Titus_2

Scripture

 

Titus‬ ‭2:7

 

“And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.”

 

Observation-What does it say?

 

Paul is the mentor to Titus. Titus is a young pastor on the island of Crete. Titus needs help starting up churches on Crete and Paul is there to encourage him, and disciple him along the way. Paul understands the difficulty ahead for Titus, but he encourages the young pastor to stand strong, speak boldly the Word of God, and he gives Titus a practical plan for strengthening and bringing order to the churches. Paul knows Titus will be effective in his ministry, as long as he stands strong in Christ.

 

Understanding-What does it mean? 

 

Do life together.

 

Don’t you think it’s great that a young pastor like Titus didn’t have to attack such a daunting task, and figure things out on his own? Isn’t it nice to be able to get counsel and advice from someone who has “been there, done that?" Isn’t it nice to have someone to do life with and help you with your faith along life’s struggles?

 

Living the Christian life is not meant to be done alone. It’s about relationships. Our relationship with Jesus, and our relationships with others. We all know the challenges that life brings. ‬ ‭And we surely know that the enemy is just waiting to jump on any opportunity to catch us when our guard is down. The enemy will lie, cheat, and steal his way into our lives if we are not careful and strong with our faith. That is why it’s SO important to surround ourselves with fellow believers; people who can encourage you, pray for you, and help you grow in your walk with God. God wants to put these people of faith in your lives to help strengthen and mature you in your faith.

 

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”-‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭27:17‬ ‭NLT

 

So stay sharp and stay strong in Christ Jesus! Be proactive instead of reactive when it comes to protecting ourselves from the lies and attacks from the enemy. Surround ourselves with people who have the same goals and the same beliefs. Be there for one another. Pray, encourage, and help each other through life’s struggles. Praise and worship together as God brings you through “life’s ringer” and shapes and molds you into who He wants you to be.

 

Life Application

 

Join a small group, be discipled, or find someone you can disciple.

 

Before I arrived at DSC, I was one of those Christians who thought I can do life on my own. It was Jesus and I against the world. All I had to do was go to church on Sunday mornings, maybe just watch church on tv for a half an hour, and I was good. I didn’t need to be part of serving in ministry. I didn’t need to attend a small group and make my schedule even more busy. My time was precious. But you know what? I wasn’t growing as a Christian. I was struggling with the same things over and over. The people I hung out with weren’t Christians, so they would just laugh at me if I opened up to them. I was a loner of some sort in need of refreshing.

 

Enter my life at DSC. I began serving in ministry, became a leader in ministry, joined a small group, and even discipled someone. My schedule was packed! And as tired as I was from work and having kids, I made time for these things in my life. I may not have felt like going to some of these things at the time, but believe it or not, I actually walked away from them refreshed! I felt a sense of fulfillment. I now have friends who are Christ Followers like me! I can turn to them for prayer and encouragement, and I know they can do the same with me. I’m able to share my life’s experiences with someone a little younger, in hopes they don’t make the same mistakes I made. What joining a small group, being discipled, and discipling someone has done for me is given me a sense of purpose. It helps me stay connected to God and His people. It helps me make sure I’m walking the path God has chosen for me. In doing so, it has strengthened my relationship with Jesus, and has made me into the man I am today.

 

So I just want to take the time to encourage those of you who aren’t part of something like Paul and Titus, or something like I have been a part of here at DSC, to come in and join! Be part of something bigger than ourselves. Be part of a family that you can do life together with. Be part of God’s family. 

 

-Moses Gaddi

 

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