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Q4. Who sends the Holy Spirit? ANSWER: Scripture also reveals to us that God the Son sends the Holy Spirit. (Who sends) The Father or Jesus? ANSWER: The preexistent Word, Who later became Christ, was sent to earth by the Father in heaven. Jesus was sent from the Father and returned to Him, where He now sits in glory and majesty (Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 12:2). Does it matter (Who sent the Holy Spirit and the Father or Jesus)? ANSWER: While the Bible says that the Holy Spirit does proceed from God the Father, it does not deny that it also proceeds from God the Son. It has been argued that the Holy Spirit proceeds from both the Father and the Son in an eternal relationship, they are eternally ordered that way. Though the Scripture does not explicitly say this, this is consistent with what the Bible reveals about the eternal relationships between the members. Why It Matters: Inclusivism and Exclusivism What may seem like an obscure theological issue has important ramifications. If the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father, without proceeding from the Son, then, it is argued, people can have a genuine relationship with God without coming through Jesus Christ. Those who believe that people can come to the knowledge of the true God, apart from Jesus Christ, are called Inclusivists. Those who deny that a person can know the true God apart from Christ are called exclusivists. This is no small issue. Exclusivists contend that it is only through Jesus Christ that a person can be saved. Inclusivists believe Jesus is the only basis of salvation but it is not necessary to believe in Jesus to be saved. A person can actually be saved by Jesus Christ without ever hearing His name or knowing anything of the Christian gospel.

Q4. (Matthew 5:13-15) How do verses 13-16 relate to verses 10-12? ANSWER: Jesus emphasizes to His disciples that their lives are enormously valuable. They are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. That's why it is so important they do the good works God gives them to do. It is how those in the darkness of the world will see God. Like lamps give light to a dark room, or salt prevents decay in food, Christian influence is meant to counter evil and despair (Matthew 5:13–16). How does hiding our light affect the glory of God? ANSWER: The reason why it's important to shine: “so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” Many a believer seems just as lost as the rest of the world. Many believers seem to be groping in the darkness unable to find their own way much less guide others. Or they seem to be leading their followers into a ditch because the light of God in them is covered. Here are 3 things that can cover a believer’s light: Neglect of the word of God: Christians have not developed the discipline of reading and studying their Bible constantly. No wonder they seem to be leaving the road to wander around in the bush. We need to form the habit of reading our Bible through once every year, the entire Bible, not just the parts we choose. When we do this in a devotional manner (i.e. under the guidance of the Holy Spirit), it changes our perception and helps us to see things more clearly. Seeking worldly approval: Many believers are struggling to please the world and live according to its standards. This is a violation of the word of God and steeps us in the very darkness we are to shine our light on. While we cannot avoid unbelievers as long as we are in the world, it is unwise to make them our best friends and aspire to please them more than God. Fear of persecution: Believers sometimes hide their light to “protect” themselves. We may fear standing out because it exposes us to ridicule and persecution but that is part of what it means to be a child of God in a world where evil predominates. However, the Lord Jesus promises to be with us through it all. Why must glory and suffering go hand in hand? ANSWER: Since God is the source of all goodness, his glory is the wellspring of all joy. What God does for his own sake benefits us. Therefore whatever glorifies him is good for us. And that includes the suffering he allows or brings (biblically, either or both terms can apply) into our lives. Was Jesus' suffering necessary? ANSWER: By sending his son Jesus to die for our sins, God is working to restore the radiance of his own glory shining in and through us. The purpose of Jesus suffering: it was the ignominy of the cross that He endured that was the lowest point that He had to reach for God to reward Him with the highest office of lordship as a Redeemer. The merit of Jesus' suffering is sufficient to atone for every sin that has ever been or ever will be committed. Is ours (suffering necessary)? ANSWER: Suffering can make us more resilient, better able to endure hardships. Just as a muscle, in order to build up, must endure some pain, so our emotions must endure pain in order to strengthen. God allows us to suffer because we are living in a broken world. Suffering is necessary for a meaningful life because living a meaningful life requires that we choose to take on a reasonable amount of pain. What does this have to do with Romans 12:2? ANSWER: Paul tells us to abandon the chase for pleasure, possessions, and status—to stop living like everyone else. Instead, he urges us to be transformed from the inside out. We must be changed in how we think, to have our minds renewed so that we can begin to understand God's will for our lives. As believers renounce the ways of the world and submit to Christ, their minds, hearts, and wills are renewed by God’s Word and Spirit. This is how we can test and approve God’s will. In summary, embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out.

Q3. (Matthew 5:14-15) In the parable of "the light of the world," Jesus notes the stupidity of lights being hidden under bowls. Concerning what danger in the life of a Christian disciple does Jesus warn us in this parable?l ANSWER: In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus tells His disciples that they are the light of the world and should not hide their light but let it shine before others so that they may see their good works and glorify God. The lesson learned from Matthew 5:14-16 is: … Our good works are to be the shining of the light to the world so that they see the way to God. We shine so that people can see God, not us. We must point to Jesus when we do good. This is what the rest of the Sermon on the Mount is going to describe: God glorifying good works. Just as light dispels darkness, Christians are called to illuminate the world with the truth and love of Christ. This means shining brightly through their actions, words, and character, reflecting the qualities and teachings of Jesus. God is the light of the world. Just like the world needs light to grow, so do we. When we come to God, He reveals our sin to us. We are able to ask Him for forgiveness and then we grow in our relationship with Him. We see him and receive him as the light of the world now. Or we die in our sins and see it only when it is too late.

Q2. (Matthew 5:13) What might be the symptoms of a Christian who has lost his "saltiness"? ANSWER: The symptoms of Christians who has lost his or her "saltiness" are at risk of losing their effect of being able to affect the circle God has sovereignly placed them in. Your job is to influence the world around you, you may end up being influenced by them. And slowly but surely, you become the one influenced rather than the influencer. We must never forget that we are in a war. The battle is for the affections of our heart, and whether we will worship this life or the next. Let us always choose the next. Is it possible for a believer to detect such symptoms in himself or herself? ANSWER: Yes, I do believe that Believer can detect symptoms of losing his or her “saltiness.” When we remove ourselves from a community of faith, we lose part of what it means to be the salt of the earth. To lose our fundamental identity as the salt of the world often comes from a lack of community. Iodine infusion for salty Christians comes by way of regular participation in worship, communal Bible study, and corporate acts of compassion. Citizens of the kingdom of God need to remain "salty" be strong in the faith. If they don't, at best they are useless; at worst they prove they aren't really Christians. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. What do secular people notice about a "de-saltified" Christian? ANSWER: The very definition of secular means it's neither sacred, pertaining to, or connected with religion. A secular Christian rejects the concept of a personal God and embraces the status of Jesus Christ, Christology and Christian eschatology as Christian mythology without basis in historical events. Those who are Heavenly minded will actually be of any earthly good. Christians who lose their saltiness are Christians who have become so consumed with the world that they forget their mission which, simply put, is to make disciples of Jesus Christ. We can come to the point where we have given up our standards and now stand for nothing. We may disguise it by saying that the zeal of youth has been tempered with the wisdom of maturity, but that is only a partial excuse. What do other Christians notice about you? ANSWER: What other Christians notice about me is they see the righteousness of Christ on display through my actions and interactions with others in the world. Is it possible to "re-saltify" your life? ANSWER: YES … I think, it is possible to “re-saltify” my life. Making mistakes can be a valuable learning opportunity. You can find lessons from your mistakes that can help you improve your skills and expand your knowledge. I can turn a mistake into a positive situation by using it as an opportunity to learn and become a better person by not making the same mistakes again. It's never too late to start fresh and make positive changes in your life! However, it's important to remember that fixing mistakes and starting anew is a process that takes time and effort. Remember to be patient with yourself and celebrate small successes along the way. Starting a new life is a process, but with effort and determination, it's possible to make positive changes and move forward

Q2. (John 5:19; Philippians 2:6-7) What does Jesus' statement, "the Son can do nothing by himself," indicate about His relationship with the Father? ANSWER: Jesus is saying that He and the Father are at work and are working together. Jesus is doing what He sees His Father is doing. In other words, He can do only what He sees His mFather doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. The meaning of John 5:19 is those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ can be absolutely sure that they are saved. Despite our failures and sins, God is forgiving. And, through Christ, we have the power to overcome the world's temptations to sin. Philippians 2:6-7 means that He submitted Himself to the power of the Holy Spirit and the will of the Father. Why did Jesus have to "empty Himself" from his heavenly glory when He became a man? ANSWER: Christ emptied Himself means that though He was fully God, Christ did not cling to His Godhood as something to be used for selfish gain. Rather He set aside some of His divine rights as God and came to earth as a servant. He came as a human being, willingly, obedient to His Father in everything, even to the point of dying a shameful death on the cross. Jesus emptied Himself in at least three different ways. First, He voluntarily accepted the limitations of being a human being. Second, His glory was hidden from the people. Third, He gave up the independent use of His relative attributes (all-knowing, all-powerful, everywhere present, etc.).

Q1. (Luke 1:35; Matthew 1:20; Luke 3:21-22) In what ways is the Holy Spirit active in establishing Jesus' core identity as Son of God as Jesus came to earth? ANSWER: There are many ways that the Holy Spirit works in the lives of Christians, but they all share one common goal: to make us more like Jesus Christ. He works in believers by renewing our minds to be like the mind of Christ. He does this by convicting us of sin and leading us to repentance. How does the Holy Spirit establish your core identity as a disciple of Jesus? ANSWER: The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, comforts us, guides us, gives us spiritual gifts and the desire to obey God; and he enables us to pray and to understand God's Word. The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, and he enables us to pray and to understand God's Word. Your identity should never be based on a hope or a guess. God gave us His Word, the Bible, so you can know Him and know who He is making you to be in Him. You are a member of His household, not a stranger. If you follow Christ, you belong in God’s household and with His people. As a child of God, you are blessed and provided for. God is able to provide you with everything you need in Christ. He is the Owner of everything and the Giver of all good things. Humankind was created to reflect some of God’s attributes. You can look for your identity anywhere, but followers of Jesus are called to find their identity in Him.

Q6. (Matthew 5:10-12) Why should we rejoice when we are persecuted? ANSWER: According to Matthew 5:10-12, instead of despairing, we should rejoice for the great rewards we will receive in heaven. Jesus refers to those who profess to be and live consistently as a Christian. They proclaim Christ (peacemaker) and live under Christ's command (righteousness) and are thus persecuted by a world that hates Christ. We must not confuse righteousness with morality! In 1 Peter 4 there are 5 reasons that we can and should rejoice even now when we are persecuted, or even in that day when we face much greater persecution. In times of trial, you can rejoice because God is testing you. The second reason you can rejoice in suffering is because you are sharing Christ’s sufferings. Third, rejoice because God is with you. He is near to you in your persecution. Fourth, rejoice because God is being glorified. Finally, Christians can rejoice in persecution because justice is near. What keeps this from being some kind of sick masochism, or finding pleasure in pain? ANSWER: When affliction comes, honest lament is a good thing. We were meant to express our pain, sometimes in extreme fashion. But our lament does not lead to despair; it leads to trust. Even when we rage, we choose to rage at God. In so doing, we demonstrate trust. We may not know what God is doing, but we trust him enough with our raw emotions. And we believe, often against our own feelings, that God is up to something good through the “affliction that produces endurance.” Our lament does not lead to despair, it leads to trust. Why is the blessing "for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" appropriate for the persecuted? ANSWER: He is promising that those who are "poor in spirit" will experience the benefits of God's kingdom, both in this life and in the afterlife. Blessed in this context indicates heavenly, spiritual exaltation rather than earthly happiness or prosperity. In other words, they will experience the richness of a deep relationship with God and the ultimate reward of eternal life.

Q5. (Matthew 5:8) Why can people with a pure heart see, know, and discern God? ANSWER: Being pure in heart involves having a singleness of heart toward God. A pure heart has no hypocrisy, no guile, no hidden motives. The pure heart is marked by transparency and an uncompromising desire to please God in all things. It is more than an external purity of behavior; it is an internal purity of soul. A pure heart is a heart which is fully alive and unobstructed, with all its energies directed to a single end. The only thing that has the capacity to hold such an intense concentration of energy is God; with anything less the energies are scattered and focus is lost. The pure in heart are happy because their sin has been pardoned, and they’ve been granted access to God the Father. We will certainly experience a greater joy in our lives when we have confessed our sins, draw near to God, and seek to live His way rather than ours. We will "see God" in the sense that we can more clearly understand His plans for our lives and walk in a way that pleases Him and helps others. We can’t become pure in heart on our own. It is only by an act of God’s grace, that He cleanses us and makes us pure in Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. The only way we can be truly pure in heart is to give our lives to Jesus and ask Him to do the cleansing work. A pure heart person is without malice, treachery, or evil intent; honest; sincere; guileless. Why can't "chronic" sinners see God? ANSWER: When we first become Christians, we think all our problems will disappear. Some do. And some don’t. We still find ourselves anxious, thin-skinned, lustful, self-focused, or critical. Some temptations are daily companions while others are only occasional guests. More than the miracle of God’s power, we need the miracle of God’s presence. From there, it’s always easier to push than to pull. Maybe we should keep short accounts with God. When we know we have sinned, confess it to God immediately and seek His forgiveness. Then ask Him to help you avoid that sin in the future, and to live a life that more and more honors Christ. More than the miracle of getting more sin out of our lives, we need the miracle of getting more of God into our lives. How do we obtain the pure or clean heart that Jesus describes? ANSWER: Purity of the heart means being made clean through the Spirit and the Word. We must put God first in every thought, word, and action. Yes, sin will try and enter. Staying in God's Word, acknowledging our sins, repenting when we sin, and asking for His forgiveness will guide us to a pure heart. Having a pure heart starts with confession and repentance but extends to an ongoing devotion to God. Having a pure heart often feels impossible with all the temptations and brokenness around us. This struggle can cause us to feel discouraged and unworthy or tempt us to throw in the towel and allow our hearts to become calloused and dirty. So how can we actually experience purity of heart like Jesus teaches? Purity of heart does not equal perfection, but rather can be obtained through (a). practical habits to guard your heart, (b). change your focus, (c). obey God’s voice within you. When we live this way, we can experience the blessing and peace God intends for us.

Q4. (Joel 2:28-32; Ezekiel 36:26-27; 37:14; 39:29) What promises do we find in Joel and Ezekiel concerning the Holy Spirit? ANSWER: According to Joel 2:28-32, God was going to pour out His Spirit on all mankind and their sons and daughters would prophesy, old men would dream dreams, young men would see visions, and even male and female servants would have the Holy Sprit poured out on them. The book of Joel teaches about the power of the combined prayers and fasting of God's people during a time of great difficulty in Israel's history. “Joel assured the people that through repentance they would again receive the blessings of God” The promises of the Holy Spirit in Ezekiel is a new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. The Lord promises to gather the Israelites from captivity, return them to their promised lands, renew His covenant with them, and reunite the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Who are the recipients of these promises? ANSWER: The recipients of the promises in Joel and Ezekiel concerning the Holy Spirit are the Jews' sons and daughters, the young men and old, and even upon the slaves.

Q3. (Isaiah 11:1-2; 42:1; 61:1-2) What promises does God make through Isaiah the prophet concerning the Holy Spirit and the Messiah? ANSWER: Israel was in a state of deep moral confusion. God’s people were pretending to honor God with their lips but their hearts were far from God. The prophet Isaiah played an important role in God's plan; He foretold the Messiah's coming and brought hope to His people during a challenging time. This promise of hope is not only for the nation of Israel, but also for all of us. The main message Isaiah is giving from God, is that God is both the Judge and the Savior. This means that God has a plan to make all things right in the end, and that a necessary part of that process is declaring what is not yet right. This is the message of Isaiah the prophet. The judgment of God declares what is broken; the promise of God is to heal. Isaiah calls on the nations to see the sovereignty of God. He is the beginning and the end, and everything is always under His control. He commands Israel to not give in to fear because God promises that He is with them. He says He will strengthen and help them and uphold them with His righteous right hand. How were these fulfilled? ANSWER: The book of Isaiah comes to an end with a grand vision of the fulfillment of all God's covenant promises. Through the suffering servant king, God creates a covenant family with all nations, who are awaiting the hope of a renewed creation and the coming of God's Kingdom here on Earth as it is in Heaven. Jesus is said to fulfill this prophecy through His death on the cross.

Q2. (Numbers 11:16-29) What enables the 70 Elders to lead the people? ANSWER: A traditional theophany of God comes down in a cloud. God to select 70 elders to receive some of the Holy Spirit conferred on him and to share with him the burden of ruling the people of Israel (he need not bear his burdens alone). The gift of spirit allows the elders to prophesy in a one-time occurrence. What happens when the Holy Spirit comes upon them? ANSWER: In response to Moses’ prayer for help, God appoints seventy elders, putting upon them “some of the spirit” that was upon Moses. God appoints 70 elders (a large, full number) to assist in Moses’ prophetic work. Though their “ordination” is temporary, they are a sign that God’s leadership will endure even beyond Moses. God’s spirit goes where it wills! When the Holy Spirit came upon the seventy elders they prophesied. Spiritual leadership is a grave responsibility, and God holds leaders to a higher standard (James 3:1). The seventy elders of Israel were granted wonderful privileges, but they also carried weighty responsibilities. When God entrusts us with spiritual leadership, we must remain humble, faithful, and obedient so that we will one day hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master!” (Matthew 25:23). Why does Moses long for the Spirit to come upon all God's people? ANSWER: The people needed a power that worked from the inside-out. They needed new hearts, with God’s law written on the heart. So Moses longed for a day when “all the LORD’s people were prophets, that the LORD would put (poured out) His Spirit on them!” This longing became the great hope of the Old Testament prophets longing and expectation for the coming Messianic age. Jesus told His followers to gather together and wait for God to send His Holy Spirit to them. Then, when the Holy Spirit came down upon them, they all started prophesying and speaking in different languages! God was moving and He was doing a new thing! He was raising up leaders and elders to bring the people of the world back to Himself. In protest, Joshua cried out, “Moses, make them stop!” Moses replies to Joshua: “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put His Spirit upon them all!” (Numbers 11:29). In other words: Do not quench the Spirit of God. Do not block the moving of the Lord. Do not silence the prophetic voices. Instead, may we always respond as Moses, not as Joshua, and make room for those prophetic voices that God is raising up in a new generation. An important lesson for leaders of God’s people today. When God is doing a new thing, when He is moving in a new way, do not try to shut it down. When God is raising up new leaders and prophets for His Church, do not silence their voices. But when God’s Spirit is moving among His people, woe on us if we try to shut it down! Shame on us if we get in God’s way. Shame on us when we try to silence those who are speaking hard truths in the name of the Lord. While there is much to glean from Moses's life, we can take away four primary lessons: God cares for His people; To lead wisely, you need to listen to and obey God; God will equip you by His power; and Moses’s life ultimately points us to Jesus. These four lessons are just a small glimpse into what Moses’s life teaches us. Moses’s life and his story not only impacts us but points to Jesus.

Q1. Each Beatitude consists of two parts. What are these parts? ANSWER: Each Beatitude consists of two phrases: the condition and the result. The Beatitudes are blessings declared by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount from the Gospel of Matthew. Eight blessings are found in the Gospel of Matthew while four blessings and woes are found in the Gospel of Luke. Why do you think Jesus made each Beatitude a paradox? ANSWER: The Beatitudes, the paradoxical promises, offer freedom from sin. Free, the Spirit blesses us, with grace upon grace. Secured by divine Love, the Beatitudes produce rightful happiness. This happiness far exceeds any earthly blessing because we behold the author of all blessings, Jesus Christ. He wants to bless us with his presence, securing us in his heart. To do this, Jesus inverts earthly blessings and replaces them with the Divine Beatitudes. The Divine Beatitudes unveil the paradoxical promises of the heavenly kingdom. These paradoxes contradict because wealth does not bring happiness, poverty does. Perfection produces paradoxes because they create contradictions. Paradoxes are counter-cultural, anti-conventional. The paradox becomes apparent when life is anything but perfect. Following our own heart’s desires leads to the greatest sorrow and sadness, whereas following the heart of Christ leads to fulfillment, the perfection of our person. This is the great Christian paradox. What is the relationship between the Beatitudes to the Fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)? ANSWER: The relationship between the Beatitudes to the fruit of the Spirit is that the “Beatitudes” have to do with the qualities of one's heart, whereas the “Fruit of The Spirit” deals with the actions one does when they are guided by the Holy Spirit. It is the intent of these associations to help you focus on becoming more like Jesus—and become the kind of person that God will BLESS! The “Fruits Of The Beatitudes” associates “The Beatitudes” and the “fruit of the Spirit” in the Bible. It is intended to help you develop the attitudes of Jesus and produce the character of Jesus in you. The following are the ‘associations’ that connect the particular “fruit of the Spirit” that most closely relates to the intent of each “Beatitude”: THE BEATITUDES FRUIT OF SPIRIT (Attitudes) (Character) PURE IN HEART………… LOVE POOR IN SPIRIT………… JOY MOURNING………………. PEACE PERSECUTED…………… PATIENCE MERCIFUL……………….. KINDNESS RIGHTEOUSNESS……… GOODNESS PEACEMAKER………….. FAITHFULNESS MEEKNESS……………… GENTLENESS INSULTED……………….. SELF-CONTROL

Q1. (1 Samuel 16:13; Psalm 51:11) What is the primary purpose of God putting His Spirit upon selected individuals in the Old Testament? ANSWER: The primary purpose of God putting the Holy Spirit to come upon select individuals is to empower them to do God's work and to know God intimately. The result of God pouring His Spirit on them will be that the people will recognize that they are the Lord's and will be called by His name (Pouring Out Ruah: Isaiah 44:1-5) The function of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament: the Spirit came upon and empowered God's prophets, priests, and kings in special ways, gifting them for service. Prophets preached God's word, the priests interceded for God's people, and kings were anointed to lead Israel against God's enemies (2 Peter 1:21; 2 Chronicles 24:20; 1 Samuel 16:13). As the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit’s nature is consistent in the Old and New Testaments. His role was only slightly different under the two covenants. He enabled believers to trust God, live holy lives, and serve the Lord in power. There are ten roles of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament. The Spirit … : 1. Created and Sustained Life; 2. Spoke God’s Words; 3. Promoted Holiness; 4. Addressed Evil; 5. Regenerated; 6. Indwelled; 7. Empowered; 8. Taught and Led; 9. Granted Special Skills; and 10. Pointed to the Messiah. What effect does the Spirit seem to have upon their relationship with God? ANSWER: In the Old Testament, the Spirit came upon only a relatively few individuals to empower them for a particular task. In the Old Testament it seems that only people upon whom the Spirit rests are able to form deep, meaningful relationship with God and to really get to know Him. The Holy Spirit plays an essential role in taking the raw materials of gospel potential and turning them into the sweet fruit of gospel impact. We see this throughout the Scriptures but perhaps nowhere more clearly than in the life of Peter, especially in Acts 2. The effect on Peter was pretty amazing. May that be our story as well. Five Effects of the Holy Spirit …: 1. The presence of the Holy Spirit leads to confidence and courage, even in the face of opposition. 2. The presence of the Holy Spirit leads to dependence on Scripture. 3. The presence of the Holy Spirit leads to holy forgetfulness. 4. The presence of the Holy Spirit leads to a focus on Christ and the gospel. 5. The presence of the Holy Spirit leads to fruit in ministry. Always depend on the Spirit, ultimately the effect of the Holy Spirit is to take all that God has given us, our gifts, experiences, passions, and knowledge, and set them to work, bringing glory to Christ in the church and in the world.

Q4. (2 Timothy 4:21a) Why is it important to Paul for Timothy to come before winter? ANSWER: Why before winter? Travel became more difficult in winter. Because of storms, the Mediterranean was closed to shipping between November and March and ships would winter over in safe harbors (Acts 27:9-12) The weather at that time of the year, so severe as to make it risky for ships to venture out. And so if Timothy did not come to Rome before winter, then he would not be able to catch a ship to Rome until the spring, and the spring would be too late, because you see, Paul, has a premonition. He knows that he’s going to die. He senses that he will not survive the winter. What happens if Timothy delays? ANSWER: if Timothy did not come to Rome before winter, then he would not be able to catch a ship to Rome until the spring, and the spring would be too late, because you see, Paul, has a premonition. He knows that he's going to die. He senses that he will not survive the winter. While Paul hopes to see Timothy in person soon, he is unsure of what the future holds. Rather than wait, Paul wants to be sure Timothy has complete instructions on how to encourage the healthy function of the local church. If Timothy was to get to Rome, he would have to leave quickly or he would lose the opportunity forever to assist Paul in the last days before his execution. Do you think Timothy dropped everything and came to Paul's side? ANSWER: Timothy immediately begins packing his bags to go and be with his mentor, father, and friend. We do not know if Timothy made it in time. But we do know Timothy followed the faithful example of his mentor. Timothy is again urged to come before winter. The winter storms will make travel almost impossible and it is not even certain that Paul will be alive that long. He is to make all possible speed to come to Paul now. And yet Paul’s final words are not pointed at himself but are spent ministering to his beloved son in the faith. He prays for the Lord to be with Timothy’s spirit, for God did not give Timothy a spirit of cowardice but of power, love, and disciple (2:7). This is a prayer for Timothy to fight the good fight, finish the course, and keep the faith in the power of the Lord. This is a prayer for Timothy to remain faithful as he trusts fully and only in the power of Christ. The final four words, grace be with you, state so much in so little space. This is a blessing as well as a charge. If the grace or favor (χάρις) of God is to be with Timothy, it implies that God shows His grace to Timothy. On the one hand, it is a blessing that reminds Timothy that his very life is a gracious gift from the Almighty by His grace. On the other hand, it is a charge to conduct the remainder of his life and ministry in a right standing with God as a true recipient of this grace. Paul is ever the minster, ever the encourager, and ever the preacher. Doubtlessly these words were read through tears as Timothy immediately begins packing his bags to go and be with his mentor, father, and friend. We do not know if Timothy made it in time. But we do know Timothy followed the faithful example of his mentor. Paul with his dying breath calls Timothy to emulate his ministry. Ministry Continues until the Lord Returns (vv. 19-22) Care for Those Who Remain Never Desert the Faithful and Proceed in the Strength and Grace of the Lord Timothy also served at least some time in jail for his faith and was later released, though the timing of this event is uncertain (Hebrews 13:23). Date: Approximately AD 65—67, just prior to Paul's death under the Roman emperor Nero. And Timothy with his dying breath proved to be like his mentor Paul and like his Master Christ. May we be found just as faithful. Would you, if you were Timothy, dropped everything and go to Paul's side? ANSWER: The answer to the question a resounding ”YES!” And the reason is that Paul was instrumental in Timothy learning how to be a spiritual person. A discipleship relationship is found between the apostle Paul and Timothy. Timothy joined Paul on his journeys, and their relationship grew to the point that Paul called Timothy “my true son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2). Discipleship Is Intentional … In Acts 16, Paul intentionally chose Timothy to travel with him to help Timothy grow in his faith. Discipleship Is Focused … Paul encouraged Timothy to continue learning from God’s Word to stay equipped for good works (2 Timothy 3:14-17). Discipleship Is Reproducible … Paul challenged Timothy to teach others what he learned from him. That way, discipleship could continue (2 Timothy 2:1-2).

Q3. (2 Timothy 4:9-12) Why is it so difficult when trusted friends desert us? ANSWER: it's so hard to build trust and deep connection. Sometimes people want to connect with us and get to know us and then they vanish into thin air leaving us feeling sad, lost, and vulnerable Genuine friends refresh us, energize us, and give us what we need to keep going strong, they can be rare and difficult to find. Not everyone is meant to stay in our lives forever. Some friendships naturally grow apart. As the saying goes, friends come into your life either for a reason, a season or a lifetime. The best relationship we will ever have is the one we have with ourselves. When a friend turns against you, it may feel like the end of the world, especially if this person is who you would normally turn to during times of need. Coping with friends who turn against you requires compassionate attention to your own emotions as well as closely considering the status of the current relationship and moving forward accordingly. Learn how to care for your hurt feelings and handle a disloyal friend, too. Dealing with Hurt Feelings: Acknowledge the pain of disloyalty. It hurts to have someone turn against you or to find out someone you thought was a close friend may not really be who you thought. It's normal to be upset and there is no need to hide the fact that you are hurt. Take time to reflect. Friendships can benefit from time apart. Take this break to think about any major choices like confronting the friends or completely ending the friendships. Practice regular self-care. Before you can even think about rebuilding trust with your friends, you have to first take care of you. Denying yourself time to care for your own needs does not lend itself to creating long-term, healthy friendships. Be the bigger person. Don’t entertain urges to get revenge or hold grudges. Try to forgive those that do you wrong, if only so you don’t have to carry the burden of anger. Hang out with fun and supportive friends and family. It can be extremely comforting after betrayal to surround yourself with positive people who want nothing but the best for you. This not only helps you process and cope with a betrayal, but it also reaffirms your value as a person and a friend. Why is it so difficult when they (trusted friends) move away or die? ANSWER: The reason it is difficult when trusted friends moves away: … When you are so much attached, emotionally to a person. It is pretty normal to feel that you won’t be able to live a happy life without that person’s presence. And your heart breaks down into infinite pieces on the mere thought of parting. It’s always best to always remember this, each and every person that comes to your life comes with a purpose (obviously decided by the Almighty) and leaves, once that intended purpose is served. Moreover, if the almighty creates some void in your life, it is just because he wants to fill that void with something more beautiful. So, trust Him and His plan for you. And keep smiling. When a close friend moves away, be happy for your friend especially if they’re moving away for a better life. The reason it is so difficult when a trusted friend dies: … Although it’s often overlooked, the loss of a friend is just as devastating as that of any other loved one. It comes with the same force and it quickly takes you through a whirlwind of emotions before it throws you at grief’s mercy. Expect to be shocked, angry, confused and deeply disturbed as you try to make sense of it and adapt to its demands. The deep emotional connection and shared experiences can make it difficult to let go and move on. Friendships often involve a level of trust and vulnerability, which intensifies the emotional pain when they end. Regardless of whether your trusted friend is moving away or dies, your grief is just as important and you need to give it the full attention it demands. Listen to it and be prepared to deal with the sudden burst of emotions, confusion and anger. You may feel guilty about past arguments or regret some of the things you remember saying and doing. Is it better to trust no one? ANSWER: TRUST is a five letter word that is the foundation of relationships. You may have heard the admonition to “Trust No One”, but that is not practical for daily living, nor desirable. When we don't trust people, we have a more difficult time forming relationships with others. And when other people sense that we don't trust them, they are often more likely to respond to us in negative ways. You may have heard the admonition to “Trust No One”, but that is not practical for daily living, nor desirable. When we don't trust people, we have a more difficult time forming relationships with others. And when other people sense that we don't trust them, they are often more likely to respond to us in negative ways. When you don’t trust others you are depriving yourself of human connection and authentic living. Perhaps you relate to the inherent difficulty of letting someone in. Maybe you used to feel safe sharing your hopes, dreams, and demons, but not anymore. Most of us have been burned after letting our guard down. Some recover by shaking off the dust and moving on. Others push so far in the opposite direction, they practically run over those who could be their strongest allies. Who remains with Paul besides Luke? (Hint: see verse 17a). ANSWER: In 2 Timothy 4:17a tells us that He (Jesus) will stand with us and give us strength. No matter how bad it seems He will never leave our side. He will see us through and give us the strength we need to keep standing. Whatever you are going through, know this, that the Lord will be your support, the Lord will stand by your side, he will strengthen you and by his grace he will bring you through it all.

Q2. (2 Timothy 4:8) What does the "crown of righteousness" represent? ANSWER: The Crown of Righteousness is mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:8, and is promised to "those who love and anticipate" the Second Coming of Christ. These Christians desire intimacy with God. The Crown of Righteousness: The Crown of Righteousness will be handed out to certain believers at the Judgment Seat of Christ, together with the other crowns. The Crown of Righteousness is the Winner's Crown - also known as the Overcomer's Crown or the Victor's Crown. It's a crown for those who finish their race. This is not a crown just for being saved and made righteous by believing in Jesus. The Crown of Righteousness is given to all those who look forward to His return…those who fight the good fight of faith, who have finished the race and who have kept the faith. To whom is it (the Crown of Righteousness) given? ANSWER: This crown is specially designated for those who longed for Jesus’ appearing and lived holy lives in anticipation of His return. This is the crown that Paul referred to when he wrote about his own death and the crown that Jesus would give to him. If anyone will receive the crown of righteousness, there are at least three things to do according to Paul. These are …: Fight The Good Fight: In the Christian journey, there is always a fight to fight and it is a good fight of faith. (1 Timothy 6:12) The Christian life is often represented as a conflict or warfare. Finish The Race: To receive the crown of righteousness, there is a course to follow and it must be followed to the finishing line. Keep The Faith: As we fight the good fight, striving to finish the course, we must also ensure we keep the faith. We must hold fast without wavering our profession of faith. Our faith must be kept pure and incorrupt against all opposition. On what basis is it (the Crown of Righteousness) awarded? ANSWER: It is given to those individuals who demonstrate "self-denial and perseverance Just like trophies, rings, and plaques are given to sports heroes or winning teams in sports, God apparently is going to be doing the same thing in heaven. He will be giving out certain types of crowns for the people who were willing to go that extra mile, who were willing to give that extra special effort in whatever God had called them to do. These crowns will be a special reward that will be rewarding excellence and maximum effort. These crowns will also be incorruptible and will last for all of eternity. They will be a special mark and a special token given by our Lord to honor and reward all of those who have faithfully served Him in this life, way above and beyond what the average would have considered doing for Him.

Q1. (2 Timothy 4:6-7) What does it mean to have "fought the good fight" or "run the good race"? ANSWER: “Fighting the good fight of faith” involves running from sin and pursing things such as righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. “Fighting the good fight of faith” is about making a choice, a choice to pursue God's will and a life of faith on a daily basis. Fighting the good fight of the faith is also about perseverance and continuing, even when the road is hard. Christians should have the proper motive (an all-out desire to win the race), habits (of disciplined training and practice), and value system (high regard for God's laws and rules, and faithful obedience to them). Run your best in the race of faith, and win eternal life for yourself. Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus. The the race of faith; the most important race of your life, the race whose goal is eternal life with Christ, made perfect in him. Run your best in this race. What does it take to "finish the race (course)" God has designed for you? ANSWER: If you don’t press on studying and learning Scripture each and every day, you won’t know what Christ expects from those who call on His name, and you won’t be able to spot a false teaching when you encounter one. And further, if you don’t know what Scripture says about what Christ has commanded, you can’t be obedient. If you don’t know His commandments, you cannot do them; etc… We must not be ignorant of the complete plan of salvation as given to us by God in Scripture. We must seek and do His will, not ours. And we must “fight the good fight of faith” and “finish the [race] course”! Let us now “press on to maturity,” “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” “be diligent” about ensuring our final eternal salvation, “be obedient” to the commandments of Christ, “always abounding in the work of the Lord,” “fight the good fight of faith,” and “finish the race”! What does it mean to "keep the faith"? ANSWER; The Christian life is not lived exclusively between God and the individual; it is lived in community with other Christians. We keep the faith by remembering God’s faithfulness and continuing to grow in relationship with Him. Keeping the faith requires remembering what brought us to faith in the first place. We need to be intentional about remembering God’s grace in our lives and remembering the wonderful gift of God’s salvation and following the example of our Savior, who “endured” the trials of this life. Keeping the faith requires a love of truth and a commitment to the Word of God. We must “test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” The Spirit of truth will never lead us into untruth.. Keeping the faith also involves growth in Christ. We remember what He has done, and we look forward to what He will do. Practically, this involves having an active prayer life, studying God’s Word, and digging in to His truth Keeping the faith is also about community. The Christian life is not lived exclusively between God and the individual; it is lived in community with other Christians. They can exhort us when we are going astray. They can join in our gladness and in our sorrow.

Q4. (2 Timothy 4:5) Why does Paul command Timothy to "discharge all the duties of your ministry"? ANSWER: Paul knows that he will not survive his current imprisonment. So, he clearly and boldly charges Timothy. He commands him to hold to the faith he has seen and lived. Timothy can do this knowing that Paul has faithfully served God, expecting the heavenly rewards given to all of God's followers. For 3 years Paul had been training Timothy, and now he is passing the baton onto him and leaves Timothy four simple instructions for him and for us to follow. All we have to do is wake up every day and repeat the very same things. Nothing more than that. Here are the 3 instructions given Timothy by Paul: First: In your ministry, keep your head. Don’t allow yourself to be “under the influence” of the chaos around you. Remain levelheaded. Show presence of mind in all situations. Stay free from the controlling influence of emotions and or desires. Second: In your ministry, endure hardship. Don’t be surprised when ministry gets hard. “Endure suffering.” Literally: endure every kind of suffering. Third, in your ministry, share the gospel. Make the preaching of the Good News and the sharing of the gospel your life’s work. Fourth: In your ministry, do whatever it takes. “Fulfill your ministry.” This means to accomplish something thoroughly and completely. Leave nothing on the table. Give it everything you’ve got. Bring it to completion holding back nothing. Stay at it until the task is completed. God will hold us responsible as to how well we fulfill our responsibilities to this age and take advantage of our opportunities. We are strategic and our work is important. Life is short. Live every day as one who will give account. Get on with your work, because your work is important. We are to strive to be an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity. What is the work of an evangelist that Timothy is to do? ANSWER: The work of an evangelist that Timothy is to do is, he is to faithfully proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ; to make the sinner aware of his sins; to correct with compassion; to encourage with hope and to never lose hope in or belief that man is beyond redemption. This can only be accomplished when one is willing to fulfill his ministry. Paul goes on to speak of the effect the Christian witness must produce. He must convict. He must make the sinner aware of his sin. The first essential is to compel a man to see himself as he is. he must rebuke. A word of warning and rebuke would often save a brother from sin and shipwreck. But, that word must always be spoken as "brother setting brother right." It must be spoken with a consciousness of our common guilt. It is not our place to set ourselves up as moral judges of anyone; nonetheless it is our duty to speak that warning word when it needs to be spoken. he must exhort. No rebuke should ever be such that it drives a man to despair and takes the heart and the hope out of him. Not only must men be rebuked, they must also be encouraged. Further, the Christian duty of conviction, of rebuke and of encouragement, must be carried out with unwearied patience. What does the command in verse 5 mean to you personally? ANSWER: The commandment in verse 5 personally means to me that as a Christians, I should turn to God with my suffering, and He will be faithful to help me undergo every trial and overcome every temptation. I should learn and strive to have the same joy as Paul had during trials, knowing that suffering produces virtues such as endurance, godly character, and lively hope. Everyone can use their lives as if ministers. We should all be looking for opportunities to share the word, endure the afflictions associated with that, and fulfill our calling in Christ. we are to teach and express … sin as damning, the cross as necessary, the blood as cleansing, the resurrection as fact and the second coming as expected This means that I am to teach/preach the doctrines of the Scriptures from, “In the beginning,” to “Surely I come quickly.” Forget those with itching ears and preach to those with itching hearts. It is not the teaching of fables that will turn the world to Christ. It is, however, the teaching/preaching of the Word by those of us who are willing to do the work of an evangelist that will turn many to righteousness.

Q3. (2 Timothy 4:1-2) Why do you think Paul has to resort to the command in verses 1-2? ANSWER: Paul has to resort to the command in verses 1-2 to defend his faith, against all error and false teaching, at all times. Whatever forces of evil were lined up against Paul, nothing could keep him from the heavenly kingdom. Paul ended this letter by comparing the sadness of his earthly circumstances with the glory of his heavenly but invisible circumstances. We, like Paul, show we are living the godly Christian life when we recognize that the Lord will in His time rescue us from all evil. This new life we live in the grace of God is shown by the fruits of righteous works. So then grace, God’s kindness and goodness toward us, motivates us to change and helps create the desire to receive the divine nature, the mind of God. Why does he (Paul) have to talk about being ready when it's inconvenient and when it is convenient? ANSWER: Paul have to talk about being ready when it's inconvenient and when it is convenient because: … You are called to keep on doing the work of the kingdom, when it’s easy and when it’s hard, You are called to keep on doing the work of the kingdom, when you feel like it and when you don’t. You are called to respond to the leading of the Spirit, when it’s convenient and when it is VERY inconvenient; You are called to keep pressing on in the Lord, when people are cheering you on and when people are snickering at you. You are called to hold fast to the Word of God when people accept the message and when the whole world rejects it. People who are steadfast, immovable, faithful in season and out of season, are NOT people who just happen to have pretty smooth sailing, or who are blessed with stable emotions, and never feel the overwhelming urge to stay home, quit, or give up or withdraw. They have the same in season and out of season feelings and experiences as everyone else but they have chosen to NOT let the seasons of life determine their faithfulness to God and his call. In summary we must be prepared in season and out of season. Everyone in a leadership role in a congregation of the Lord Jesus must be ready to serve. In a sense, it’s a reminder to be “on call” for the Lord. It doesn’t mean church leaders don’t get a break from the congregation; it means we don’t get a break from Jesus! What problem is Paul trying to overcome here? ANSWER: The Apostle Paul is struggling with sin yet still under grace. Paul highlighted the human struggle we experience. He knew that even those with God’s Spirit still had human nature and have to resist the selfish pulls of the flesh while seeking to obey God’s law. Paul summed up this struggle when he wrote: “I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?” (see Romans 7:22-24, NLT) How do these verses speak to you in particular? ANSWER: The way these verses speck to me in particularly, as Paul states, In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin” and I will persist to struggle with temptation and sin throughout my physical lifetimes. Although God’s Holy Spirit helps me resist the pulls of my selfish-oriented nature, that nature will continue to trend toward sin. My relationship with Christ is not broken unless or until I deliberately and irrevocably sever it. Nevertheless, I must always be vigilant and strive against the pull of my sinful, selfish desires. I am to be so rooted, grounded, and immersed in the Word of God, that no matter when or where I am challenged or questioned about my Christian beliefs, I am answer boldly and authoritatively. If my faith is firmly founded on the truth of God's inerrant Word, I will be thoroughly equipped to preach the Word in every circumstance of life and encourage, reprove, rebuke, and exhort my brothers and sisters in Christ, with great patience and instruction.

Q2. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) In what ways does Scripture equip a Christian for ministry? ANSWER: Jesus has gifted the body of Christ with spiritual leaders to “equip the saints for the work of ministry.” God does not leave us to our own shortcomings. He provides everything we need! how does god equip us for ministry? through His divine power, through the Holy Spirit, and through God’s people. jesus is the one who: pours out His Spirit on us; intercedes for us, as we pray for needed wisdom; and gifts the body of Christ with spiritual leaders to help us press forward. Also Jesus is the one from whom all these things flow. Jesus is the one who will be with you when you feel alone and inadequate. Jesus is the one who will make you more than a conqueror! It doesn’t matter who you are, where you live, what your background is, or the mess you may face. God has equipped you for ministry. He has given you an opportunity to daily make an impact wherever you go… even in the soiled linens closet of a hospital. In what different ways can the Scriptures function, according to 2 Timothy 3 verse 16? ANSWER: “All Scripture is… profitable for” four functions stated in 2 Timothy 3:16 for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. The first two functions have to do with the positive and negative of belief. Scripture is “profitable for teaching,” that is, instructing what is right and true.The second two functions have to do with the negative and positive of conduct. Scripture is “profitable…for correction,” which has the idea of correcting aberrant behavior. It is also “profitable…for training in righteousness,” which is to instruct one in right behavior.

Q1. (2 Timothy 3:16) What does inspiration of Scripture mean? ANSWER: The Bible is verbally inspired and it is unique because it is God's revelation recorded in human language. According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17 the words of Scripture are "God breathed" or inspired. This implies that God is the source or origin of what is recorded in Scripture. God, through the Holy Spirit, used human authors to write what He revealed in the Bible. They were not mere copyists or transcribers. In other words, all Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. What does the term "God-breathed" tell us about the source and authority of Scripture? ANSWER: The phrase in 2 Timothy 3:16 simply means, that the Scripture came from God himself. That’s it. It was breathed out from his inner being. The Bible is, through and through, literally, God’s own Word. That simple fact itself is profoundly significant. The phrase tells us that, when God caused his divine word to be written by human authors, he breathed it through them. As God speaks words, we can imagine there is breath coming out of His mouth. And so, to say that all Scripture is God-breathed is to say that all Scripture has its source in God and that it comes from God and that it is therefore His word. To say that Scripture is God-breathed is a rather clear way of saying that Scripture is the very speech of God. Scripture is reliable, relatable, and relevant because it is God-breathed. Why is the doctrine of inspiration of Scripture important? ANSWER: The doctrine of inspiration of Scripture is important because Inspiration preserved the writers from error, which would be natural to them as sinful men, and guided them in their expression of thoughts and use of words so that what they wrote is God's own Word, “making the voice of God speak to us in a human accent, and His Word to address us in our own tongue”. The inspiration of Scripture reminds us that God wants us to know Him and His will, but more thank that, that He wants us to know the One He sent to rescue and redeem us, Jesus Christ, who gave His life for ours.

Q4. (2 Timothy 3:10-12) How does a failure to accept the inevitability of persecution hinder our witness? ANSWER: God allows persecution; the Scripture says that we can expect persecution if we are truly following Christ; persecution can build the Church and strengthen our own Christian character. But that does not mean we ought to be afraid to truly try to eliminate persecution. We will never completely succeed because persecution is inevitable in a sinful world, where there are many who are enemies of Christ. But it is only impossible because this is a sinful world. Persecution is inevitable only in the same sense that disease, famine, and human trafficking are inevitable. And although, like all those things, God can use it for good, we still have a responsibility to stop it if we can. If God has put barriers in our path, then perhaps it is because he is using persecution to strengthen and sanctify the church in that instance; whatever the case is, we are simply called to serve, helping the persecuted in every way possible and being there for them. Just what does it mean to "take up His cross daily" (Luke 9:23) and to "carry His cross" (Luke 14:27)? ANSWER: To take up one's cross meant to die. It could mean physically but it also means “to die to self” or self-denial. Taking up your cross daily leads to transformation. You won't always be the same person you are today. As you are cleansed from the sin in your nature, the fruits of the Spirit come in its place. Rather than being quick to judge and critical, or grumpy and downcast, you can radiate love and kindness and gentleness. Here are 5 ways to accept your daily cross, in order to follow in the footsteps of Christ: 1. Obedience to God: Taking up our cross means putting aside our selfish desires, and following God’s will for our lives. We find our life’s fulfillment, contentment (even in trials), and unspeakable joy. 2. Guard Your Thoughts: When unpleasant, dissatisfied, grumbling, critical thoughts enter our minds, we have a choice. Denying these thought processes; refusing to give in to them, is a way to take up your cross. 3. Practice Self-Denial: When we deny self, we make the choice to replace our desires, thoughts, and plans with God’s thoughts and purposes. We live our lives centered on considering others first before ourselves. 4. Put on the New Self: We need to stop lying to one another, and take up our daily cross and show Christ’s love by avoiding sin or “put to death” those sins which so easily beset us. 5. Pray for the Strength to Carry Your Daily Cross: We are to take time to pray with Christ. The Cross depict humiliation, suffering, and sacrifice that Christ took on willingly for the sake of our salvation. Here is a list of ways we can live for Jesus in our daily lives: Show compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness. Choose (it’s a choice we can make) the peace of Jesus to rule your heart, not conflict, fear, jealousy, etc. Be thankful. Make gratitude a priority and a daily practice and watch your focus turn towards the many blessings we receive. Let the word of Christ “dwell in you richly”, completely fill your lives. We have so many more opportunities to dwell in His Word. Paul and the early Christians had no New Testaments to read from as we do, so they retold the stories, sang them in songs, prayed together and shared their wisdom. Your Cross Is Meant to Bring You Down: A cross is a cross, be it wooden or spiritual. What is your cross? It is any burden or pressure that threatens to break you down. God knows also that not one of His children can carry the cross they take up when following Christ. We so much want to be good disciples; we so much want to deny ourselves and take the cross upon ourselves; we seem to forget that same cross will one day bring us to the end of our human strength and endurance. Would Jesus purposely ask us to take up a cross that He knows will sap all our human energies and leave us lying helpless; even to the point of giving up? Absolutely yes! Jesus forewarns us, "Without me ye can do nothing" (John 15:5). So He asks us to take up our cross, struggle on with it, until we learn that lesson. Not until our cross pushes us down into the dust do we learn the lesson that it is not by our might or power or strength, but by His power. That is what the Bible means when it says His strength is made perfect in our weakness. It means that God's way is the only way; His strength the only hope. Is Jesus talking about persecution or something else? ANSWER: I believe Jesus is talking about persecution. By allowing persecution to produce faith and joy in our lives is just one example of His grace to us. We praise God that He has given us salvation and also strength to face each trial/persecution.

Q3. (2 Timothy 3:5) Why is it so easy to become a hypocrite? ANSWER: There are many causes of hypocrisy, but some of the most common include: Self-interest, inconsistency, blame, pretense, and complacency. It is so easy to become a hypocrite because you …: Get very comfortable with inconsistency. Judge others by a higher standard than you judge yourself. Keep your superiority front of mind and expect others to recognize it. Create barriers to others’ progress. Make a big deal out of small things while trivializing the truly weighty. Give little thought to your true inner character. Reject, or at least forget, the gospel.

Q2. (2 Timothy 2:24-25) In your own words, explain the various characteristics that enable a Christian teacher to correct opponents. ANSWER: We must strive very hard to get the biblical balance right, in other words. Refusing to be drawn into wasteful and useless arguments does NOT mean we just allow false teaching to run riot. We can stand up for biblical truth while also not getting involved with those who just like to debate stuff and argue all day. We must be kind to everyone; even to our opponents by speaking the truth in love not letting errors go unanswered. First, good Christian teachers are God’s servants. They defend biblical truth, not their own opinions. Second, their demeanor is “kind” or gentle. The gentleness that Jesus modeled with Thomas and Peter is the standard (see John 20:24-29; 21:1-19). Third, Christian leaders are “able to teach” (see 1 Timothy 3:2). They deliver the truth with clarity and conviction. Fourth, when they “patiently endure evil,” that are able to put up with it if necessary. How does the lack of any of these hinder the task? ANSWER: Christian teachers (godly shepherds) will “correct [their] opponents with gentleness” (see 2 Timothy 2:25). They may ignore lesser errors so that they can address core issues. They wait and speak calmly, without haste or anger, so that others can listen. The goal is not to win arguments but to tell the truth so that people repent. This edifies God’s family, which is wounded by both heresy and wrangling. May the Lord therefore grant us insight to know when to ignore petty disputes and when to correct damaging errors. And may He grant that good doctrine drive out bad, even as the beauty of peaceful, loving leaders silences contentious men. To sum it up, Christian teachers are the Lord's servant and we must not quarrel; instead, we must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and not resentful. It is very important to set an example of consistent faith and a good conscience, remaining above reproach and exercising the spiritual gifts that God has given us.

Q1. (2 Timothy 2:20-22). When do you put your good plates and silverware on the table? (In this scripture, Paul uses everyday household receptacles to describes two uses, special / menial and some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble.) ANSWER: We tend to use our good plates (fine china) and silverware on the table for truly special occasions. When do you use your everyday tableware? ANSWER: We are inclined to use the lesser expensive dishes (the cheap ones) for our everyday use (tableware). What point is Paul making with this example? ANSWER: We all want to be useful. We want our lives to have meaning and purpose beyond ourselves. When we discover the gospel of Jesus, our possibilities for real use and purpose expand exponentially. Yet we come to Jesus in our raw state; we need to be purified and refined before we can reach our potential for His use. A tremendous promise rests before us in this passage: "Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work"(2 Timothy 2:21). Jesus will use us-if we make ourselves useful! The individual who cleanses himself from false teachings will be "an instrument for noble purposes." He will be "made holy", will be "useful to the Master," and will be "prepared to do any good work." A crude pottery bowl can't transform itself into a beautiful gold vessel … that's where the analogy breaks down. But men and women can! In practical terms, how do we "cleanse ourselves" so that we might be useful and ready for the Lord's use? ANSWER: There are two kinds of people in the church: useful and dishonorable. Cleanse yourself so you can be useful to God, and ready for every good work. Paul isn't talking about only the cleansing of forgiveness and holiness, but the cleansing we must do for ourselves, to flee from evil and shun the temptations that drag us down, so they no longer control our lives. Yes, God is at work. But here, Paul emphasizes our part: "If a person cleanses himself" (2 Timothy 2:21a). The most important thing any of us can do before worship is to truly cleanse ourselves spiritually as we prepare to come to praise the Lord. Wash first, then worship. In order to prepare ourselves for worship we should examine ourselves and confess our sins to God.