom of what others are saying and reminds us that we aren’t all we think ourselves to be.  In everything we are to show integrity and seriousness.  How we respond to others teaching us and our attitude in teaching others reveals the truth of where our heart stands in worship.  Do we worship God and desire to be like Him?  Or do we worship ourselves and want to make others in our image?

Making It Personal

    Which do you find easier to do, learn or teach?  Does it depend on the topic?  How high is your priority of learning more about God and His ways?

Making It Personal Kids

    Do you think you are old enough to teach anything about God?  What would you teach?  What would you like to learn about God and living His way?  Who can you ask to teach you?

Closing Prayer

    Father, thank You for building us for community.  Please give us humble hearts to accept teaching and help us desire more so that we can grow more and more like You and teach others to do the same.  In Jesus’ name, amen.