We’re over halfway through This Is the New Testament, our thematic overview of the New Testament. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we’ll finish our look at the Pauline Epistles and begin the General Epistles.
What Is Titus? The book of Titus is Paul’s letter of encouragement to Titus, a pastor, beloved friend, and son in the faith. This letter covers similar themes to those found in 1 & 2 Timothy. It warns against false teachers and gives instruction for how Christians should live because of the grace shown to them in Christ.
How Titus Fits Into the Story: Paul fought for the spiritual health and maturity of Titus by making clear the connection between a follower of Christ’s faith and their behavior. The book of Titus acknowledges that believers can be tempted to live in ways that contradict the faith they profess. Paul points to the salvation we have in Christ Jesus as motivation and foundation for living out this new way of life.
Reflection Questions:
1. How does today’s reading from Titus about God’s kindness toward you impact your relationship with Him?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
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53 thoughts on "Titus"
5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, – Titus 3:5
3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure. – 1 John 3:3
Lord I thank you for all you do!
Be kind to yourself, Lauren. It takes time to develop habits, good & bad! But you are definitely on the right track with this. Someone else mentions keeping a devotional book in their car- I have done the same for years. It does support delving into the Word each day. I have carried the Jesus Calling book for years. It’s calendar based with daily readings of a minute or two plus scripture references. Hope this is helpful.
Thank you for your prayers Sisters. Nads, praying for you. I had to take today off work but am feeling much better And, so should be able to make it tomorrow.
Dear ERB, It is so late in the day. I am sorry, I posted really early on SRT, but wasn’t feeling good, so asked if we could wait. So I just saw your post, Indeed. Once again Isaiah gives us many nuggets. The depth here seems again to be God’s holiness and man’s sin. I am sorry, maybe we can delay the ending one more day and I can comment in the morning more on Isaiah 65. And you can share more too? What a great journey through Isaiah we have had. I am so blessed and thankful. What a gift. ❤️
I like to use the olivetree app for the bible. i love only King Jame Version. the phrase term, “hope of eternal life” is our souls in the creation with the hope power for the survival future and the new future fates.
God is very mercy on the sinnners with no forthcoming and caught the red hands. God washed the sinners from their sins in their spots. In account of God is grace on them. God have the hope for the eternal life of generation of the earth.
How great the Father’s love for us. Thank you Father!
God’s kindness toward me makes me feel so undeserving and unworthy. Who am I that Jesus should die for me. It is only because of how good God is, nothing that I did. It brings me to my knees in awe and gratitude.
I’m blown away by the kindness of God. It’s so crazy that he wants to be with me, even after knowing everything about me. I pray that I could love those around me, the way he loves me.
Lauren, Lisa Wilt (who is from the greater Kansas City area where I live) has written what she calls one-minute WOW words for the Lord. They are devotions that only take one-minute to read, if you read the scripture it might take you up to five minutes. She reads one daily on the Christian radio station I listen to. I received a free copy of one of them when I went to an appreciation concert Saturday. I had it in my car, so yesterday I was waiting in line at a drive-thru and decided to read it. I downloaded an app for the Bible on my phone and then read it. It took me longer to download the app than it did to read the devotion. I have decided to keep the book in my car and read it when I’m waiting somewhere, which is usually daily.
@Karrie I read your comment from yesterday and I wanted to encourage you. I don’t know if you are going through the same thing I went through 5 years ago in my marriage, but my marriage was on the brink of falling apart after my husband’s infidelity and it took a long time for me to come to a place of complete forgiveness and for the 2 of us to be healed. But God was with us the whole way; I clung to Him and His Word. I soaked myself in it as much as I could. I also looked forward to She Reads Truth each day as a highlight of my day. I often prayed out to the Lord in a way I never prayed before. I know without a shadow of a doubt that God’s hand was in our marriage, that it was only because of Him that we are healed 5 years later. I wanted to give up so many times and was certain it was beyond repair. But God was faithful and I am grateful to Him. Forgiving is hard and I found that to be true for myself. I will pray for you. You are seen and heard by the Lord our God.
Praying for you all, ❤️ @Maura I hope you are feeling better, and if not are able to continue to rest. @Phoebe, praying!
I too loved v. 4 in addition to the key verse. “his kindness and he is faithful, and has compassionate love for us” is a resounding theme in the Old and New Testament—I’ve always heard “God loves us” but this study (and the last) is really driving that home-throughout the Bible it just keeps repeating this, I think that Truth is sinking in to my soul.
Am I the only one that has to read the scripture in several versions, sometimes — esp. Paul’s writings and much of the Old Testament –, to understand it?
Today’s key verse really spoke to me as well Titus 3: 4-7, I really like how The New Living Version reads: “4 But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.* 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.” His mercy and grace are our saving glory and Christ came so that we might live with God for eternity. I praise Christ for His sacrifice. I praise God for sacrificing His Son for my sins. I sing HALLELUJAH to the Holy Spirit for His presences in me.
Have a blessed day sisters and sing JOY and PRAISE to the LORD!!! :)
No, I always use a Bible app and compare. I even have an older Bible that has 3 translations on each page. I am not a theologian but it does help to read then in other translations
VICTORIA E. Now that I have read that you worked with those at risk babies, it gives more understanding of the anxiety you are dealing with! May God continue to rescue you from those prevailing threats to your peace and joy of this blessing baby to come. Sending big hugs!
PHOEBE, I chose Titus 3:4-6 for memorization today!
Love the reading and all of your comments today. What a joy and a blessing to know we can gather in the Word even though we can’t gather in one room.
Praying God’s richest blessings of peace, discernment, and grace for each and every teacher and school official! My son is an asst. principal and daughter in law is a teacher, so you all hold a special place in my heart and my understanding. As it says in Matthew, LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE!!!
Question for myself: what is casting a cover over my light today?
@ Emma K. Amen!❤️ Such great encouragement in all the passages that we read today. I especially enjoyed the words of Micah. “He delights in steadfast love!”
VICTORIA E, (I just read your comment after writing mine to you)
P.S. I bet if your “I-have-to-do-more-or-God-won’t-love-me” feeling AND MY ‘“I have to do more or God won’t love me and I won’t go to Heaven” feeling’ somehow had an arm wrestle,…MINE would win ;) LOL (i.e. I’m feelin’ ya!)
Lord, please put only Your thoughts and view of us into our minds!
VICTORIA E,
Beautiful Soul, I pray for you during this season and your feelings re: your relationship with God. I am praying that ALL the encouragement that YOU (and many SRT sisters) provide to me on my toughest days, especially when I doubt God can redeem the mess I make, will come back to lift you up a hundredfold! I pray that the enemy will not get a foothold, even for the blink of an eye, to steal your joy in this pregnancy and that any fear he tries to plant will be seen as a lie!! Sending you much love… Enjoy ANGIE’S comment!!!
GRAMSIESUE, praying!!
God bless you my Sisters ❤️
I need all the reminders I can get that God saved us because of His grace and mercy, not because of anything we did. I grew up in very perfectionist, works- based house and even though I know we are saved by grace I have difficulty getting rid of that “I have to do more or God won’t love me” feeling. Thank you for all who prayed for me yesterday- CeeGee, Maura, GramsieSue, and others! Your prayers were really effective, I started to feel much better about myself and how God sees me and was able to spend some time basking in His love last night. This community is truly incredible. GramsieSue I am still praying for you and your family and your continued healing!
SHARON, JERSEY GIRL,
Sorry about ER. Glad you’re all clear (Praise Jesus!) but YES you still need to take care of yourself and follow all they ask you re: concussion.
Reduce your screens as much as possible.
I will be disappointed if you don’t comment anymore but I HOPE you are USING “voice-to-text” to ‘write’ on your phone to minimize need to focus eyes on a screen.
Good morning MAURA, please have a nice cup of tea…then tell us how you’re feeling ;)
MICHELLE PATIRE, I’ve prayed a similar prayer to this many times in my life!…I’ll pray it alongside you.
ERB, yes I LOVE this — “Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.”
MELANIE, sorry Dear one… praying for strength and true resolution of the various challenges you’ve brought forth.
CINDYQUILTS, thanks for sharing your praise! Yay!!
ANGIE, I love the way you wrote about pregnancy :)
SISSY, I pray blessing over you…may God give you to miraculously minister to your 500 ;) students as Jesus miraculously fed the 5000.
Please pray for me…Too often, I am the faith-filled sheep who turns only her head to her Shepherd, not her whole body. Heartbroken over my own stubbornness against sin…that God’s ‘tolerance’ does not equal ‘acceptance’.
It’s HIS kindness that leads me to repentance. My God is gentle and loving and takes me as I am.
1. His kindness feels so tender; He is so approachable. So gentle, and loving, and “for” me. He truly wants what is best for me.
2. I am blown away by Titus 3:4-5! “But when the kindness of God our Saviour and his love for mankind appeared, he saved us — not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy — through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”
I am redeemed because of God’s kindness and love, not because I am “good enough” or “deserve it”. I will never be good enough or deserve it, but praise God for sending his Son and Spirit to redeem me! He is so good.
MAURA, my dear friend, I loved your insights from Isaiah 64!! Very anointed and oh so true!!! Thank you for sharing with me!!! I am glad that you had yesterday off from work and got to rest!! What a gift rest is!!! Especially when it’s done in our Father’s loving arms!!
Can you believe that we are almost done with reading Isaiah?!! Tomorrow is the last chapter!!! What a journey it has been!! I am so grateful that you joined me in this…I have learned and grown so much!!! Truly appreciate you dear friend!!
Isaiah 65:1-25 What an awesome chapter!!! The header of it says “Judgement and Salvation” and it couldn’t be more true!!! I see a God of mercy, of justice, of love, and of faithfulness all throughout these verses!!! So many little nuggets to grasp and to let God breathe life and revelation onto..
Here are the verses I highlighted:
1-2 “I revealed Myself to those who did not ask for Me; I was found by those who did not seek Me. To a nation that did not call on My name, I said, ‘Here am I, here am I.’ 2 All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate people, who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own imaginations”
5-16 “Such people are smoke in my nostrils, a fire that keeps burning all day. 6 “See, it stands written before me: I will not keep silent but will pay back in full; I will pay it back into their laps— 7 both your sins and the sins of your ancestors,” says the Lord. “Because they burned sacrifices on the mountains and defied me on the hills, I will measure into their laps the full payment for their former deeds.” 8 This is what the Lord says: “As when juice is still found in a cluster of grapes and people say, ‘Don’t destroy it, there is still a blessing in it,’ so will I do in behalf of my servants; I will not destroy them all. 9 I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, and from Judah those who will possess my mountains; my chosen people will inherit them, and there will my servants live. 10 Sharon will become a pasture for flocks, and the Valley of Achor a resting place for herds, for my people who seek me. 11 “But as for you who forsake the Lord and forget my holy mountain, who spread a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny, 12 I will destine you for the sword, and all of you will fall in the slaughter; for I called but you did not answer, I spoke but you did not listen. You did evil in my sight and chose what displeases me.” 13 Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “My servants will eat, but you will go hungry; my servants will drink, but you will go thirsty; my servants will rejoice, but you will be put to shame. 14 My servants will sing out of the joy of their hearts, but you will cry out from anguish of heart and wail in brokenness of spirit. 15 You will leave your name for my chosen ones to use in their curses; the Sovereign Lord will put you to death, but to his servants he will give another name. 16 Whoever invokes a blessing in the land will do so by the one true God; whoever takes an oath in the land will swear by the one true God. For the past troubles will be forgotten and hidden from my eyes.”
and finally 17-25 “See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. 18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. 19 I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. 20 “Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; the one who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere child; the one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed. 21 They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22 No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat. For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my people; My chosen ones will long enjoy the work of their hands. 23 They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the Lord, they and their descendants with them. 24 Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. 25 The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the Lord.”
with verse 24 really speaking out to me!! What an INCREDIBLE promise!!! God, our Father is SO incredibly GOOD to us!!!! Here’s to New Heavens and to a New Earth!!! Amen!!
ERB I love this part of Isaiah, especially the verse where God says there will never be an infant that lives but a few days. I always cry at that- when I was going through training my most difficult days were the ones in peds neuro where we would take care of infants born with terrible diseases, who lived for only a few days or months in horrific pain and suffering before dying. I could never understand how God could allow these innocents to suffer so, but this verse really gives me hope for the future. Sometimes I wish it could be now! Ps I hope you are doing well with your seizures and your medication regimen. I am praying for you
Just because I have a need to acknowledge God’s goodness….. my daughter was called back to her “dream job” yesterday after a very long 16 months . He provided an interim job where she did gain some experience in different areas and that was a blessing in itself. She had been so hopeless and headed toward anxiety, but God’s timing is perfect we know, even if it seems long to us. I just want to thank HIM …
Amen Cindyquilts so happy to hear this!
Not my works but His Mercy that brings my salvation! God’s Mercy astounds me- and I hope it always does. It humbles me and encourages me to die to myself, leave my worries at His Feet and fix my eyes on Him. This awesome God who holds the whole world in His Hands, with Righteousness and with Mercy. What more could I ask for?
Sissy praying peace and wisdom.
@ Lauren, praying you stay consistent in seeking God through this study. May he teach you new things through this time.
Asking for prayer myself. I got myself in a bad situation with my car and now my transmission might be dead. I didn’t listen to prompting of Spirit and went somewhere I shouldn’t have and then my car broke down. Just got my car last year & thankfully it is paid off, but I can’t afford a new one… Not making much money. I know God can redeem this mistake I made. Prayers for wisdom, grace, and faith.
Thank you.
Sisters, I don’t often post in comments, but I wanted to ask if you would pray for peace today. I am a Kindergarten teacher, and we have an overcrowding problem at our school currently. Between large class sizes, struggling with classroom management, and Covid cases on the rise, I am just one big bundle of nerves. I know God has a plan for this school year and a reason for placing what seems like 500 kids in my class, but I’m just feeling lost and overwhelmed and could use some prayer today. Thank you so much! I love reading and praying over the comments y’all make every day! ❤️
@Sissy M – Praying you are able to see each child and bring them joy today – thank you for what you do! And Praying for protection, wisdom and peace!
I am a teacher too. Today is my first day. Leadings to you!
Sissy M praying for you!
My prayers have been for teachers everywhere, y’all are unsung heroes
Taylor, so funny!! I’m not a coffee drinker (I’m not a huge fan of coffee in general)…I thought college might make me into one but I made it through on the occasional caffeinated tea haha. Hope you have a great day too!!
“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know is is that it did not know Him.” I John 3:1
Yes and amen
MAURA praying that you wake from a healing sleep.
Praise God
Not our works but His mercy. So powerful. So freeing.
So thankful that his mercies are new each day. I pray that I can continue to live as he wants me to live and continue to see people as he sees them . It’s so amazing how he loves us despite our iniquities .
Walking through a situation I thought was behind me only for it to come back full force. I am weak and tired. Today’s reading reminded me to follow Jesus and even though it means I may lose family I have to choose love over hate, peace over division and forgiveness. My son is supposed to start a new school. We had to move him from public as what they were teaching was awful. My 3 girls are still in public. It will be so a lot for me to manage all the schools. I need Jesus so much right now
@Sarah D we commented at literally the exact same time LOL! I love coffee but sadly caffeine makes me feel like I’m having heart palpitations so if you don’t want to become a coffee drinker is to get your 8 hours of sleep every night and try to have a set bedtime and wake-up time on week nights! Have a great day at work! :)
I think it’s taken me 25 years to TRULY understand that God’s grace, kindness, love, and mercy is my MOTIVATION to live for Him and not for myself, to say “NO” to ungodliness at it says in Titus 2:12. I lack self-control in a lot of areas of my life, and I’m in a season where temptations arise and distractions occur and I can either fall or stand firm. Lord I want to live for You and glorify You in EVERY area of my life! I am a work in progress but I pray your strength over me that I would stand firm and hold onto the HOPE that is found in none other than Jesus and what HE has done for me! <3
So thankful for Jesus. Even despite our brokenness, he still loves us and still pursued. So amazing.
Haha Taylor, can’t believe I’m in the morning comment crew! Definitely an adjustment to waking up early and going to work…May need to start drinking caffeinated teas… Have a wonderful day everyone! Maura, praying you would feel better soon!
These are perfect words to read as I prepare for my high school students to come back tomorrow. Live in a sensible, righteous, godly way. Submit to all authorities. Obey. Be ready for every good work. Slander no one – don’t even be negative about someone. Avoid fighting. Be kind and gentle. Remember who I was before God found me – lost and without hope. I have been cleansed by God for His possession, eager to do good works.
Sweet, Heavenly Father, I am so humbled this morning by the extent of Your mercy and kindness to me. I pray for all the teachers and students going back to school. Help me to be a “light that is so lovely that they want with all their hearts to know the source of it.”
Have a blessed day today.
Just starting this reading plan and praying for endurance and consistency in reading every day. I get so caught up in work and focused on my self, which leads to isolation, anxiety, and fear. Need the daily Word to ground and center me on Him, our only source of real life, comfort, and joy.
Lauren. I am praying for you because I used to feel like this too. I found a lot of my identity in my work, which even though it is good work that helps others, it was destroying me. I found that I was at my best when I took even a few minutes to read the word and pray before the day started. I slowly increased that time and God has really blessed me in our time together. I pray that you experience the joy and peace that only God can bring. “Seek first the kingdom of God and all these will be added to you.” Bless you sister !
1. My repentance is the response to God’s kindness. Once my heart truly understood to what extreme measures were taken that I may be restored to eternal life how could I not? Paul put it this way, “Do the riches of his extraordinary kindness make you take him for granted and despise him? Haven’t you experienced how kind and understanding he has been to you? Don’t mistake his tolerance for acceptance. Do you realize that all the wealth of his extravagant kindness is meant to melt your heart and lead you into repentance?” (Romans 2:4 TPT)
2. Part of my redemption is being made a child of God who He has not left alone to figure things out but has given His Spirit to direct my steps to a life that brings Him honor and glory.
Praying God’s peace for you all today ❤
Love the purpose of Titus…I am carrying a weight for my high school girls. They are being pressured tremendously and some have given in. We were supposed to start John tonight but I think we will read through Titus and then start John next week. Both writings are wonderful, but maybe…for such a time as this, Titus is perfect.
Victoria E. – 33 weeks is a long time. I remember seeing a sign at the gyn office that said, “No one stays pregnant forever,” and thinking, “what a silly sign,” except when I was two weeks late-I felt like I would be pregnant forever. You are at the beginning of this glorious time. Savor the days, every feeling and movement to come. Laugh at yourself when you get too big to shave your legs, or when your baby and belly have grown to the point that walking down the row at church…to use the restroom for the third, no forth time, trying to keep your bottom forward to pass people, your baby-belly knocks the person’s forward head in front of you. What a time of anticipation and joy. Every time the evil one tries to hit you with the negative, thank God for one more blessing, even the funny ones. And talk to that little one, read to him/her from God’s Word…and get lots of rest – you are going to need it – for so many marvelous minutes, moments, and memories.
It is a pleasure to read and pray for each of the requests given. It is also beautiful to see you each share with each other, lift each other up, and glorify God in the process. Blessings sisters.
Morning sisters!
Have read through comments from yesterday and continue to pray for all who have requested and for all …
Lifting you all to Him who sees, to Him who knows, to Him who can do emmeasurably more that we could ever imagine, to the One who comforts, to the One who provides, the miracle worker.. the One who loves us beyond beyond, the One who holds us absolutely in His hands. Lifting you up sisters, Lifting you up..
But God..
MAURA, Praying you wake up with no symptoms of anything , but good health..
Hugs and love wrapped in prayers of comfort, grace, hope and peace..❤
Praying for you and girls Maura!
Would not catch anything at all.
Hi Sisters, awake with what feels like a head cold and the chills. Praying to wake up just fine in the morning. Please pray God’s protection around my daughter and granddaughters that they would it catch anythi g I might have. Thank you so much. ERB thinking I will take off tomorrow. God Bless you all with much peace.