26: Silencing False Teachers (Tit 1:10-16)

I.       The Basics

A.     Setting

Paul’s first instruction to Titus concerns the appointment of elders. He gave Titus specific criteria for the selection of elders as well as their responsibilities. In this lesson, we will study why the appointment of elders was such an urgent task in the churches in Crete. Many deceptive teachers were active in the congregations. Because of the damaging effects of false teachings, church leaders must immediately put an end to false teachings and restore the believers to sound doctrine.

B.     Key Verse

            “…Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith” (1:13).

C.     Did You Know…?

1. “A prophet of their own” (12): This was the philosopher Epimenides (5th to 6th century B.C.), whom the Cretans regarded as prophet.

2. The Cretans gained such notoriety for being untruthful and immoral that the phrase “To act the Cretan” means, “to play the liar”.

II.    Observation

A.     Outline

(1:10-13a)

(1:13b-14)

(1:15-16)

B.     Key Words/Phrases

III. Segment Analysis

A.     1:10-16

1. How does verse 10 follow from the previous verse?

2. What immediate tasks must Titus and the newly ordained elders do?

3. What kind of people are “idle talkers”?

4. Who are “those of the circumcision”? (cf. Acts 15:1; Gal 2:12; 6:12-13; Php 3:2)

5. What are the characteristics of the false teachers?

6. What is their motive behind their deceptive teachings?

7. What kind of teachings are they advocating (cf, 3:9; 1Tim 1:4)?

8. How did this influence the church?

9. What is the objective for rebuking the errant believers sharply?

10. Explain verse 15.

11. According to verse 16, what makes a person a false worshipper? What lesson can you learn from this?