Bonhoeffer emphasizes that Christian fellowship is a grace-filled gift from God, crucial for resisting loneliness and growing in faith. He outlines the characteristics of formative Christian community across generations, highlighting roles for older men, women, young men, and the spiritual leader, Titus, to cultivate godly lives. The document emphasizes the importance of reflecting Christ's teachings in daily conduct and preparing believers to live purposefully in alignment with their faith.

2. BONHOEFFER ON COMMUNITY
(From “Life Together”):
“It is easily forgotten that the fellowship of Christian brethren is
a gift of grace, a gift of the Kingdom of God that any day may
be taken from us, that the time that still separates us from
utter loneliness may be brief indeed.
Therefore, let him who until now has had the privilege of living a
common Christian life with other Christians praise God’s
grace from the bottom of his heart. Let him thank God on his
knees and declare: It is grace, nothing but grace, that we are
allowed to live in community with Christian brethren.”

3. CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY IS FORMATIONAL
Older MEN: Temperate, Worthy of Respect, Self-controlled, Sound
in Faith, in Love, and in Endurance
Older WOMEN: Reverent, Not Malicious Gossips, Not Addicted,
Teaching what is Right and Good
So as to influence…
Younger WOMEN: Tenderly Love Their Husbands and Children,
Sensible, Pure, Makers of a God-Honoring Home, Good-
Natured, Subject to Their Husbands
SO THAT:
God’s Word will not be dishonored (in that it guides the formation
of certain kinds of lives)

4. CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY IS FORMATIONAL
Young Men:
Sensible, Self-Controlled, Wise in their Behavior (Taking Life Seriously)
Titus (as a Spiritual Leader):
Example of Good Works, Purity of Doctrine, Dignified, Sound in
Instruction
So That:
Opponents of the Faith will be w/o Ammunition!
Summary: Paul envisions interrelationships that will influence and
form Christian character across generations – highlighting the
Word of God and providing a strong defense against distorted
teaching

5. GLORIFY GOD BY SHINING IN YOUR ROLE
Bondservants:
“…in every respect they will adorn and do credit to the teaching of God our Savior.”
All Believers: Formed by salvation, awaiting redemption, allowing grace to produce:
“(a rejection of) ungodliness and worldly (immoral) desires, and to live sensible,
upright, and godly lives [lives with a purpose that reflect spiritual maturity] in this
present age”
Who do you think of when you review these
characteristics?
What kind of Christian Community produces these results?

6. THE LAMB IS WORTHY TO RECEIVE THE
REWARD OF HIS SUFFERINGS
“…Our great God and Savior, Jesus
Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem
us from all wickedness and to purify for
himself a people that are his very
own, eager to do what is good”