structure

A Working Structure of Titus

/ Melissa / Leave a comment

Titus 1:1-4 True Child of the True Faith (Crete was known for its gods and lies)

  1. Know God’s Truth (Election, Eternal Hope, Sovereign Savior, Promise Keeper)
  2. Live Godly Lives (Hope, Obey, Serve one another and God)

Emphasis: To further the lived out faith and truth of God’s people à Faith and Truth Lead to Godly Living

Titus 1:5-16 Fit for Godliness—Task to Choose and Train the Elders (Crete was known for its many cities as well as its violence, seduction, and lies; myths of both Jews and Greeks—Zeus)

  1. Fit for Managing God’s Household
    • Teaching – encouraging, rebuking
    • Tongue – godly
    • Temper – hospitable
    • Trust – Truth of God
  2. Unfit for Anything Good – Time to Clean House
    • Teaching – false
    • Tongue – lies
    • Temper – violent
    • Trust – myths, humans

Emphasis: How we manage our households speaks louder than our message sometimes.

Titus 2:1-10 The Value of Teaching Godliness (Who to teach, what…, how…, and why…)

  1. Value of the Word
  2. Value to the Church

Emphasis: TEACH + impact on view of God’s word – appropriate and attractive

Titus 2:11-15 On Grace and Glory

  1. Grace Appears, v. 11-12, 15 (To Save, To Teach)
  2. Glory Appears, v. 13-14 (To Hope, To Redeem, To Purify)

Titus 3:1-11 Stressed Out or Stressing God’s Kindness?  Or Distracted v. Devoted?

  1. Stressed Out (Our Past Sins and Failures; Our Present Distractions and Divisions)
  2. Stressing God’s Kindness (Gentle Reminders; Gospel Foundations; Good Works for God’s Glory)

Emphasis: What to Stress / Insist Upon because of God’s kindness and love. Also, seems like I. and III. Go together and II. And IV. Go together.

Titus 3:11-15  Our Devoted People

I.   Devoted to Good (3:12-14; Help Gospel Partners; Provide for People in Need; Lead Productive Lives)

II. Devoted to Grace (3:15; Grace-filled Greetings; Love in the Faith, because devoted to God; context: 3:4-8)

Emphasis: Devoted to doing good (6th/final time “do good” is used in book—1:8; 2:7,14; 3:1,8,14).

“Our people must learn to devote themselves to good works!”

A Working Structure of James

/ Melissa / Leave a comment

James: Bind My Wandering Heart to Thee

  1. Philosophy and Intro (James 1:1): “God, Our Steadfast Father, Calls and Equips His Children to Live Humble, Faithful Lives through His Perfect Wisdom and the Power of His Word.”
  2. Our Good Father: The Nature of God (1:2-19)
    • Life of Trials: Reality, Responses, Results
    • God’s Gifts: Faith, Wisdom, Life, Word
    • Father of Lights: Adopts to Bless
  3. Reflections of a Father: Adoption (1:19-27)
    • The Living Word
    • A Good Look in the Mirror: The Perfect Law
    • The Lived-out Word
      • The Bridled Tongue
      • Care for Vulnerable
      • Pure Life
  4. Favor vs. Favoritism: Election (2:1-13)
    • The Sin of Favoritism
    • The Savior’s Impartial Favor
    • What’s Showing? Mercy over Judgment
  5. Can Faith Save? Justification (2:14-26)
    • A Few Gospel Principles: Judgment, Faith, Justification
    • A Practical Grid of Faith
    • Anatomy of Faith
  6. Of Wisdom and Words: Sanctification (3:1-18)
    • The Power of Words
    • The Proof of Wisdom: Works
  7. On Fighting and Friendship: Repentance, as part of Sanctification (4:1-12)
    • Rebellion
    • Repentance
    • Reminders concerning the Law and Judgment
  8. On Timelines and Treasures: Providence (4:13-5:6)
    • Timelines: Man’s Proud Plans vs. God’s Perfect Providence
    • Treasures: Man’s Greed vs. God’s Rich Provision
  9. Blessed are the Steadfast: Perseverance (5:7-20)
    • Hope in the Lord’s Return: Patient in Suffering
    • Faith in Action: Speak Truth and Pray Always
    • Love for Weak and Wandering: Restoration

Song: Come, Thou Fount