Titus was written by Paul. The aim of the letter is to encourage. Titus was needing encouragement with some of the issues he was facing. many of the issues in this letter rare similar to Paul’s letter to Timothy because of broadly similar issues.

Titus is assigned the tough job of starting churches on the island of Crete, once a haven for pirates. Titus gets advice from Paul on what to look for in pastors and how to minister to a rough crowd of people.

Paul had already visited Crete, more correctly, he crashed into the island during the journey to Rome. {Acts 27 verses 7 to 13}

In Titus 1 verse 12 Paul quotes from a prophet from Crete, who had said “Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.”

What a great place to start churches, the people were certainly in need of pastoral care. This is where Titus was preaching to start a church. Starting a church isn’t easy, but certainly rewarding.

Paul after quoting the prophets, tells Titus to find a few exception to what he described. Exceptional men who ‘live a blameless life.’ They will pastor the churches that Paul and Titus start. Paul tells Titus to look for men who have the same qualifications, he had written about in the letters to Timothy.

Paul gives Titus advice for different groups within the church.

Elderly men; They need to learn patience and love.

Elderly women; Don’t gossip or get drunk.

Young women; Follow the example of Godly older women.

Young men; Self control.

Paul tells Titus to ‘keep it simple when preaching’.

Key Verses. Titus 2 verse 11 to 14 {Message Bible} “God’s readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation’s available for everyone! We’re being shown how to turn our backs on a godless. indulgent life, and how to take on a God-filled, God-honoring life. This new life is starting right now, and is whetting our appetites for the glorious day when our great God and savor, Jesus Christ appears. He offered Himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.”

if we are to remember one thing from reading Titus, it would be “God has saved us and given us HOPE.”

God Bless

OFJ