childrens book Titus

Childrens Book of Titus
Chapters 1 - 3

I have written this for children, based solely on the Word of God, but condensed for them... and used Noah Webster's 1828 Dictionary for clarification of some words. My added comments are in italics, and there is usually a memory verse at the end..

Chapter 1

Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect (those that God has chosen) and according to the truth which is of God, in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began; but has at the time of his choosing brought forth his word through preaching, which has been given to me (to preach the gospel to the Gentiles) according to the commandment of God our Saviour.

To Titus, my own son after the faith (perhaps Titus was saved through Paul preaching the gospel to him). Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

I left you in Crete so that you could put in proper order the things that are needed, and appoint elders in every city, as I appointed you. If any be without blame, the husband of one wife, having children that are believers; well behaved and well thought of by others.

An bishop (an overseer or pastor) must be without blame as the servant of God, (the one who watches over those in the assembly); not selfwilled, not quick to become angry, not a drinker of wine, not violent, not desiring money. But one who loves hospitality (inviting others into his home) one who loves good people and good things (has no fellowship with evil) serious, upright and honest, holy (in heart) self-controlled; standing firm the word (of God) as he has been taught, so that by sound doctrine he will be able to teach, and to answer those who speak against the truth. Because there are many that talk too much, and many that deceive. They must be stopped, that turn aside whole households, teaching things that they should not teach, for the sake of money.

Don't have anything to do with Jewish stories, and rules of men, who have turned away from the truth. To those that are pure (in their hearts) all things are pure: but to them that do not believe, nothing is pure, even their mind and conscience (that which tells them right from wrong) is corrupted.

no memory verse for this chapter.

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Chapter 2

Teach sound doctrine, so that the older men are serious, dignified, self controlled, sound in the faith, in love, and in patience. The older women in the same way, should behave in a holy (in heart) manner, not gossipers, not drinking much wine, teachers of good things. They may teach the younger women to be serious, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be wise and cautious, faithful to their husbands, keepers of their home, good, obedient to their own husbands so that the word of God is not badly spoken of (by their behaviour as Christians)

Teach young men also to be self-controlled. In all things, you are to be the pattern that they follow. Behaving as the word of God teaches you to behave, dignified, sincere, speaking with words that cannot be condemned by others, so that no one can say anything evil of you.

Teach servants to be obedient to their own masters, and to please them in every way, not speaking back to them. Not stealing anything, but being faithful so that they may be good examples of the teachings of God our Saviour.

The grace of God has appeared to all men, teaching us that we are to stay away from ungodliness and the lusts of the world. We should live in a serious manner, righteously, and godly, looking for that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, so that he might redeem us from all sin (because he paid the penalty for the sins of the world on the cross), and make pure His own special people (those saved by grace through faith) full of enthusiasm for doing good works (as led by the Spirit)..

Speak all these things, and teach, and rebuke (those who speak against the things of God) with authority. Let no man hate you.

Memory Verse: Titus 2:13 "looking for that blessed hope, the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour, Jesus Christ"

Chapter 3

Remind believers that they are to be submissive to rulers, and those in authority, to obey all laws. To not speak evil of any man, to not be fighters, but to be gentle, showing meekness to all men. Because we all were at one time foolish, disobedient, deceived, giving in to the lusts and pleasure (of this world) living in hatred and envy.

But after the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared (the Lord Jesus Christ), not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing away of our sins, (when we received the Lord Jesus as our Saviour) and by the renewing of the Holy Ghost (which came to dwell within us at the moment we were saved), which he gave us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Being made just (righteous) by his grace, we shall be made heirs (adopted as children of God through faith) according to the hope of eternal life (when Jesus comes again)

This is a faithful saying, and I would have you confirm these things all the time, so that those which have believed in God will be careful to carry out good works (as led by the Spirit according to the plan that God has for their lives). These things are good and profitable (to be applied to their daily lives as believers)

Avoid foolish questions, and things that lead to divisions, and arguments about the law (of Moses), for they are a waste of time. A man that is a heretic (one who holds to false teachings) put out after you have warned him twice. Know that this person is a sinner, and is condemned because he holds on to his wickedness even after being warned by faithful Christians..

All that are with me salute you. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

Memory Verse: Titus 3:7 "...being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life."

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V. Gross/Jan'07