Sunday Stillness – What’s in The Word?
I am continuing to study Titus using the SIMPLE Method of Bible Study and Ed Hird’s book Restoring Health. Today I am working through Titus 1:9. If you want a PDF of the SIMPLE Bible Study – please click on SIMPLE Bible Study by Janis Cox.
Of course, I start with a prayer for God to open the Scripture to me.
S – Say the passage aloud.
He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it (Titus 1:9, NIVUK).
.
I – Identify the characters, the setting, and the circumstances surrounding this passage.
Paul is telling Titus that he must hold to the TRUTH. The truth that they have been taught through the Gospels. This is a trustworthy message. He is telling this to all pastors, teachers and leaders of the Church.
I love the words “sound doctrine”. Titus is filled with sound doctrines -words that God speaks to us about how to live.
M- Make a list of the thoughts, questions and ideas.
Thinking about the denominational splits and even the variety of denominations – arguing over what is right. Really does it matter if it follows “sound doctrine” of Christ. What do the Scriptures tell us? – how to live.
I love the words of Ancient Words written by Lynn Deshazo:
and here it is sung by Michael W. Smith.
Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh, let the ancient words impart
Words of Life, words of Hope
Give us strength, help us cope
In this world, where e’er we roam
Ancient words will guide us home
Chorus
Ancient words ever true
Changing me and changing you
We have come with open hearts
Oh, let the ancient words impart
Holy words of our Faith
Handed down to this age
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of Christ
Holy words long preserved
For our walk in this world
They resound with God’s own heart
Oh let the ancient words impart
Chorus
Ancient words ever true
Changing me and changing you
We have come with open hearts
Oh, let the ancient words impart.
I bolded the parts that really spoke to me today.
So what is the trustworthy message?
We have different versions of the Bible. The Message says:
Have a good grip on The Message, knowing how to use the truth to either spur people on in knowledge or stop them in their tracks if they oppose it (Titus 1:9, MSG).
Then the KJV:
holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he might be able by sound doctrine to exhort and to convince the gainsayers (Titus 1:9, KJV).
I like the KJV choice of words: to “convince” rather than “refute”. Refute sounds negative and convince sounds positive.
I have read and seen on Twitter many interesting posts about the KJV being the best. But here’s where I need to pray. I use the NIV for most of my study. It is where I began my study and what has kept me reading for 15 years.
H.E.L.P. Having Everything LIfted in Prayer.
P – Pray again for God’s guidance.
Very interesting prayer time.
L- Life – How can I apply what I have been studying to my life?
The Word of God is ACTIVE – sharper than a two-edged sword, so no matter what Bible version we read, God can speak into our hearts. The Holy Spirit can teach us so we can be stronger to refute those who oppose the Word and convince others of the Truth.
The fact is that the NIV speaks to me and it is the version that first made sense to me – that’s why I stick with it.
Maybe the KJV, The Message, or The New Living Translations speak to others.
Actually we can learn a lot by looking up passages in different versions of the Bible.
E – Exit the passage with a prayer for God to help you.
Thanks Lord for clarifying this for me. It took some studying but I know now that your Word is active and can work miracles in the hearts of others. My job is to learn it, let it penetrate, to sing Your words, even memorize them and be ready to build up the faith of others to make strong disciples for Jesus. Thanks to God for His Word through Jesus. In His name. AMEN.
Tweetable:
Learning through studying Titus 1:9 using the SIMPLE Bible Method of Study. What’s in the Word? (click to tweet)
Ancient Words by Lynn Deshazo sung by Michael W. Smith. (tweet this)
Janis Cox
Janis is the author of the award winning children’s book, Tadeo Turtle, published by Word Alive Press. Available in Kindle Format, in bookstores, online and from her website. Curriculum available upon request.
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May we study, know and follow sound doctrine! As you know, my preference is for the KJV. Thanks for the great post & for hosting & God bless!
Yes Laurie I know you prefer KJV but that is good because now I check that version too. My problem with it is that before I came to Christ I had tried to read it and didn’t understand it so my Bible sat on a shelf. When I knew I wanted to follow Jesus I started with a NIV study Bible and for the first time I actually understood a few words. From there I have learned to pray first and the words of any version speak to me.
Blessings,
Janis
There are so many wise and rich words in the Bible that we can read every day. I love that we have options of different versions to read. My favorite is also NIV, but when I really want to get the core a verse I like reading other versions, too. Michael W. Smith is one of the long-standing Christian musicians that has always written great songs! Love this one…even the sound of the instruments make it seem like it was from long ago.
Ann,
I love the options we have too. And yes I love Michael W. Smith and is one of my favourites – because of the words and the music.
Blessings,
Janis
I typically read from the NIV too, but love how you can see a parallel of so many different versions and paraphrases on Biblegateway or Biblehub. Interesting thoughts, Janis! And thanks for hosting us, my friend!
Thanks Beth,
Sometimes I have found that one version just makes it clearer to me. I too check out various versions too.
Blessings,
Janis
His Word is eternal and living – healing and guiding… I read the Bible in Finnish and Danish, and in English I have the NIV and NASB. For the Scripture-photos on my blog I use Biblegateway to see the different translations – and pick up often times The Amplified, The Message, New Living Translation of the Voice.
Wow Nina – Finnish and Danish – That’s awesome! And English! Yes I like looking at different translations as well.
Blessings to you,
Janis
The KJV only argument has been around a long time. I’ve studied books by scholars on both sides of the issue and had to lay it down and ask God to show me. In essence He spoke to my heart that His Word is living. The Word is translated into other dialects all of the time. Sometimes word choice has to be changed when that tribe has no word to use. For example white as snow being changed to white as sugar. So why the rejection of changing it into modern English? That being said, some of the liberties with paraphrases and trying to change the Word to make it culturally relevant and palatable are not ok in my opinion, but a true translation into updated English makes since to me.
Thank you for this Elizabeth. I believe too that His Word is living and He will show me what He wants me to learn.
Blessings,
Janis
I have recently run across several threads on Facebook and there are many people who believe the KJV is the only true translation. Like you, I read the Bible in NIV. I’m interested now to see a more literal word to word translation so I’m on the hunt for a NASB Bible. I think as long as we are reading it in faith, God will help us to understand no matter the translation 🙂
Yes I had heard that too Carrie. I believe God will open His word if we ask Him to. That’s a good idea to search out another version too.
Blessings,
Janis