Leading to Godliness

I have been wanting to study through Titus for quite some time and I am going to use this blog as an opportunity to do that.  Titus is a book for leaders.  Paul had left Titus on Crete at some point in time (it’s not recorded in Acts).  Titus’ task was to appoint pastors in each church in each town.  Titus was given by Paul some criteria for appointing these leaders.

Paul begins the letter with a salutation describing the purpose of his ministry.  The purpose of his ministry was to bring to light the Word of God through preaching.  Notice how in v.1 he mentions that the knowledge of truth leads to godliness.  There is never a point in Scripture where knowledge doesn’t lead to right action.

Paul had a knack for identifying and training leaders to take the baton of ministry and keep running (Silas, Barnabas, Mark, Timothy, Titus, Tychicus, Aristarchus, Justus, Epaphras, Epaphroditus, Luke, the Ephesian Elders, just to name a few).  He knew the importance of multiplication.  How important is multiplication in your ministry?  How are you going about choosing the next leader for your small group, your ABF, your Bible Study?  Here are some (some) criteria that Paul seemed to use when choosing these leaders.

• Someone you are convinced has sincere faith (2 Timothy 1:5)
• Someone with whom you have worked closely (Titus 1:5)
• Someone who is faithful (Colossians 4:7)
• Someone who is an encourager (Ephesians 6:21-22)

This is not an exhaustive list.  But it’s a start to identifying possible future leaders in your midst.  It will take time to develop them, maybe to convince them that they need to consider leadership.  Be sensitive to the work of the Spirit in these relationships.

Lead with Love-

Dave