The Bible Recap: Day 353 – Titus 1–3 (Year 7)

Host: Tara-Leigh Cobble
Date: December 19, 2025
Theme: Paul’s Letter to Titus – Church Leadership, Godly Living, and God’s Plan

Episode Overview

In this episode, Tara-Leigh Cobble explores Paul’s letter to Titus, highlighting its guidance for church leaders in challenging cultures, instructions for godly conduct in family and community, and the overarching role of God’s grace. The episode offers insights into how Christians are called to be distinct in both personal behavior and public life, especially in the face of false teaching and cultural pushback.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Context of Titus and Its Purpose

• Paul’s Relationship to Titus:
  • Paul writes to Titus, his trusted colleague ministering in Crete, a place described as “not exactly a cakewalk” due to its difficult culture and problematic leaders. (00:12)
• Situation in Crete:
  • The island’s culture challenges Christ’s teachings, with internal issues in church leadership complicating Titus’s mission. (00:24)
  • “It’s not all sunsets and souvlaki for our friend Titus.” – Tara-Leigh (00:27)

2. Instructions for Church Leadership (Chapter 1)

• Choosing Elders:
  • Paul instructs Titus to appoint elders whose lives reflect Christ, not just in belief but in behavior, because “people are going to be looking to them for guidance and truth.” (00:46)
• The Problem of False Teachers:
  • Special mention of “the circumcision party” among Jews and unruly locals (called “Cretans”), some of whom display behavior unworthy of the gospel. Paul directs Titus to firmly rebuke them for the sake of doctrinal purity. (01:01)
  • “Their lives prove that they don’t actually love God.” – Tara-Leigh (01:18)

3. Instructions for Christian Living (Chapter 2)

• Godliness in Everyday Life:
  • Paul’s guidance is specific to age and gender but intended as general counsel for all. The greater focus: “what it looks like to honor God in the most basic institute—the family.” (01:40)
• Adorning Doctrine:
  • Believers are urged to make their faith attractive, displaying “lives that are set apart in the eyes of outsiders.” (01:55)
• Transformative Power of Grace:
  • “Grace is a change agent... God’s grace brought them salvation, trained them to renounce sin and worldly passion, trained them to be upright and godly even in the midst of a wicked culture.” (02:03)

4. Witness in the Public Sphere (Chapter 3)

• Humility and Submission:
  • Paul calls for humility in civic engagement—particularly with leaders and authorities: “Our humility has its greatest opportunity to show up when we disagree with someone.” (02:30)
• Living What We Believe:
  • Remembering that all believers were once “foolish, disobedient... slaves to various passions,” Paul urges the church to cultivate humility, gentleness, generosity, and peace. (03:03)
  • “It was entirely 100% all the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior.” (03:17)
• Generosity and Helping Others:
  • “Help others and be generous like God has been generous to them.” (03:33)

5. Notable “God Shot” Reflection

• God’s Eternal Plan and Faithfulness:
  • Tara-Leigh’s personal highlight: Paul’s introduction, where “God, who never lies, promised eternal life before the ages began and at the proper time, manifested in His Word.” (03:41)
  • This phrase underscores the timelessness and reliability of God’s promise, the unbroken lineage from eternity past to the present fulfillment in Christ.
  • “The gospel of our salvation has been on the lips of an eternal God before the ages began... Nothing has thrown his plan off or set it back, and at the right time he set it all in motion.” – Tara-Leigh (03:45)
• Final Encouragement:
  • “There is one thing I know, and I will plant my flag in it for all eternity. He’s where the joy is.” – Tara-Leigh (04:33)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Leadership and Example:
  “It’s vital that they reflect Christ not just in their doctrine, but in their lives as well.” (00:47)

• On Addressing Falsehood:
  “Rebuke the people in the church who act like that. Because if and when a person actually receives a rebuke, their faith increases and their doctrine is refined.” (01:17)

• On Making Faith Attractive:
  “He tells them to adorn the doctrine of Christ, to present their faith as beautiful to the world.” (01:55)

• On Grace as a Change Agent:
  “Grace changes everything. God’s grace brought them salvation, trained them to renounce sin and worldly passion, trained them to be upright and godly even in the midst of a wicked culture.” (02:03)

• On Humility and Perspective:
  “Humility is remembering that we haven’t always known it all like we currently do. Right?” (03:10)

• On God’s Unchanging Plan:
  “The gospel of our salvation has been on the lips of an eternal God before the ages began... Nothing has thrown his plan off or set it back.” (03:45)

• On Ultimate Joy:
  “There is one thing I know, and I will plant my flag in it for all eternity. He’s where the joy is.” (04:33)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:12 – Paul’s assignment for Titus in a challenging culture.
• 00:46 – Guidelines for appointing elders.
• 01:01 – Addressing false teachers and the reputation of “cretins.”
• 01:40 – Teaching principles for families and believers of all ages.
• 02:03 – The role and impact of God’s grace.
• 02:30 – Humility in politics and public life.
• 03:03 – A call to live out humility, remembering past folly.
• 03:41 – God’s eternal promise (“God shot” reflection).
• 04:33 – Declaration of finding joy in God.

Conclusion

Tara-Leigh wraps up with a focus on God’s faithfulness, urging listeners to live out God’s generosity and grace. She highlights Paul’s encouragement to be distinctively Christlike at home, in church, and in public—and celebrates the unshakeable joy found in God’s eternal plan.