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BOOKS | Finding important themes in Paul’s letter to Titus

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Paul and Timothy usually dominate the headlines of any discipleship conversation. But Georgia Pastor Josh Smith adds Titus to the mix with The Titus Ten: Foundations for Godly Manhood (B&H Books 2022)—an excellent and welcome addition to modern discipleship books.

Titus was a key partner with Paul in the rapid spread of the early Church in the Roman Empire. Smith’s book is not a commentary on Titus but a wisdom-packed review of 10 themes from the book.

Smith is senior pastor of Prince Avenue Baptist Church in Athens, Ga. Not all good preachers can make the transition from sermons to written text, but Smith has a nice way with words and keeps his sentences short.

Some chapters stand out as potential stand-alone pamphlets. His identity chapter captures an important theme with helpful illustrations. “Those who do not know their true identity get into a cycle of comparing, coveting, and competing,” he warns.

A section on self-control is simple yet profound as he identifies the trait as a primary theme of Paul’s letter to Titus. “You must begin with the smaller areas of life. Begin with a disciplined time with the Lord every day,” Smith writes. “Then gain control of your eating, commit to regular exercise, start coming home from work on time and commit to consistent and personal time with your children.”

Go ahead and groan if you wish—he’s just telling the truth. (As the subtitle suggests, the book is aimed at men, but women could learn from it, too.)

Smith also offers nuggets of wisdom to help readers think differently about common struggles. Are you too busy? “God has given me enough time to do everything He has called me to do.”

His chapter on “investments” contains no stock tips. Smith gives something better—invest long term in people as Paul and Titus did. Example: “My children are my hobby.” That’s a brilliant investment.

In this, he connects back to the classic 1963 discipleship book Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman. Coleman, now in his 90s, wrote his short book to explain 2 Timothy 2:2 discipleship.

With The Titus Ten, Smith is ably following Coleman’s worthy classic.

—This review has been corrected to note Robert Coleman’s current age.