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Q4. (Matthew 5:25-26) What is the point of Jesus' parable of settling out of court? ANSWER: Jesus is comparing the spiritual stakes of unresolved conflict to the civil stakes of an unresolved lawsuit. In either case, if you've truly wronged another person, you are in danger of judgment. The proper response is to make things right quickly, both to have a pure heart and to avoid judgment for wrongdoing. Jesus counsels to take responsibility and make things right promptly. Jesus presents two options. We can make friends with our opponent and reconcile with him by making right the wrongs we've done against him. If we choose this option, we avoid the negative result of the court. Who are we supposed to settle with, according to this parable? ANSWER: With your adversary who is taking you to court. What does "settling" entail in the parable in Matthew 5:25-26 ? ANSWER: The parable assumes that you owe your accuser a debt of some kind, and to collect on it he is taking you to small claims court. Jesus is saying: settle quickly, before you get to court. Settle quickly or you'll be stuck for every last cent that is due. The point of the parable in context is that Jesus is teaching us to reconcile quickly with those we have wronged and not to put it off. The implication is that if we wait for God to settle the matter at His bar of justice, that judgment will exacting and harsh punishment. What are the reasons that we should settle? ANSWER: The reason(s) that we should settle quickly is because we don't want to wait until you get to court to work out some kind of deal; Because you do not want the court to have to decide the matter, you might entail further debts and fines.

Q4. (John 16:5-7; 14:12) What benefit is there to the disciples that Jesus goes away? ANSWER: Jesus assured the disciples that, even though He was going away, He would send the Holy Spirit to help them. The Holy Spirit will comfort them, empower them, and enlighten them. Because of all this, they need not be sorrowful. On the contrary there was cause for great joy. What promise do we have in John 14:12 concerning the Spirit's power in believers? ANSWER: On the night before his crucifixion Jesus is huddled together with his inner circle of disciples, giving them final instructions before he goes to complete his self-sacrificial mission. In the middle of the conversation he makes an astounding promise: “… whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; … “

Q3. (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13a) Why do we believe that the Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force or power, but a Person? ANSWER: The Holy Spirit is a person, not an impersonal force or an influence. The reason that many people believe that the Holy Spirit is an impersonal force is because they have the wrong starting point. All attempts to make the Holy Spirit an impersonal force or influence do not take into account all the evidence. It is clear from Scripture that the Holy Spirit is a Person – the Third Person of the Trinity. What kinds of functions that we attribute to persons does the Holy Spirit do? ANSWER: The Holy Ghost, a member of the Godhead, bears witness of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He is the source of personal testimony and revelation. He can guide us in our decisions and protect us from physical and spiritual danger. He is known as the Comforter, and He can calm our fears and fill us with hope. The human attributes of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Why is it so easy to refer to the Spirit as "it" rather than "Him"? ANSWER: We must use the word “He” rather than “It” - not to denote The Holy Spirit’s sex but His personhood (and not objectiness).

Q4. (1 Kings 2:13-46) Why doesn’t Solomon act more quickly against David’s enemies and his own? ANSWER: The story of Solomon teach us that Solomon's life shows us something very important. Wisdom helps us only if we use it. The realism of Solomon's troubles and failures may be one of his most important contributions to us. Through Solomon's foolishness we see that all of the wisdom in the world does not change our human nature. What does this indicate about Solomon? ANSWER:Solomon did not begin hating the life he was living until he walked away from the presence of God and broke fellowship with Him, because of his idolatry. He then began living in a sinful, rebellious state in which he was alienated from God. Do you think God is pleased with Solomon’s dealing with enemies in these ways? ANSWER: The basis for Christian faith and practice, provides the following guidance on relationships with those considered an enemy: "You have heard the law that says, 'Love your neighbor' and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies!" (Matthew 5:43-44) Love our enemies? In an absolute monarchy, what are the balance points between protection of the throne (the state), justice, and mercy? ANSWER: Absolute monarchy is a system of government where the ultimate authority to run the state is in the hands of a king, dictator, or monarch who rules by their own right, such as by divine right. Absolute monarchy is also called absolutism. ABSOLUTE MONARCHS believed in DIVINE RIGHT (the idea that God created the monarchy and that the monarch acted as God's representative on earth.) An ABSOLUTE MONARCH answered only to God, not to his or her subjects. Their goal was to control every aspect of society. In an absolute monarchy, the monarch wields all Executive, Legislative, and Judicial power. An absolute monarchy is a form of government in its own right. Absolute monarchs justified their rule philosophically through the doctrine of the divine right of kings. The four primary features of absolute monarchs are waging war, taxing, control of religions, and passing laws. Absolute monarchies were most often justified by two factors; hereditary rule and divine right to power. The pros and cons of absolute monarchy reveal that while it is perhaps the most efficient form of government, speed in governing is not always a good thing for the governed. The unlimited power of the monarchy can result in oppression, social unrest, and tyranny.

Q5. (John 16:12-15) In what sense does the Holy Spirit guide us into all truth? ANSWER: The Holy Spirit guides us by the truth of his written Word. When the Spirit fills your life, this is how he guides you. He leads, but we must actively follow. As we look at the Scriptures, we can see the Spirit functionally guiding our lives in the following ways: The Spirit guides us by calling us into relationship with Jesus. The Spirit guides us by purging our sinful urges and growing his fruits. The Spirit guides us by the truth of his written Word. The Spirit guides us by the process of godly discernment. The Spirit guides us by bringing consensus with other believers. The Spirit guides us by aligning our thoughts with his thoughts. Does this promise apply only to the apostolic age and its task of laying the foundations of the faith? ANSWER: When He (Jesus) said, “We would do greater work than He did,” He meant First of all, He said that to His disciples and only to us indirectly, if at all. He is speaking to the first-century church, and He makes the statement that the works they do will be greater than the works that He performed (John 14:12).The promise in John 14:12, Jesus is saying that His disciples will not only continue His works, but will do greater ones because He goes to the Father. In what sense does it apply to us today? ANSWER: These words are meant to be comforting during hard times. Since Christ knew, in advance, what would happen, we can be even more confident to trust Him. We are to put living for Jesus first in our life. The three things that matter so much to God are the three things God wants to see in us: justice, kindness, and humility. To act justly is to treat people fairly and respectfully. You do not oppress or mistreat others.

Q3. (Matthew 5:23-24) What's wrong with worshipping while a brother has something against us (or us against a brother, Mark 11:25)? ANSWER: if you suddenly remember your brother has “ought against” you, it is your God-given responsibility to put forth the effort as quickly as possible to make it right. Or if you have something against your brother you are to go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. What is the appropriate action for us to take? ANSWER: But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. How far should we go to bring about reconciliation with someone whom we have offended? ANSWER: God calls us to forgive as He forgives us so that we may be free of the bitterness that wants to hold us back. Forgiveness is never easy, but God will always help and guide us through the process. We are to forgive not seven times, but seventy-seven times. There is a road to peace and building others up. It doesn’t come naturally or happen on its own, it takes focused effort and leaning into the Spirit’s help. Are there any situations that we shouldn't try to resolve? ANSWER: Avoid starting sentences with, “You always,” and, “You never,” as in, “You always come home late!” or, “You never do what I want to do!” Here are some things to avoid if you want to be successful in discussing differences in opinion and resolving conflict. 1. Avoiding conflict 2. Being defensive 3. Over generalizing 4. Being right 5. Psychoanalyzing 6. Forgetting to listen 7. Playing the blame game 8. Trying to “win” the argument 9. Making character attacks 10. Stonewalling [Are there any situations] that we can't resolve? ANSWER: It’s a fact: you can’t avoid conflict, even if you try. And however it ends up finding you, you can’t always resolve it effectively. You can’t always resolve conflict, but you should always feel good about how you handle it. Here are some thoughts about handling a tough conflict successfully, even if you don’t reach your ultimate goal of resolving it. You can’t always resolve conflict when you encounter it; you can’t even count on people being willing to engage you in resolving it every time you want to. Sometimes the best you can do is try to: Create space to share your emotional experience; You need the other side to engage in resolving conflict; and Remain open and respectful.

Q3. (1 Kings 2:2-3) David charges Solomon to observe God’s commandments. Why are we tempted to break God’s commandments as a means to an end, such as lying to win political points or job advancement? ANSWER: People stop following the 10 Commandments because people arbitrarily 'slice' God's law up into moral and ceremonial laws, or into cultic and ethical commandments. What does obedience have to do with prosperity? ANSWER: If they listen and obey God, they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives. The rewards for obedience are clear: You will be blessed where ever you go. Your children will be blessed. God will protect you. He will grant you abundant prosperity. Obedience leads to prosperity. THERE IS NO SHORTCUT TO BE BLESSED BY GOD THAN TO BE OBEDIENT. NO ONE CAN OUTSMART THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL. TO CONSTANTLY PRAY FOR BLESSING. Obedience to God bring automatic long life and prosperity, so if you want to live long, obey God. It is clearly stated in his word. (Ephesians 6:1-3

Q2. (1 Kings 1; 2 Chronicles 22:7) What indications do we have that Solomon has been chosen by God to build the temple? ANSWER: The LORD chose Solomon to build the temple, because a temple in Jerusalem, a beautiful one at that, would be a way for Israel and all the people of the ancient Near East to recognize that He was there among them. How does God protect his choice in spite of political intrigues? ANSWER: This dual insight is significant for how Christians approach politics. Jesus recognized both the legitimate and limited authority of human government and governors. The state is from God, but the state is not God. The state is necessary, but it is not everything. There are certain things the state must do and certain things the state must not do. We are under the state’s authority, yet, more importantly, we are together under God’s authority. How we engage politically. Three rules for political engagement: First, understand what you’re doing as an American. Second, engage in the process as a Christian. Third, reserve your greatest energies for the most lasting society, the church. The bottom line is that God is not a lover of political parties, He is a lover of people and whatever helps people to reach their God given potential is pleasing to God. God’s purpose in human government is to provide protection and freedom for the individual so that we might be all that we can be without government interference. That is one reason why we are told to “pray for those in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and sincerity.” (I Timothy 2:2) Why do you think Nathan the prophet is the first to move to protect Solomon? (Hint: see 2 Samuel 7:11-16) ANSWER: Nathan important in the Bible First, Nathan helped David to see that he was indeed the source of the problem both in the parable and within his leadership. Second, Nathan specifically outlined the error of David's ways. Third, Nathan articulated what would happen as a result of David's poor decision making.

Q1. (2 Samuel 7:11-16) What are the main provisions of the Davidic Covenant? ANSWER: The Davidic Covenant refers to God’s promises to David through Nathan the prophet and is found in 2 Samuel 7. This is an unconditional covenant made between God and David through which God promises David and Israel that the Messiah (Jesus Christ) would come from the lineage of David and the tribe of Judah and would establish a kingdom that would endure forever. The Davidic Covenant is unconditional because God does not place any conditions of obedience upon its fulfillment. The surety of the promises made rests solely on God’s faithfulness and does not depend at all on David or Israel’s obedience. What does it (the Davidic Covenant) says about the temple? ANSWER: In 2 Samuel 7 David expresses a desire to build God a “house,” i.e., a temple (7:2), but instead God promises to build David a “house,” i.e., a dynasty (7:11). GOD told David It was good that you wanted to build a Temple in my honor, most commendable! But you are not the one to do it, your son will build it to honor my Name. ' What does it (the Davidic Covenant) says about David’s descendants? ANSWER: This is the covenant where God promises a descendant of David to reign on the throne over the people of God. God promises that David's offspring will build a house for God, and that he will establish David's kingdom forever (2 Samuel 7:13). God promises, "I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son" (2 Samuel 7:14a). What does it (the Davidic Covenant) says about discipline? ANSWER: God warns that he will discipline David's offspring if he commits iniquity, but God also promises that his steadfast love will not depart from David as it was taken from Saul (2 Samuel 7:14b–15). What does it (the Davidic Covenant) says about mercy? ANSWER: Mercy brings us from the status of being being condemned to forgiven, and grace brings us from forgiven to favored. The covenant of God's mercy promises the gift of salvation and righteousness to anyone who believes in Jesus Christ as lord and savior. This salvation is all encompassing, deliverance from eternal condemnations, healing, recovery and prosperity. The covenant of the sure mercy of David. This “sure mercy” encompasses the selection of young David as king after Saul, a man after God's own heart who would fulfill all of God's will (Acts 13:22) as well as the covenant that God swore to David concerning his seed: “Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised unto Israel a Savior Jesus.” The message on the sure mercy of David: … In the matter of our salvation, “the sure mercies of David” mean that God has laid help upon his Son, Jesus Christ. You cannot help yourself, but Christ can help you; you cannot cleanse yourself, but Christ can cleanse you; you cannot save yourself, but Christ can save you. What does it (the Davidic Covenant) says about the throne? ANSWER: The meaning of the throne of David: … THE THRONE of David: Or An exposition of the second book of Samuel. Wherein is set down the pattern of a pious and prudent prince, and a clear type of the prince of princes Christ Jesus the son of David, and of his spiritual Kingdom. “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:32–33; cf. Luke 1:68–75).

Q3. (John 14:26; 15:26; 16:13a) Why do we believe that the Holy Spirit is not an impersonal force or power, but a Person? ANSWER: The Holy Spirit is a person, not an impersonal force or an influence. The reason that many people believe that the Holy Spirit is an impersonal force is because they have the wrong starting point. All attempts to make the Holy Spirit an impersonal force or influence do not take into account all the evidence. It is clear from Scripture that the Holy Spirit is a Person – the Third Person of the Trinity. What kinds of functions that we attribute to persons does the Holy Spirit do? ANSWER: The Holy Ghost, a member of the Godhead, bears witness of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He is the source of personal testimony and revelation. He can guide us in our decisions and protect us from physical and spiritual danger. He is known as the Comforter, and He can calm our fears and fill us with hope. The human attributes of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Why is it so easy to refer to the Spirit as "it" rather than "Him"? ANSWER: We must use the word “He” rather than “It” - not to denote The Holy Spirit’s sex but His personhood (and not objectiness).

Q2. (Matthew 5:21-22) Why does Jesus treat calling someone a fool in the same classification as murder? ANSWER: Jesus is talking to his disciples here (Matt 5:1-2) and teaching them how to live on this earth. Jesus reveals that our sin problem is with our hearts and not necessarily with physical acts—i.e. anger without cause is equal to murder; **** is equal to adultery, etc. Jesus called this man a fool was because he allowed the “within” of his life to be absorbed within the “without” of his life. this man was foolish because the richer he became materially, the poorer he became spiritually and intellectually. he failed to realize his dependence on others He was a fool because he failed to realize that wealth is always a result of the commonwealth. He failed to realize the interdependent structure of reality. This man was a fool because he felt that he was the creator instead of a creature. Now there is nothing new about this foolishness. It is still alive today What does the word "fool" mean in Matthew 5:22? a wicked reprobate man Does this mean that murder is no worse than an angry insult in God's eyes? ANSWER: Jesus takes it further by saying that anyone who is angry with his brother or publicly shames someone is also guilty of murder. Sins of the heart, such as angry insults and intentional ****, are worthy of hell just as much as adultery and murder. If murder is the fruit, then anger is the root! Don’t water this down. The Sixth Commandment is not just dealing with plung-ing a dagger into the heart. It’s fundamentally dealing with how we treat people. All of us are murderers at heart. The truth is: There is murder in my mouth today … and in yours! Given the right circumstances all of us would commit murder. Our hands are not clean because our lips are not clean.We are guilty of the very thing we said we would never do. We Christians tend to be very quick to excuse ourselves. Please understand that the Lord Jesus is not as quick as we are to let us off the hook. If we take Him seriously, then we’ve got to stop making excuses for our hidden anger, our buried resentments and our tongue that is as sharp as a razor. All of us are murderers when it comes to harboring anger against others! In fact, Jesus shows us three ways to murder without getting a drop of blood on the carpet. Uncontrolled Anger Matthew 5:21-22a [It all starts with anger. Murder would be wiped out if our anger was under control.]; Abusive Speech Matthew 5:22b [No blood! But you’re a murderer in God’s eyes! You’ve killed with your abusive, unkind speech.]; Interpersonal Animosity Matthew 5:23-24 [if you harbor bitterness and resentment in your heart toward someone else.] How would we act differently if we actually believed that angry attitudes towards others are viewed by God as murder? ANSWER: It is better to live our lives seeking for peace than to allow anger to boil over and lead to a condemnation that we will have to pay. We would strive to avoid arguments, divisions and problems where we would say things about people to their face or even behind their backs. We would not hold resentment and anger towards others. We would realize that Jesus wants us to realize the severity of this type of behavior. He exposes the wrong view of murder and helps us to see that even our anger that we hold could lead to more serious issues. We must not have resentment towards others. Nor must we allow that anger or resentment to continue to grow?We all can allow God to work in us in such a way that we remove all bitterness, resentment and anger towards all people so that we can share the love and compassion of God with all people even our enemies.

Q1. (Matthew 5:17-20) Can you see any tendencies in the church today to effectively "abolish" the Old Testament from our Christian faith? ANSWER: There are many reasons why it is important for Christians to know the Old Testament: its basic plot, the characters, and the stories. First of all: it is scripture. It is part of the Bible. In fact, the Old Testament is nearly 80% of the Christian Bible. To ignore it, or to not know it, is to be ignorant of most of scripture. Another reason to know the Old Testament is that the Christian faith has always affirmed that the God of the Old Testament is also the God of the New Testament. A third reason to know the Old Testament is actually found in the New Testament. The New Testament is clear. Jesus was a Jew, sent by the Jewish God, to the Jewish people, in fulfillment of the Jewish scriptures. The story of Jesus, and the birth of our faith is a part of the larger story found in the Bible. The entire New Testament is based on the Old Testament. To understand Jesus and His ministry, to understand the books of the New Testament, to understand the message of the New Testament, to understand the God of the New Testament, we need to know the Old Testament. What does a "Christian" legalism look like in a church? ANSWER: The Legalists believed that human beings are inherently selfish and short-sighted and that political institutions should be modeled in response to the realities of human behavior. The ethics of a Legalism is the attitude that it is sufficient to follow laws and rules to be a moral person. The main goal of Legalism is to enforce a practical and strategic political system, while considering honor and ethics as secondary. used laws to regulate the people, and usually these laws lean towards draconian. The purpose of these was for the overall benefit of the country. Here are a few questions to ask yourself which can help determine whether your church is fostering legalism. The people in your church have an “Us vs. Them” mentality: Those who believe in Jesus are good. Those who don’t believe in Him are bad. There’s talk about the church extending “too much grace” when it comes to a less-than-desirable person in the pew. You notice there seem to be many people who never believe they’re doing enough for God. They say things like, “I should pray more often” rather than “I love to pray.” Outsiders don’t visit often (perhaps because the church his known for its legalism). People who are deeply hurting due to their sins or poor choices feel humiliated and embarrassed around you or people in your congregation. Congregants actively avoid people who have a different worldview from them or who struggle with an outwardly visible sin. There’s a general attitude among church members that being right is more important than being kind. People are smug about their Bible knowledge and feel superior to those less educated about Scripture. People who are deeply hurting due to their sins/poor choices feel humiliated and embarrassed around you. This list has made you very uncomfortable, angry or indignant and you want to start defending yourself or your congregation—with Bible verses. What does it look like in a church where there are no moral standards and no obedience expected of Christians? ANSWER: The Christian moral code is based primarily on the teachings of Jesus and the two moral principles that it is based on are to love God and to love people. The Christian moral code is derived from the teachings in the Bible on how to conduct oneself, what God condemns as sinful, and how to treat your fellow man. The main foundation of Christian ethics is the teachings of Jesus Christ in the Gospels, primarily the Sermon on the Mount, and the Ten Commandments in the Old Testament. The ethics of Christian are because: … Christian ethics are moral guidelines that serve to show Christians how they should live. They are important to Christians because they follow the teachings of the Bible and Jesus Christ. The the ethics of Christianity are because: … Christian ethics are standards of right and wrong based on the “Christian Bible” and the teachings of “Jesus Christ”, the Old Testament prophets, and the New Testament apostles. They serve as a guide for Christians on the way that they should live. The importance of obeying God is foundational to a life guided by faith. Real obedience to the Lord is exclusive, exhaustive, immediate, and indiscriminate. That is the type of obedience that Heaven responds to and honors. Partial, delayed, or selective obedience is just another word for disobedience. Our efforts to avoid legalism and our tendency to give in to laziness can lead us to downplay the importance of obedience. Here are two reasons it’s worth bringing obedience back to the forefront of regular Christian living. Obedience Pleases God: the person who willingly submits to the Lord receives the stunning blessing of walking more closely with Him. Obedience Demonstrates Belief: Obedience is the hard proof of belief, to God, to others, and to ourselves, that we take our Father at His Word and we’re willing to stake our lives on it. Furthermore, obedience is the hard proof of belief, to God, to others, and to ourselves, that we take our Father at His Word and we’re willing to stake our lives on it. “When we live in obedience to Christ, we build our lives on a firm foundation.”

Q1. (John 14:15-17) In what sense is the Holy Spirit "another" Paraclete? ANSWER: in John’s Gospel, a group of five passages refer to the Holy Spirit as “Paraclete” or “Spirit of truth” (14:16, 17, 25, 26; 15:26, 27; 16:7–11, 13–15). The Spirit will be another brokering access to Jesus after he left for the Father. The implication is that Jesus is a Paraclete, and the Spirit of Truth is “another” Paraclete, that will serve as Jesus' substitute when He leaves for his Father's home. In what way can the Holy Spirit replace Him? ANSWER: To have the Holy Spirit as our Paraclete is to have God Himself indwelling us as believers. The Holy Spirit is another advocate of the same kind as Jesus, our advocate on earth to remind us of what is right and wrong and keep us on the right path, just as Jesus is our advocate before the throne of God pleading our case in the heavenly court. How was He "with" the disciples? ANSWER: Jesus stood before them and said, “'Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you. ' And with that he breathed on them and said, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. When will He be "in" them? ANSWER: In the event documented by John, Jesus does not give them the entirety of the gift of the Spirit, which they will receive at Pentecost, but only that which they will require for the purpose of remitting the sins of others [John 20:23]. Scripture tells us the disciples were given the Holy Spirit before the Day of Pentecost, and, they were told to remain in Jerusalem to receive “a power” from the Holy Spirit.

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