My True Sons
- Cornerstone Church
- Nov 8
- 3 min read
This week continues again through the letters of Paul. Remember that Paul was left in prison in Rome for at least 2 years, and this is when he spent time writing to different churches and people to encourage them in the faith. Timothy was a younger man whom Paul had discipled. Paul later sent him on a mission to Ephesus to correct false teaching and those stirring up conflict. Titus was also a co-worker with Paul, who was Greek. Titus was also sent on a mission to help the church on the island of Crete. Both letters deal in very practical matters of church leadership and life. Paul had such a close relationship with both Timothy and Titus that he calls them his ‘true sons’ as he encourages them to continue in faithful service to the Lord Jesus. That is the Big Picture.
Each week, as you take in the Bible, find some friends to talk it out. You can follow this simple guide to help. First, R.E.A.D. and P.R.A.Y. on your own. Then, meet with friends to share what you've learned.
R - Repeated words
E - Examine and mark
A - Ask what you learn about God
D - Do if there is anything to do
P - Praise
R - Repent
A - Ask
Week 46
Bible Reading Plan
Daily Prayer Plan
START IT.
We're reading the Bible together in 2025 to see how Love Shows Up from the Old Testament and into the New Testament. How do we understand so many stories and lessons through the entire Bible while trying to stick to the "sacred timeline"? The answer is the big picture. If we get the big picture, we get the story the Bible is trying to tell. From Sunday's message or The Big Picture Bible Reading Plan this week in the books of Philippians, 1 Timothy, and Titus, what is impacting you the most? How has praying daily through the Psalms impacted you? Was there a word, phrase, Bible verse, or theme that impacted you?
R.E.A.D. - Repeated words. Examine & mark. Ask what I learn about God? Do.
STUDY IT.
Read Acts 28:16, 30-31. Where is Paul at the time of the letter? Read Acts 16:1-3 & 1 Timothy 1:3-5. What do you find out about Timothy and his purpose?
Read Galatians 2:1-3, 2 Corinthians 8:23, & Titus 1:4-5. What do you find out about Titus and his purpose?
Read 1 Timothy 3:1-14 & Titus 1:6-9. What are the qualifications for overseers and deacons in both passages?
Read 1 Timothy 6:11-16, 20-21. What are Paul’s summary instructions to Timothy?
Read Titus 3:4-11. What are Paul’s summary instructions to Titus?
SHARE IT.
Read 1 Timothy 6:5-10, 17-19. How much do you think about your material wealth as an American? Would your thought-life or actions say you have ‘godliness with contentment’?
Read 1 Timothy 2:1-3. What are the implications of these verses for your life in the current American political climate?
Read Titus 2:11-14. Why did the Grace of God appear for all and specifically you as well?
Read 1 Timothy 3:1-14 & Titus 1:6-9.. What stands out to you about the qualifications for overseers and deacons?
Read 1 Timothy 1:2 & Titus 1:4. Who would be your “true son/daughter/sister/brother/mother/father” in the faith? How are you nurturing that relationship?
FINAL THOUGHT
Paul calls both Timothy and Titus his “true sons”, meaning his spiritual children that he has discipled and deeply cares for. Notice that part of Paul's discipleship is sending them on to serve the Lord in necessary ways to help the family of God. This relationship naturally makes us think of those who have discipled us, as well as those we are discipling in the faith. More importantly, this points to the True Son, Jesus Christ, who went out to find and bring back the rebellious children. Much like the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), the True Son/Older Brother would have gone out on a mission to get the younger brother for the love of the Father. In that parable, the older brother does not, but Jesus did go on a mission at great cost to Himself. In fact, it is only Jesus’ inheritance and feast that we are invited into, and He got our punishment. If that is the heartbeat of our attention and hope, then it is natural to disciple those in our sphere of influence and look for opportunities to be on a mission to bring others to know the True Son.
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