"FOR THE GRACE OF GOD THAT BRINGS SALVATION HAS APPEARED TO ALL MEN.
     IT  TEACHES  US TO SAY "NO" TO UNGODLINESS AND WORLDLY PASSIONS, AND
     TO  LIVE  SELF-CONTROLLED,  UPRIGHT  AND GODLY LIVES IN THIS PRESENT
     AGE."
                                                           -Titus 2:11-12

          "This  passage  first jumped out at me while I was engaged in a
     discipling study with a young person in my home congregation. He and
     I  were  a great deal alike and therefore found it easy to study and
     find  memory  verses  because  we  rejoiced in similar strengths and
     struggled  with  similar weaknesses. As the need for what this verse
     promised  grew,  I decided to really look at it to see just what God
     was trying to tell Titus and me."

     For:  A reason why. Not an abstract idea thrown out just to fill our
     heads, rather a concept - a principle with a purpose.

     The Grace: Not a grace, but THE Grace. The one and only true grace.

     Of God: Belonging to, coming from, part of the ultimate creator.

     that  brings: It carries with it a promise, a benefit. A vehicle for
     delivering something from our God.

     salvation: Freedom; Redemption for my soul; Fellowship with God,

     has:  Actual.  Has  happened - not probably will or even will. It is
     now.

     appeared:  Paul  said  that  hope that is seen in no hope at all. We
     don't  have to hope for this grace, this gift. It has appeared where
     Paul, Titus, you and I can see it.

     to  all men: Mankind, the human race, but specifically to men. Those
     of  us  to  whom  God  has given the role of spiritual leader of our
     families and the church.

     It: The Grace - this special gift.

     teaches: Instructs, shows, helps, allows.

     us: All who hear. Those to whom the grace has appeared.

     to say "no": To take a stand. To be strong in our freedom.

     to  ungodliness:  To those things that stand between my God and me,
     the  things  that  are  not  like  Christ.  Those habits and thought
     patterns that are not God-like.

     and wordly passions: the wants, desires and lusts of this world that
     grasp my mind and emotions and try to lure me from my goal.

     and: also, at the same time.

     to  live:  The  state  of living, enjoying, being free within proper
     limitations.

     self-controlled: The ability to say how far I'm going to get into or
     stay away from anything.

     upright: Upstanding. The ability to stand tall and erect, not afraid
     of being seen by anyone.

     and Godly: Of God. Christ-like. Close to my Father.

     lives: The tools God has given us for carrying on his work. The time
     when we walk this planet - time we'll be accountable for.

     in: In but not of. In the midst of, but not part of.

     this  present  age:  Now. The time we find ourselves in.