Titus 2 is Paul’s instruction to Titus on how to teach sound doctrine in the church on Crete, addressing older men, older women, younger men, and servants, and grounding all of it in the grace of God. The questions below are for a small group, a Sunday class, or personal study. Each set includes a leader’s note to guide discussion.
Titus 2 at a Glance
Paul opens by telling Titus to speak in line with sound teaching, then addresses each group in the congregation in turn: older men, older women, younger women and their husbands, younger men, and servants. Each group receives a specific charge, and in each case the charge is tied to the way the gospel should shape ordinary conduct.
The chapter then pivots in verses 11 through 14 to the reason behind it all. God’s grace has appeared, teaching us to turn away from ungodliness, to live self-controlled and godly lives while we wait for Christ’s return, and to become a people zealous for good works. Verse 15 closes with Titus being told to speak with full authority.
Observation Questions
Use these first to make sure everyone has read the text carefully and is working from the same facts. Let people answer from the passage before anyone offers commentary, and gently correct anything that goes beyond what the text says.
Titus 2:11-12
11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12 instructing us to the intent that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we would live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age…
(WEB)
These verses are the theological center of the chapter, stating that God’s grace has appeared and teaches us how to live. Reading them aloud at the start of the session sets the purpose for everything that follows.
Titus 2:4-5
4 That they may train the young wives to love their husbands, to love their children, 5 to be sober minded, chaste, workers at home, kind, being in subjection to their own husbands, that God’s word may not be blasphemed.
(WEB)
Reading these verses aloud helps the group hear Paul’s specific charge to younger women and the older women who teach them. It is a good passage for a mixed group to hear in full before discussing its meaning.
Titus 2:7-8
7 In all things showing yourself an example of good works; in your teaching showing integrity, seriousness, incorruptibility, 8 and soundness of speech that can’t be condemned; that he who opposes you may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say about us.
(WEB)
These verses connect Titus’s personal example with the content of his teaching. Reading them together invites reflection on how leaders and teachers are seen by the people they serve.
Titus 2:13-14
13 Looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ; 14 who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.
(WEB)
Here Paul names the blessed hope and the purpose of Christ’s self-giving. Reading this passage aloud helps the group keep the future hope and the present call to good works together in view.
Titus 2:1
But say the things which fit sound doctrine…
(WEB)
This short verse sets the tone for the whole chapter by calling Titus to speak what fits sound doctrine. Reading it first helps the group see that the instructions that follow flow from teaching rooted in truth.
Memory Verse for Titus 2
Titus 2:14
Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify for himself a people for his own possession, zealous for good works.
(WEB)
This verse summarizes the chapter’s movement from Christ’s sacrifice to the people he forms. Memorizing it gives you a short way to recall why the commands in the chapter matter and what they are for.
A Closing Prayer for the Group
Father, we thank you that your grace has appeared and brought salvation to all people. Teach us, as you taught Titus and the believers on Crete, to deny what is ungodly and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age. Shape our homes, our work, and our words so that they reflect the sound teaching we have heard. Keep our eyes on the blessed hope of Christ’s return, and make us a people zealous for good works. Help us encourage one another, and let our lives adorn the good news we proclaim. Amen.
