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Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.

Winston Churchill

At Reformed Man, we feel that Christians are not outside of this. There are so called “modern” false teachings that have crept into the church or Christian circles that have already been disputed throughout church history and found to be false. We feel that if believers would take a little time to learn historical orthodox Christianity, this would not happen quite as often. That is why we present to you the Sound Doctrine Men's Bible Study. As we begin this journey together, there is some groundwork we need to lay before moving forward:


1. We are not a church and this is not meant to replace church. It is meant to be supplemental to church. We strongly recommend that everyone be an actively serving member within a sound local body of believers. This study is meant to be a place that men can come together and learn the fundamental beliefs of the historic and orthodox Christian faith, leading to a greater understanding of who God is and who we are. It is also a place for fellowship hopefully leading to friendship.


2. We will be systematically covering the beliefs that are foundational to the Christian faith by way of different sound teachers and pastors around the area. We have 5 churches in total that will be represented here this year. Each teacher will take a subject/topic and break it down the best they can in order to give everyone the best shot at having a decent understanding.


3. While each teacher will have their own style, we are going to try and make the lessons interactive throughout but leaving the majority of the questioning for the end to be honoring of everyone’s time.


4. I would strongly encourage note taking to reference for further home study. As men, we are to be students of the Word and workers in the faith. Learning and work are not always fun, they are work, and sometimes hard work. I challenge you all to stick to it and dedicate yourself to this work in the Lord.

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior; To Titus, my true child in a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

Titus 1:1-4 ESV

We start off with Paul giving a greeting to Titus who he calls his true child in their common faith, a student of Paul and of Christ.

This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.

Titus 1:5-8 ESV

Now, there are a few questions I want us to consider:

1. What was Paul's purpose for leaving Titus in Crete? 

2. What are some qualities an elder must have?

3. Are these qualities completely unique to an elder? 

4. Is every believer expected to pursue these qualities?

The ten commandments which are summed up by what Jesus calls the two greatest commandments, loving God with all our heart mind and strength and loving our neighbor as ourselves, tell us that these are qualities that every believer is meant to pursue.

Now, I believe this next part is where we do get semi-unique to elders and overseers.

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

Titus 1:9 ESV

I believe this is unique to an elder or overseer in the sense that they may run into these situations more often. But we are all also to hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught. So that as 1 Peter 3:15 says, "but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect."

‭‭For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach. One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, “Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.” This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, not devoting themselves to Jewish myths and the commands of people who turn away from the truth. To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

Titus 1:10-16 ESV

I don’t know about you, but I don't want to find myself in this second category of people. I don’t want to be ‭‭detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.

Now, this leads us to the verse I really want to focus on.

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness.

Titus 2:1-2 ESV

This really locks in the fact that this is not just for elders alone. In fact the next verses give an even greater case for this being for all believers because it starts talking about women.

Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good,

Titus 2:3 ESV

What does sound doctrine mean? I love this simple definition by hip-hop artist Omri in the song Sound Doctrine by Wrath and Grace, “Doctrine meaning teaching and sound meaning it’s healthy.”

Let’s explore this, who is to teach what accords with sound doctrine?

Pastors, elders, presbyters, teachers; but what about in the home? Who is in charge of the sound teaching in the home?

As men, we are!

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.

Ephesians 5:25-27 ESV

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6 ESV

The charge I bring to you gentlemen, myself included, is this:

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2:15‬ ‭ESV‬‬

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV

I want to finish with the reason why we are all really here. What is the most sound of sound doctrines? What is the most important of all doctrines? That is the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Romans tells us that we have all sinned and we’ve all fallen short of the glory of God, that we all had an eternal destination and that is in hell. But Christ came into the world and died on our behalf, justifying us before the Father. He who knew no sin became sin for us. And all we have to do is look upon him and be saved.

Repent of your sins, turn from them and look upon Christ for salvation. It is insane to me that we stand here, those who do believe, as justified men. I will be the first one to say that I am a wicked sinner. I still am, I still sin constantly, daily, all the time. But God‘s Word tells me, because I’ve been set apart and he’s led me to himself for salvation, that I can freely approach the throne of grace anytime I sin. I come to the Lord and ask for forgiveness and he assures me that I receive that forgiveness. And now I,  and any of you who have truly looked upon the Lord for salvation, will get to spend eternity, not just in heaven but with our Lord, in his presence forever.

The gospel is the most important doctrine. Repent and believe. It really is that simple.

CREED GALBRAITH

Creed is a Barber and a Co-Founder of Reformed Man as well as a worship leader at Community Baptist Church in Victoria, Tx. He and his wife have been married for ten years and have three children.