Single lesson
Titus 3: Heirs of Grace
Titus 3:1–8; Titus 3:9–11; Titus 3:12–15
This lesson helps children notice how Titus 3 joins two things together: God’s grace in saving people, and the changed way believers are to live with others. It also shows what to avoid and how practical help matters.
Before you teach
In Titus 3, the teaching begins with reminders about behaviour towards other people, then explains God’s kindness, mercy and grace in salvation. After that, the passage warns against foolish disputes and divisive people, and ends with travel plans, greetings and another call to good works that meet real needs.
Students will be able to name one truth about God’s grace in Titus 3 and one practical way this passage calls believers to live.
Welcome: Grace and good works belong together
4 minBriefly introduce the big idea: Titus 3 speaks about how believers should act, why they should live that way, what arguments to avoid, and how to help with real needs. Write two headings where children can see them: “What God has done” and “How believers should live”. Tell them they will sort ideas from the passage under both headings.
Titus 3:1, Titus 3:5, Titus 3:8, Titus 3:14
Read and explain: Kindness, mercy and a changed life
8 minRead Titus 3:1-8 aloud. Explain simple phrases from the text: “be ready for every good work” means being prepared to do what is helpful and right; “speak evil of no one” means not using harmful words about people; “he saved us” comes from God’s mercy, not our own righteous works. Point out that believers are called heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Titus 3:1, Titus 3:2, Titus 3:5, Titus 3:7, Titus 3:8
Discuss: What should be avoided
6 minRead Titus 3:9-11. Ask children to notice the contrast between what is profitable and what is unprofitable. Explain that the passage says to shun foolish questionings, strife and disputes about the law because they are vain, and to avoid a factious person after repeated warnings. Keep the focus on choosing peace and refusing quarrels that pull people apart.
Titus 3:8, Titus 3:9, Titus 3:10, Titus 3:11
Make and respond: Reminder card from Titus 3
8 minChildren choose one key verse or phrase from the passage, such as “be ready for every good work”, “showing all humility”, or “maintain good works”. They create a small reminder card and add one realistic example, such as speaking gently, helping someone with a needed job, or refusing a pointless argument. Share examples that clearly connect back to the words of the passage.
Titus 3:1, Titus 3:2, Titus 3:8, Titus 3:14
Closing: Final remarks show practical care
4 minRead Titus 3:12-15. Explain that these final verses are not just greetings. They show diligence, helping travellers so nothing is lacking, learning to maintain good works, and sharing grace-filled fellowship. Finish by reviewing the lesson: God saves by mercy and grace, and his people are to live helpfully, gently and fruitfully.
Titus 3:12, Titus 3:13, Titus 3:14, Titus 3:15
Questions to explore
According to Titus 3:5, did God save us because of our own righteous works or according to his mercy?
Guide children to answer with the exact contrast in the verse: “not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy”.
Titus 3:5
What kinds of actions in Titus 3:1-2 show how believers should treat other people?
Encourage them to name the passage’s own words such as obedient, ready for every good work, speak evil of no one, gentle, and showing humility.
Titus 3:1, Titus 3:2
Why does Titus 3 say to shun foolish disputes and maintain good works instead?
Help children compare the passage’s language: disputes are “unprofitable and vain”, while good works are “good and profitable” and can meet necessary needs.
Titus 3:8, Titus 3:9, Titus 3:14
Make, think or respond
Titus 3 Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- paper or card
- pencils or pens
- crayons or markers
- Bible text on screen or paper
Try it together
- Ask each child to choose one short phrase from Titus 3 that they can read and remember.
- Write the phrase on one side of a small card in large clear words.
- On the other side, draw or write one real-life example that matches the verse.
- Invite children to share how their example fits the passage.
- Take the card home or place it somewhere visible for the week.
This activity helps children connect a key phrase from Titus 3 with a practical response such as gentleness, humility, peacemaking or meeting a real need.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, offer three pre-selected phrases from Titus 3:1, Titus 3:2 and Titus 3:14, and let them draw rather than write a full example.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to sort several statements from the passage under the headings “God’s grace” and “Our response”, then explain their choices from the text.
An optional closing prayer
You may pray: “God our Saviour, thank you for your kindness, mercy and grace. Please help us be gentle, ready for good works, and careful to help where there is real need. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Titus 3
1 Remind them to be in subjection to rulers and to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,
2 to speak evil of no one, not to be contentious, to be gentle, showing all humility toward all men.
3 For we were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love toward mankind appeared,
5 not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior;
7 that being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
8 This saying is faithful, and concerning these things I desire that you insist confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men;
9 but shun foolish questionings, genealogies, strife, and disputes about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
10 Avoid a factious man after a first and second warning,
11 knowing that such a one is perverted and sinful, being self-condemned.
12 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me to Nicopolis, for I have determined to winter there.
13 Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey speedily, that nothing may be lacking for them.
14 Let our people also learn to maintain good works to meet necessary needs, that they may not be unfruitful.
15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.