Godly Respect — Teen Sunday School

Teen Sunday School • Lesson 5

Titus 2:1–15

Godly
Respect

Building bridges between generations through God's Word

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Opening

Prayer & Praise

Praise Report

Share one thing God has done this week that deserves praise. What are you grateful for right now?

Prayer Requests

What are you trusting God for? Take time to lift up one another's needs in prayer before we dig into today's lesson.

Today's Focus

Today we explore what God's Word says about giving and earning respect — and how it connects generations and spreads the gospel.

Verse of the Month

2 Peter 3:18

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.”

Growing in grace & knowledge — the foundation of godly respect

Grow

In Grace

Grow

In Knowledge

Give

God the Glory

Scripture Foundation

Titus
2:1–15

Titus 2:1–15 • NKJV

The Foundation of Godly Living

v.1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:

v.2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;

v.3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things—

v.4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,

v.5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.

v.6 Likewise, exhort the young men to be sober-minded,

v.7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,

v.8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

v.9 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back,

v.10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.

v.11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,

v.12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,

v.13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

v.14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.

v.15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.

▼ Scroll to read all 15 verses

Connect Activity

Who Said It: TikTok or Titus?

An interactive comparison activity — examine how social media defines authenticity and respect vs. what Scripture actually says. Which quote is from TikTok culture, and which is from Titus? Discuss!

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Social Media Says

“Be authentic — do whatever feels true to YOU, no matter what anyone thinks.”

“Clout and followers = real influence and respect.”

“Respect is earned by going viral and getting attention.”

VS

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Titus 2 Says

“Be sober, reverent, temperate — sound in faith, love, and patience.” (v.2)

“In all things show yourself a pattern of good works.” (v.7)

“Sound speech that cannot be condemned.” (v.8)

1

Key Truth 1

Giving and Earning Respect Is a Key Role of Church Members

Titus 2:1–5 • Paul outlines how every age group contributes to a culture of godly respect in the church community.

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Grounded in Sound Doctrine

• Titus 2:1 — “Speak the things proper for sound doctrine.”

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Older Men

Sober, reverent, temperate — sound in faith & love

→

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Older Women

Reverent & teachers of good things

→

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Young Women

Taught to love, be discreet & good

→

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Young Men

Sober-minded, a pattern of good works

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Result:

God's Word is honored — not blasphemed, but glorified! (v.5)

1

Applications — Key Truth 1

Put It Into Practice

1

Application 1

Earn respect by learning, living out, and sharing God's Word.

Your daily walk with Christ — how you treat others, speak, and act — builds credibility that opens doors for the gospel.

2

Application 2

Learn from more experienced believers and pass it along to those newer in the faith.

You are both a student and a teacher — receive wisdom from those ahead of you, and invest in those behind you.

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Key Insight: Paul's model creates a chain reaction — each generation pours into the next, so the Word of God is honored across the whole church.

Titus 2:1–5

“Teachers of good things”

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Discussion Break

Key Truth 1 — Let's Talk

Q1

Question 1

Paul instructs older believers to model godly character for younger believers (Titus 2:2–5). How does living out God's Word in front of others (of any age) build respect and influence?

Q2

Question 2

What barriers sometimes keep older and younger members of a church from connecting? How can those barriers be overcome?

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Bridge the Gap

Titus 2:2–5

2

Key Truth 2

Giving and Earning Respect Is an Opportunity in the Workplace

Titus 2:6–10 • Your work ethic is a living testimony — how you perform at school, sports, jobs, and service reflects your faith.

What Titus 2:7–8 Says

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Pattern of good works

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Integrity in doctrine

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Sound speech that can't be condemned

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Good fidelity — reliable and trustworthy

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Strong Work Ethic

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Earned Respect

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Gospel Influence

2

Applications — Key Truth 2

Put It Into Practice

1

Application 1

Earn respect at school or work by displaying a great work ethic.

Show up on time. Do your best. Be honest. Be reliable. Your reputation is always being built — make it one that honors God.

2

Application 2

Earn respect and use it to influence those around you.

When others see you living differently — with integrity and purpose — it opens doors to share why you live that way.

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Remember: “In all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works.” — Titus 2:7. Your life is your most powerful sermon.

Titus 2:7–10

“A pattern of good works”

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Discussion Break

Key Truth 2 — Let's Talk

Q1

Question 1

What is a work ethic? What does a great work ethic look like in your school, sports, hobby, volunteer work, or job?

Q2

Question 2

In what ways can doing your schoolwork, sport, hobby, volunteer work, or job well make the message of the gospel more attractive?

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Your Life = Gospel

Titus 2:6–10

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Key Truth 3

Giving and Earning Respect Helps Us Spread the Gospel

Titus 2:11–15 • God's grace has appeared to ALL — and how we live as His people makes the gospel message attractive or unattractive to those watching.

v.11

Grace of God has appeared to all people — salvation is for everyone.

v.12

Live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age — in the real world.

v.14

Christ purified a special people, zealous for good works — that's us!

v.15

Let no one despise you — live with authority and confidence in the gospel.

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Bridge-Building

Respect earned through godly living creates bridges to people across generations and backgrounds — making the gospel winsome and credible.

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Gospel Spreads

3

Applications — Key Truth 3

Put It Into Practice

1

Application 1

Look for ways to build bridges between generations.

Reach across age gaps. Start a conversation with someone younger or older. Learn their story. Find common ground in Christ.

2

Application 2

Use the giving and earning of respect to spread the gospel.

People are more likely to listen to the message when they respect the messenger. Let your life earn you a seat at the table.

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Grace empowers us: “The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11) — that same grace fuels our witness.

Titus 2:11–15

“Let no one despise you”

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Discussion Break

Key Truth 3 — Let's Talk

Q1

Question 1

How can Christians stay engaged in culture without compromising their beliefs or becoming combative?

Q2

Question 2

How does earning the respect of others help us spread the gospel more effectively?

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Spread the Gospel

Titus 2:11–15

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Time to Respond

How Will You Respond?

01

What is one way you can demonstrate Christlike respect?

Put it into action this week. Be specific — choose one real scenario at school, home, or church where you can show godly respect.

Personal Challenge

02

Unexpected Respect Activity

Use the “Unexpected Respect” activity to explore quirky, surprising facts related to respect — and discuss what they reveal about how people think about honor and dignity.

Group Activity

03

How are you impacting someone younger than you?

Is there someone older and stronger in their faith who is helping guide you? Pray for both — ask God to strengthen those relationships and use them for His glory.

Prayer Focus

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Summary

Key Takeaways

All 6 Applications from Today's Study on Titus 2:1–15

1

Key Truth 1

Earn respect by learning, living out, and sharing God's Word.

2

Key Truth 1

Learn from more experienced believers and pass it along to those newer in the faith.

3

Key Truth 2

Earn respect at school or work by displaying a great work ethic.

4

Key Truth 2

Earn respect and use it to influence those around you.

5

Key Truth 3

Look for ways to build bridges between generations.

6

Key Truth 3

Use the giving and earning of respect to spread the gospel.

🧱 Building Block

“Deacons are godly men who assist the pastor and people in carrying out the mission of the church.”

This Week's Challenge

Respect & Connect
Across Generations

You are part of a church that spans generations — from those who have walked with God for decades to those just beginning their journey. Be a bridge-builder. Honor those above you, invest in those behind you, and let your life make the gospel beautiful to everyone watching.

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Study Titus 2

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Connect Cross-Gen

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Spread the Gospel