Kettlebrook West Bend

Overview Video of Titus (from The Bible Project): https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=PUEYCVXJM3k

Questions for Discussion

1. Have you ever had an experience with someone/anyone who has been a turn-OFF for Jesus? What was that like and how did that happen?

2. Understand that in the following verses (Titus 2:1-9), Paul wants to minimize those kinds of experiences for people who don’t follow Jesus. Why do you think that is important?

3. Read Titus 2:2. Have you ever met a man like that and who might that be in your life? How would you describe that person and what character qualities in Titus 2:2 do you see in that person?

4. Read Titus 2:3-5. What parts in those verses are easy for you to agree with? What parts are more difficult and why?

5. Verses 9-10 are talking to slaves in Paul’s day but they could very easily be talking to employees in our day. Based on these verses are you a compelling employee? Why or why not?

6. What is Paul’s main concern throughout all these verses (very end of verses 5, 8, and 10)? Is that your concern as you consider how you conduct yourself on a daily basis? What are usually some of your main concerns?

7. What is God saying to you in these verses from Paul to Titus? What do you intend to do about it?

Overview Video of Titus (from The Bible Project): https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=PUEYCVXJM3k

Questions for Reflection/Discussion:

1. Who do you know that lives a life that is compelling? What is compelling about it/them?

2. Did God use someone else’s compelling life to draw you to Himself? If so, please reflect upon (and if applicable share) the story.

3. Read Titus 1:9-16. What is the trustworthy message the Paul refers to?

4. The Christ followers on Crete lived in a very chaotic culture, and were apparently, ripe for rules to combat chaos. In what ways might you be similarly tempted?

5. Paul describes some as being “corrupted.” In what ways have you found yourself to be corrupted? How is the gospel good news to this corruption?

6. In what ways might you, like some in the Cretan church, “Profess to know God, but by your deeds, deny Him”? What is Paul’s suggested solution for you?

7. Ask someone who knows you well this week to give you honest feedback as to whether or not you live a life that would compel others towards Christ.

8. Who and how might you specifically encourage someone with the good news of God’s grace in Jesus Christ this week?

Overview Video of Titus (from The Bible Project): https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=PUEYCVXJM3k

Questions for Discussion:

1. What has been your experience with either good or bad leadership? What made it a good or what made it a bad experience?

2. What role do you think leadership has on an organization, a group, or a movement? Why? Can you explain how that dynamic works?

3. Why do you think it is so important for the church to have good and healthy leadership?

4. Read Titus 1:5-9. What qualities stand out to you as being significantly important? Which ones puzzle you? Why?

5. In verse eight, the word for ‘hospitable’ literally means ‘love for strangers.’ Why do you think this is important for a leader in the church?

6. The list in these verses could also be used to describe any faithful follower of Jesus. Which quality do you want to see the Holy Spirit grow and develop in your life?

Questions for Reflection/Discussion:

1. Growing up, how was success defined for you? Has this definition changed over the years? If so, how?

2. Do you believe that you are successful? Why or why not?

3. If people who know you well were asked, “Who or what does (insert your name here) love with all of their heart, soul and strength?”… what do you think they would say and why? How does this line up with Deuteronomy 6:4-5?

4. Read Deuteronomy 7:7-8; 8:17-18; and 9:5-6. These texts list three causes people might forget God and not love God. Which of these three are you most prone to fall prey to? Why? How might Jesus be good news to you in this?

5. Moses called the people of Israel stiff-necked. Stiff necked people struggle to look back (remember) and look down (be humble and worship God). In what ways might you struggle with being stiff-necked? How might Jesus be good news to you in this?

6. Read Matthew 5:17-20. Jesus says he has come to fulfill the law. How is this good news to you personally?

7. What is one thing that God has done for you (or someone else) that needs to be remembered and shared? Write it down and find someone to share it with this week.

Questions for discussion:

1. When you hear the word ‘priest’ what is your first thought or impression? Why is that? What does a priest typically do?

2. If you are a follower of Jesus, have you ever thought of yourself as a priest? Why or why not?

3. Read 1 Peter 2:9-10. What did you notice in this passage? Who are regarded as the priesthood? Why is this important? Why would it cripple the Church to only think of a special class of people as priests?

4. Read 1 Peter 2:11-12. Can you list some things that we as a royal priesthood are to do and not do? What might be some examples of ‘good deeds’ mentioned in verse 12?

5. Read Jesus’ parable in Matthew 25:31-46. How does Jesus think about some of the most vulnerable people in our world? As his followers, how are we to reflect this concern?

6. Brainstorm: what would be some specific things you can do to be a priest in Washington County? How would you live that out? How might your group live that out?

Questions for Discussion:

1. When you think of “worship” what comes immediately into your mind? Why?

2. Which of the above rhythms do you most connect with? Struggle with? Why?

3. Share about an especially meaningful meal in your life. What made that meal so special?

4. What did meal time look like in your home growing up? What does a typical meal time look like in your own life/home?

5. What is one thing that caused you to think about meals differently today? How might you leverage this moving forward?

6. Read Luke 24:13-35. What causes the two disciples to recognize Jesus? What might we learn from this?

7. What distractions might you need to address in order to better leverage meals to worship in all of life?

8. Brainstorm ways you might specifically be able to recognize Jesus better in your meals in your own life and context? Of these ideas, pick one idea and seek to implement it at your next meal. If you are working through this as a group, share a meal together and find unique ways to recognize Jesus through the shared meal.