Heroes or Zeroes?

GETTING STARTED

What makes a hero, a hero? Everyone wants to have someone they can look up to. Just take a look at the recent revival of comic book heroes that have been turned into box office sensations. But we all know deep in our hearts that they are not real and long for something more meaningful. As I age, I find myself seeking my heroes more and more in Scripture. The Bible is full of them! 

  • Who is your favorite hero in the Bible? Why?

READ THE WORD: TITUS 2:1-5 (ESV)       

2:1 But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. Paul listed some desired behaviors for believers to demonstrate in their lives (vss. 2-5a). Read each word that describes a desired behavior of mature believers. Compare yourself to each behavior. How do you measure up?
  2. How are the behaviors listed in these verses connected to things that “accord with sound doctrine” (vs. 1)?
  3. Reread each behavior described and consider its opposite behavior. What is implied about common social norms in that time era? How much different is society and the church today?
  4. Ultimately, what is the purpose for living a holy life of good Christian conduct (vs. 5)?

RESPOND TO GOD

The church needs mature, godly believers to be role models for those young in their faith. Sadly, the number of years one has lived does not always equate to maturity. That is why this passage and others point us as believers to live godly lives, to know and walk in the Word, and to follow our supreme hero, Jesus. As we do, both those in the church and in the world will see Jesus’ love reflected in the way we live, and God will get the glory. This is part of God’s plan for us, so let’s be heroes for others to look up to and follow.

  • Ask the Holy Spirit to give you strength to yield to God, die to self, and live a life pleasing to God.