Talking Titus with Hunter Beless and Courtney Doctor

Jul 10, 2025

Hunter Beless, founder of Journeywomen Ministries, and Courtney Doctor, a Bible teacher and author, share their insights on creating a new Bible study focused on the book of Titus. They discuss the themes of mentorship, grace, and obedience found in Titus, and how these principles apply to modern faith. The pair shares personal anecdotes, their approach to studying scripture inductively, and the importance of sound doctrine in church leadership. Expect a blend of humor and deep theological reflections as they inspire listeners to engage with the text.

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ANECDOTE

Collaboration Born from Mentoring Idea

Hunter Beless approached Courtney Doctor with the idea to co-write a study on Titus despite initial hesitation from Courtney.
They modeled their collaboration as a mentoring example between an older and a younger believer, 20 years apart in age.

ADVICE

Study Uses Inductive Method

The study follows an inductive method: observation, interpretation, then application.
It separates application into "what am I to believe?" and "who am I to become?" for deeper engagement.

INSIGHT

Titus as Gospel Baton Pass

Titus emphasizes that sound doctrine produces godliness, grounding church order and Christian living.
The letter marks a "second baton pass" of gospel responsibility from apostles to local church leaders.

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Titus (Bible Study Book with Video Access)

Displaying the Gospel of Grace

Courtney Doctor

Hunter Beless

This study explores Paul's letter to Titus, revealing how sound doctrine leads to godly living. It emphasizes the importance of displaying the gospel through good works and godliness, as highlighted in Titus 2. The study delves into the roles of older and younger believers, modeling mentorship and discipleship. Participants learn to anchor their lives in the gospel, understanding its profound impact on the church and individual believers. The curriculum incorporates inductive methods, encouraging observation, interpretation, and application of scriptural truths.

From Garden to Glory

Nancy Guthrie

Courtney Doctor

The book delves into the overarching narrative of Scripture, from creation to new creation. It illustrates how individual stories intersect with God's grand narrative. Readers are encouraged to see their lives in the context of God's redemptive plan. The study emphasizes the transformative power of understanding one's place in God's story. It aims to bring clarity and purpose to the reader's journey of faith.

Drive Through the Bible

Colin Smith

This book is designed to simplify the understanding of the Bible's key themes and stories. Organized into 30 chapters, it offers a journey through both the Old and New Testaments. Practical insights and clear explanations are provided to enhance comprehension. The book aims to help readers grasp the big picture of Scripture. It is suitable for personal reflection and deeper understanding of biblical narratives.

Spurgeon's Sermons

New Park Street Pulpit 1855-1891

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

This comprehensive collection includes 63 volumes of sermons delivered by Charles Spurgeon over nearly four decades. The sermons, known for their powerful gospel proclamation, were widely circulated and remain some of the best-selling series of writings in history. They cover a wide range of biblical topics, using Spurgeon's characteristic style of plain-spoken and direct appeals to the people, filled with timeless illustrations and memorable wordplay.

Jen Wilkin and Kyle Worley are joined by Hunter Beless and Courtney Doctor to discuss their new Bible study on the book of Titus.

Questions Covered in This Episode:

Why did you decide to do a study on Titus?
Why did you do this project together?
How is this study designed to work?
What is Titus about?
What is something you learned while writing this study?
Did you feel any hesitation when talking about morality?
What was the trickiest passage or verse to work through?

Guest Bio:

Hunter Beless is the founder of Journeywomen Ministries, the author of "Read It, See It, Say It, Sing It!" and "Amy Carmichael: The Brown-Eyed Girl Who Learned to Pray," and she loves doing ministry in her local church context. Hunter and her husband, Brooks, have four amazing kiddos who memorize Scripture way faster than their mama! When they’re not reading, seeing, saying, or singing the Bible, you can find the Beless family camping, riding bikes, or snuggling up with a good book. You can find her at www.hunterbeless.com and on the Journeywomen Podcast.

Courtney Doctor is an author, Bible teacher, frequent conference and retreat speaker, and periodic blogger. She received an MDiv from Covenant Theological Seminary in 2013 and is a Bible teacher and author of several books and Bible studies including From Garden to Glory: How Understanding God's Story Changes Yours; Steadfast: A Devotional Bible Study on the Book of James; and In View of God's Mercies: The Gift of the Gospel in Romans. She currently serves as the Director of Women's Initiatives for The Gospel Coalition. God has blessed Courtney and her husband, Craig, with four wonderful children, three great kids-in-law, five sweet grandchildren — and their much-loved, goofy dog, Walter.

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

“Titus: Displaying the Gospel of Grace” by Courtney Doctor and Hunter Beless

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Editing and support by The Good Podcast Co.