Studying Paul’s Letter to Titus.

Cretan people get a bad wrap in Titus chapter 1. At least in Paul’s day, Cretans had a reputation of being liars, brutes and gluttons.

Nevertheless, they were loved by God enough, to receive the ministry and leadership of Titus.

Last week our church started a preaching series on Paul’s letter to Titus.

This young man, receiving authority from his mentor Paul, to oversee a difficult and rebellious people group; the Cretans.

The Book to Titus indicates an instructional passing of the torch, from one leader to another.

Titus 1:10-16 – NIV

“10 For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. 11 They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain. 12 One of Crete’s own prophets has said it: “Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons.” 13 This saying is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith 14 and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the merely human commands of those who reject the truth.

15 To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.”

Study Questions:

1. In your opinion, what was the most impactful piece of this week’s passage or message?
2. Cretans had quite a few issues. Are there any similar characteristics to today’s Western world or Western churches?
3. From your standpoint, what would be the best way to reach the Cretan people?
4. Alternately, how should we reach these types of people in Western culture?
5. When you hear the word “pure,” what comes to mind? What does a pure person look like?
6. When you hear the word “corrupt,” what comes to mind? What does a corrupt person look like?
7. False teachers have always been a problem in the church. What false teachings was Titus facing with the Cretan church?
8. What false teachings do we find in our Western church today? How can we keep these teachings from entering our churches?
9. How will this passage impact our walk with Christ this week?
10. How will this passage change how we interact with other this week?

Join the Conversation, Leave Your Thoughts

How should we deal with liars, brutes and gluttons in our society? How should we deal with the church?