Titus :11-15 Grace That Transforms

Big Idea: Being redeemed by grace through Jesus calls us to enthusiastically pursue good works.

Overview: Titus 1 and 2 teaches a pattern of how each person should be growing in the measure and stature of Jesus and pursuing good works as our greatest good. Verses 11-15 describes the only way we accomplish that is by seeing Jesus appear 2 ways- Grace and Glory.

1. The Appearance of the Grace of Jesus V.11 Aha moment of understanding that Jesus grants me something I don’t deserve: salvation.

V.12a 2 reasons for mankind’s spiritual disease:

a. Living without God (godlessness)- Our great disease is independent living. I am god.

b. Desire for what is forbidden (wordly lust)- our disease causes symptoms of evil desire.

Grace uniquely trains us in God’s goal 12b: say no to godlessness and yes to right thinking and in right relationship with a good God.

1. The Appearance of the Glory of Jesus v.13 The aha moment of understanding what Jesus is calling me to: His eternal glory and inheritance.

Hebrews 9:27–28  so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

V.14 The evidence of grace: He ransomed us by giving himself to make for himself a people.

V.15 Titus’ 3-fold task:1. Proclamation 2. Encouragement 3. Conviction, not swaying to opinions. Here’s what those things look in light of the message of Glory and Grace.

Maturity involves an investment in primarily 3 things to say yes to (Packer).

1. Time– There is a correlation with a deep relationship and a correspondingly deep investment of time. Grace trains me to say yes to investing time with God.
2. Vulnerability- An investment in being vulnerable in the family of God is essential to growing in maturity. Because we’ve received grace we give grace.
3. Patient Endurance– We stick with our community even in the hard times because we will be rewarded in the fullness of glory in Jesus when he returns for us.

Grow Group Questions:

1. Can you share a specific moment in your life when you experienced God’s grace helping you overcome a temptation or make a positive change? How can you lean into that grace daily to pursue good works?
2. What is one area in your life (e.g., thoughts, habits, or desires) where you struggle to say “No” to ungodliness? What practical steps can you take this week, with the Holy Spirit’s help, to renounce that and align with God’s protocol for right living?
3. How does the anticipation of Jesus’ return in glory motivate you to make different choices in your daily life (e.g., in relationships, priorities, or service)? Share one way you can live more intentionally this week with this eternal perspective.
4. J.I. Packer refers to three areas for maturity: time with God, vulnerability in community, and patient endurance (sticking with community). Which of these areas do you find most challenging, and why? What is one practical step you can take this week to grow in that area, trusting in God’s grace to sustain you?

Family Section for Parents to Discuss with Kids

In church, we learned that God’s grace, shown through Jesus’ love and sacrifice, changes our hearts so we can say “No” to bad choices and “Yes” to doing good things for Him. We can do them because Jesus gave himself and died to rescues me and will come back one day to bring us into the most wonderful place called paradise, so we live with hope and try to love others like He does.

Questions to Ask Kids:

1. Can you think of a time when you chose to do something kind or helpful for someone else? How did it make you feel, and how do you think it made God happy?
2. If Jesus came back today, what’s one thing you’d want to tell Him you did to show His love to others? How can we practice doing that this week?