Family Shepherding | Titus 1:5-9 | Voddie Baucham | A.D. March 26, 2023
Family Shepherding | Titus 1:5-9 | Voddie Baucham | A.D. March 26, 2023
Turn to Today’s Scripture: Titus 1:5-9
Please take a Bible—either one you brought with you or one available in the chair in front of you. I invite you to turn with me to today’s passage. Dr. Bakum will be speaking on Titus 1:5-9. If you’re using the Bible provided in the chairs, you can find it on page 998.
Let’s stand together as we read the Word of God.
Hear the Word of the Lord:
Paul writes:
“The reason I left you in Crete was to set right what was left unfinished and to appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. An elder must be blameless, the husband of one wife, with believing children who are not accused of rebellion or immorality. Since an overseer is God’s steward, he must be above reproach—not arrogant, hot-tempered, addicted to wine, violent, or greedy for dishonest gain. Instead, he must be hospitable, a lover of what is good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others with sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.”
This is the Word of the Lord. You may be seated.
A Message on Family Shepherding
Good morning! It is a joy to be with you today and to speak on the topic of family shepherding. You may wonder why we are discussing family leadership through a passage that primarily outlines the qualifications for elders. However, I assure you, this passage is the perfect foundation for our discussion.
First, let’s examine the book of Titus. In the opening paragraph, Paul introduces the central theme of this letter.
“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 that leads to godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God—who never lies—promised before the beginning of time, and at the proper time revealed in His word through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior.” (Titus 1:1-3)
That phrase—“the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness”—captures the core message of the book of Titus. Throughout this letter, Paul draws a clear distinction between those who know the truth and live godly lives and those who do not know the truth and, therefore, live in ungodliness.
But this knowledge of the truth is not just intellectual; it is deeply transformational. Paul makes this clear later in the letter, particularly in Titus 2:11-14:
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. It teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people who are His own, eager to do good works.”
Here, Paul reminds us that Christ did not die merely to rescue us from hell, but to transform us into a people eager to do good works. This transformation is most clearly seen in the home—the place where our faith is truly tested.
The Household as the Foundation of Faith
Paul frequently addresses the importance of family leadership in his letters, outlining specific household codes that reflect godly living. Why? Because there is no better place to evaluate your faith than in your own home.
At church, you can put on a good face. At work, you can present a certain image. But at home? Your spouse and children see the real you.
Raising a family—especially teenagers—comes with challenges. (And let’s be honest, one of those challenges is just feeding them!) But beyond practical concerns, the home is where faith is tested and proven.
So today, as we explore family shepherding, let us remember: the way we lead our homes reflects the truth of what we believe.
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