If you’ve thought of “teaching” and of “learning” as something that happens in a classroom, where rows of students sit to listen as a teacher gives them important information, Titus 2 holds some surprises. In the first place, “teaching” here isn’t about information. Teaching is about life. It’s not “sound doctrine” but “what is in accord with sound doctrine” that Paul urged Titus to teach (v. 1). Paul didn’t insist Titus make sure each believer can proof-text the Trinity. But he did insist believers learn to be reverent, self-controlled, pure, upright, and godly.
Next, teaching isn’t a classroom kind of thing! The teacher of Titus 2 is so involved in life with the learners that he or she is able to “set them an example by doing what is good” (v. 7).
Finally, Christian “teaching” is such a broad concept that no single word can describe the activity. This chapter says “teach” (vv. 1–4, 7, 9–10, 12, 15), “train” (v. 4), “encourage” (vv. 6, 15), “set an example” (v. 7), and “rebuke” (v. 15). If we were to include all the ideas conveyed by the Greek words, teaching would be: speaking, communicating, asserting, encouraging, advising, urging, providing a pattern or example to follow, instructing, guiding, correcting, bringing to light, exposing, pointing out, convincing, and reproving when necessary to convict—and all to help another live a life that fits the truth we believe, and the relationship we have with Jesus Christ.
Personal Application
More real teaching takes place outside the church building than in it—and you and I are the teachers!
Quotable
“I am convinced if I asked any one of you suddenly to recall five sermons you have listened to, you would be hard put to answer. But if I should ask you to name five persons through whom God has put His hand on your life, you would not hesitate a moment.”—Halford E. Luccock
Larry Richards
Intentional Faith 