"Titus 1-3, 1 Timothy 1-2"
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Imagine taking responsibility for 155 people in a life-or-death crisis. In 2009, Captain "Sully" Sullenberger piloted flight 1549 to safety after they hit a flock of geese, and the engines lost power. His landing strip? The Hudson River. Captain Sully was calm and decisive in that dangerous moment, though he later called it "the worst sickening, pit-of-your-stomach, falling-through-the-floor feeling" of his life. And he put those under his charge ahead of himself, waiting until every soul deboarded the plane before he exited. That's leadership!
This week we'll find Paul's message of leadership to a pair of younger evangelists — Titus, teaching on the island of Crete, and Timothy, working with the church in Ephesus. These letters show us how to stand courageously under seemingly impossible odds.
Leadership Protects
On Monday (Titus 1), Paul directs Titus to appoint elders to protect the church. These men must be "above reproach" (Titus 1:7) and "hold firm to the trustworthy word" (Titus 1:9). They have to watch for "liars, evil beasts, (and) lazy gluttons" as a Cretan poet called them (Titus 1:12).
What differences do you notice this week between empty teaching and healthy teaching?
Leadership Models
On Tuesday (Titus 2), Paul encourages Titus to teach sound doctrine to those of every age (Titus 2:1-6). His life should give them a "model of good works" (Titus 2:7). God's grace is for everyone, but it doesn't loosen God's standard for us; instead, it trains us "to renounce ... worldly passions" and live with self-control (Titus 2:11-12). And he needs to teach these truths "with all authority" (Titus 2:15).
Paul gives commands for different groups (Titus 2: 2-10). Which group fits you, and how can you apply the instruction?
Leadership Submits
Some truths bear repeating, so Wednesday's reading (Titus 3) says to remind people to submit to authorities and do good works (Titus 3:1). But our righteous works don't save us. Our gracious God justifies us "by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ" (Titus 3:4-7). So, instead of battling with each other, avoid foolish controversies and fights (Titus 3:9)!
Who must we "show perfect courtesy" toward (Titus 3:2)?
Leadership isn't Ashamed
On Thursday, we move onto Paul's first letter to Timothy. In chapter 1, we learn more about those who have "swerved" from the truth (1 Tim. 1:6), having "shipwrecked" their faith (1 Tim. 1:19). But rather than fear, Timothy must stand against them with power, love, and discipline (1 Tim. 1:5). Nobody's perfect — including Paul (1 Tim. 1:13-15) — but don't be ashamed when you follow the pattern of sound words, guarding the treasure.
What's the "aim" of our teaching (1 Tim. 1:5)?
Leadership Prays
Finally, on Friday (1 Tim. 2), Paul equips Timothy with the most indispensable leadership tool of all: prayer! We need to pray for all people, including authorities, through our mediator, Jesus Christ (1 Tim. 2:1-5). He calls on men to pray rather than fight (1 Tim. 2:8), and women to live in faith, love, holiness, and self-control (1 Tim. 2:15). All these lessons of leadership and faith help us serve and bring others to God, "who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim. 2:4).
