TRANSFORM™ WEEKEND SERIES

Study Guide

Doctrine: A Study in Titus— Study Guide Published by Precept Ministries of Reach Out, Inc. P. O. Box 182218 Chattanooga, TN 37422 All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB) © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission. ISBN –13: 978-1-62119-232-9 Copyright © 2013 Precept Ministries International All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Printed in the United States of America

Nothing makes a man so virtuous as belief of the truth. A lying doctrine will soon beget a lying practice. A man cannot have an erroneous belief without byand-by having an erroneous life. I believe the one thing naturally begets the other. —Charles Spurgeon

Study Guide

LESSON 1 Why What You Believe Matters Beliefs are all around you! Every time you see a billboard or a Super Bowl commercial, an ad in a magazine, a status update, or a tweet, you are being inundated with the belief systems of others. As you take in these competing beliefs, it’s important to understand that the world broadcasts lies, “doctrines…of men” (Matthew 15:9) and doctrines of devils (1 Timothy 4:1), against God’s truths, His doctrine (John 7:16). Here are just two common false beliefs you’ve probably already heard: 1. What you believe doesn’t matter; only what you do matters. 2. There is no absolute truth; truth is relative to whatever you believe. Your belief and your belief alone makes something right or wrong. On the surface you may recognize these brash statements as lies, but they can creep into your thoughts and attitudes without your even being aware of it. Our prayer is that God will use His Word and this study to open your eyes to the power of His truth so you will see the way beliefs outwardly show themselves in lifestyle (the way we live). That said, let’s get busy!

CENTRAL QUESTION Central Question for Lesson 1: Why is what you believe so important? Take a few minutes to write down answers to the following questions and discuss them with your group. Then use the answers to examine what you believe!

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LEADER NOTE

Doctrine was written to fit a discussion environment. The commentary and questions in this study are there to help you, not control you. Use these tools where you need support but feel free to use personal illustrations and questions when they fit your discussion better. Discussion encourages student participation, takes pressure off teachers and puts the focus on Scripture!

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• What do you believe about sin?

• What do you believe about salvation? How are people “saved”?

• What do you believe about the resurrection?

• What do you believe about truth? F When

it comes to right and wrong, are there absolute, unchanging standards?

F

What standard do you use to decide if something is morally wrong?

• How do these standards affect your actions?

LEADER NOTE

• What is the gospel?

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The purpose of this exercise is simply to challenge the students to think through some of their beliefs. You’ll find that many are unable to communicate these basics of the faith clearly and effectively. Don’t feel that you have to correct every doctrinal error here but you may find things to instruct on at a later time, after we set a foundation for the importance of our beliefs and doctrine. ©2013 Precept Ministries International

Study Guide

The word doctrine means teaching. The Greek term for doctrine is derived from the Greek verb “I teach.” In this study, doctrine will be used to describe a person’s belief system that he/she expresses in words and actions. We should make it a habit to match our belief system to the truth of God’s Word. Before you can examine your beliefs against God’s Word, you have to know both what they are and what the Word teaches. The purpose of your group discussion was simply to have people get some of their beliefs and belief systems out in the open. Too often we don’t stop to think about what we actually believe, but that is the first step toward examining what we value, choose, and teach in our words and actions. Now let’s begin to see what the Word says about the importance of our beliefs.

Observe the text: Read through the following verses twice. The first time through, underline the words faith and believe. Then circle righteousness as you read the passage a second time. LEADER NOTE

The three components of inductive Bible study are observation, interpretation, and application. A key skill in Observation is marking key words, words that unlock the meanings of texts and usually occur frequently. Key words help show subjects, including themes of an entire passage and book. Mark them in a distinctive way with colors and/or symbols.

Romans 10:1-4, 11-13 1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. 2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. 3 For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. ©2013 Precept Ministries International

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11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

INVESTIGATE LEADER NOTE

Who?...What?...When?...Where?...Why?...How?... This study is designed not only to put students into the Bible for themselves but also to give them some simple and practical Bible study tools they can use any time they study God’s Word. One of the first skills in observing the text is reading with a purpose by asking “5 Ws and H” questions: who, what, when, where, why, and how. Encourage your students to interrogate the text with these questions, like a good investigative reporter, to find answers every time they read Scripture.

1. Paul is speaking about the Jews in these verses. What is his desire for them?

2. How can a person be saved? Use verses 11-13 to answer!

3. Verse 2 says that the Jews have a zeal (desire) for God. How did they go wrong in their zeal? How did they try to become righteous?

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Study Guide

4. We sometimes call the way of living described in verses 1-3 “legalism.” How would you describe legalism? What are some characteristics of legalism?

5. According to these passages, why is what you believe so important? What does your salvation depend on? How is this different from what the Jews were doing?

6. Does this passage apply to people who are not Jews? Support your answer from the text!

Observe the text: Continue to underline the words faith/believers and circle saved/ salvation as you read the following passages: Ephesians 1:13-14 13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. ©2013 Precept Ministries International

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1. According to these verses, how is a person saved?

2. What does a person receive after they believe?

Ephesians 2:8-10 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them 1. According to these verses, how is a person saved?

2. What is the relationship between faith and works?

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Study Guide

It’s easy to see the repetition in these verses. Your salvation lies in what you believe (true faith), not in what you do (works)! Now don’t get the idea from this lesson that our actions don’t matter. We’re simply taking this a step at a time, first examining the importance of revealed truth in a culture that says it doesn’t exist. As we continue to study together, God will instruct us through His Word about the relationship between faith and works.

CENTRAL QUESTION Central Question for Lesson 1: Why is what you believe so important?

FAITH WORKOUT When you get a chance, write a short essay on what you believe about your faith and why.

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WRAP THAT UP! Before we go any further in this study, we’d like to tell you that we at Precept and Transform Student Ministries hold God’s Word, the Bible, up as the standard for truth. It is the measuring stick by which, and the filter through which, everything else must be compared. The Bible will be the basis for our study as we examine the book of Titus to see how beliefs impact our lives. Our hope and prayer is that you will see how important your belief is and that you’ll be open to aligning it with God’s Word! NOTES...

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©2013 Precept Ministries International