Spend your first 5 minutes with God

READ TODAY’S TEACHING

Our Next Study


30 Bible Verses Every Christian Should Know: A Devotional Study

Join us in celebrating 10 years of impact

with this six-week study — starting September 1 in the FREE First 5 mobile app.

The truth that held you together could be the reason someone else doesn’t fall apart.

This devotional study is a gentle invitation to hide God’s Word deep in your heart — one verse at a time. With 30 carefully chosen Scriptures, space to pause and reflect, and simple and encouraging teachings, you’ll be reminded that God’s Truth really can shape your everyday moments.

Whether you’re just starting out or need a fresh reminder of what’s true, this is a beautiful way to grow closer to God — and to help someone else do the same.

Give Now and Get Two Copies

Can I be Honest? Study Guide

Today’s Teaching

Better Than "Best Photo"

Claire Foxx (Associate Editor, Proverbs 31 Ministries)

Day: 15 | Plan: Titus 2025


Start Here: Titus 2:7-8

Key Verse: Titus 2:7 (ESV) "Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity ..."

Major Moment: Paul urged Titus to set a good example and teach with integrity.

As a teenager, I went through an America's Next Top Model phase. Honestly, it lasted longer than I'm proud to admit. Even more honestly, it was mostly compelled by envy, self-criticism, and a broken relationship with my body. Episode after episode, I watched aspiring models compete for "best photo," which the show's judges awarded to the woman they deemed most beautiful.

In today's scriptures, Paul told Titus to "be a model of good works." But thankfully, this kind of modeling has nothing to do with high cheekbones or runway walks; it's about the "integrity, dignity, and sound speech" of a faithful Christ follower (Titus 2:7-8).

The Greek word for "model" in Titus 2:7 is tupos, meaning an example, template, or pattern. If we dig deeper into the original biblical languages, it's fascinating that tupos is also closely related to the Hebrew word tabnith, which often referred to God's designs for the tabernacle or temple in the Old Testament.

God told His people in Exodus 25:9, "Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern [tabnith] of the tabernacle, and of all its furniture, so you shall make it." Then He gave meticulous instructions for setting up lamps, curtains, altars, pillars, basins, tables, and all kinds of other holy furnishings for His dwelling place. Israel's house of prayer and worship was designed by God and for God with sacred intentionality.

Centuries later, Jesus revealed a new pattern for worship when He said, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up ... speaking about the temple of his body" (John 2:19-21). And as Paul instructed Timothy to "be a model" in Titus 2:7, he had this holy renovation in mind. God now dwells within us as believers in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:16)! Both individually and together as His Church, we are the new tabernacle, the new temple, "the household of God" (Ephesians 2:19-22).

So what does that mean for our day-to-day lives? As gospel models, we live to reveal God's beauty instead of our own. Rather than competing against each other, we encourage each other toward "good works" and "sound speech," following the design of Jesus' life. Rather than posing for the approval of worldly judges, we demonstrate godly humility and servant-hearted love "that cannot be condemned." As long as we look like Jesus, there is "nothing evil to say about us" because there is nothing evil about Him (Titus 2:7-8).

When Paul said "show yourself" in Titus 2:7, he wasn't telling Titus to smile for the cameras or to make sure Christians looked good in Crete. He was urging the Church to have genuine faith that displays God's goodness. Many false teachers were outwardly "photogenic" while inwardly unfaithful (Titus 1:15-16); however, Paul emphasized that true believers are characterized by the integrity and dignity of a heart where God has made Himself at home.

After all, He is the only Judge who really matters, and He has already deemed us worthy of His love. "We are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).

Prayer: Lord, please make us into beautiful models of the gospel. Isaiah 61:10 says You clothe us in "garments of salvation," and we want to wear them confidently. Let our integrity and good works prompt people to ask us where we bought these holy robes, and let us joyfully answer that You bought them for us as a gift! Jesus paid it all. In Jesus' name, amen.

Read More

Here’s what our First 5 friends are saying…

“The studies I have done over the past few years have been a source of hope, power, guidance, and inspiration for my life. At a later age in life and 30 years of marriage, my world employed so much intentional and purposeful harm. First 5 has helped me process hard emotions, look deeply into God’s character, and see His love for me. Reading the Bible with the study guides and daily readings added a level of understanding that I had never experienced prior. I have learned so much and had many “God moments.” I can’t imagine how I would have survived without these studies.” 

Victoria E.

“I am new to First 5. Honestly, this is the best discovery. The studies are profound and make you ponder all day on the Truth of the Word. I enjoy the drop-down verses within the devotion as well as the comment section. I have now created a private group to start the next study with some friends. Thank you to all the faithful servants writing for First 5! You are all such a blessing in so many women’s lives! To God be the glory!”

Joanne Y.

“I cannot thank you enough for this app and all that it has done for me. It changed my life. I have friends that, together, we have been reading the devotional daily for about 7-8 years. Each morning we each answer the question at the end of the reading; then we discuss our answers. It has been a lifeline for me to connect with these faithful ladies each morning and read God’s Word together. I cannot thank you enough for creating such a wonderful app. God bless you all.”

Patty M.

Has First 5 impacted your life?

One of the best parts about First 5 is hearing about the life change that takes place because of what God did in the lives of our readers. If you have a First 5 story to tell, we want to hear about it. Please share with us how God has worked in your life as a result of this ministry. We can’t wait to read your story.

First 5 Study guides

 

Do you have 15 minutes instead of 5 minutes for your quiet time? Study Guides are the First 5 app companion to take your daily Bible study a little deeper. They include daily questions for each passage of Scripture, including reflection that applies to your life. Historical background and context to the culture are also included, with so much more.

Make it Count:

A Study of the Book of Deuteronomy

Get your copy

The Hard and the Holy:

What the Book of Leviticus Means for Today

Get your copy

Numbers:

How To Wrestle Well When You’re Worn Out in the Waiting

Get your copy

How Then Can We Be Friends?

A Philippians Study Guide

Get your copy

Learn more about first 5

Sign up here and we’ll let you know when our next First 5 study starts and
how to join us in the First 5 app.