The Titus Way
28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule!” (Genesis 1:28)
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
16 Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. 17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative … 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you. (2 Corinthians 8:16-17 & 23)
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
16 Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. 17 For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative … 23 As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you. (2 Corinthians 8:16-17 & 23)
It all started for Titus when Paul invited him to show up. The first time he appears in the Bible is in Galatians 2:1, where he is just a tag-on member of Paul’s team. Paul says, “I went up again to Jerusalem, this time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also.” Titus is not the main guy. He isn’t even the number two guy. He is the tag-on guy. He got involved because Paul asked him to join in and he said yes. That is usually being mentored usually starts. Putting out chairs, leading the welcome at Life Group, being an extra helper at Everyday Kids, etc. Phase 1 of being mentored is simply to show up and be willing. Good things happen to people who faithfully show up.
In Phase 2 of his development as a disciple-maker, Titus learns to serve. He obviously did well on the trip to Jerusalem, because Paul now asks him if he is willing to pick up a task for him. The second time that Titus appears in the Bible is 2 Corinthians 7, where Paul has asked him to deliver a letter to Corinth. He is just a postman, but he serves well in the task that he was given. Phase 2 is the Copernican revolution that moves self away from the centre of our universe. We start serving Jesus’ mission, devoting our energies to something bigger than ourselves.
In Phase 3 of his journey to becoming a disciple-maker, Titus takes personal ownership for the mission that Jesus has given us. This is the big one. On the journey into leadership, many pass Phase 1 and 2 but find Phase 3 elusive. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 8:16-23, “Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative … As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you.” That’s quite a jump! Titus goes from being the tag-on servant-hearted guy to a leader in his own right! Paul is able to speak of him as ‘my partner and fellow worker’.
In Phase 2 of his development as a disciple-maker, Titus learns to serve. He obviously did well on the trip to Jerusalem, because Paul now asks him if he is willing to pick up a task for him. The second time that Titus appears in the Bible is 2 Corinthians 7, where Paul has asked him to deliver a letter to Corinth. He is just a postman, but he serves well in the task that he was given. Phase 2 is the Copernican revolution that moves self away from the centre of our universe. We start serving Jesus’ mission, devoting our energies to something bigger than ourselves.
In Phase 3 of his journey to becoming a disciple-maker, Titus takes personal ownership for the mission that Jesus has given us. This is the big one. On the journey into leadership, many pass Phase 1 and 2 but find Phase 3 elusive. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 8:16-23, “Thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same concern I have for you. For Titus not only welcomed our appeal, but he is coming to you with much enthusiasm and on his own initiative … As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker among you.” That’s quite a jump! Titus goes from being the tag-on servant-hearted guy to a leader in his own right! Paul is able to speak of him as ‘my partner and fellow worker’.
1) Where is God calling you to show up so that you can grow as a disciple of Jesus?
2) Where is God calling you to serve so that you can grow even further as a disciple of Jesus?
3) How is God calling you to take ownership of the Great Commission that he has given us by becoming a disciple-maker? Who can you invite to show up and to serve alongside you in your own Christian ministry?
2) Where is God calling you to serve so that you can grow even further as a disciple of Jesus?
3) How is God calling you to take ownership of the Great Commission that he has given us by becoming a disciple-maker? Who can you invite to show up and to serve alongside you in your own Christian ministry?
Father God, I really want to be a disciple and a disciple-maker. Help me to keeping showing up, even during lockdown. Help me to find creative ways to serve in your Kingdom, rather than spending all my energy on plans of my own. Help me to take ownership of your Great Commission and to call many others to show up and serve with me. Amen.
If you have time, consider carrying on your conversation with God using one of our helpful Prayer Pathways.
Today’s Everyday Devotions have also inspired a devotional video that you can watch on our YouTube channel.
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Today’s Everyday Devotions have also inspired a devotional video that you can watch on our YouTube channel.
Join our Online Service now.