Sunday Stillness - How to encourage each other - Growing Through God's Word

Sunday Stillness – How to encourage each other

Today’s thoughts are based on Titus 1:4, using my SIMPLE method of Bible study. I find it amazing how even this short, easy passage can bring so much to light. Always start my studying by praying for guidance.

S – Say the passage aloud.

To Titus, my true son in our common faith: grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus, our Saviour (Titus 1:4, NIV).

I – Identify the characters, the setting, and the circumstances surrounding this passage.

Once again Paul is talking to Titus who is left on Crete to fulfill God’s calling. This is a simple but profound greeting that Paul makes in all his letters. He calls Titus, “my true son”. Titus was a gentile convert and that makes this all the more amazing.

M- Make a list of the thoughts, questions and ideas.

I kept thinking about Christian believers – and why there is so much dissension if we all believe in Jesus as our Saviour. Why are there put downs of other Christians? Why put downs of government leaders – we are called to pray for them.

God gives us rules to follow – gives US rules to follow – not THEM. It is for our benefit to follow them. We need to be together in this fight against Satan. Even those in the world are not our enemies – Satan is.

Paul calls Titus my “true son”. True means sincere – where are the sincere Christians? We need to pray for Christian writers, for Christian churches and for Christian charities that they remain sincere in their faith and lives. We need God’s power in this world to overcome Satan.

Paul, by this greeting, tells Titus that he is important enough to deserve a letter. He took time to write to Titus.

An interesting historical aside: Ed tells us in his book that the Cretans are the direct ancestors of the biblical Philistines.

P – Pray again for God’s guidance.

L- Life – How can I apply what I have been studying to my life?

Paul took time for what was important to God – to encourage Titus in his ministry on Crete.

Encouragers: Writers for God are encouragers. We take time to write our thoughts, to communicate with one another and to the world.

There is no such thing as a genuine Christian faith that we make up on our own (Ed Hird, Restoring Health, page 31).

At the very heart of being healthy, of being sound is the gift of GRACE and PEACE ( ibid, my emphasis).

E – Exit the passage with a prayer for God to help you.

Lord, help us as followers of Jesus to encourage one another, to build up and not put down, to strengthen writers, pastors and leaders; to look to You at all times, good or bad. We know You are more than able. We and thank You for bringing us together. In Jesus’ name. AMEN

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Janis Cox

Janis is the author of the award winning children’s book, Tadeo Turtle, published by Word Alive Press. Available in Kindle Format, in bookstores, online and from her website. Curriculum available upon request.

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