SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

CHILDREN STUDY NOTES

September 6, 2026

Topic: To Maintain the Doctrine of Christianity

Subject: There Are Talkers Who Need to Shut Up

“Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake” (Titus 1:11).

Scripture: Titus 1:9–16

9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers. 

10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: 

11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake. 

12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 

13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith; 

14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 

15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 

16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Point of Focus 

1.        Why is there always someone finding fault and trying to deceive God’s people?

2.        Why do those who spread negative news often have their own unresolved personal issues?

3.        Why do we continue to listen to people who bring clouds to our sunny days?

4.        If you received the Holy Ghost in the House of Prayer with a specific belief, how can you change that belief and still claim to have the Holy Ghost?

Glossary: 

Holding fast —is an active battle, not a passive wait. It demands a firm grip on the gospel, especially when pressure, doubt, or misleading teachings try to pull you away.

Both believers and church leaders must stand firm on God's Word to strengthen others and confront false claims. This resolve comes not from human effort, but from trusting in God's character, the work of Christ on the cross, and His promised return. By safeguarding the truth until He comes, believers maintain their faith and protect their eternal reward.

Sound Doctrine

Sound doctrine is the spiritual nourishment and remedy believers need to build strength, withstand adversity, gain edification, and guard against deception. While the doctrine, which is the core truth of the Word of God, remains steadfast and unalterable, our understanding and interpretation of it can continually mature as we study Scripture and gain deeper insight into God's Word and the ultimate purpose of His eschatological will.

Gainsayers / Opponents

A gainsayer is someone who actively argues against the truth, picks fights over Scripture, or contradicts sound teaching. They aren't just asking honest questions—they are actively pushing back against God's Word. 

Unruly / Insubordinate

Rebellious or undisciplined; unwilling to submit to God's authority or church leadership.

Vain Talkers & Deceivers

Speakers of empty, useless words;  "mind-deceivers"—those who fool others into believing falsehoods through misleading arguments.

Circumcision:

An outward physical ritual used to mark Jewish covenant identity. Paul argued that physical flesh-cutting was never God's ultimate standard for belonging to His people. Instead, true circumcision is an inward change of the heart performed by God's Spirit.

Mouths Must Be Stopped

The term literally means "to bridle" or "to muzzle." It emphasizes that leaders must take decisive action to silence false teachers to prevent the spread of harmful doctrines. Leaders are commanded to effectively silence these individuals so they cannot disseminate damaging lies, disrupt entire households, or mislead the church.

Filthy Lucre / Dishonest Gain: 

This term describes wealth or profit obtained through unethical practices, exploitation, or a betrayal of core integrity. In a ministry setting, it refers to individuals who undermine established doctrines and foundational beliefs to secure personal financial gain or exert influence over vulnerable believers—particularly those struggling with weakness or doctrinal disagreements.

Cretans Are Always Liars, Evil Beasts, Slow Bellies: 

Drawing on the 6th-century BC Cretan poet Epimenides, Paul utilizes a rhetorical strategy that turns local cultural wisdom back on the community to stress the necessity of firm correction. The phrase "evil beasts" (kaka thēria) characterizes wild and unrestrained conduct, while "slow bellies" (gasteres argai) denotes "idle gluttons," underscoring a deep-seated culture of self-indulgent sloth.

Rebuke Sharply

Greek: Apotomōs literally means "with a sudden cut" or incisively. 

Describes a direct, sharp correction meant to heal rather than destroy. Like a surgeon's scalpel, it cuts away false teaching so the offender can be restored to sound faith.

It is demonstrating the tension between God’s severity and His goodness. God's harshness cuts against rebellion and spiritual ruin, but it operates out of care—confronting those who fall away while preserving those who remain faithful.

Unto the Pure All Things Are Pure

Purity is a matter of the heart and conscience, not adherence to external legalistic rituals or dietary rules. Those whose minds are defiled interpret clean things corruptly. Thus, purity should not be viewed as an end goal but rather as a necessary foundation for genuine love and obedience.

Reprobate / Disqualified

A state resulting from a person's deliberate and sustained rejection of God, leading to His withdrawal. Rather than an arbitrary act of condemnation, this outcome directly follows refusing to acknowledge truth or honor God. It isn't a random punishment—it's what happens when someone refuses to listen to the truth. Left to follow their own bad choices, they eventually lose the ability to tell right from wrong.

Exhort

To strongly urge, encourage, or admonish someone to take a specific, positive course of action.

Literally: "To call alongside" (to appeal to, entreat, motivate, or comfort).

In scripture, exhortation is the bridge between teaching truth (what to believe) and living truth (how to act). It carries an urgent, passionate, and encouraging tone—distinct from harsh condemnation on one side, and passive advice on the other.

Cretians (Cretans)

People from the Mediterranean island of Crete were famous in ancient times for lying, stealing, and bad behavior. The Greek word krētizein ("to act like a Cretan") literally meant "to lie" or "to cheat."

Abominable

The root of this word points to a foul stench. Scripture uses it to describe idolatry, fake religion, and behavior that is completely repulsive to a holy God.

The danger is that people trapped in these actions rarely realize how bad they are. Because their conscience is ruined, they trick themselves into thinking their bad choices are good or justified. Over time, lying to themselves numbs their moral sense until they can no longer see the truth—or stop fooling others.