Small Group Discussion Guide

Leadership That Lasts: Building on What's True

Based on the Sermon Series: Titus — Week 1

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A Note to Facilitators: This guide is designed for 60–90 minutes. You don't need to use every question — choose what fits your group best. The most important thing isn't covering all the material; it's creating space for honest conversation and genuine connection. Trust the Holy Spirit to lead your discussion.

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OVERVIEW

In this opening message from the book of Titus, we explored why leadership matters — not just in churches and organizations, but in every sphere of life. Drawing from Titus 1:1–9, the sermon challenged us to see that everyone is a leader with a sphere of influence, and that God is far more concerned with who we are than what we can accomplish. Three core principles emerged: leaders worth following lead well at home, lead with character, and lead from truth.

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BEFORE YOUR GROUP MEETS

Suggested Reading: Titus 1:1–9 (included below) Suggested Prep: Reflect on one area of your life where you lead others — formally or informally.

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SECTION 1 — ICEBREAKER

(5–10 minutes)

Opening Question — Choose one based on your group's comfort level:

Option A (lighter, fun):

"Think of a leader — from any area of life, past or present — who genuinely impressed you when you got to know them better. What made them stand out?"

Option B (slightly deeper):

"Who was the most influential leader in your personal life growing up — a parent, coach, teacher, or mentor — and what one thing did they model that stuck with you?"

[Leader Tip]: Keep this section light and moving. The goal is to get everyone talking, not to go deep yet. Affirm responses warmly and briefly before transitioning. If the group is quiet, share your own answer first to break the ice.

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SECTION 2 — SCRIPTURE READING

(5 minutes)

Have someone in the group read the passage aloud, or read it together. You may want to read it twice — once for familiarity, once to listen for something specific.

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Titus 1:1–9 (NIV)

"Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ to further 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 does not lie, promised before the beginning of time, and which now at his appointed season he has brought to light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our Savior —

To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.

The reason I left you in Crete was that you might put in order what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. An elder must be blameless, faithful to his wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. Since an overseer manages God's household, he must be blameless — not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Rather, he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is 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 by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it."

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Brief Context for Facilitators to Share:

Paul wrote this letter around 64 AD to his trusted companion Titus, whom he had left on the island of Crete — the largest Greek island — to bring order to struggling young churches. Titus was Paul's "problem solver," sent to find and appoint godly leaders who could stabilize and strengthen these communities. Though Paul writes specifically about church elders, the sermon reminded us that the character qualities described here apply to every believer in every area of leadership — at home, at work, in friendships, and in community.

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SECTION 3 — DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

(30–45 minutes)

Work through as many questions as time allows. Questions are organized from observation → interpretation → application. Feel free to skip questions that don't fit your group or linger longer on ones that spark rich conversation.

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THEME A: Leadership Is for Everyone

(~10 minutes)

Question 1 — Observational

The sermon opened with a bold claim: "Every single person has a sphere of leadership." What spheres of influence came to mind for you personally when you heard that — whether large or small?

[Leader Tip]: This question helps people see themselves as leaders before the theological content arrives. Encourage specific, concrete answers — a classroom, a family dinner table, a friend group, a work team. Validate every answer, especially from those who feel they don't "qualify" as leaders.

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Question 2 — Interpretive

Paul opens his letter by describing a chain: faith → truth → godliness → hope. In your own words, what do you think he means by that sequence? Why does he start a letter about leadership with this kind of theological foundation?

[Leader Tip]: If the group gets stuck, simplify it: "What we believe shapes how we live — and how we live shapes how we lead." The point is that leadership flows from the inside out. You don't need a theology degree to engage this question — everyone has an instinct about why character matters more than credentials.

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THEME B: Lead Well at Home

(~10 minutes)

Question 3 — Personal

The sermon described being "blameless" not as perfection, but as living in a way where accusations don't stick — because the people who know you best would say, "That's not who they are." Who in your life knows you well enough to vouch for your character? What do you think they would say?

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Question 4 — Interpretive & Application

The pastor shared that in his years of youth ministry, the most consistently faithful young adults came from homes where parents lived out their faith — not just talked about it. What's the difference between believing something privately and living it out in your household? What makes that so hard to do consistently?

[Leader Tip]: This question can feel convicting for parents — especially those with prodigals or who feel they've failed. Create a grace-filled atmosphere. Remind the group that the sermon acknowledged single parents, prodigals, and the complexity of family life. The goal is honest reflection, not shame.

Optional follow-up if discussion stalls:

"What's one thing you saw modeled at home growing up — either positively or negatively — that still shapes how you live today?"

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THEME C: Lead with Character

(~10 minutes)

Question 5 — Observational & Interpretive

Paul gives Titus a list of five things a leader must not be and six things they must be. Look back at Titus 1:7–8. Which of these qualities do you think is most countercultural in today's world — and why?

The five "nots": not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy The six "musts": hospitable, loving what is good, self-controlled, upright, holy, disciplined

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Question 6 — Personal

The sermon made this observation: "None of these qualities are talents or skills. God seems far more interested in who we are than what we can do for him." Which of the qualities on that list do you feel most naturally? Which one is the biggest stretch for you right now?

[Leader Tip]: Model vulnerability here if you can. Sharing your own honest answer ("I really struggle with being quick-tempered") gives others permission to be real. This question can open up some of the richest conversation in the guide — give it space.

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Question 7 — Application

The pastor told a story about a home builder who, at great personal cost, chose to buy back a house with foundation problems rather than dodge responsibility. He called it "keeping your oath even when it hurts." Can you think of a time when doing the right thing cost you something? What made you choose integrity in that moment — or what made it hard?

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THEME D: Lead from Truth

(~10 minutes)

Question 8 — Interpretive

Verse 9 says a leader must "hold firmly to the trustworthy message" in order to both encourage and refute — to build up and to correct. The sermon called this "the dance." Why do you think both are necessary? What goes wrong when a leader only encourages without ever correcting — or only corrects without encouraging?

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Question 9 — Personal & Reflective

The sermon ended with this challenge: "If what you believe never changes how you live, something has gone wrong." Where in your life do you feel the greatest gap between what you say you believe and how you actually live day to day? You don't have to share specifics — but what area comes to mind?

[Leader Tip]: This is the most personally searching question in the guide. Give people a moment of quiet before inviting responses. Assure the group that no one has to share specifics — the goal is honest self-reflection. If the room goes quiet, that's okay. Silence can be productive.

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Question 10 — Community

The pastor was transparent about his own accountability structures — two friends who ask him hard questions weekly, and a group of elders who know his finances, schedule, and decisions. What does genuine accountability look like in your own life right now? Is there anything you'd want more of?

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SECTION 4 — PERSONAL APPLICATION

(10–15 minutes)

Take a few minutes for quieter, more individual reflection. You may work through these together as a group, invite people to journal privately, or use them as take-home questions.

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Reflection Questions:

1. The sermon described three marks of a leader worth following:

• Lead well at home
• Lead with character
• Lead from truth

Which of these three feels most urgent for you personally right now — and what's one specific, concrete step you could take this week in that area?

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2. Think about the people in your sphere of influence — your family, roommates, co-workers, teammates, or friends. How would they describe your leadership? What would you want them to say — and what's the gap between those two things?

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3. The sermon invited us to move from trying harder to surrendering more — recognizing that godly character is produced by the Holy Spirit, not self-effort. Is there an area of your leadership where you've been straining in your own strength? What might it look like to surrender that to God this week?

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🔑 THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE — Choose one:

Option 1 — Reflection: Set aside 15 minutes this week to journal your honest answer to this question: "Who am I when no one is looking — and is that person someone I'm proud of?"

Option 2 — Conversation: Identify one person in your life who knows you well enough to speak honestly into your character. Have a conversation with them this week and ask: "Is there anything you see in me that I might be blind to?"

Option 3 — Scripture: Read through Titus 1 slowly each day this week. Each day, pick one quality from the list and ask God to show you what it looks like in your specific life and relationships.

Option 4 — Action: If you've been putting off a moment of integrity — a conversation, an apology, a commitment you've avoided keeping — take one step toward it this week, even if it costs you something.

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SECTION 5 — PRAYER FOCUS

(5–10 minutes)

Close your time together in prayer. You can use the suggested prompts below, invite group members to pray aloud, or have one person pray on behalf of the group.

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Suggested Prayer Topics:

🙏 For our own leadership — Ask God to reveal the gap between who we are publicly and who we are privately. Pray for the courage to close that gap, one ordinary act of obedience at a time.

🙏 For our homes and households — Pray for those in the group who are parents, spouses, roommates, or caregivers. Ask God to give wisdom, patience, and consistency in leading the people closest to us.

🙏 For our church leaders — Pray specifically for the pastors, elders, and ministry leaders at your church. Ask God to protect them, give them wisdom, and surround them with genuine accountability and community.

🙏 For those with prodigals — If anyone in the group is carrying grief over a child, sibling, or loved one who has walked away from faith, lift them up. Ask God for hope, perseverance, and trust in his faithfulness across generations.

🙏 For surrendered hearts — Pray that each person in the group would move from striving to surrendering — trusting that the Holy Spirit produces in us what we cannot manufacture on our own.

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[Leader Tip]: If your group isn't comfortable praying aloud yet, you can close with a simple prayer yourself, covering these themes. Alternatively, invite people to share one word or phrase that describes what they want to bring to God, and then pray over those together.

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SECTION 6 — OPTIONAL DEEP DIVE

For groups wanting to go further

These questions are designed for groups with more time, more biblical background, or a desire to wrestle with the text more deeply. Use them as bonus discussion, personal homework, or as the foundation for a follow-up conversation.

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Deep Dive Question 1 — Theological

The sermon noted that Paul describes the same role using three different words: elder (presbyteros), overseer (episkopos), and elsewhere shepherd/pastor (poimen). Each word emphasizes a different dimension of the same role — wisdom and experience, oversight and governance, care and protection. How do these three images together give you a fuller picture of what godly leadership is meant to look like? Which image resonates most with how you think about leadership?

Related passages for further study: Acts 20:17–28, 1 Peter 5:1–4, Hebrews 13:17

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Deep Dive Question 2 — Contextual

Paul sent Titus to Crete with a specific mission: to "put in order what was left unfinished" and appoint leaders who could stabilize the churches there. The Greek word used (epidiorthoo) means to bring order to chaos. What kinds of "chaos" do you think the early churches in Crete were experiencing? In what ways do those same challenges — confusion about truth, lack of trustworthy leaders, cultural pressures — still affect churches and communities today?

Background: Crete was known in the ancient world as a place with a reputation for dishonesty and moral laxity — Paul even quotes a Cretan poet about this in Titus 1:12. The churches there were young and vulnerable to false teaching.

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Deep Dive Question 3 — Personal & Prophetic

The sermon closed with a challenging statement: "The number one determiner of how you live your life will be what you believe." Take that seriously for a moment. What do your actual daily habits, choices, and priorities reveal about what you truly believe — not just what you say you believe? If someone could only observe your life for one week without hearing you say a word about faith, what conclusions would they draw?

Related passages: James 2:14–26, Matthew 7:24–27, Luke 6:46–49

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QUICK-REFERENCE SUMMARY

Section	Time
Icebreaker	5–10 min
Scripture Reading & Context	5 min
Discussion Questions (Themes A–D)	30–45 min
Personal Application	10–15 min
Prayer Focus	5–10 min
Total	55–85 min

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ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES REFERENCED IN THE SERMON

For personal study or group reference:

• 1 Timothy 3:1 — "Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task."
• Hebrews 13:7 — "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith."
• James 1:19 — "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires."
• 2 Timothy 3:16 — "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness."
• Matthew 7:24–27 — The parable of the wise and foolish builders (echoed in the worship song and the foundation illustration)

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A FINAL WORD FOR FACILITATORS

You don't have to have all the answers to lead this discussion well. Your most important job is to create a safe space where people can be honest, ask real questions, and encounter God together. If a question opens up something unexpected — a struggle someone is carrying, a painful family situation, a crisis of faith — slow down and be present. The guide is a tool, not a script.

The sermon reminded us that God measures maturity by ordinary obedience. The same is true for leading a small group. Show up, pray, ask good questions, listen well, and trust God to do the rest.

He won't fail.

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This guide was prepared for small group use at Harris Creek Baptist Church. Feel free to adapt questions for your specific group context.