1.

In verse 1, Paul uses the expression “sound doctrine.”  What does it mean? (11-14)

** “Doctrine” means “teaching.” The word “sound” has to do with “salvation” which refers to the healthy condition in which man existed prior to the Fall. 

2.

Think about the way to teach older men in verse 2.  What does “temperate” mean?  Why could this be a bigger issue with older men than with younger men?  How are the following components related to one another: 1) temperate; 2) worthy of respect; 3) self-controlled; and 4) sound in faith, in love, and in endurance? 

** New Collegiate Dictionary: temperate – marked by moderation as: a) keeping or held within a limit, not extreme or excessive; mild; b) moderate in indulgence of appetite or desire; c) moderate in the use of intoxicating liquors; d) marked by an absence or avoidance of extravagance, violence, or extreme partisanship. 

** The answer is found in the word “older”, for “getting old” in physical age has NOTHING to do with getting wiser; all it means is that as one picks up human age in this sinful world, unless one gets spiritually disciplined, one will become only worse getting more worldly and adulterated than ever.

** These components are related to one another in that being sound in faith, love and endurance is the key to being able to control oneself; self-control is the key to securing respect over time and continuing to remain temperate.

3.

Consider the teachings on older women in verse 3.  What does “reverent” mean?  Why do you think Paul says the following about older women: 1) Be reverent in the way they live; 2) not to be slanderous; or 3) addicted to much wine.

** Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary: reverent - expressing or characterized by reverence; worshipful.  Reverence – honor or respect. 

** 1) The answer is found in two words: “older” and “women”. As she picks up human age, it is quite likely that like the Samaritan women in John’s gospel chapter 4, she might in increasing measure become disdainful of male population. In fact the lack of nobility among men is largely responsible for the so called “feminist movement.”   

2) God created woman to be a suitable “helper” for man. So Paul issues these instructions, to remind women of their role as “helpers”, for a helper is different from a mere “dependant”; she is to take   root in the Lord, derive spiritual nutrients from him, and help men out by preparing a good environment for man to do God’s work, such as encouraging, showing respect, instead of finding faults with men, or continually pressing demands on men. 

4.

Read verses 3 and 4. Paul entrusted the older women [rather than Titus] with the charge to teach younger women what is good.  Why?  In how many different areas should the older women train the younger women?  What is the goal of such training?  “Train” is a strong word.  Why might Paul have used such a strong word in regard to younger women?

** Perhaps it is better that way, for after all older women are better endowed for teaching younger women than men are and therefore might be in a better position than men to help them.

** 5

** To secure and uphold the purpose of a house church, that is, to preach the Word. 

** Women are men refined, indicating that they need more delicate care than men. Men are relatively simple, whereas women are very sophisticated, so that in order to keep them in  fine condition, both physically and spiritually, they need a lot more detailed, gentler, and sophisticated care than men. 

5.

Compare Paul’s instructions about young men with those for young women.  What does this comparison tell us about young men?  How can a shepherd best serve young men? (7-8)

** They are a lot simpler than women. So if they are taught how to exercise self control, they will be just fine. 

** Set an example in “everything”; example setting is the key to teaching young men.

6. 

In our modern society we do not have slavery.  However, Paul’s teachings in verses 9-10 can apply to our modern employment relationships.  Can you think of laypersons in the Bible who made the teaching about God our Savior “attractive”?

** Joseph in Genesis or Daniel in the book of Daniel set good examples. Thanks to Joseph’s good influence, God was made to look very attractive to even a heathen king. The same was true with Daniel. Thanks to his good influence, he even made a disciple out of a heathen king.

7.

Meditate on the meaning of the words in verses 11-15. What does “worldly passions” mean? How is “ungodliness” connected with “worldly passions”? Paul’s teachings here are related to the past (14), the present (12), and the future (13).  What does this show about the reason for teaching “sound doctrine” to the members of the church? (Genesis 1:26-28; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1)

** “Worldly” has the meaning of “earthly” or simply “physical”.

“Passions” has the meaning of 1) “emotions” as opposed to reason; 2) intense driving; 3) strong liking; 4) sexual desire, etc. 

** Ungodliness is the cause of worldly passions. Ungodliness means lack of God’s dimension. God is Spirit. When one removes God’s spirit from man, man is reduced to mere flesh. What we see in the lives of people of Noah’s day in Genesis 6 or people living in Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19 is the case in point. 

** 1) Past: what Christ did, that is, to redeem, to purify, and to enable men to do what is good; 

2) Present: based on what Jesus did, live one’s life in such a way that God created man, that is, in the image of God, for God made man not only  flesh being but also a spiritual being. Man is more than animal; man was created to rise above the animal level to God’s level, so that man would function as God’s steward, ruling “over” all creation. 

3) Future: the hope of Jesus appearing to perfect the world to come, to reward those who need to be rewarded.

** The ultimate purpose is found in Genesis 1:28,