1 John 4-5 (HCSB)The Spirit of Truth and the Spirit of Error4 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to determine if they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God. 3 But every spirit who does not confess Jesus is not from G...  Read More

1 John 2-3 (HCSB)2 My little children, I am writing you these things so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocatewith the Father—Jesus Christ the Righteous One. 2 He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.God’s Commands3 This is how we are sure that we have come to know Him: by keeping His commands. 4 The one w...  Read More

1 John 1 (HCSB)Prologue: Our Declaration1 What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have observed and have touched with our hands, concerning the Word of life— 2 that life was revealed, and we have seen it and we testify and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us— 3 what we have seen and heard we also declare ...  Read More

From One To AnotherPaul wrote Titus around AD 65 during the time between his first and second imprisonments.Study the Word:  New life in Christ is wholistic, affecting the entire person.  It transforms our personality, external behavior, and even the culture around us.  It changes not only who we are and how we think but also how we live.Key Truth:  How we live should be consistent with what we be...  Read More

1.  Paul starts the book of Titus by listing what God had called him to do (1:1-3). What is the purpose God has placed on your life? What is God’s grand purpose for His church? How does your purpose contribute to God’s purpose? What is the link between leadership and service?2.  Last week Hebrews brought up the need to pursue peace with everyone. Paul here, in 1:10-16, brings up the occasional nee...  Read More

Titus 3:1-15 (HCSB)Christian Living among Outsiders 3 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,    2 to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people. 3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one...  Read More

Titus 2:11-15 (HCSB)11 For the grace of God has appeared with salvation for all people,12 instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. 14 He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse fo...  Read More

Titus 2:1-10 (HCSB)Sound Teaching and Christian Living2 But you must say the things that are consistent with sound teaching. 2 Older men are to be level headed, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance. 3 In the same way, older women are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not addicted to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 so they may encourage the you...  Read More

Titus 1:10-16 (HCSB)10 For there are also many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from Judaism. 11 It is necessary to silence them; they overthrow whole households by teaching what they shouldn’t in order to get money dishonestly. 12 One of their very own prophets said,  Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.13 This testimony is true. So, rebuke th...  Read More

Titus 1:1-9 (HCSB)Greeting 1 Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to build up the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness, 2 in the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before time began. 3 In His own time He has revealed His message in the proclamation that I was entrusted with by the command of God our Savior: 4 To Titus, m...  Read More

FAITH PRODUCES WORKS The principles of prayer found in these passages of Scripture apply throughout the Old and New Testaments.Study the Word: The writer of Hebrews gives a clear definition of faith and provides the reader with examples of the faith of God’s people, often in the face of seemingly impossible situations.Key Truth: Faith is being confident that what God says will come to pass (Hebrew...  Read More

What does Hebrews 11:1 mean to you? Most of this chapter is a series of reminders of OT saints that persevered. How does faith motivate perseverance (11:6)? What does that look like in your life? Where is your faith and perseverance weak? Where is it strong? Why do you struggle or stand strong in those areas?Chapter 12 starts with the word “therefore.” How does knowing you are part of a huge histo...  Read More