Intentional Pursuit of Godliness Through Discipleship

 

Summary

In my recent sermon, I focused on the importance of godliness and the various levels of commitment and submission required to pursue it. I emphasized that godliness is not something that can be caught; it must be taught and applied in real-life situations. To grow in godliness, one must be intentional and committed to a process of discipleship.

I shared my personal journey of rapid growth in faith, attributing it to my commitment to discipleship. I was teachable, submitted to my mentors, and surrounded by a community that included elder men, a personal discipler, peer disciplers, and the Holy Spirit. This community provided me with daily guidance and accountability, which was crucial for my spiritual development.

I also discussed the dangers of false teachings and the importance of sound doctrine. I warned against the perils of worldliness and the need to submit to God's word, even when faced with personal traumas and triggers. I highlighted the role of the Holy Spirit in teaching us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires, emphasizing that the grace of God not only brings salvation but also aids in our sanctification.

Furthermore, I addressed the need for sound leadership within the church. I explained that godly leaders are essential for developing a culture of disciples making disciples. I clarified the biblical concept of submission, distinguishing it from blind obedience and emphasizing the importance of a leader's character and example.

Lastly, I called for a commitment to the word of God, urging the congregation to view it as the authoritative source for instructions in godliness. I encouraged everyone to be present, intentional, and to take their spiritual growth seriously.

Key Takeaways:

- Godliness is an active application of God's word in real-life situations. It is not something that can be absorbed passively; it requires intentional learning and practice. As Christians, we must seek out sound teaching and be willing to apply biblical principles to our daily lives. [47:32]

- The pursuit of godliness necessitates a multi-faceted approach to discipleship. This includes submission to godly leadership, mutual submission among peers, personal study of the word, and attentiveness to the Holy Spirit's guidance. Each aspect plays a vital role in our spiritual maturity and should be embraced with humility and commitment. [01:33:01]

- Sound doctrine is the antidote to false teaching. As believers, we must be discerning and align ourselves with leaders who prioritize the truth of Scripture. Our growth in godliness is directly linked to the quality of teaching we receive and the examples set by our leaders. [54:36]

- The Holy Spirit is our divine helper in the journey of sanctification. By submitting to the Spirit's leading, we are empowered to resist ungodliness and worldly influences. The Spirit's role is to transform our hearts and minds, enabling us to live in accordance with God's will. [01:21:09]

- Our character as Christians is a testament to our faith. It is not enough to possess knowledge of the word or to have spiritual gifts; our actions and character must reflect the transformative power of the gospel. By living lives that are above reproach, we safeguard our witness and glorify God. [01:16:14]

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
1. Titus 2:1-15 - "But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you."

### Observation Questions
1. What are the characteristics that Paul instructs older men and women to exhibit in Titus 2:1-5?
2. According to Titus 2:6-8, what qualities should younger men and leaders like Titus demonstrate in their lives and teaching?
3. How does Paul describe the role of bondservants in Titus 2:9-10, and what is the purpose of their behavior?
4. What does Titus 2:11-12 say about the grace of God and its role in our lives?

### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize the importance of sound doctrine and godly behavior for different groups within the church in Titus 2:1-10? How does this relate to the overall health of the church community? [48:05]
2. How does the grace of God, as described in Titus 2:11-12, empower believers to live godly lives? What does this suggest about the relationship between grace and sanctification? [01:21:09]
3. In what ways does Paul suggest that the character and behavior of believers can impact the reputation of the church and the message of the gospel? [49:39]
4. How does the concept of mutual submission among peers, as discussed in the sermon, contribute to the growth and maturity of the church body? [01:03:22]

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the characteristics Paul lists for older men and women in Titus 2:1-5. Which of these traits do you see in yourself, and which ones do you need to develop further? How can you take practical steps to grow in these areas this week?
2. The sermon emphasized the importance of being teachable and submitted to godly leadership. How do you currently respond to correction and guidance from your leaders? What can you do to cultivate a more teachable spirit? [42:28]
3. Paul warns against the dangers of false teachings and the importance of sound doctrine. How can you ensure that you are aligning yourself with leaders who prioritize the truth of Scripture? What steps can you take to discern sound teaching from false teaching? [54:00]
4. The sermon highlighted the role of the Holy Spirit in teaching us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires. How can you become more attentive to the Holy Spirit's guidance in your daily life? What specific practices can you implement to foster a deeper relationship with the Holy Spirit? [01:21:09]
5. Consider the idea of mutual submission among peers. How can you actively support and encourage your fellow believers in their spiritual growth? Identify one person in your small group or church community whom you can reach out to this week for mutual support and accountability. [01:03:22]
6. The sermon called for a commitment to the word of God as the authoritative source for instructions in godliness. How can you prioritize personal Bible study and application of Scripture in your life? What specific plan or routine can you establish to ensure consistent engagement with God's word? [01:33:01]
7. Reflect on the pastor's personal journey of rapid growth in faith through discipleship. How can you seek out and engage in discipleship relationships within your church community? What steps can you take to find a mentor or become a mentor to someone else? [38:38]

Devotional

Day 1: Active Pursuit of Godliness
Godliness requires intentional practice and application of biblical principles. It is not a passive state but an active pursuit, where one must engage with the teachings of Scripture and apply them to everyday life. This pursuit is a conscious effort to embody the values and behaviors that reflect a godly character. It involves a commitment to learning, growing, and being transformed by the Word of God. The journey towards godliness is marked by a willingness to be taught and to put into practice the lessons learned from Scripture and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is a path that demands dedication and the courage to live out one's faith authentically in all aspects of life. [47:32]

James 1:22-25 ESV
"But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing."

Reflection: How can you actively apply one specific teaching from Scripture to a current situation in your life today?

Day 2: Embracing Holistic Discipleship
The pursuit of godliness is a multifaceted journey that involves various forms of discipleship, including learning from godly leaders, engaging with peers, personal study, and following the Holy Spirit's guidance. Each element contributes to spiritual growth and maturity, and it is essential to approach discipleship with humility and a commitment to learn and grow. This holistic approach ensures that one is not only receiving instruction but also giving and sharing wisdom within the community of faith. It is a dynamic process of mutual edification and accountability that strengthens one's relationship with God and with others. [01:33:01]

Ephesians 4:15-16 ESV
"Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Reflection: In what ways can you engage more deeply with the different aspects of discipleship within your faith community this week?

Day 3: Guarding Against False Teaching
Sound doctrine is crucial for maintaining the integrity of one's faith and guarding against the influence of false teachings. Believers must be discerning and align themselves with leaders who are committed to the truth of Scripture. The quality of teaching received and the example set by leaders have a direct impact on one's growth in godliness. It is important to seek out and uphold teachings that are rooted in the Bible, ensuring that one's beliefs and practices are built on a solid foundation. [54:36]

2 Timothy 4:3-4 ESV
"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."

Reflection: How can you discern and protect yourself from false teachings that may be prevalent in today's culture?

Day 4: Yielding to the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit plays a transformative role in the believer's life, teaching and empowering them to resist ungodliness and worldly influences. By yielding to the Spirit's guidance, one can experience sanctification and live in accordance with God's will. The Spirit works within to change hearts and minds, enabling believers to reflect the character of Christ in their actions and decisions. This divine assistance is a crucial aspect of living a life that honors God. [01:21:09]

Galatians 5:16-18 ESV
"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law."

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you need to be more attentive to the Holy Spirit's guidance, and how can you make room for that guidance today?

Day 5: Reflecting Christ in Character
The true measure of one's faith is reflected in their character and actions. Knowledge of the word and spiritual gifts are important, but they must be accompanied by a life that demonstrates the transformative power of the gospel. Living a life that is above reproach not only protects one's witness but also brings glory to God. It is through the daily choices and behaviors that the character of a Christian is revealed and tested. [01:16:14]

Titus 2:11-14 ESV
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."

Reflection: What is one specific way you can demonstrate godly character in a challenging area of your life this week?

Quotes


godliness is not caught it's taught okay you can't just hang around long enough and just catch godliness right you have to be taught what it means to walk with the Lord you have to be taught what it means to deny your flesh you have to be taught what it means to reverence God and to say no to worldly passs you have to be taught what it means you will not catch godliness you have to be taught it which means you have to be intentional and committed to a process [43:31] ( | | )

strong discipl making Ministries require that people be committed to each other's growth as well as their own and so Paul says this in verses 2-10 he says older men are to be tempered dignified self-control sound in faith and love and perseverance he's supposed to be teaching this teach the older women right likewise to be reverent in their behavior not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine teaching what is good so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands to love their children to be sensible pure workers at home kind being subject to their own husbands so that the word of God will not be Dishonored [01:03:53] ( | | )

leaders who are sound are required for developing healthy discipl making disciple cultures in the local church leaders who are sound are required for developing healthy discipl making cultures disciples making disciples cultures in the local church this is the first level of commitment and submission to is to your local church leadership [56:15] ( | | )

the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation to all men in teaching us now he's saying we all have the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit that lives in US becomes our other teacher he becomes the other person who helps us do what say no to ungodliness to do what reject the worldly desires that we have he says I want you to be Godly I want you to submit to leadership I want you to submit to one another but I but I need you to submit to the Holy Spirit [01:22:20] ( | | )

the antidote of error is truth and that the way we combat the foundation of falsehood that these false Apostles these false leaders are laying as we just come and we lay a foundation of truth but it also tells me that when we entered this age when there was so much falsehood and so much um distrust taking place right now in this age especially with younger people [54:00] ( | | )

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Transcript
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