Live It Out and Train 'Em Up

KyLea Ingram

Central Truth

The gospel saves us not only from the punishment of sin, but also from its power. It transforms us and teaches us how to live. As we follow Jesus, we never stop learning or passing on what we know to be true.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.

Teach Sound Doctrine

1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound^{1

2:1
Or healthy; also verses 2, 8} doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 9 Bondservants^{2

2:9
For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface} are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

Footnotes

[1] 2:1 Or healthy; also verses 2, 8
[2] 2:9 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface

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Gather 'round, ladies and gents! Today's reading is found in the Missions Era of the Bible Timeline (shout out to all my Watermark Kids friends), which is when we see the gospel continue to advance throughout the world. Fun fact: We are living in the Missions Era right now!

Titus 2 begins by identifying believers by gender and life stage, calling them to live a certain way and to help train up those behind them. It also has something to say to bondservants—a term with some relevance for employees today—with instructions on how to relate to those in authority over them.

Why did Paul share how we are to live with and learn from those who are in different positions and stages of life within the church? He tells us in Titus 2:11: "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people . . . ." He expands on that in Titus 2:12-14, which is worth going back and rereading.

We see how the gospel saves us not only from the punishment of sin, but also from its power (e.g., we can live a self-controlled life). It transforms us and teaches us how to live. For those who have put their trust in the death and resurrection of Christ on their behalf, there is a call to live with hope in a way that glorifies God and causes the gospel to become attractive to others.

Side note: If you, like me, are tempted to be overwhelmed by that call, remember you can do nothing apart from God (John 15:5). It is God "working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him." (Philippians 2:13, NLT)

I've had the pleasure of serving in Watermark Kids and seeing an example of this passage lived out. Each week, leaders invest in the next generation by using their various gifts to demonstrate to kids that God's Word is true, Jesus is real, and He isn't boring. It's a good reminder to us all that as we follow Jesus, we never stop learning or passing on what is true!

1. How does the gospel transform how you live each day?

2. Whom are you learning from?

3. Whom are you pouring into?