On The Way with Mike Wilson

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Here are the discussion question for this episode: Why do you think Jesus vandalized the shops in the temple? (Luke 19:46) When Jesus said, "give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar," what was He teaching? (Luke 20:25) Jesus said people won't be married to each other in Heaven. How does that make you feel? What are the earthly implications of that? (Luke 20:35) Why did Jesus praise the poor widow who gave less than the wealthy people? (Luke 21:4) The Jewish religious leaders justified killing Jesus by pointing to His prophesy about the destruction of the temple. The temple has been destroyed multiple times throughout history. The curtain that covered the Holy of Holies was ripped when Jesus died, and the temple was destroyed in 70 AD. Many Christians predict that the temple will be rebuilt and destroyed in the future. What event do you believe Jesus was prophesying in Luke 21?

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Here are the discussion question for this episode: Many people have tried to predict when Jesus will return, but what did Jesus mean when He said, "The Kingdom of God can't be detected by visible signs." (Luke 17:20) The judge in Luke 18 ignored the widowed, but her persistence won him over. What are the differences between this unjust judge and God? (Luke 18:8) The rich, religious expert walked away from Jesus because he didn't want to give up his wealth. Why is it so difficult for rich people to get into God's Kingdom? (Luke 18:25) As we've seen throughout the book of Luke, Jesus prioritized reaching lost and sick people. Talk about someone you believe God is calling you to share your faith with. If you're not sure who that should be, ask God to bring lost people to mind. (Luke 19:10)

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Here are the discussion question for this episode: Why did the master praise the shrewd manager even though it caused the master to lose money? (Luke 16:9) Jesus instructs us not to be enslaved to money if we seek to serve Him. What is the difference between us having money and money having us (Luke 16:13)? Do you believe Hell is a literal place or a fictional place? (Luke 16:23) The rich man went from master on Earth to beggar in Hades. What does this tell us about the value of Earthly treasure and power? (Luke 16:25) What is the lesson that you will remember from these two parables?

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Here are the discussion question for this episode: Jesus constantly told His followers to humble themselves. Why is pride so detrimental to our faith? (Luke 14:10) Luke 14:28 tell us to count the costs before we choose to follow Jesus. What is the danger of following Christ without recognizing what it might cost you? (Luke 14:28) Jesus tells three stories in Luke 15 to illustrate the importance of saving lost people. Do you believe churches in America work hard enough to reach lost people? (Luke 15:10) The older brother in the story of the lost son get jealous when the father celebrates the return of the prodigal son. What is his jealousy meant to illustrate in the church? (Luke 15:29-30) There are many lessons we can learn from the story of the prodigal son. Which lesson stands out most to you? (Luke 15:24)

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Here are the discussion question for this episode: Accumulating earthly treasures causes people to neglect spiritual things. How should people who have significant wealth avoid this problem? (Luke 12:21) Practically speaking, how should we apply Jesus' command not to worry about what we will eat? Should we stop grocery shopping? (Luke 12:22) What should we do to prepare for the return of Christ? (Luke 12:40) Read Luke 12:54-56. How can a weatherman's ability to predict the weather compare to our ability to predict the future of the church? Luke 13:24 says the door to God's Kingdom is narrow. What are the methods that some people will try to use to enter the Kingdom but fail?

Here are the discussion question for this episode: Jesus compared Himself to Jonah and Solomon. Both were prophets whose messages were received by the people. Did Jesus purposefully connect Himself to them rather than a prophet who was ignored? (Luke 11:32) How strict are you in guarding your eyes from things that will lead to sin? (Luke 11:34) Should Christians tithe or is tithing only an obsolete part of the Old Covenant law? (Luke 11:42) Can you describe a time the Holy Spirit spoke through you? (Luke 12:11-12)

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Here are the discussion question for this episode: The religious expert was able to summarize the Old Covenant Jewish law the same way Jesus did: love God and love people. How is it that such a complex list of rules can be summarized so succinctly? (Luke 10:27) Jews hated Samaritans, but Jesus used a Samaritan as an example of sacrificial love. Are there people in our world that are seen as the enemy or as outcasts that we need to see as neighbors? How can we be neighborly to them? (Luke 10:29) Jesus praised Mary for focusing on Jesus rather than on Martha's tasks. Are you naturally more like Mary (relationship focused) or like Martha (task focused)? (Luke 10:42) Do you see Jesus' example prayer in Luke 11:2-4 as a passage we should quote, as an outline that we should follow, or simply as an example of how we can talk to God? (Luke 11:2-4)

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Here are the discussion question for this episode: Luke tells us that Jesus "resolutely" set out for Jerusalem. It seems that knowing the end was near caused some urgency. As you get older, do you feel more or less urgency to participate in the Christian mission, to lead people to Jesus? (see Luke 9:51) The disciples wanted to call down fire from Heaven to kill the Samaritans, but Jesus rebuked the disciples. When you are tempted to treat people as enemies that Jesus would have compassion for, how do you change your thinking? (see Luke 9:55) Most people spend most of their energy attempting to increase their wealth or power so that they can expand their comfort zones. Do you utilize any strategies to get out of your comfort zone. (see Luke 9:58) Because sheep have shepherds, sheep are not on endangered species lists, but wolves are. As the percentage of Christians in the world relentlessly grows, does the percentage of wolves decrease? (See Luke 10:3) Jesus' disciples celebrated because they were blessed by the opportunity to participate in the amazing expansion of God's Kingdom. Do you experience similar joy when God uses you to draw people to Himself? (see Luke 10:24)

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Here are the discussion question for this episode: Why do you think Jesus told the disciples to shake the dust from their feet of any town that refused to welcome them? Why do you think the Jews thought Jesus was a past prophet who had risen from the dead, rather than a new prophet or the Messiah? When Jesus fed thousands of people with only five loaves of bread and two fish, there wasn't only enough food for everyone. There were 12 baskets leftover. Why do you think Jesus made more than they needed? Jesus repeatedly predicted His death by pointing to the prophesies about the death of the Messiah. Why do you think the disciples failed to see the imminence of His death? Why do you think Jesus pointed the attention of the disciples to a child when they were arguing about who was the greatest?

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Here are the discussion question for this episode: Why would Isaiah prophesy that the government would rest on the Messiah's shoulders if the Messiah came to establish a spiritual kingdom rather than overthrow a worldly kingdom? When Scripture tells us about financial donors to Jesus' mission, they're always women. Why do you think that is? What makes some soil (people) receptive to God's word while others are not? Why were people terrified when they saw the power of Jesus? (see Luke 8:25 and 8:37) Why do you think Jairus and the woman with the issue of blood needed to have faith before Jesus would heal?

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Here are the discussion question for this episode: Do you ask guests to wash their feet when they enter your home? Why or why not? Read Matthew 26:13. Why do you think this sinful woman's story is included in all four gospels? Simon, the Pharisee, wanted to find a way to discredit Jesus. Have you ever felt attacked by someone who wanted you to fail? How did Jesus react when Simon attempted to trap Him? Jesus allowed a prostitute to wash His feet; then He said she was saved. Does that make you uncomfortable?

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Here are the discussion question for this episode: Why did Jesus heal the centurion's slave boy without requiring the centurion to repent? What is your top takeaway from the story of Jesus healing the centurion's slave boy? When Jesus raised the widow's son from the dead, Jesus' fame grew. Was Jesus healing so that people would hear about Him, simply because He loved people, or both? Why did John the Baptism tell his disciples to ask Jesus if He really was the Messiah?

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Here are the discussion question for this episode: Jesus picked 12 of His disciples to be apostles. What criteria do you think He used to choose the 12? Twelve is the number of God's perfect, absolute governance. There were 12 tribes of Israel and 12 apostles. What does this tell us about the Kingdom that Jesus came to establish? If the poor are blessed, should we seek to be poor? Luke 6:35 says that people who are generous will receive a reward in Heaven. What do you think that reward will be? The last part of chapter 6 is all about judgement. When and what should we judge? When and what should we not judge?

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Here are the discussion question for this episode: Tell a story of a time that you felt like an outsider or an outcast. Why was Jesus' message "good news" for outsiders? Jesus famously healed people physically, but how is spiritual healing more valuable to us? When Simon Peter realized Jesus was the messiah, he repented of his sins. Why was this his reaction? Why was it so surprising that Jesus invited a tax collector to be His disciple? What does Levi's (Matthew's) willingness to leave his job teach us about the limitations of wealth and power to give us happiness?

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Here are the discussion question for this episode: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit were all present at Jesus’ baptism. What does this tell us about the nature of Jesus? What role do you believe baptism plays in a Christian’s spiritual journey? What does it teach us that baptism in water is a one time event rather than a repeated event like washing in a mikveh as in the Jewish cleansing ritual? We read in Luke 2 that Jesus was presented or dedicated at the temple and circumcised when He was a baby. How is this different than baby baptism? If Christians were baptized by their parents when they were babies, should they get baptized as adults?

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Here are the discussion question for this episode: What does Luke's specificity about the time and place of the events tell us about the reliability of his report? Why was John a threat to the rulers of his time, and why was his life more documented than their lives? John the baptist's followers became Jesus' followers. Why were they so willing to switch leaders? The people who were convinced by John's teaching asked him, "what should we do?" If you asked that question to God today, what would He say? John told his followers they should repent of their sins and love people. How was that different than the plan of salvation the Jewish religious leaders taught?

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Here is the discussion question for this episode: The prophecies of the Messiah stopped for 400 years before Jesus came to Earth. What can God's silence and the long absence of prophecies teach us about God? Why did people sing when they realized the Messiah had come? How did Simeon and Anna know that Jesus was the Messiah? (see Luke 2:25-32) Mary and Joseph panicked when they couldn't find Jesus. If you have one, share a story with the group about a time you panicked because you lost a loved one. Jesus had incredible wisdom because His Heavenly Father gave it to Him. Do you believe we would hear from God more if we didn't have the distractions of sin in our lives?

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Here are the discussion question for this episode: Luke was a physician. How do you think that impacted his writing? Luke wrote more of the New Testament than anyone else. How important is Luke's credibility? Why should we believe him? Luke was killed because he refused to deny that Jesus is Lord. What truth are you so convinced of that you would die for it? The Bible was written over a period of 2,000 years by 40 authors. Is it easier for you to trust the Bible because individual authors like Luke are trustworthy or because the many authors agreed with each other? When you get the chance to talk to Luke in Heaven, what will you ask him?

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Here are the discussion question for this episode: Hebrews 12:1 tells us that sin will slow us down in "the race God has set before us." On a practical level, how does sin remove our perseverance? Jesus was able to endure the cross by keeping His eyes on eternity. What are some ways that we can daily focus on Heaven? Read Genesis 25:29-34. Why does the author of Hebrews describe Esau's behavior as sinful? Hebrews 13:15 says, "Let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name." How would you describe "a continual sacrifice of praise to God?" What is one thing you have learned about the book of Hebrews that you plan to remember forever?

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Here are the discussion question for this episode: The Most Holy Place in the Jerusalem temple was a terrifying place because God's fierce presence was there and would kill anyone unworthy who entered. How does it make you feel that we can boldy enter the Most Holy Place? Hebrews 10:24 tells us to "think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works." What are some practical ways that you can encourage the faith of your friends and family? Hebrews 10:27 talks about a "raging fire" that will consume God's enemies. Romans (5:10 & 8:7) tells us that before we were God's children, we were His enemies. Do you see your unsaved friends as God's enemies? Hebrews 11 makes it very clear that people have always been saved by faith in God, not by good works. Under the Old Covenant, why did the Jews have to continually offer sacrifices if they were saved by faith?

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Here are the discussion question for this episode: Why was it required for priests to repeatedly sacrifice animals, yet Jesus only had to die once? What made Jesus' sacrifice unique? The Jews continually sinned and broke their covenant with God, causing separation from Him. Why does our sin not break our covenant with God and separate us from Him? How comfortable are you with the idea of cutting a covenant? Does the bloody contract-making process of the Hebrew people make you thankful that our process of contract making simply requires a signature? If the purpose of the old covenant was to prepare the world for Jesus, does that mean God planned the death of Jesus in the beginning of time? If no, when do you think God determined that a perfect sacrifice was needed?

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Here are the discussion question for this episode: God's covenants with Noah, with Abraham, with Moses, and with David were examples of God making relational promises and commitments to men. List some covenants that you've made with people in your life. (Example: mortgages, marriages, business deals, user agreements, employment contracts, driver's license, prenuptial agreements, etc.) Hebrews 9 describes a very bloody Jewish sacrificial system of killing animals for temporary forgiveness of human sins. Are you comfortable with the fact that it was established by God? How would you react if the Jews resumed animal sacrifice in the Jerusalem temple today? Jesus is the mediator between God and man. Because of His sacrifice, we can enter the holy of holies continually. Talk about your habits of regularly meeting with God.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Here are the discussion question for this episode: Hebrews 8:1 says Jesus is sitting at the right hand of God the Father. What does this say about what Jesus accomplished on the cross and what God the Father thinks about His sacrifice? Hebrews 8:6 says, Jesus "is the one who mediates for us a far better covenant with God, based on better promises." How are Jews saved? Is there any value in observing/obeying the old law, the Jewish covenant? The fact that the new covenant replaced (Hebrews 8:7) the old testament doesn't mean the Old Testament isn't valuable, but it does mean that it's not as applicable to our lives. When you read the Old Testament, are you tempted to try to apply its instructions to your life? The old covenant was never meant to be applied to the church. It was meant to prepare the world for Jesus. What dangers do you see in continuing to abide by the old covenant even though its purposed was fulfilled when Jesus came. If you have time, read Exodus 20:1-17. How many of the ten commandments apply even to those who live under the new covenant?

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Here are the discussion question for this episode: Jesus is our great high priest, and He is our king. Considering the fact that kings rule over people and priest advocate for people, what is the significance of Jesus being both? The tribe of Judah was the ruling people, the tribe of kings. The tribe of Levi was the religious tribe. What does it imply that Jesus is from the tribe of Judah rather than from the tribe of Levi? Hebrews 7:19 says “the law never made anything perfect.” What does that say about the old law? Why would God establish the law if it didn’t make anything perfect? Before Jesus died He said, “it is finished.” Why was Jesus’ sacrifice a once-for-all sacrifice, but the other high priests had to repeatedly offer sacrifices?

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Here is the discussion question for this episode: The role of the priest was to represent people to God. The catholic church practices penance. The protestant church doesn't require Christians to use priests as a mediator between God and man. Which tradition do you think is honoring the lessons of Hebrews 5 & 6? (See I Timothy 2:5) Only God's goodness can save us. Does God's grace give you the confidence to come boldly before the throne of God or are you more distracted by your own insufficiencies? When you read the author of Hebrews criticizing these Jewish Christians for being immature in their faith, how do you feel? Describe your own journey from milk to solid foods. When God saves us, He makes us holy. Hebrews 5:19 tells us that we can enter into the inner sanctuary (the holy of holies) with Jesus? He is the High Priest who makes us high priests. What does that tell us about what God's grace accomplished in our lives?

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Next week we’ll finish Hebrews 4 and go through Hebrews 5. Here are the discussion question for this episode: Hebrews 4 describes Heaven, our eternal promised land, as a place of rest. What kind of rest are you most excited to experience in Heaven: rest from labor, from worry, from temptation, from relational struggles, or something else? If God rested, we should too. What sabbath (resting) habits have you built into your life? The author of Hebrews says we should tremble with fear at the thought of some people missing out on God's eternal rest. Does the idea of people dying without believing in God evoke emotions in you? Hebrews 4:13 says, "Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable." Does the idea of Jesus (our judge) knowing everything about us cause you to feel fear? Or do you feel excitement knowing that your judge chose to die so that you could be made holy?

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Next week we’re going to go through Hebrews 4. Here are the discussion question for this episode: Discussion Questions: In John 5:46 Jesus says, "If you really believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me." This chapter makes the case that Jesus is greater than Moses because as a profit, it was Moses' calling to point people to Jesus. Why do you think the Jews didn't recognize Jesus when so many profits predicted His arrival? Hebrews 3:6 and 3:14 talks about staying faithful to God until the end. Do you think someone can stop believing in Jesus after they start believing in Him? The rebellion of the Israelites in the wilderness proves how easily we rebel against God. What would have caused the Israelites in the wilderness to remain faithful to God? Charles Blondin asked for volunteers to get in the wheelbarrow so that he could push them across the Niagra Falls on a tightrope. Would you have gotten in the wheelbarrow? Are you naturally a trusting or skeptical person?

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Next week we’re going to go through Hebrews 3. Here is the discussion questions for this episode: Discussion Questions: Angels delivered the old covenant. Jesus delivered the new covenant. What does that tell us about them? Hebrews 2:1 says, "we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it." What often distracts you from the voice of God? For a little while, we have been made a little lower than the angels, but God tells the angels to watch over us while we live on Earth. Can you think of a time in your life when you felt an angel protected or guided you? Even though Jesus was fully God even when He was a human, He chose to limit His powers rather than use them to avoid pain. What is the difference between empathy and sympathy, and how can Christ's empathy teach us to love others who are hurting?

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Next week we’re going to go through Hebrews 2. Discussion Questions: What do you picture when you picture an angel? Christians believe life created matter, and atheists say matter created life. What implications does that have on the way we search for hope? When you pray, which person do you pray to? Do you pray to the Father, the Son, or the Holy Spirit? What does that tell you about the attitude you have in your prayers? Colossians 1:21 tells us that before we were saved, we were God's enemies, separated from God by our evil thoughts and actions. What does it mean that we were God's enemies, and how does Jesus' blood make us his children?

Thank you for joining me for this episode of On The Way. Next week we’re going to go through Hebrews 1:5. Discussion Question for this episode: As we start our journey through Hebrews, discuss your initial feelings about the book? Is there anything about the book you're excited to explore? Hebrews begins with a statement about the inspiration of Scripture. Do you believe all of our Bible is completely accurate and written by God? The author describes the times in which he is writing as "these final days." When you read phrases like these ("last days," "final days," "last times," etc.) in Scripture, what comes to mind? In John 14:9, Jesus said, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!" Hebrews 1:3 says "the Son radiates God's own glory." How can Jesus radiate God's glory yet also sit at the right hand of God (see Hebrews 1:3)?

Discussion Questions: Paul sent other Christian leaders to help Titus. How important is it for Christians to surround themselves with like-minded Christians who can support them when they face difficult challenges? Paul mentored (discipled) Titus and taught him to do the same. Are you mentoring (discipling) anyone? Paul called Christians "our people." Do you see other Christians as people you are in community with? Do you see people who follow different versions of Christianity as part of your Christian community? Look back through the three chapters of Titus. What is your favorite verse in the book of Titus?

Discussion Questions: What will you remember most about the book of Titus? Do you think all Scripture is equally useful? Equally important? Why or why not? There are many different versions of Christianity in the world. Are American Christians tempted to believe our versions of Christianity are the best or only true versions of Christianity? Do Christians fight too much about secondary theologies? Which Christian issues are worth fighting about?

Discussion Questions: How does the constant pursuit of pleasure lead to division and cause us to hate each other? Talk about how following Jesus has changed your life. What are the actual affects that Christian discipleship has had on your life? Do you think people can change? Why are so many people skeptical of change? How does the knowledge that we are eternal beings affect the way we live our lives? Does it have any impact on the way we treat people? How often are we motivated by our Christian mission rather than by improving our lives here on Earth? How would being motivated by eternity change the way we interact with people at work, teach our kids, post things on social media, etc.?

Titus 3:1-2 Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. 2 They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone. Discussion Questions: Tell the group about your involvement in politics. How often do you vote or share your political opinion on social media? Do you read/watch the news on a regular basis? Is it important for Christians to vote? If so, what are the issues that are most important to focus on? Practically speaking, what does it look like to "submit to the government and its officers?" What can Christians do to decrease the political division in America? What does Christlike political dialogue look like?

Titus 2:11-15 Today we're continuing a journey through the book of Titus in Titus 2:11-15. This section opens with a statement about grace's ability to bring salvation to all people. Remember that salvation includes both justification and sanctification. In other words, the salvation that has been given to us offer us forgiveness, and it sanctifies us. It changes us into the people God created us to be. For the last 2000 years, Christians have gone back and forth arguing about what grace accomplishes for us. We swing the pendulum back and forth between what Frank Viola calls libertinism and what is commonly called legalism. Libertinism is flawed because it fails to recognizes the severity of sin. Instead, it focuses on the liberty that grace gives us. Libertine Christians usually end up focusing on social justice and talk very little about removing sinful behavior from our lives. Then there's the other extreme, legalism. Legalism overemphasizes the negative affects of sin and overemphasizes the rewards for good behavior. Neither of these extremes properly represent the grace that God gives. Since we're studying the book of Titus, let me tell you a story about MY SON Titus. Not long after he turned 2 he learned how to use a light switch, and he loves turning the lights on and off. The problem is that requires us to constantly lift him up so we can turn the lights on and off, but the other day he decided he was going to try to do it on his own. So he started looking for something to stand on so he could reach the light switch. He ran to the sink, grabbed a wet washcloth, put it on the ground, and stepped on it, hoping it would make him tall enough to reach the light switch. He was so confused when he still couldn't reach the switch so he tried flattening the cloth, straightening it out. That's legalism. It's based in the hope that we can reach something that is out of our reach. There’s an awesome passage in Jeremiah 12 & 13, old covenant, where the prophet Jeremiah is complaining to God about the prosperity of sinful people. Jeremiah said, “Why are the wicked so prosperous? Why are evil people so happy?” ‭‭(Jeremiah‬ ‭12:1‬) ‭But it’s God’s response that is so hilariously awesome. God says, don’t worry. I’ll make sure the evil people are punished. Here, I have an illustration for you. Go buy a loincloth, a jockstrap, and put it on. Wear it, and don’t wash it…Jeremiah’s probably thinking "uhh God, why do you want me walking around in a stinky jockstrap?…Oh I get it. You’re saying those sinful people are like a jockstrap. Haha good one God." Then God tells him to go down to the Euphrates River and hide the jockstrap in a hole in the rocks. Jeremiah’s probably thinking "Oh I get it God. This is an illustration of how you’re going to punish my enemies. I’m supposed to take this jockstrap to the border so all the evil people and our nation’s enemies have to smell it when they try to come into Israel. So Jeremiah put it in the hole. A while later God told Jeremiah to get the jockstrap, and when he did, he realized it was all rotted and full of holes. It was now completely useless...unless you feel like wearing a jockstrap that can’t do it’s job and is full of holes. Then God said, “This shows how I will rot away the pride of Judah and Jerusalem.” (‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭13:9‬)‬‬…Ohhh. God just dropped the mic. Jeremiah, the loin cloth isn’t for your enemies. It represents you. You and your pride are the stinky, rotting loin cloth. God said, “As a loincloth clings to a man’s waist, so I created Judah and Israel to cling to me, says t

Titus 2:1-10 Welcome to On the Way where we walk through Scripture in episodes that are short enough that you can listen to them on the way to your destination and deep enough to help you on the way to becoming who God created you to be. We are being sanctified. We have not yet reached perfection. We are not yet in Heaven, but we are "on the way." Today we're continuing a journey through the book of Titus in Titus 2:1-10. In chapter one, Titus was instructed to find new leaders for the church in Crete. Then in chapter two Titus is taught how to teach people to live Godly lives, but instead of giving general instructions for the whole church, Paul gave specific instructions to five groups of people: older men, older women, young women, young men, and slaves. It's an effective form of teaching because it allows people to focus on the teaching that is most applicable to them. Have you ever noticed that when you're listening to convicting teaching you're tempted to focus on the stuff you're good at and ignore teaching about the things you're not good at. It's a defense mechanism, and this is where wisdom kicks in. Wisdom teaches us to embrace correction, to seek advice, and even to love discipline. Proverbs 12:1 says, "To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction." That's a primary benefit of the sanctification process. As we grow in relationship with God, the conviction and direction of the Holy Spirit create sanctifying pathways and growth opportunities. When the Holy Spirit is sanctifying us, it's not so much about trying harder as it is about allowing Him to form us. In this passage, Paul is cooperating with the Holy Spirit to delivered catered instruction to the people who need to hear it. We call this partnership of Paul and the Holy Spirit dual authorship, and that is how our Bible, our library of inspired books was written. It was a cooperation of God and man. Ok, let's stop for a minute to talk about sanctification. What is it? I Thessalonians 5:23 says, "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." John Wesley said that salvation includes two gifts of grace: justification and sanctification. Let me say that again. Salvation includes two gifts of grace: justification and sanctification. When we call ourselves Christians but don't only actually become disciples of Jesus Christ, we accept the first gift of grace, justification, and reject the second gift of grace, sanctification. We accept the justification that comes when our sins are forgiven, but we rejected the sanctification that would make us the people God created us to be. And when we reject sanctification, we become impotent Christians, but when we allow the Holy Spirit to sanctify us, we become people who are more obedient to Him AND more useful to Him. Don't accept justification and reject the Holy Spirit's sanctification. Ok, let's look at the these individual groups that Paul gave instructions to. He started with older men. Speaking of the Holy Spirit, we see that Paul's instructions to older men are largely focused on the fruit of the spirit. Guys, have you ever noticed that naturally, as we get older, we get angry. It’s true that as we get older we can become more wise, but that is not the default. Age can also make us more cynical as we are disappointed by more and more people. Age can make us more pessimistic as we see failure time and time again. Age can remove our curiosity, as we begin to think we know more than we do. Age can remove our imagination as we think we h

Titus 1:5-16 Welcome to On the Way where we walk through Scripture in episodes that are short enough that you can listen to them on the way to your destination and deep enough to help you on the way to becoming who God created you to be. We are being sanctified. We have not yet reached perfection. We are not yet in Heaven, but we are "on the way." Today we're continuing a journey through the book of Titus in Titus 1:5-16. Last week we talked about the island of Crete. It was a terribly sinful places, but the apostle Paul was interested in investing in a network of churches there because he thought it's many harbors and central location made it an ideal place to serve as a church planting hub. The problem is that many of the leaders of the church in Crete had been corrupted by the lawlessness, deception, and sexual corruption that was so pervasive on the island. So the book of Titus is actually a letter of instructions that Paul gave to his disciple Titus about how to turn things around in the Cretan church, and Paul's first instruction for Titus was to appoint new leaders to the church. He then gave some instructions about what to look for when looking for a church leader. We actually still do this today. Kingdom minded pastors are always on the lookout for people who might be called to the ministry. We're always looking for church planters and other people who can serve in strategic roles to grow God's kingdom. In fact, our leaders (in our denomination they're called superintendents) teach us how to identify potential leaders. They tell us to watch for certain personality types, for signs of a calling on someone's life, and for spiritual gifts. Then they teach us how to cast vision to those people. Essentially, we extend the Great Commission to them. Do you remember the story of Eli and his disciple Samuel? When we think of Samuel we think of this mighty prophet, but before he was the prophet we think of today, he was a young disciple of another prophet named Samuel. There's a story in I Samuel three where Samuel hear's the voice of God, and he thinks it's Eli. He runs to Eli and asks him what he needs, but Eli says it wasn't him. This happens three times until Eli finally realizes that Samuel must be hearing the voice of God. Then I Samuel 3:9-10 says, "So he said to Samuel, “Go and lie down again, and if someone calls again, say, ‘Speak, Lord, your servant is listening.’” So Samuel went back to bed. 10 And the Lord came and called as before, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel replied, “Speak, your servant is listening.” This is what we're supposed to do. We're supposed to help people to recognize the voice of God, to recognize God's calling on their lives, and that's what Paul is teaching Titus. So what did Paul tell Titus to look for when looking for Christian leaders, or what he calls elders? They should be mature husbands and fathers whose way of life is totally different than the Cretan culture. They were to be countercultural. They are to be known for their integrity, their self-controlled, and their generosity. They should be good teachers who oppose false teaching. Then Paul said this about the ideal elder: "He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good." This instruction sands out to me. Why do the church leaders need to be good hosts? Well, we have to remember that churches in this times met in homes. This is a very practical instruction. If you're going to lead a church in your home, you should have a hospitable home. Since we don't usually do the home church thing anymore, I think we can translate this instruction to our culture. What does it look like to have a hospitable church? A

Titus 1:1-4 Discussion Questions Talk about the difference between knowledge and wisdom. How does studying Scripture differentiate from studying other books and give us wisdom to discern God's will? Talk to the group about your Scripture reading habits. How much, how often, and what version do you read? Paul told Christians that the old covenant is "obsolete" (Hebrews 8:13). Why is it significant to us that Titus (a Greek gentile) refused to get circumcised? The church leaders in Crete allowed the worship of Zeus to creep into the Christian church, and it caused them to use deceptive rather than truthful tactics. What are some gods that Christians today are tempted to combine with Christianity? Does our allegiance to financial gain, nationalism, comfort, or anything else threaten to distort our understanding of God's truth? Discipleship is followership. Why do so many people call themselves Christians without actually following Jesus and without actually surrendering to the Christian mission?