1. Title Page

2. Lesson Nine

3. Titus 2:1-4 1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. 3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

4. Titus 2:5-8 5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. 6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded. 7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

5. Titus 2:9-12 9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. 11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

6. Titus 2:13-15 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. 15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

7. Focus Verse Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

8. Focus Thought Believers must mature and grow in grace through the teaching ministry.

9. Introduction The resurrection of Lazarus from the dead was one of the most dynamic events in the ministry of Jesus Christ. Jesus called Lazarus back to life from the dark and dismal confines of death. However, when he finally emerged from the tomb, he was alive but still bound in grave clothes. The words of Jesus Christ to His disciples could also apply to believers today regarding an individual who has been resurrected from sin: “Loose him, and let him go” (John 11:44).

10. Introduction Lazarus was indeed raised from the dead, but he needed someone to help him remove the grave clothes that still bound him. This task became the responsibility of the followers of Christ. By working together, they successfully freed him from that which bound him. In a spiritual sense, we must do the same thing for new believers following their conversion to Jesus Christ.

11. Introduction When a person is born again, he is resurrected to a new life, his spirit is born again, and the gospel of Christ alters his eternal destination. However, he is only beginning his new life in Christ Jesus. The new believer has to allow the Holy Spirit to redefine and redirect how he will live. Many things about his former lifestyle will begin to change such as habits, attitudes, dress, and speech. Through His Word and Holy Spirit, God will begin to challenge the new believer to change many aspects of his life. We call this process discipleship.

12. Introduction Jesus Christ ordained His church to be an active and important part of this process of discipling new believers. Jesus instructed His disciples in the great commission regarding three key elements involved in making other individuals His disciples. 1.Proclaim the gospel—the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (See Acts 2:38.) 2. Teach people to observe and practice God’s Word in their lives. 3. Realize the assurance of Christ’s abiding presence forever.

13. Introduction Someone once said of becoming a disciple, “It takes only a moment to be saved, but it takes a lifetime to become a disciple.” Truly, discipleship is a lifetime journey, and it is an exciting one that is worth all the effort it requires. It is the will of God for every believer to become a disciple and then to help disciple others.

14. I. Discipling New Believers (A) Discipling New Believers The task of discipling the new believer rests on every person in the body of Christ. However, as conveyed by the old saying, “Many hands make for light work,” that is never more true than in the church’s efforts to help men and women mature in their faith.

15. I. Discipling New Believers (A) The process of discipleship involves two areas of teaching: doctrine and evangelism. Discipleship is not complete until we have successfully addressed both within the life of a new believer.

16. I. Discipling New Believers (A) A.Sound Doctrine The early church believers were earmarked by at least four things: (1) the apostolic doctrine they taught, (2) the fellowship with one another they experienced, (3) the breaking of bread they shared, and (4) the prayers that they prayed. These became identification marks of the early church (Acts 2:42), and first among them was the doctrine they taught. Moreover, sound doctrine still is vital to the church today!

17. I. Discipling New Believers (A) Paul commanded Titus to speak things that become sound doctrine (Titus 2:1). Sound doctrine represents the guiding principles or precepts of faith that govern the life of a believer, which become a foundation upon which to stand. “Sound doctrine” translates from the Greek word hugiaino, which means “to have sound health, i.e. be well (in body); figuratively, to be uncorrupt (true in doctrine): KJV—be in health, (be safe and) sound, (be) whole (-some)” (Strong’s Concordance).

18. I. Discipling New Believers (A) When a person obeys the sound doctrine of Scripture, it becomes the very platform for his salvation.

19. Romans 6:17 “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you” (Romans 6:17).

20. I. Discipling New Believers (A) Doctrine is to the believer what mortar and stone are to the builder. The wise master builder builds his house on a solid foundation, and a wise person builds his spiritual life on the solid rock of sound doctrine.

21. I. Discipling New Believers (A) Jesus spoke to His disciples regarding two possible foundations on which a person could choose to build his life—the rock or the sand. (See Matthew 7:24-27.) One choice is sure, certain, and steadfast, ensuring the survival of what we build on it. On the other hand, the other choice is an uncertain building place that risks both the loss of the building and the lives of those who are within it.

22. I. Discipling New Believers (A) Sound doctrine is a sure and steadfast foundation that assures us we will survive the storms of life.

23. Matthew 7:28-29 “And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes” (Matthew 7:28-29).

24. I. Discipling New Believers (A) The church of the first century experienced dramatic growth because of the emphasis that Christ and His disciples placed on doctrine. Two words in Acts 2:42 reveal the importance that doctrine played in the life of the early church: “continued stedfastly.” These words defined the mindset of the leaders in the infant church. They realized that their existence and growth were predicated on their willingness to continue steadfastly in the truths that Jesus gave to them.

25. I. Discipling New Believers (A) Paul emphasized the need for doctrine when he wrote to Timothy, “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (I Timothy 4:16). Rain and dew are to the herbs of the field what doctrine is to the newborn babe in Christ: essential for continued life and growth. (See Deuteronomy 32:2.)

26. I. Discipling New Believers (A) We should consider several characteristics of sound doctrine: 1.Sound doctrine is built on the Word of God (Isaiah 28:9-10; II Timothy 3:16). 2. Sound doctrine magnifies the holiness and absolute oneness of God (I Peter 1:16). 3. Sound doctrine declares the sinfulness of man (Romans 3:23-24). 4. Sound doctrine teaches a literal heaven and a literal hell (John 14:2; Matthew 25:41, 46). 5. Sound doctrine declares that a person must be born again (John 3:1-7).

27. I. Discipling New Believers (A) Young Pastor Bate “You’re just out of date,” said young Pastor Bate To one of our faithful old preachers Who had carried for years in travail and tears The gospel to poor sinful creatures. “You still preach on Hades, and shock cultured ladies With your barbarous doctrine of blood! You’re so far behind you will never catch up— You’re a flat tire stuck in the mud!”

28. I. Discipling New Believers (A) For some little while, a bit of a smile Enlightened the old preacher’s face. Being made the butt of ridicule’s cut Did not ruffle his sweetness and grace. Then he returned to young Bate, so suave and sedate. “Catch up, did my ears hear you say? Why, I couldn’t succeed if I doubled my speed. My friend, I’m not going your way!” (Source unknown)

29. I. Discipling New Believers (B) B.Ministry of Evangelism Every true believer must be involved in the evangelization of the lost. Jesus Christ gave His great commission to every believer. God spoke to Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply, and the continuance of the human race rested on their cooperation and involvement. In like manner, God has called believers to reproduce spiritually, and their obedience dynamically affects the health and future of the church.

30. I. Discipling New Believers (B) The apostle Paul demonstrated an intense obligation to evangelize those who were not believers when he wrote, “I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise” (Romans 1:14). Paul used the strong word debtor to emphasize his and every believer’s responsibility to the ministry of evangelism. He then willingly offered himself to the tremendous task at hand: “So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also” (Romans 1:15).

31. I. Discipling New Believers (B) Evangelism is the art of presenting the gospel to men, women, and children. One person defined evangelism as one beggar telling another beggar where to get bread. Every true disciple of Christ desires to learn and perfect this art, and each is involved fervently in an effort to reach the lost. Moreover, a person is not fully discipled until he is actively involved in this ministry.

32. I. Discipling New Believers (B) Just as we need doctrine to keep us secure and aligned with the will and purpose of God for our lives, we also need the ministry of evangelism to ensure the long-term health and prosperity of the church.

33. I. Discipling New Believers (B) We may experience many disappointments in our evangelistic efforts, but we must never allow failures to stymie our desire to evangelize the world. We should continue to live in such a way as to create in others a thirst for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

34. I. Discipling New Believers (B) The young salesman was disappointed about losing a big sale, and as he talked with his sales manager he lamented, “I guess it just proves you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.” The manager replied, “Son, take my advice: your job is not to make him drink. Your job is to make him thirsty” (Preaching, November-December 1985).

35. II. Discipling Methods to Be Used (A) Discipling Methods to Be Used The early church understood that all members needed to be involved in the discipleship process. The responsibility of assisting others in their spiritual growth rests firmly on every member of the body of Christ. If a person is serious about fulfilling his responsibility to make disciples for Christ, he should familiarize himself with the many methods and tools available to help him succeed.

36. II. Discipling Methods to Be Used (A) A.Exhortation and Encouragement One of the ways we disciple men and women is through exhortation and encouragement. Strong’s Concordance defines the Greek word parakaleo, which translates “beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, exhort, exhortation, intreat, and pray,” as “to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation).” The implied meaning is to come along the side of another or to call one to your side in order to comfort or encourage that person.

37. II. Discipling Methods to Be Used (A) To exhort is to urge others onward in their walk with Jesus Christ by preaching and teaching to them the Word of God. Encouragement is like a cool breeze on a hot summer evening, or like the tingle of cold water on one’s parched palate.

38. II. Discipling Methods to Be Used (A) As the body of Christ exercises the mandate to exhort one another, believers become laborers together with God, building up the church. The writer of Hebrews 3:13 implored the church to exhort one another daily. The writer further spoke of the necessity of exhortation as we see the day of the Lord approaching (Hebrews 10:25).

39. II. Discipling Methods to Be Used (A) Hebrews 12 reminds us that we are surrounded with a great cloud of witnesses. The verbal picture causes a person to think of grandstands surrounding an arena where thousands of people watch with expectancy and shout encouragement to the participants below.

40. II. Discipling Methods to Be Used (A) Many people today desperately need encouragement: People in distress—those who are sick or have experienced death in their family. Those involved in ministry—elders, Sunday school teachers, musicians, all ministers of the gospel. New believers.

41. II. Discipling Methods to Be Used (B) B.Rebuke Rebuke is never a comfortable thing for either the recipient or the person administering the rebuke. However, it is a necessary part of Christian growth. Those whom the Lord loves He chastens and rebukes (Proverbs 3:11-12; Revelation 3:19).

42. II. Discipling Methods to Be Used (B) A person’s response to rebuke reveals whether he is wise or foolish. Solomon indicated that a scorner hates those who rebuke him. The wise person, on the other hand, responds to rebuke by loving the one who has provided correction, and the recipient of rebuke increases in wisdom and learning. (See Proverbs 9:8-9.)

43. Rebuke Definition Thayer’s Greek Lexicon gives elegcho as the Greek word for rebuke: “1. to convict, refute, confute, generally with a suggestion of the shame of the person convicted... 2. to find fault with, correct; a. by word; to reprehend severely, chide, admonish, reprove... b. by deed; to chasten, punish.”

44. II. Discipling Methods to Be Used (B) When rebuke is necessary, it is imperative that the person administering the rebuke do so discreetly and with a spirit of love. Paul warned the Galatians to guard their own hearts when having to exercise this necessary discipline. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1).

45. III. Lessons Taught by the Grace of God Lessons Taught by the Grace of God “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

46. Titus 2:11-12 “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:11-12).

47. III. Lessons Taught by the Grace of God The grace of God in the lives of believers is without comparison. Not only is His grace necessary for salvation, but also it is essential for keeping us steadfast in Christ Jesus.

48. III. Lessons Taught by the Grace of God Many individuals have defined the grace of God in various ways. Some recognize the fundamental definition of grace as “the unmerited favor of God.” Someone has defined the word as “full and undeserved pardon and forgiveness.” Still another described grace as “God’s riches at Christ’s expense.”

49. III. Lessons Taught by the Grace of God Paul clearly stated the availability of the grace of God and some lessons that His grace teaches us.

50. III. Lessons Taught by the Grace of God (A) A.To Deny Ungodliness and Worldly Lust On the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached the gospel and then challenged the people to respond to the grace of God. He said, “Save yourselves from this untoward generation” (Acts 2:40). The grace of God brings the message of salvation, and it also teaches individuals how to live victoriously over sin that they may be holy and acceptable to the Lord.

51. III. Lessons Taught by the Grace of God (A) The word denying in Titus 2:12 means shunning, turning aside, or ignoring. The phrase “worldly lusts” refers to all improper desires pertaining to this life. The same grace of God that offers salvation to all people also teaches them to shun, to turn aside from, or to deny all improper desires pertaining to this life. When we deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, we refuse to gratify the ungodly desires of the flesh. Jesus Christ spoke of this lifestyle of self-denial when He stated, “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:27).

52. What’s a Christian A young boy asked his father what the word Christian meant. His father replied, “It means to live like Jesus Christ, to live above sin.” His son then looked up in curious anticipation saying, “Dad, do we know any Christians?”

53. III. Lessons Taught by the Grace of God (A) The words of the apostle Paul in II Corinthians 5:17 clearly address the change that Christ brings to the lives of men and women: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

54. III. Lessons Taught by the Grace of God (B) B.To Live Soberly, Righteously, and Godly When Paul wrote that grace teaches us to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, he was imparting the essence of all that grace produces and pure religion requires in the lives of its recipients.

55. III. Lessons Taught by the Grace of God (B) Soberly has to do with a person’s duty to himself. It involves exercising self-control over evil propensities and passions. Righteously involves a person’s duty to others in all the relationships of life. We are to keep our promises and honor our agreements. Further, we should be kind to those who are oppressed or who have fallen into difficult circumstances. Jesus taught the importance of treating others in a right manner: “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12). Godly pertains to our duty to God. True grace creates in the recipient the desire to demonstrate God’s character in all that one says and does.

56. III. Lessons Taught by the Grace of God (B) The term “this present world” defines the duration of the believers’ responsibilities in allowing the work of grace to be lived out in their lives. When believers fulfill the call of Christ’s grace in their lives, they become the light in darkness of which Jesus spoke in Matthew 5:14.

57. III. Lessons Taught by the Grace of God (B) A Businessman’s Prayer Help me, O Lord, to remember that three feet make one yard, sixteen ounces one pound, four quarts one gallon, and sixty minutes one hour. Help me to do business on the square. Make me sympathetic with the fellow who has been broken in the struggle. Keep me from taking an unfair advantage of the weak, or from selling my self-respect for a profit. Blind my eyes to the petty faults of others, but reveal to me my own. And when comes the sound of low music, the scent of sweet flowers, and the crunch of footsteps on the gravel, make the ceremony short and the epitaph simply—“Here lies a man... one who was of service to God and others.” (Source unknown)

58. III. Lessons Taught by the Grace of God (C) C.To Look for the Coming of Our Savior The grace of God teaches us to watch for the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ when He returns.

59. III. Lessons Taught by the Grace of God (C) One of the greatest events yet to unfold is the second coming of Jesus Christ. Some have mistakenly claimed that His return is past and that we now are preparing to usher in the millennial kingdom. However, the Scriptures are clear that this pivotal event is yet future and that all of Christendom hinges on it. Moreover, the apostle Peter spoke of the tendency of people in the last days to discount and dismiss the idea of the Second Coming.

60. III. Lessons Taught by the Grace of God (C) Peter warned that individuals in the last days would exhibit an attitude that all things continue as they were, unchanged and uninterrupted. (See II Peter 3:4.) He predicted that this antagonistic attitude among many would cause them to ask, “Where is the promise of his coming?” But in the midst of demonstrated unbelief, the Lord Himself shall descend!

61. III. Lessons Taught by the Grace of God (D) D.To Live a Redeemed Life The redemption of mankind was paid in full by the sacrificial offering of Jesus Christ on the cross. Simon Peter said we were not redeemed with silver, gold, or tradition, but by the blood of Christ (I Peter 1:18-19).

62. III. Lessons Taught by the Grace of God (D) The word redeemed refers to the believers’ standing with the Lord after they have been born again. To be redeemed means that one has been rescued from something, bought back, put back in the place where he was intended to be. When redemption occurs in the life of a person, he desires to live a redeemed life, which is a desire to live holy or set apart for the Lord.

63. III. Lessons Taught by the Grace of God (D) The redeemed life should include the following: 1. Shun Evil. David recognized the importance of walking upright before God, and he said, “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes” (Psalm 101:3).

64. III. Lessons Taught by the Grace of God (D) There is an insurgence of evil things upon North American culture today. Many books, magazines, radio programs, television programs, and Internet Web sites promulgate evil and possess the ability to turn men and women away from the redeemed life. Every believer must affirm in his own heart that he will reject evil and embrace the holiness of God; it is his only means of protecting himself from the evils of our day. He should purpose in his heart to abstain from even the appearance of evil and hold on to good things (I Thessalonians 5:21-22).

65. III. Lessons Taught by the Grace of God (D) 2. Purify Oneself. A person should exercise the initiative to take authority over both his thoughts and actions. We are what we think, and the things we allow to enter our minds have much to do with the purity, or lack of purity, of our hearts. (See Proverbs 23:7.)

66. III. Lessons Taught by the Grace of God (D) The apostle Paul instructed us to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8). These are the kinds of things that are worthy of occupying a Christian’s thoughts!

67. III. Lessons Taught by the Grace of God (D) 3. Live a Separated Lifestyle. The separated lifestyle does not mean that we are to exclude ourselves from every activity of life where sinners may be present. After all, that is the way we are able to act as salt and light in our world, leading unbelievers to a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. It does mean, however, that during such opportunities we are obligated to live in such a way as to clearly exemplify the character of our Lord. We model Jesus Christ through our speech, our dress, our attitudes, and our actions.

68. Total Commitment

69. II Corinthians 6:17-18 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty” (II Corinthians 6:17-18).

70. III. Lessons Taught by the Grace of God (D) 4. Eager to Do Good Works. Paul charged Timothy to be a good example to others by zealously showing a pattern of good works. These good works become a distinguishing factor in the life of a disciple of Christ. Good works could include such things as deeds of benevolence, acts of charity, providing honest labor, and anything else that would testify of an upright life of sterling character.

71. III. Lessons Taught by the Grace of God (D) A hog and a hen sharing the same barnyard heard about a church’s program to feed the hungry. The hog and hen then discussed how they could help. The hen said, “I’ve got it! We’ll provide bacon and eggs for the church to feed the hungry.” The hog thought about the suggestion and said, “There’s only one thing wrong with your bacon and eggs idea. For you, it would require only a contribution; but for me, it would mean total commitment!” The cost of discipleship involves total commitment.

72. Reflections The onslaught of hell, sin, and worldly pleasures coupled with the cooperation of humanity to indulge in all of these things has increased the challenge before the church to make disciples for Jesus Christ. Still, the heartbeat of Jesus is obvious in His great commission to the church recorded in Matthew 28:19-20: make disciples in all nations.

73. Reflections In Titus 2, the apostle Paul also emphasized the desire of God for every member to be actively engaged in the noteworthy cause of making disciples for Christ. While there remains the temptation to place this responsibility on the pastor or paid members of the church staff, every believer must resist this idea and become involved in the Lord’s kingdom work.

74. Reflections The early church was successful because the believers participated with God and with one another to propagate the gospel message of Jesus Christ. It requires much effort and, at times, great cost to choose to disciple others for Christ. However, as we do so, the benefits come back in the form of mature men and women who can rightfully be called His disciples and who gratefully take their places in the kingdom of God.