Titus 2 for Life

Helping ourselves and others transform the culture.

Time in The Word

A Study of 2 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 2:1, 3-5

 The Biblical woman relies on God’s Word for her identity, confidence, and instruction.  All other resources are from the world and may not be to her benefit or God’s glory.  The following is a brief study of today’s world and the way God wants us to live while we are in this world.  Linda Bartlett wrote this study for use during her Titus 2 “Teas” or Retreats, but you may use it during personal devotion time or in small group study. 

1 TIMOTHY 3:1-7

(1)You must understand this:  In the last days there will be violent periods of time.  (2)People will be selfish and love money.  They will brag, be arrogant, and use abusive language.  They will curse their parents, show no gratitude, have no respect for what is holy,(3) and lack normal affection for their families.  They will refuse to make peace with anyone.  They will be slanderous, lack self-control, be brutal, and have no love for what is good.  (4)They will be traitors.  They will be reckless and conceited.  They will love pleasure rather than God.  (5)They will appear to have a godly life, but they will not let its power change them.  Stay away from such people.  (6)Some of these men go into homes and mislead weak-minded* women who are burdened with sins and led by all kinds of desires.  (7)These women are always studying but are never able to recognize the truth.  (GOD’S WORD TO THE NATIONS translation) 

*In the CONCORDIA SELF-STUDY BIBLE, the term “weak-willed” is used instead of “weak-minded”.  Weak-willed women are defined as “unstable women who are guilt-ridden because of their sins, torn by lust, and victims of various false teachers” (“always learning,” but never coming to a saving knowledge of Christ).   

TITUS 2:1, 3-5 (a model for mentoring Biblical womanhood)

(1)Tell believers to live the kind of life that goes along with accurate teachings . . . (3)Tell older women to live their lives in a way that shows they are dedicated to God.  Tell them not to be gossips or addicted to alcohol, but to be examples of virtue.  (4)In this way they will teach young women to show love to their husbands and children,(5) to use good judgment, and to be morally pure.  Also, tell them to teach young women to be homemakers, to be kind, and to place themselves under their husbands’ authority.  Then no one can speak evil of God’s Word.  (GOD’S WORD TO THE NATIONS translation)

1. Do we live “in the last days?”  (Timothy 3:1)
   
   
2. Does the description of people in St. Paul’s day (vv. 2-4) also describe people today?  Why or why not?
   
   
3. Do you think that people have a “form of godliness”?  What does this mean to you?



4. What is our admonition in v. 5?  Have we ignored the Biblical warning?  Explain your answer.



5. What is the significance of v. 6?  (Take note of the definition of “weak-willed women” according to commentary in the Concordia Self-Study Bible.) 



6. What does it mean to be “always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth”?
    
7. What does it mean to mentor?  Is every generation in need of mentoring?  Why or why not?
    
8. In what way has modern feminism mentored women?  Does such mentoring harmonize or conflict with God’s Word?



9. Do you believe society has maintained or lost the concept of Biblical womanhood?  Give reason for your answer.
    
10. Who are “older” and “younger” women (Titus 2:3, 4)?



11. By nature, most women have a desire to verbalize their thoughts and feelings.  In what ways might verbal communication be helpful?  Words might also do great harm, even leading others to sin.  What significance is there in warning older women not to be “gossips” (v. 3) or “addicted to alcohol”? 



12. What does it mean to be an example of virtue (v.3)?  Is this concept taught to our younger women today?  Why or why not?



13. Do the teachings of modern feminism honor God’s Word in v. 4?  Why or why not?



14. Which is more important: personal rights or responsibility to others?  In what ways does Victoria’s Secret honor God and call men to a higher standard of respect and behavior?



15. What significance do you find in the word “homemaker” (v. 5)?



16. What do feminists say about submission or “placing themselves under their husbands’ authority”?  What does God say?  For whose benefit is this kind of submission?  Is Jesus an example of submission?  Why or why not?
    
    
17. “Then no one can speak evil of God’s Word.”  What does this statement in v. 5 mean to you?

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    This Bible Study is copyrighted June 2004 by Linda D. Bartlett.  It may be reproduced in its entirety for private or group study with acknowledgement given to Linda as author.

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