Hello! Today - we study the chapters of Titus. :)
Here is the scoop on the book of Titus.... it is similar to Timothy - in that they are epistles that Paul wrote
to leaders of the church in the area. Titus was Greek, and was taught
the gospel by Paul. After he converted, he served with Paul to help
teach
and organize the church. Titus was sent to Crete to take care of the
branch there and to call Bishops. Not going to lie - I can only imagine
what a tough calling it would be to have to set up
the church and find leadership!
Check
out v 7-9 in the first chapter.... describes qualities for a Bishop.
Also in v 9 - he points out that they need to be able to "hold fast" to
"sound doctrine" (AKA, true doctrine) Should sound familiar since Paul wrote about 'sound doctrine' in Timothy as well.
**Why do you think you need to have, know, and "hold fast" to the true doctrine in your lives?
Loved
this quite from Elder Boyd K Packer: "True doctrine, understood,
changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel
will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve
behavior... That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the
doctrines of the gosp
el."
**So - what do we do once we have the true doctrine? Check out Titus 2:1, and 2:7
In Ch 3, look for how the gosp
el of Jesus Christ changes people. In v 3-8, what changed the peop
le? What would happ
en as a result of the change brought about by the gosp
el (v 7)? And, what counsel does he give after being changed and baptized (v8)?
I am reminded of how great it is that you all are choosing to be in seminary - since it is a p
lace where you can learn the "sound" or true doctrine!
Ha! For some reason Wednesday didn't load...or save. Dang. I guess I'll get to the second part of 2nd Timothy...dang.
ReplyDeleteChapter 1 verse 15 is super intense. I am not quite sure I am getting the point, like good attracts good while negative remains negative? But it leaves out like repentance and such…?
ReplyDeleteChapter 2 we need to be examples! Then we can manifest the truth of the real doctrine through our own lives. And in verse 15 he says “Let no man despise thee” Like stand firm in your own testimony? Because you can’t help it if someone disregards you.
Chapter 3 the resurrection and Christs perfection is what saves us all and gives us all hope. We need to continue to use his saving grace in our lives, be examples of it, and renew our covenants because that is the closest tangible thing we have to Christs atonement.
Titus 1:7-9 is cool because it reiterates the high spiritual level that bishops much be on. We must hold fast to the true doctrine in our lives partly because it is a crucial distinction between the culture of the church and the doctrine. The fundamental truths can become convoluted easily if we don’t remember the more important elements of the gospel.
ReplyDeleteThe quote by Boyd K. Packer, then, states that the true doctrine, once learned and studied, should improve the behavior of the members whom have studied it. No matter the culture, knowing the true doctrine should make a member a better person.
In chapter 3, it was through Christ’s kindness, love and mercy that he changed the saints. Eternal life is the ideal result of the changes brought from the gospel (but the question, disagree? Is it really the gospel, or is it Jesus himself?)
Agreed; it is great that we can learn the true doctrine, and not culture or contemporary beliefs, in seminary!