Titus 1
June Memory Verse: All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
Read: Titus 1
Our passage really examines two types of leaders: Godly Leaders (v. 5-9) and Selfish Leaders (v. 10-16).
Verse 5 shows that the church at Crete is very young. We know this because they do not even have elders appointed in the church. What Paul tells Titus between verses 6-16 is of the utmost importance. The leadership of the church will determine what type of church it will be (one that follows truth or one that does not).
We see the characteristics of a godly leader in verses 5-9. Paul is telling Timothy that these need to be the people who are leading the church. They follow truth in their own personal life and will teach truth to others (v. 9). So for you, I would ask you to reread those verses and ask yourself, “Do the leaders of my church exemplify these qualities?”
In the following verses, we see the characteristics of a selfish leader. They lead for their own personal gain (v. 11b), and Paul calls them worthless (v. 16) because they lead others astray.
Now, reread verses 10-16 and ask the same question, “Do the leaders of my church exemplify these qualities?”
As someone who is in church leadership, these verses are very humbling and convicting. I pray that my life and leadership qualities align with the godly characteristics in v. 5-9. But it does call for self-reflection.
For all of us, it is important to continually examine the leaders of our church. Paul knew what the consequences could be if people followed a selfish leader, and that is why he instructed Titus to appoint godly leaders. We should have the same desire for CPC and whatever church we might be at in the future.
By: Graham Withers
Read: Titus 1
Our passage really examines two types of leaders: Godly Leaders (v. 5-9) and Selfish Leaders (v. 10-16).
Verse 5 shows that the church at Crete is very young. We know this because they do not even have elders appointed in the church. What Paul tells Titus between verses 6-16 is of the utmost importance. The leadership of the church will determine what type of church it will be (one that follows truth or one that does not).
We see the characteristics of a godly leader in verses 5-9. Paul is telling Timothy that these need to be the people who are leading the church. They follow truth in their own personal life and will teach truth to others (v. 9). So for you, I would ask you to reread those verses and ask yourself, “Do the leaders of my church exemplify these qualities?”
In the following verses, we see the characteristics of a selfish leader. They lead for their own personal gain (v. 11b), and Paul calls them worthless (v. 16) because they lead others astray.
Now, reread verses 10-16 and ask the same question, “Do the leaders of my church exemplify these qualities?”
As someone who is in church leadership, these verses are very humbling and convicting. I pray that my life and leadership qualities align with the godly characteristics in v. 5-9. But it does call for self-reflection.
For all of us, it is important to continually examine the leaders of our church. Paul knew what the consequences could be if people followed a selfish leader, and that is why he instructed Titus to appoint godly leaders. We should have the same desire for CPC and whatever church we might be at in the future.
By: Graham Withers
3 Comments
Father please give strength and encouragement to all of the Leadership Team at Center Point Church; I pray they make You smile.
This passage reminds me of a book Good to Great by Jim Collins. They researched great companies. They found all great companies had one thing in common: humble leadership. This secular study discovered having leaders with humility was the path to success. Humble leaders for example, encourage all around them, empowering others to be heroes instead of themselves. They can acknowledge when an idea didn't work and correct, etc.
God bless y'all
This passage always humbles and speaks to me. I"m thankful that God has allowed me to serve Him and His church. What an undeserved honor. I want to do it well and honor Him!
We are grateful for all the leaders at CPC.