Timothy and Titus Training 101 We humans usually don’t get the lesson the first time. Don’t worry, we are in good company. Remember Jesus occasionally called his disciples, who were wit…
Source: LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLE #18: CONSISTENTLY BE TRANSFORMED BY GOD
Timothy and Titus Training 101
We humans usually don’t get the lesson the first time. Don’t worry, we are in good company. Remember Jesus occasionally called his disciples, who were with him 24/7, a “little dull” when they didn’t get it the first time. We are continually being transformed by God who puts all things together for good to those who believe. He takes our mistakes and missteps and somehow turns it out for good, using our failures to teach us and transform us into all He wants us to be. He loves us more than anyone else has the ability to love and truly wants the best for us. So, trust Him in His transformation of our hearts, minds and souls. As leaders, lead others to be transformed by God!
Titus 3, The Message
1-2 Remind the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready to lend a helping hand. No insults, no fights. God’s people should be bighearted and courteous.
3-8 It wasn’t so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God’s gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there’s more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this.
8-11 I want you to put your foot down. Take a firm stand on these matters so that those who have put their trust in God will concentrate on the essentials that are good for everyone. Stay away from mindless, pointless quarreling over genealogies and fine print in the law code. That gets you nowhere. Warn a quarrelsome person once or twice, but then be done with him. It’s obvious that such a person is out of line, rebellious against God. By persisting in divisiveness he cuts himself off.
What do we learn?
–We are a redeemed people from the inside out!
–Live the redeemed life with God doing the transforming.
–Respect the government process. No fighting. No insults!
–We have life and more life because of God’s work, through His Son, in us!
–Make a stand and stand firm on God’s essentials.
–Work to diffuse arguments, not ignite them.
Dear Heavenly Father, You are God and we are not. You transform us more perfectly than we could ever attempt for ourselves. So, have Your way with me. Transform me daily to be all you desire me to be. Make me fit for the next thing You would have me do…with You, joining You, where You are already at work. All my trust is in You. Thank you, Lord, for caring enough to transform us and not leaving us where we were before we met You. In Jesus Name, Amen. I believe.
Timothy and Titus Training 101 As I stop to think about all the people we have told about God’s love, His Ways, how to live to please Him and how to honor and praise Him with all that is in u…
Source: LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLE #17: LOVE THEM ENOUGH TO TELL THEM!
Timothy and Titus Training 101
As I stop to think about all the people we have told about God’s love, His Ways, how to live to please Him and how to honor and praise Him with all that is in us, I am reminded of one young man, in particular this morning. He had became part of our youth group because, frankly, he didn’t have anywhere else to go and had very few friends. He came as long as his buddy came. I wondered if he was listening and learning or was just there for the snacks and fun.
One night, after a lesson that led to presenting the way to be saved in Jesus, he came to me, alone, and asked a question that made me stop and think. “if I don’t buy in to what you are saying, will you still like me, even love me?” This thought was so profound. Why? Because we have to consistently remind ourselves why we tell it…so others will be saved like we were saved…not so they will be like us, to be counted on the statistical report, acceptable in our sight, become a member of our club, but so they will be saved from darkness and be drawn to the Light of Jesus! Period.
Do we love the people we are trying so hard to reach? Do we love them into Truth, in the person of Jesus Christ? Will we still love them if they say no? Anyone given the responsibility to tell it, led by the Spirit to lead others to Christ should do so from a heart of love for that person or persons to whom you are telling about Christ and His love. I’m pretty sure that it is from this point where Jesus told them,,,from a passionate heart of love. Do we turn away from them, stop loving them, if they do not accept God’s message of Truth the first, or second time we tell it? Will we still love them until they do accept? Are they less valuable to us? Do we give up too easily?
When they do accept Jesus, do we love them enough to build their courage with ways to be like Jesus? Do we care enough to confront so them (in positive ways) in the process of becoming more and more like Christ (not us.)? Are we being the example of living a Godly life in front of them?
My answer to this challenging, thought provoking young man was, “yes, of course, I will.” And I meant it. Over that year a relationship had been built. He did accept Christ and was taught how to love and live like Jesus. He was confronted and disciplined. He was loved and accepted. He found what he was looking for.
Paul to Titus…TELL them. BUILD them up. DISCIPLINE them. Salvation is for everyone. Every. One.
Titus 2, The Message
11-14 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 Savior, Jesus Christ, appears. He offered himself as a sacrifice to free us from a dark, rebellious life into this good, pure life, making us a people he can be proud of, energetic in goodness.
15 Tell them all this. Build up their courage, and discipline them if they get out of line. You’re in charge. Don’t let anyone put you down.
What do we learn?
–NEVER give up telling the Truth of the Person of Jesus Christ.
–Salvation is for EVERYONE.
–Jesus love living in us has a lot to do with telling someone else how to be saved by grace.
–Tell, Build, Confront, Discipline…from a heart of love. When we do this is a very positive way to lead.
–BE the example with our own lives. How do honor God with my own life is a question we must ask daily.
Dear Heavenly Father, Our mission is clear. Your salvation is for everyone, so we must be ready to tell how to be saved at any moment as Your Spirit leads. Thank you for loving us and putting Your love in our hearts that drive us to tell others about You. Continue to provoke our thinking. Help us to think more and more like You and less like the world thinks.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Timothy and Titus Training 101 I spent many years trying to “Go MAD”, as Ron Hutchcraft, a passionate youth worker/speaker extraordinaire, taught us. He meant “Go, Make A Differen…
Source: LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLE #16: BE DIFFERENT, BE A DIFFERENCE!
Timothy and Titus Training 101
I spent many years trying to “Go MAD”, as Ron Hutchcraft, a passionate youth worker/speaker extraordinaire, taught us. He meant “Go, Make A Difference” in this world. I brought this message home and tried to teach my own kids who were entering middle school and high school at the time to make a difference. But, now looking back over all those years, this thought goes deeper still. I am adding…BE different. Only then will you make a difference God’s way. BE guided by the Holy Spirit to avoid falling into worldview thinking. Continue to have and to hold, fiercely, a Biblical view in every situation or life circumstance.
We can make a difference…with the motivation to please others so we can get something in return. Worldview. We can make a difference by dressing wildly different just to make a statement and/or draw attention to ourselves. Worldview. We can make a difference in most anything, but it must come from an inner desire to BE different than we were, before Christ took control and took up residency in our hearts, minds and souls, causing us to think and behave more and more like HIM.
BE different says Paul to Titus. He points out what others with selfish worldview thinking has to offer and counters it with “YOUR job is to speak out on the things that make for SOLID doctrine.” A great leader possesses Biblical sound, unchangeable, solid doctrine that they base their lives on and will noticeably BE a difference from the inside out because of their faith in Jesus.
Titus 2, The Message
1-6 Your job is to speak out on the things that make for solid doctrine. Guide older men into lives of temperance, dignity, and wisdom, into healthy faith, love, and endurance. Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don’t want anyone looking down on God’s Message because of their behavior. Also, guide the young men to live disciplined lives.
7-8 But mostly, show them all this by doing it yourself, incorruptible in your teaching, your words solid and sane. Then anyone who is dead set against us, when he finds nothing weird or misguided, might eventually come around.
What do we learn?
–Learn God’s Word. Walk God’s Word. BE a difference.
–Our “BEING” from the inside out will make a difference to a world dying to know the Truth.
Dear Heavenly Father, You stop us in our tracks to remind us to BE different and the BE a difference to others trying to find You. Help us go deep in this thought and live better today than yesterday. Help us to discern the constant battle between worldview and Biblical view and lean on your rock solid Word. Help us to BE a difference in this world so others will know You…even when it is hard to stand firm…help us…to stand on Your Word.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Timothy and Titus Training 101 As a past leader of many leader volunteers for a large event, I learned quickly, in the first year, in fact, that the bar had been set very low by the persons who pre…
Timothy and Titus Training 101
As a past leader of many leader volunteers for a large event, I learned quickly, in the first year, in fact, that the bar had been set very low by the persons who preceded me. There were volunteers who were merely “warm bodies” trying to be overseers of young students. There were those who had personal issues who needed help themselves before they should lead others. There were those who were bullies and self righteous. There were some who were merely out to get what they could for themselves, (worth, value, self esteem, popularity, a possible way up the ministry ladder to other works, etc.) It was a mess.
God guided us through that first year and gave us a revelation from His word and guidance through His Holy Spirit because I cried for wisdom, insight and understanding. Our new mantra was, “Set the bar higher and you will get a higher quality person”. Train volunteers to do the work we are expecting them to do. If they resist training then they are probably not who we need at this time. I would rather have ten qualified trained individuals to do the work than twenty who didn’t have a clue. Can you see how much more trouble you will have when you don’t choose well and train them to be and do what is expected to help others grow in Christ?
Needless to say, because it was “not how we have always done it”, we were met with resistance. It was even said, “You will not have enough leaders if you have these requirements AND training!” Guess what…we did! AND, there were no more discipline issues as in the past and the youth we ministered to were safe and secure with the people we chose AND trained. By placing importance on selection and training, quality, teachable people stepped up and were excited to be part of something that was meaningful and would make a difference in someone else’s life. Yes! God led the way through this situation and we followed His guidance in selection and in the training we would give them. God will choose for you, if you listen and follow.
Who do we look for as potential leaders? Paul tells Titus plainly what requirements should be considered.
Titus 1, The Message
A Good Grip on the Message
5-9 I left you in charge in Crete so you could complete what I left half-done. Appoint leaders in every town according to my instructions. As you select them, ask, “Is this man well-thought-of? Is he committed to his wife? Are his children believers? Do they respect him and stay out of trouble?” It’s important that a church leader, responsible for the affairs in God’s house, be looked up to—not pushy, not short-tempered, not a drunk, not a bully, not money-hungry. He must welcome people, be helpful, wise, fair, reverent, have a good grip on himself, and have a good grip on the Message, knowing how to use the truth to either spur people on in knowledge or stop them in their tracks if they oppose it.
What do we learn?
–Choose well. Train well.
–Raise the bar when looking for leaders who will lead God’s church in various capacities.
–It is not fair to choose just “anyone” for that person will be frustrated being chosen for a role he/she is not capable of doing.
–Let the Holy Spirit guide you. Always.
–Get a good grip on The Message…and never let go.
Dear Heavenly Father,
You have given much thought through this passage and we remember what happens when we listen to You and choose well. Help us all to keep a good grip on The Message of salvation. Teach us, still, to express it in ways that help people, not do harm.
In Jesus Name, Amen
Timothy and Titus Training 101 Dad and I called them the “yellow pages”. In the last weeks, while mom was in the hospital struggling for every breath, with a breathing mask over her fac…
Timothy and Titus Training 101
Dad and I called them the “yellow pages”. In the last weeks, while mom was in the hospital struggling for every breath, with a breathing mask over her face, she still wanted to give us some last words. Being the business woman she was, it was fitting that she was given a yellow legal pad to write down what she wanted us to know. The instructions were written simply but with urgency for she knew time was limited. She was at peace with herself and God, that was evident. She had run the race well and was leaving me with instructions and dad with “remember the good times we had”. Some of the phrases showed her sense of humor. All of the words are precious loving words that I HAD to find after dad died. I found them. The words comfort me still.
Paul’s last words to Timothy are just as passionate. loving, and kind. Paul leaves instructions that will help Timothy carry on the work and continue HIS own race, seeking the applause of God.
2 Timothy 4, The Message
3-5 You’re going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They’ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you—keep your eye on what you’re doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God’s servant.
6-8 You take over. I’m about to die, my life an offering on God’s altar. This is the only race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that’s left now is the shouting—God’s applause! Depend on it, he’s an honest judge. He’ll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming.
What do we learn?
–Keep our eyes on what God has given us to do. Stay focused!
–Avoid spiritual junk to stay spiritually healthy!
–Know, as Jesus promised, that there will be good times and bad.
–Know the Truth. Speak the Truth.
–Do your best as God’s servant. We belong to Him, no matter who signs the paycheck.
–When it’s time, step up, take over what you have been trained to do.
–Be and Do all for the Applause of God alone.
–Be eager for His coming. Let your face show it. Let your thinking and actions show it!
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for these last words of Paul to Timothy in this passage that remind us of some of your last words to your disciples. We know that you are coming back again. We know that you are right here in this room with us. Thank you for Your Holy Presence. Thank you for restoration. Thank you for our relationship. Thank you for loving us. May all we think, do or say be pleasing to you today.
In Jesus Name, Amen
