Providence Church of San Diego

Text: 1 Timothy 2:5

Main Idea: Sinners are declared righteous before God on the basis of Christ alone.

We still stand on "Christ Alone" because Jesus' identity is exclusive. (John 1:1-5, 14; Heb. 2:14, 17; Philippians 2:6-8)

Jesus is the focus of the Scriptures (Luke 24:27)

We still stand on "Christ Alone" because Jesus' work alone is sufficient for salvation. (Eph. 2:13-16; Rom. 5:6-11, 15-17)

Discussion Questions: Think deeply about the implications of the one holy God becoming the one perfect Man in Jesus to live a righteous life and die a sacrificial death for you. How do you desire to respond to such good news? Why is absolutely anything that takes the focus off Christ alone and His finished work deadly and dangerous? Who could you share this Good News with this week?

Sola Scriptura: The Authority of Scripture.

Sola Scriptura means that only Scripture, because God is its author, is our inerrant, sufficient, and final authority for the church (the family of God) and our lives.

The Inspiration of Scripture: Breathed out by God.

"All Scripture is inspired by God." (2 Timothy 3:16a)

The Inerrancy of Scripture: God cannot lie.

The inerrancy of Scripture means that Scripture, in its original autographs, does not contain or affirm anything that is contrary to fact or truth.

The Sufficiency of Scripture: The Bible is enough for us.

Means that Scripture contains all the words of God (OT & NT) we need for salvation, for trusting Him wholly, for obeying Him entirely, and for seeing and understanding life through His eyes rightly.

The Authority of Scripture: God has spoken.

Scripture alone, because it is God's inspired, inerrant, and sufficient Word, is our ultimate and final authority on any and every issue or topic it speaks to.

Conclusion.

Sola Scriptura is the authority that will have the final say over everything in the cosmos.

Discussion Questions: Did you learn anything new today about Sola Scriptura? How will this encourage your walk with Christ and strengthen your commitment to serve others in the HBC family? How should Sola Scriptura keep us from compromising regarding the direction of our culture?

Text: Titus 3:8-15

Main Idea: Those who have been transformed by the gospel intentionally advance the mission of the gospel in their lifestyle.

Because God is trustworthy, the good work of the gospel is to be our intentional life focus. (vs. 8)

Discussion Questions: Reflect together on the gospel (what God has done in the Person and work of Jesus) & its implications. How could you be more intentionally focused on the gospel and its mission? Are there issues that distract you from the gospel mission that you should avoid? How could you live & work with others in an intentional way to serve the mission of the gospel together?

Text: Titus 3:1-7

Main Idea: Being reminded of God's transforming grace leads us to show His grace to others through our lifestyle.

Remember how you should be living. (vs. 1-2)

Discussion Questions: Talk about who you are today because of Jesus, in light of who you used to be before you knew God. How does your relationship with God affect your relationship with others (family, friends, neighbors, etc.) What are some practical ways that you could get involved in your community with a view to being a witness for Jesus?

Text: Titus 2:11-15

Main Idea: By grace alone, God saves and trains His people to live a life that reflects the gospel.

We are saved by God's grace in Christ. (vs. 11)

Trained to fight sin.

We proclaim God's grace in Christ! (vs. 15)

Discussion Questions: Which is the greater problem in Christian circles today: Legalism or licentiousness? How can we avoid both errors? Is it legalistic to go against your feelings in order to deny ungodly impulses? How do you obey from the heart if your heart is tugging you toward sin? How can a believer who has lost his zeal for the Lord and His work rekindle it?

Text: Titus 2:1-10

Main Idea: Healthy doctrine leads to healthy living which displays the beauty of the gospel to the world.

Gospel conviction leads to healthy conduct. (vs. 1)

For older men (vs. 2)

Gospel living is counter-cultural yet compelling.

Discussion Questions: Why is it not enough to have right doctrine? How does healthy doctrine lead to healthy living? What might others think about the gospel when they see its effects in your life (personal, family, church)? Who could you begin a discipling relationship with this week?

Text: Titus 1:10-16

Main Idea: Since what you believe has eternal consequences, false teaching must be seriously dealth with.

 The content of false teaching.

The whole Bible isn't the source.

John Stott suggested that Titus 1 provides us with "three valid tests to apply to any and every system" of thought:

Is its origin divine or human, revelation or tradition?

 The character of false teachers.

False teachers: are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers...liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons...defiled and unbelieving...both their minds and their consciences are defiled...They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

 The consequences of false teaching.

Division in the family and church.

Discussion Questions: How seriously do you take the issue of false teaching? Are there ways in which you are tempted to reduce the demands of godly living by turning it into a list of "do's and don'ts?" Do you think you have been exposed to, or even led to believe false teaching? What impact might it have had on your everyday life?

Text: Titus 1:5-9

Main Idea: Jesus leads His church through a plurality of elders who display imperfect, yet, clear spiritual maturity under His headship.

 Elders display spiritual maturity in the home. (vs. 6)

A one-woman man.

 Elders display spiritual maturity through personal character. (vs. 7-8)

An elder must NOT be:

Arrogant

An elder MUST be:

Hospitable

 Elders display spiritual maturity through centering their lives and teaching on the Bible. (vs. 9)

Elders have deep, strong Biblical conviction.

Teach sound doctrine

Discussion Questions: Did you learn anything new today about church leadership? Based on the list from our text, are there areas of your life that need grace to change? In your home? In your personal character? In your doctrinal convictions? How will you pray for your church leaders?