Titus 1
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
There was once a man. His name was Titus. Titus was a helper of Paul. Paul was his friend.
Paul was far away. He could not visit Titus. So Paul wrote a letter. A long letter, on paper, just for Titus.
In the letter Paul wrote: "Dear Titus, I have a job for you. You are on an island. The island is called Crete. There are many people on Crete. Some know Jesus already. But they need help."
Paul wrote: "Find good helpers, Titus. Kind people. People who love God. People who tell the truth. Ask them to help too."
Because on Crete there were also naughty people. They said mean things. They told lies. They made others sad. Paul wanted Titus to know: watch out for that.
Paul finished his letter. He rolled it up. And far away, on the island, Titus read it. Slowly, word by word. And Titus smiled. Now he knew what to do.
What Does This Mean?
Paul wanted people to know God. Really know Him. Not just say His name. But love Him. And be kind. And tell the truth.
That is not always easy. Sometimes people fib. Sometimes people are grumpy. Sometimes people say ugly things.
But God is different. God never lies. God always tells the truth. And God helps us to be like Him.
The Common Thread
Paul wrote something beautiful in his letter. He wrote about God. And he said: "God cannot lie."
Isn't that wonderful? God always speaks the truth. Always, always, always.
And God made a big promise, long ago. He promised: "I will send Someone. Someone to save you." And God kept His promise. He sent Jesus.
Jesus came. Just like God said. Because God does what He says. Every time.
For You
Do you know what is nice? You can be like Titus. You can be a helper too.
You can help mom. You can help dad. You can share your toy with your little brother. You can hug your sister when she cries.
And you can tell the truth. Even when it is hard. Even when you did something a tiny bit naughty. God helps you. Really.
Because God loves you very much. And He is happy when you are kind. And when you tell the truth. Just like Him.
Talk About It
Have you ever told a fib? What happened then?
Who can you help today? Mom, dad, or someone else?
Praying Together
Dear God,
Thank You that You never lie.
Thank You that You always tell the truth.
Please help me to be kind.
And to tell the truth too.
Thank You for Jesus.
Amen.
Questions about Titus 1
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Titus 1 about?
What does Titus 1 say?
What does Titus 1 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Titus 1?
Why is Titus 1 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
To the pure, all things are pure." Paul says this to a church swamped by people arguing over what may be touched and eaten. But he shifts the question. When a person finds something wrong everywhere they look, suspicious of every motive, that tells you less about the world than about the eyes doing the looking. What do you keep seeing? And why?
Paul quotes a Cretan poet against the Cretans themselves: "Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, and idle gluttons." Harsh words. Yet notice, he doesn't quote this to shame them into despair, but so Titus will "reprove them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith."
Sometimes love means naming what's true about us. The gospel doesn't flatter; it heals. What if the sharpest word you've heard about yourself is the doorway to becoming sound?
Paul opens by calling himself "a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's chosen ones, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness." Notice the order. Servant first, apostle second. Before the title came the surrender.
And notice what truth is for: godliness. Not just something to know, but something to become. What you truly believe will shape how you live. If your faith isn't quietly reshaping you, it may be time to ask what you actually know of Him.
Paul left Titus in Crete "that you would set in order the things that were lacking, and appoint elders in every city." Notice the word "lacking." The church was already alive, but unfinished. Real ministry often looks like this: not building from scratch, but tending what someone else planted. What has God left in your hands to finish?
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
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