Niyonka16

Q2. (1 Timothy 4:3-5) Why is performance of legalistic requirements so attractive to people? ANSWER: Legalism seems attractive, since it appeals to a sense of self-righteousness, but it is unable to restrain the inner corrupt person. Only the Holy Spirit can create a truly godly person. Now Paul turns to the matter of true godliness. Legalism feeds our fleshly bent toward self-righteousness. The problem is that we can’t see it. What makes our own legalism hard to see is that on the surface we can be doing a lot of things right. Legalism preys on people who want to live for God with all their hearts. In other words, it plays into their zeal for God and their desire to be used of Him. The same error that plagued the Jews, and early church, is alive today; in all of our churches. Only grace through faith produces what is holy. The people gets attracted to legalism because: It is something they can do. Quick and easy. It is an image they can adopt and manage. It is a “look” they can quickly establish. It allows them to write more rules that protect from sin and make them even “better Christians.” It provides a checklist that helps them feel good about themselves when they check it off. It provides a checklist for them to measure how other people are doing. It brings clarity with new rules that show how to separate from others when they are “disobedient.” What fruit does it produce in a person’s life? ANSWER: Legalism IS NOT fruits. Legalism kills the Fruits of the Spirit. Legalism is a hideous beast! Legalism breeds a self-righteousness that promotes prideful comparison and smug judgemental-ism. Legalism has always been a major threat to genuine Christianity. Legalism has three aspects: law, 2) technique, 3) trend. What exactly is legalism? It’s an obsession with moral or religious laws and therefore legalists primarily judge others based on strict adherence to the rules they deem important, many of them being unbiblical. It could be said that legalism is the mentality that godliness is an outward job. As such, legalists focus on the outer at the expense of the inner. A person’s outward façade is more important than the inward reality. Simply put, legalism is religious hypocrisy. It’s putting on an act. It’s fake Christianity. The problem is the attitude of legalism, the mindset that faith is a mere garnishment when nothing could be further from the truth. Such an attitude is not only unbiblical, it’s corrupting, and it’ll slowly corrupt anyone who succumbs to it. Legalism takes on many forms, but each form grows from the same root: religion without relationship and rules above the Savior. In what ways is this emphasis so different from the true? ANSWER: The all-encompassing teaching of these false teachers, “lying hypocrites”, Paul talks about was legalism, dependence on personal moral behavior rather than on a relationship with Jesus. At its best, legalism is an act of pride, a person’s assumption that they can earn their salvation, or perhaps do some earthly good deed in order to keep it, rather than a true desire to honor God. At its worst, legalism is used in an attempt to gain superiority over others. Legalism can also be our way of trying to manipulate God, to make Him act in response to our good earthly deeds. We make sense of it in our minds, believing that if we sacrifice something for God, He owes us something or is indebted to us. Furthermore, legal-ism emphasizes the letter of the law, rather than its spirit. It’s important for us to stick of to the truth, especially if falsities are going to be the vehicle by which the enemy would lead so many people astray. When we are unsure of where to go or what to do, we can turn to the one beside us who has all-encompassing wisdom and understanding. He will be faithful to show us which is the right path.

Q1. (1 Timothy 4:1-2) Why does Paul remind Timothy (and the church) of predictions concerning widespread apostasy? ANSWER: Apostasy is the rejection of Christ by one who has been a Christian. It is describing those who have voluntarily and consciously abandoned their faith in the God of the covenant. Jesus himself had foretold this falling away in the Last Days: "At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." (Matthew 24:10-13). Paul reminds Timothy of this prediction so that he will not be surprised or overwhelmed by the chaos he sees in the church at Ephesus. He attributes this false teaching to satan himself. The false teachers, he says, "... follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons" (1 Timothy 4:1b). Then he condemns the character of the false teachers: "Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron." (1 Timothy 4:2). Consequently, in 2 Timothy 4:4, the apostle Paul asserts that apostate Christians living during the church age will be turned away from the truth, the gospel because of these Jewish myths. Paul’s statements in 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy and Titus all make clear that this was taking place when Paul wrote 2 Timothy. NOTE: what causes apostasy is: … persecution (Matthew 24:9-10); false teachers (Matthew 24:11); temptation (Luke 8:13); worldliness (2 Timothy 4:4); defective knowledge of Christ (1 John 2:19); moral lapse (Hebrews 6:4-6); forsaking worship and spiritual living (Hebrews 10:25-31); unbelief (Hebrews 3:12). What effect should this knowledge have on his (Timothy) ministry and the church’s perception of the situation? ANSWER: Apostasy means the abandonment of a previous loyalty; it is a conscious defection, in biblical terms it is an act of refusing to continue to obey God’s Word. Perhaps Paul is suggesting that their consciences carry satan's brand, now unable to discern truth from falsehood. Many other professing Christians, churches, denominations, and seminaries, who once upheld the truth and authority of God’s Word, have drifted into apostasy. One of the interesting characteristics of apostasy is that it does not happen overnight and actually develops over a period of time. It has however steadily increased at an alarming pace. The apostasy of the church is, the total rejection of Christianity by a baptized person who, having at one time professed the Christian faith, publicly rejects it. It is distinguished from heresy, which is limited to the rejection of one or more Christian doctrines by one who maintains an overall adherence to Jesus Christ. Apostasy is all around us in varying degrees. As Christians, we need to be very sure that we are clinging to the truth of God’s word. We need to stand firm on the word of God and never be ashamed of the truth of the Gospel. We need to warn people against apostasy and the need to go forward in the faith, bearing fruit as branches attached to the vine. Some biblical signs that clearly show that apostasy is taking place. First – God’s word is neglected as the supreme authority of our faith. People start following “Christian” personalities instead of the Word of God. Leaders are more concerned with growing a church and gaining a larger following than preaching the truth. Second – Scripture is twisted and distorted for self-serving agendas. Truth becomes subjective and relative. Doctrinal error and sin are tolerated by religious leaders who neglect their responsibility to protect the sheep. Third – Religious leaders are more interested in entertaining the goats than feeding the sheep. Ear-tickling messages give people what they want instead of what they need. Sin and immoral lifestyles are tolerated. Fourth – Teaching is heavily influenced by doctrines of demons (1 Timothy 4:1). Jesus has been removed from the church. There is no longer any evidence of the fruit of the Spirit. The best way to avoid apostasy and reject the teachings of apostates is to be reading the Word of God and studying it, because, the best way to identify the counterfeit is to know the genuine truth of the Scripture. Apostasy is defiance against God because it is a rebellion against truth. We are to defend the glory and honor of our great God and Savior and protect the purity of His Gospel.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 11:2) What does it take for us to be presented to Christ as a pure virgin bride? ANSWER: One word: Pure Brides to Christ! … In 2 Corinthians 11:2 it shows that Paul loved the Corinthian believers very much. His love was not based on self-centered or worldly way, but on God’s love and godly jealousy. For this reason, he wanted them to be united to their true Husband, Jesus Christ. He wanted them to be like pure virgins who were fully devoted to Christ and Christ alone. Paul did not lead them to himself, but to Christ. May the Lord have mercy on us so that we may share such hearts over many weak and vulnerable believers today! Also, in this passage, we learn that our enemy Satan is working diligently behind the scenes to make us go astray from Jesus. We must hold on to the gospel and the Jesus by asking the Spirit of the truth. When the gospel truth rules our hearts, we can grow like a mature servant, apostle Paul whose heart was led by the godly jealousy to rescue the gullible believers from the hands of Satan. Hopefully, we have God’s love and passion in this confusing generation so that we may present our children and young students as pure virgins to Christ only. We need to keep in mind the eight aspects we have covered of a person who is living in the spirit, in the Holy of Holies: a captive, a letter, a mirror, a vessel, an ambassador, a co-worker, a temple, and a virgin. As a captive you need to be captured, As a letter you need to be written, As a mirror you need to be unveiled, As a vessel you need to be broken, As an ambassador you need to be wholly for His interest and under His authority, As a co-worker you need to be bound, As a temple you need to be separated to perfect holiness in the fear of God, and As a virgin you need to be so simple. Learn to be simple; then you will be kept in the spirit. How faithful are we to Christ? ANSWER: The Bible is full of accounts of God’s faithfulness to His people. He saved the Israelites from the Egyptians. He opened Sarah’s womb in her old age. He delivered David in battle. He delivered us from the very grips of sin and gave us a way to join Him in Heaven (God’s faithfulness was never more astounding than this). We don’t have to produce this faithfulness alone! God promises to give us strength when we need it. God’s faithfulness to us gives us the strength to be faithful people. The Bible further states that we’re also supposed to be faithful to God. So what does it mean to be faithful to God. Faithfulness means steadfast loyalty that isn’t easily swayed. Our faithfulness to God means trusting in Him and loving Him through all circumstances. It means following His commandments even when we’d rather choose a different path. When we’re faithful to God it means that we trust that He will care for us, we follow where He leads, and we love Him in return. Being faithful also means that there will be some evidence of our faith in God. A faithful Christian will often produce fruit. Faithfulness does not mean that we will be perfect. It does not mean that we won’t struggle or that we won’t make poor decisions. It does mean that we will continue to trust in Gods and try to follow His commandments even when life is difficult. To what degree do we partake with the adulterous and sinful generation that Jesus decried (denounced)? ANSWER: What Jesus meant by a wicked and adulterous generation [spiritual unfaithfulness to God], is that in Jesus' day, the Jewish people, were generally moral and conservative people, but Jesus referred to many of them as "evil and adulterous" because despite outward behavior they were not faithful to God from the heart but demanded a sign from Jesus even though he had already performed many. Today, in this age given to wickedness, particularly to adultery, some Christians do not have a problem accepting Jesus or going to church. However, they feel that the Bible and the teachings thereof are out of date and have no place in this scientific age. An example is that some professing Christians are ashamed to believe and or speak of the biblical creation story because evolution science makes a mockery of it as a myth. What does the marriage relationship say about love, communication, and intimacy with Christ? ANSWER: What the marriage relationship say about love, communication, and intimacy with Christ to me, is as follows: We must learn His love language; those things He likes and those He doesn’t, and we choose to love Him His way while avoiding those things we know He hates. We are to trust Him and bring things to Him in faith, asking for His help and obeying Him with what He tells us to do. We are to be spending time with Him daily, talking to Him like we would a trusted spouse, openly and vulnerably sharing our feelings and struggles. When we mess up and disappoint Christ, we are to be quick to apologize, repent, and change our ways. These kinds of things, when practiced daily, feed and foster intimacy, and draw us closer and closer to our Savior. Intimacy and relationship with our Lord and King is a sweet love affair, moving and dancing together through the seasons of life on this earth, and continuing forever in eternity. He doesn’t want to be far off from us, He wants to walk and talk with us daily. The same attitudes and behaviors that build a deep, intimate, and loving relationship with your earthly spouse can lead you into a closer, more fulfilling and vibrant love relationship with your Abba Father. We are the Bride of Christ, and we can have a great marriage!

Q4. (1 Timothy 3) According to our text, do you see differences in qualifications between overseers/elders and deacons? ANSWER:[Deacons] “must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.” (1 Timothy 3:9). The deacon is kind of an official administrator caring for the business of the church. [An elder] “must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught....” (Titus 1:9a) The offices of elder and deacon are important in the church. Ministering to God’s people in word and deed is a serious responsibility for a man to take on, and it should never be done lightly. A biblically unqualified individual should not occupy either the office of elder or deacon; the church deserves better. What are they (the differences in qualifications between overseers/elders and deacons?) ANSWER: What are some of the implications of this on our lives as individuals and corporately as elders and deacons. Elders and deacons are not two independent offices with each doing its own thing. Both are to be supportive of one another, working together to accomplish God’s purposes for the church. The elders are to support the deacons through encouragement, instruction, leadership, guidance, and proper delegation according to gifts, burden, and interests. The deacons support the elders by relieving them to carry on their primary ministry and by cooperation. Both should give input to one another concerning problems, needs, and ideas for accomplishing the goals of the church. Communication of ideas, problems, needs, concerns, etc., along with a commitment to work together is very important to the overall ministry of both offices. Ultimately, God holds the elders responsible for the ministry of the church and this includes the deacons and the work they are asked to do. Deacons are under the leadership of the elders and the elders are responsible to see that things are done according to the principles of Scripture. If the elders make suggestions or ask for things to be done a certain way, they are not trying to interfere, they are simply doing the job God has called them to do. The elders are not to be dictators, however, and deacons have the right and responsibility to evaluate the suggestions of the elders and give input. And the elders need to give serious consideration to their input. We must all evaluate our ministries, our character, our attitudes, our motives, our agendas, and our involvement in the work of the church. Are we doing all things decently and in order? Are we following through with the our responsibilities?

Q3. (Colossians 3:2-4) To what degree is Christ the center, the focus of your life? ANSWER: Jesus achieved perfect unity with the Father by submitting Himself, both body and spirit, to the will of the Father. His focus on the Father is one of the principal reasons Jesus’s ministry had such clarity and power. There was no distracting double-mindedness in Him. In the same way, you and I can put Christ at the center of our lives and become one with Him as He is one with the Father (see John 17:20-23). We could begin by stripping everything out of our lives and then putting it back together in priority order with the Savior at the center. We would first put in place the things that make it possible always to remember Him, frequent prayer, studying and pondering the scriptures, thoughtful study of apostolic teachings, weekly preparation to partake of the sacrament worthily, Sunday worship, recording and remembering what the Spirit and experience teach us about discipleship. There may be other things that will come to your mind particularly suited to you at this point in your life. Once adequate time and means for these matters, for centering our lives in Christ, have been put in place, we can begin to add other responsibilities and things of value insofar as time and resources will permit, such as education, family responsibilities, and personal avocations. In this way the essential will not be crowded out of our lives by the merely good, and things of lesser value will take a lower priority or fall away altogether. Though it may not be easy, we can consistently press forward with faith in the Lord. I can attest that over time one’s desire and capacity to always remember and follow the Savior will grow. We should patiently work toward that end and pray always for the discernment and divine help we need (see 2 Nephi 32:9). If you had to prove to another person that Christ is the center of your life, what evidence would you muster? ANSWER: To make Jesus the center of my life?” It means to acknowledge Jesus as the ultimate authority in my life and voluntarily yield the control of my life to Him. For Jesus to be the center of my life, it means He is in control. I no longer desire to independently run my own life, but surrender my whole self to Jesus and to following His lead. You were designed for the purpose of knowing Jesus Christ and making Him the center of your life. First, Jesus created me and ultimately all things are under His rule, including me. Second, Jesus controls everything. Third, Jesus is faithful. Jesus can do a better job of running your life than you can, so let Him lead you each day. In order to prove to another individual that Christ is the center of my life, I would make sure my Words would match my actions and attitudes making sure they are not hollow and meaningless. I would speak about my own experiences with the Lord, then I am a reliable source - a witness. I must strive to be an effective witness for Christ. Below are four words that might help one mold their understanding of what a Christ-centered life looks like. SOURCE: A Christ-centered life begins with realizing that the source of everything we are is the Lord. He created us, he owns us, he gifted us with talents, he authors our story, and every blessing that we receive comes from him (Genesis 1, Acts 17:26, James 1:17). Additionally, Christ is the source for our daily righteousness. We have no internal desire or moral ability to live up to biblical standards on our own, but in Christ, we have everything we need for godly living (2 Peter 1:3). MOTIVE: A Christ-centered life means that a Person is the motivation for everything we think, say and do. Many of us leave little room for Christ in our Christianity. By that, I mean that our ability to "keep the law" or our pride in historic tradition is what defines our faith, not the person of Jesus. A Christ-centered life is deeply intimate and motivated by relationship. 3. GOAL: A Christ-centered life has one ultimate goal: that Jesus gets the glory. It's not wrong to pursue personal goals, but the glory of Christ is the orienting compass that gives direction to all others. Because we want Christ to be known, honored, worshipped and obeyed, we submit every other attainable goal to him. Our decisions are no longer controlled by selfish desires, but by new desires we get from his love (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). 4. HOPE: A Christ-centered life finally puts all our eggs in the basket of the Lord. We know that this life is not all there is, and that an eternity is coming (1 Corinthians 15:19, Revelations 21:4). But a Christ-centered life is more than just a ticket out of hell. We have hope in the here and now, because Christ has promised his presence and grace until we go home. What evidence would contradict this? ANSWER: If we are not Christ-centered, we will be centered on something else. Our lives would strive for supremacy, attention, and glory based upon performance. It keeps score and judges itself and others by self-made standards. Those who deeply desire a Christ-centered life will stumble, fall, sin, and make fleshly decisions in moments of weakness. But the real reason can be summarized in one word: pride. They want to run their own lives, and they don’t want anyone, especially God, to interfere with the way they’re living. They want to be in control of everything they do, and they know that if they were to believe in God, they’d have to change their lifestyle. Instead of living by their own list of what’s right and wrong, they’d have to take seriously God’s moral standards. It is all summed up the individual ends up living without any ultimate meaning in life. What kind of repentance is necessary to reprioritize your life? ANSWER: If we walk in the light, confessing our sins, we take possession of the most precious promises of the Gospel: that the blood of Jesus, God’s Son, will cleanse us from all sin. True repentance does not only acknowledge the sin that others bring into the light. Instead, it goes much further, dragging out into the light what no one else knows about. True repentance eagerly exposes all kinds of secrets from the depths of their souls and skeletons from the suppressed parts of their stories. True Repentance: Fears God’s Judgment; Seeks to Gain God’s Pleasure; and Seeks the Light More than Darkness Truly repentant people confess sins that no one else could ever discover simply because they have a keen awareness that God already knows. Ultimately, true repentance is the only right response to the perfect knowledge of a holy God.

Q3. (1 Timothy 3; Titus 1:6-9) Why are tendencies to anger, intimidation, force, and pride so important to consider in selecting church officers? ANSWER: A church is only as healthy as its eldership. The role of an elder can be summed-up in three overlapping functions: Doctrine, Direction (i.e., vision), and Discipline. In addition we will want our elders to have some significant leadership skills. “Rancher” instead of “Shepherd.” Church leaders must meet the Biblical qualifications for ultimately the only human protection a church has from straying into aberration, heresy and apostasy is such qualified church leaders. The Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. You simply cannot be an elder, pastor, church leader, or even a ministry leader if you have an anger problem or angry disposition; it is a ministry-disqualified. “No Striker” is where we get our modern day word “pugnacious” which means, “giver of blows.” An overseer/deacon is not quick-tempered and must be able to handle things with a cool mind and a gentle spirit. What happens when you don’t consider these factors? ANSWER: To put an angry man or woman in charge of anything inside the church would be disastrous. Argumentative people with angry dispositions are ineligible for ministry because they injure and are harmful to God’s family. Anger stirs up strife and causes one to abound in transgressions according to Proverbs 15:18 and 29:22. Wrath, a form of anger, is contained in the list of “works of the flesh” found in Galatians 5:19-21, and keeps people out of the kingdom of God. God’s servants must not be quarrelsome (2 Timothy 2:24-25). Anger is self-destructive. Job 5:2 says, Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple (NIV) It is impossible for an angry leader to continue in ministry. Here's why: God will remove him/her; They will be removed by godly overseers in the church; They will have an unfruitful ministry and will simply quit; OR They will self-destruct. One way or another, there is simply no long-term future for such person. Barren branches is what they become. I’ve seen more than one ministry go down in a spectacle of flames because of anger. Let’s consider what Solomon said in Proverbs 22:24-25 (NIV) “24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, 25 or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.”

Q1. (John 1:9; 8:12) In what sense is Jesus the True Light? ANSWER: Jesus is the real thing, the authentic Light from God (the genuine article, God in the flesh). He alone reveals God’s glory in the world because He is God incarnate who “became flesh and made His dwelling among us. Jesus gave spiritual illumination that dispels sinful darkness and unbelief. Jesus is the true light of God for those who partake of His salvation. When we receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, He makes God’s “light shine in our hearts” so we can “know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.” Several elements are necessary to sustain human life: light, air, water, and food are among the most critical. Jesus is the true light means He is our essential source of life . Without light, it is impossible to sustain life of any kind on earth. If the sun ceases to shine, everything will die. Not only is Jesus our light, but He is also the spiritual air we breathe. By His Holy Spirit, He breathes on us the “breath of life”. Jesus is also the “living water” who, by His Holy Spirit, becomes in us “a spring of water welling up to eternal life”. Jesus Christ is the true light of God sent into the world to pierce through the darkness. Through His life, ministry, and message, Jesus brought the light and life of God to bear on everyone He encountered. That light continues to shine on earth through His Church. In what sense is He the Light of the World? ANSWER: Jesus is the Light of the world, our world, and in the world. Like God is omnipresent, so Jesus is Light. Through Him and His sacrificial death on the cross, we are exposed to the light and of our sins. “I am the Light of the world” (John 8:12) is the second of seven “I AM” declarations of Jesus, recorded only in John’s gospel, that point to His unique divine identity and purpose. In declaring Himself to be the Light of the world, Jesus was claiming that He is the exclusive source of spiritual light. No other source of spiritual truth is available to mankind. In John 8:12, Jesus said, “I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but have the light of life.” The metaphor used by the Lord in this verse speaks of the light of His Truth, the light of His Word, the light of eternal Life. Those who perceive the true Light will never walk in spiritual darkness. “I am the light of the world,” is rooted in Jesus’ relationship with His Father. In what sense are you the light of the world (Matthew 5:14)? ANSWER: Being the "light of the world" goes beyond being morally upright. It entails actively shining in a way that dispels darkness and illuminates the path to God. It means living out the teachings of Jesus with integrity and authenticity. Therefore by being a Christ-follower, I am to give light to those around me by doing and saying what Jesus did. Also by growing in relationship with Jesus every day, following Him step by step, I partner with Him in spreading the truth. Christ is the Light; therefore, I must reflect the light He gives me. My circumstances are an opportunity to shine brightly for the Lord and to share God's overcoming truth with those around me. My family, friends and community can tell what I believe by how I live. Being a light in the world I am to draw those I encounter to God by my words and actions. The functions of my light as a believer and follower of Christ are as follows. AS LIGHT … I am to expose darkness - (expose darkness indirectly simply by living a moral life, but I also expose it directly by calling sin as it is). I should give off light - (due to my light illumination people should transforms (convert and change) thereby as sin is exposed and righteousness replaces it, individuals should repent and give their lives to Christ, in which their lives are changed). I am to help others grow - (because my light shines it should cause, friends, family, and others to grow by getting to know God more, changing their language, attitudes, and actions). I must strive to wake people out of slumber - (stir spiritual zeal in those who are spiritually lazy and help awaken those who are spiritually dead). I should warm those who are cold - (warm people’s hearts, provoking them to love God and others). Why do you think people resist Jesus' light, His truth, His view of the Father, our world, and eternal life? ANSWER: The four reasons below are perhaps the most prominent of reasons why people fail to begin a relationship with Jesus. Some people do not think they need a savior. The fear of social rejection or persecution deters some people from receiving Christ as Savior. For some people, the things that the present world has to offer are more appealing than eternal things. Many people are simply resisting the Holy Spirit’s attempts to draw them to faith in Christ. Whatever the reasons why people reject Jesus Christ, their rejection of Him, for whatever reason, face an eternity in the “outer darkness” of hell where there will be “weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 25:30). How does the world's so-called "light" differ from Jesus' light? ANSWER: 1. Believers are light because they know God, and the world is dark because they reject the true God. 2. Believers are light because they know the gospel and Scripture in general, and the world is darkness because they reject revelation. 3. Believers are light because they practice righteousness, and the world is darkness because it doesn’t. Believers are called to put aside the deeds of darkness and to clothe themselves with Christ. Essentially, to be in darkness is to be ignorant of God and his Word and to rebel against both. The world is darkness, but believers are light. They know the truth about creation, the gospel, and God, and they live in view of these realities. But the world rejects these things. What can obstruct Jesus' light in this world? ANSWER: There are five things that can obstruct Jesus’ light in the world. Secret sin hinders His presence. When there’s no communion with God, our lives are spent in the darkness. We see nothing. We hear nothing. Hidden sin deeply affects and quenches our relationship with our Savior. The fullness of the flesh hinders His presence. It’s impossible to be full of the world and full of Christ. We can’t be consumed with worldly pursuits as our main focus and be consumed with pursuing Christ, one or the other will prevail. A lack of desperation hinders His presence. When we lack desperation about pursuing God, we are demonstrating that the pursuit is not important enough to make it a priority. A lack of fervency hinders His presence. The spiritual battle in which the Christian is engaged is fierce. Being too busy hinders His presence. If you’re too busy to wait, too preoccupied to pursue God, and too wrapped up to worship Him, your relationship with Him will definitely be hindered. Once God lights the fire of the Spirit in our hearts, we must do our part to keep Him burning through fervent prayer: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” James 5:16. What can obstruct our light (in this world)? ANSWER: When we let the world get between us and God, our light diminishes and can go out. We can be so obsessed with things of this world: money, entertainment, sports, pleasure, work, etc. that we have little time to be enlightened by God’s word or shine that light for others. Sometimes we will not give up habits, attitudes, or thoughts that are ungodly and diminish the light that does shine from our lives. Pure lives reflect the most light. We need to remove anything from our lives that inhibits the full glory of God from being reflected onto the dark world and let God illuminate us on the inside and before others. Let God illuminate your life and transform it into glory through Jesus. If we want to grow closer to Christ we need to let go of our own will and hold on to God's will. You were made to reflect His light. So, in a strange way you were made to be transparent, a transporter of God’s glory, shining his light through you as his child. Any place the light within you is darkness, it blocks Jesus from shining through. It casts a shadow. That’s where the darkness lies. Where there is light darkness cannot comprehend it, then why is that some persons light still do not shine? Here are five basic reasons that hinders your light from shining. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid” (Matthew 5:14). 1. IGNORANCE: Many people are ignorant of the fact that they are the light of the word, not to talk of the fact that they are the light of the world. people are ignorant mostly because they refuse to search to know who they are. Ignorant is a shrewdly disease. 2. FEAR: Never be afraid of your light. Never think less of yourself and never be afraid of what you carry. You are a powerful light! 3. DISCOURAGE: Discouragement of a thing is one of the basic strategy devil uses to kill people’s light. We must be focused. Discouragement also comes when you tend not to see the active and instant result of what you are doing. Be wise! 4. LACK: Don’t lack any thing. Lack is recorded as poverty. When you lack the relevant things needed to make your light shine, then you are poor and it will surely hinders your light from shining. Go for knowledge. Learn thing that will bring out your light. Don’t lack any thing especially knowledge. 5. ACTION: All things boil down to action. Action as often quoted speaks louder than voice. If you know you have a light, you show never refuse to take action in bring it into a shining state for the world to see. You are the light of the world. You can’t be hidden when your light is shining. Work on yourself.

Q2. (1 Timothy 3:6, 10; Titus 1:6-9) Why should leaders be observed carefully and tested before placing them in office? ANSWER: The first quality that Paul gives for a leader is to be "above reproach"/ "blameless" (1 Timothy 3:2). Character in a leader is primary, since everything flows from that. Too often when we select leaders in the church, we' re looking for warm bodies that are willing. We don't really examine character. Too often, church leaders are chosen in a popularity contest, rather than by weighing who will best represent the church in the community. If you are not careful, you can elect a church leader: (a). who is so bizarre in character that he is a laughing stock in the community; (b). or even worse: someone who has a reputation for greed, cheating in business; (c). or someone who is a womanizer. This only brings disrepute on Christ and His church. What should you be looking for during this period? ANSWER: Oftentimes, we make the mistake of looking at someone who has been a successful professional in business and think that he or she is therefore qualified to exercise spiritual leadership in the church. But we must not appoint people simply based on their appearance or social status. I believe that many congregations make this mistake. Ultimately, the choice of a leader in the church should be based on a combination of factors including their character, spiritual maturity, leadership abilities, alignment with the church's values, and their ability to serve and guide the congregation effectively. The major criteria for selecting leaders in the church are moral and spiritual credibility which are necessary for church leaders. Leaders also need to cultivate a good reputation in the society in which they live. They need to be men and women of prayer who have intimacy with the Word of God and reflect His will before the congregation. When leaders are elected whose hearts beat in accordance with God's will, your church will be filled with new vitality and experience more blessings than you ever thought possible.

Q1. (1 Timothy 3:2-12; Titus 1:6) What kind of leader do you believe Paul is indicating for us with the phrase “husband of one wife”? ANSWER: The topic, “husband of one wife” is important because the leadership of the church will determine the character of the church. A godly church is impossible without godly leadership. Paul’s warning stands clear; a godly church needs godly leaders. We must be very careful who we entrust with this responsibility. According to 1 Timothy 3:2-12 and Titus 1:6, the kind of leader that Paul is indicating with the phrase “husband of one wife”, expresses requirements for two different levels of church leadership. The first are ''elders'' or ''overseers.'' These men are to be experienced Christians, respectable, capable teachers, with a good reputation and a well-ordered family life. The second group are ''servants,'' or ''deacons,'' who share many of the same expectations. Unlike elders, however, deacons are not necessarily called on to teach. And, they are expected to be ''tested'' prior to taking on their role. Why is a leader’s family an important indicator of leadership potential or problems? ANSWER: A leader’s family an important indicator of leadership potential or problems because it is believed that church leaders must be able to manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church. there is a direct relationship between the ability to provide effective leadership to one's family household and the ability to manage God's household, the church. Finally, If the church leader is acting effectively, his children should (1) obey him, (2) respect him, and (3) be believers themselves. Of course, children will increasingly exhibit their own personalities and character. But observing them will tell you something about the candidate for church leadership. Of course, our cultures are different than the strong patriarchal family structure of the first century, so that must be taken into account, also. Leadership must not to be autocratic or domineering. Rather the church leaders role is to "care for, take care of" the church (1 Timothy 3:5), as would a servant or steward of someone else's property.

Q5. (1 Timothy 2:11-15) How should Paul’s instructions about women teaching and leading in the church be applied in the twenty-first century? ANSWER: Certain people from within the church have departed from the true teaching of the gospel, have become quarrelsome and argumentative, and are propagating doctrines that are erroneous. Paul was addressing a particular problem specific to the church at Ephesus in which false teaching was resulting in inappropriate behavior. Paul was not giving a universal order to all women of all time not to teach nor have authority over a man, but was ordering that women do not assume superiority over men or promote false teachings. Women should learn first, being educated in the faith before they teach. It is clear from Paul’s other letters that Paul supported women teachers and leaders. Surely, 1 Timothy 2:11-15 is not prescriptive to women for all time if Paul also commends women leaders and teachers. 1 Timothy 2 does not at all teach subordination of women. And neither does the rest of the Bible. Women were created by God as co-heirs, equals to one another, and image bearers, just as men were. Women are welcomed and encouraged to learn theology just as men are. Women are allowed to teach right and proper theology to their brothers and sisters-in-Christ just as men are. And women are dearly loved and cared for by God just as men are. How do you support your view? ANSWER: What this text means to me is: … There are some women who feel that they were called to teach and preach and lead. And I know many who are absolutely able to do it. But our obedience is to God, not to a sense of calling or ability. That is a hard teaching. But when we go back to God and harmonious creation He formed, I recall that it is we humans who broke it, not Him. And we now live with the brokenness as best we can until He comes again. Overall this passage is a pastoral outworking of a created functionality that was illustrated to us by Jesus. Within Jesus’ outworking though, He did not exclude or silence women. He welcomed them and gave them a voice and a place in His gospel message. There’s a call for both men and women to fulfill their God-given roles and submit to HIM. There is either submission to Christ or there is rebellion against Him. There is no middle ground.

Q4. (1 Timothy 2:9-10) How did women dressing in fancy clothes threaten to compromise the church’s witness in Ephesus? ANSWER: Paul tells the women in Ephesus that in the area of clothing and personal appearance, they were not to simply continue on in the style and manner of the culture around them. Rather than simply imitating the extravagance of the rich or the immodesty of the temple prostitutes, the women of Ephesus were to exercise restraint and moderation, to dress with decency and propriety. They were to remember that they were ones who professed belief in God and who worshiped God, therefore, their manner of dress and concerns about personal appearance ought to be a reflection of that, rather than simply a reflection of the people around them. The beauty Paul is concerned with is an internal beauty, a beauty that radiates from a certain kind of heart and attitude and works its way out into "good deeds." How do we apply the principle of Paul’s directive in twenty-first century churches without instituting a new legalism? ANSWER: There are two principles Paul is giving in 1 Timothy 2:9-10 that we can apply to our lives and culture today without instituting a new legalism. We should all live according to our faith and consciences, honoring the Lord in all we go do. Paul indicates that those living like this are accountable to God, not to other believers, regarding matters of opinion. Their master is God and should work to please Him in their lives.

Q4. (Luke 4:23) How does Jesus as the Great Physician resonate with our broken world? ANSWER: Jesus as the Great Physician resonates with our broken world because, He is the only one able to heal us physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. We can freely declare that Jesus our Great Physician heals all manner of sicknesses and diseases. Matthew 8:17, “… Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.” Isaiah 53:5, “… And with his stripes we are healed.” As the great Physician, Jesus gives us an analysis of the moral condition of humanity and its results. One of the more powerful attributes of Jesus is that of the Great Physician. He came to this world to heal humanity and all four Gospels record Jesus’ healings as a significant part of His ministry. He created us in His image with a body, mind, and spirit, and each aspect can need healing. Jesus is the same healer today that He was over 2000 years ago, and will be forever. Jesus comes when you call Him. His diagnosis is always accurate. He can cleanse every wound and heal every sickness. He won't force His medicine on you; He waits for you to admit your needs first. And the amazing thing is the He already paid the bill for your care on Calvary's cross. The Great Physician administers the medicine of His Word to your ailing soul. He can save the unbeliever, heal a broken heart and restore a fractured relationship. Whatever your need, ask Jesus for His healing touch. What does it mean to you that Jesus is your Great Physician and Healer? ANSWER: What it means to us that Jesus is our Great Physician and Healer is He came to cure the sick and poor in spirit and to heal our souls and restore our relationship with God. This is GOOD NEWS in a world where there’s great sicknesses, plagues, viruses, and untimely deaths. We can look to Jesus in faith, and receive needful healing! Healing is one of the finished work of Jesus on the Cross, as well as our salvation. A great portion of Christ’s time was dedicated to healing the sick. He healed a variety of ailments including blindness, paralysis, physical limitations, leprosy, and many other illnesses. Christ’s work of restoration didn’t end with His ascension, but continues to this day. Christ was our healer when He walked among us, continues to be our healer now, and will remain our healer until He returns. HEALING AND HEALTH IS GOD’S WILL: … The will of God is to extricate the body, soul, and spirit of man from sin and effects or penalty of sin, which are disease and death. IT IS ALWAYS HIS WILL TO HEAL those who will obey Him, believe Him, and act boldly on His Word of promise. 3 WAYS JESUS HEALS US … a). SPIRITUAL HEALING; b). MENTALLY/EMOTIONAL HEALING; and c). HEALING PHYSICALLY. JESUS IS OUR HEALER! HE IS THE GREATEST PHYSICIAN! HE IS ABLE TO HELP US AS WE PRAY IN FAITH! WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE! We WERE HEALED, ARE HEALED, AND SHALL BE HEALED! This is true FOREVER AND EVER!

Q3. (John 14:6; 10:7, 9) In light of all the world's religions, how can Jesus be the Way to God, the exclusive door or gateway? ANSWER: Jesus Himself says in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” He is not a way, as in one of many; He is the way, as in the one and only. No one, regardless of reputation, achievement, special knowledge, or personal holiness, can come to God the Father EXCEPT through Jesus. Jesus is the only way to heaven for several reasons. Jesus was “chosen by God” to be the Savior (Peter 2:4). Jesus is the only One to have come down from heaven and returned there (John 3:13). He is the only person to have lived a perfect human life (Hebrews 4:15). He is the only sacrifice for sin (1 John 2:2; Hebrews 10:26). He alone fulfilled the Law and the Prophets (Matthew 5:17). He is the only man to have conquered death forever (Hebrews 2:14-15). He is the only Mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2-5). He is the only man whom God has “exalted . . . to the highest place” (Philippians 2:9). We only have one means of entry. We must go through Christ to be included in the Lord's sheepfold. He is the door, and there's no side entrance or secret passage. Only through Christ can we gain access to the family and kingdom of God. Jesus is the only way to heaven. Why does this offend the world? ANSWER: Many claim to believe in the Creator, the God of the Bible, or even claim to be Christians, all while denying the most basic and central truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Also, many deny these supernatural claims that Jesus actually rose from the dead, that He lives even now and so reject Christ. The good news of Jesus Christ, the genuine message, is very offensive. It cannot but be so. The offensive nature of the Gospel cannot be removed without changing its powerful message. The offensiveness of a message does not negate its truthfulness. Truth is often offensive. The real issue is not whether a message gets under our skin, but whether or not it is vital information we need. We must humble ourselves before God and His truth to be forgiven and freed from sin and destruction. Jesus said to some rejecting Him, “You refuse to come to Me that you may have life” ( John 5:40) We are not to allow our feelings or pride to hold on to offenses in the message and walk away. We are to humble ourselves and believe. Since it is true, how can we most winsomely declare this truth to our generation? ANSWER: We most winsomely declare this “TRUTH,” to our generation by beginning in an age-appropriate way. Teaching our generation about Jesus, we can do this through reading and discussing Scripture with them. I find that it is easier to share and teach the Gospel straight from the Bible. Use key points of the gospel and some scripture to help guide you in understanding and explaining the gospel. Began by explaining that: … God created humans to be in relationship with Him. Colossians 1:16 Humans sinned and sin leads to separation. Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23 God gave Jesus as a sacrifice to pay the price for our sin. John 3:16-17 God gives us the opportunity to accept the free gift of salvation and eternal life (becoming spiritually alive). Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 10:9-10; John 17:3 The Bible instructs us on how to respond to the gospel. Often, when an individual whether a child or an adult truly grasps the gospel they walk themselves through the steps below without a list or a guide. Personally I like having these key points as a references in my own mind to remind myself as I walk a child or an adult through responding to the gospel when they are ready. DO NOT force anyone through these steps: … Admit & Ask: We admit that we are sinners in need of a Savior. We ask Jesus to forgive us for our sins and turn away from our sin. Believe: We believe that Jesus is God’s son and that what Jesus did paid the price for our sin. Confess & Commit: We confess our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. We commit to a life of knowing and following him. We are to put emphasis on the “TRUTH.” Jesus doesn’t say that He merely speaks the truth: He claims to be the embodiment of TRUTH. He doesn’t say He can give life: He tells us He is the SOURCE OF LIFE itself. And He doesn’t say He is one pathway to God among many: He asserts He is the ONLY WAY.

Q3. (1 Timothy 2:8) What problem among the men of the congregation is Paul referring to in this verse? ANSWER: Paul is countering that cultural trend and specifically telling men to pray. He IS saying he wants the men to pray. There is a reason that he is singling the men out here. When Paul says he wants men "everywhere" or "in every place" to pray, he is saying he wants the men to be active and involved in each of these places, these house-churches. To be sure, the women as well were to be involved and were involved, VERY involved, but Paul wants to make sure that the MEN were involved, especially in prayer, in each and every place. What is so serious about worshipping with the opposite of love in your heart? ANSWER: Our hearts should be so in touch with our Father and so in love with the Lord that it is our delight to filter every thought that comes into our mind through the Lord Jesus. Paul exhorts us not to be in a state of anger or argument when we pray. Certainly, our pleadings and petitions, prayers and thankful praise should not be from a heart that is harboring resentment or unforgiveness, anger or bitterness but from a heart that is holy and clean before the Lord, a heart that is gentle and gracious, a heart that is submissive before the Lord; for God looks on the state of our heart. Praise God that we can approach the throne on grace boldly, and give over to Him all of our anger, anguish, resentment, and malice, making the way clear for us to life up holy hands and pour out our praises, petitions, and thankful worship to the One "Who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy."

Q2. (1 Timothy 2:5-6) In the context of the salvation of all, why do you think Paul emphasizes the roles of Mediator and Ransom? ANSWER: Through His humanity, He became our mediator, effectively bridging the gap between our fallen state and God's holiness. The pivotal statement "who gave himself as a ransom for all" encapsulates the heart of the Gospel message. This pronouncement speaks directly to our understanding of Christ's sacrificial act on the cross. Also, this reaffirms the reality that Jesus' sacrifice was not a hasty or arbitrary event but a meticulously planned act that corresponds with God's sovereign timing. To conclude, 1 Timothy 2:5-6 encapsulates the heart of the Gospel message. that there is one God and one mediator, Jesus Christ. These verses bring us into the very essence of our faith journey. They invite us to embrace the uniqueness of God, the humanity of Christ, and the redemptive power of His sacrifice. We are reminded that through Christ's mediation, we are granted access to God's grace, forgiveness, and eternal love. Paul reminds us of the one Mediator between God and humanity, Jesus Christ. This statement emphasizes the exclusivity of Christ as the way to salvation, reinforcing what Jesus Himself taught in John 14:6. It reminds us that salvation cannot be obtained through any other means or rituals. In what way did Christ fulfill both the roles [Mediator and Ransom]? ANSWER: Jesus, God the Son, is the Mediator, who gave Himself as a Ransom to take us to God the Father. The role of Jesus as a Mediator:…As the mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ fulfills and unifies three offices: prophet, by which we are given necessary knowledge; priest, by which we are forgiven and justified resulting in reconciliation; king, by which we have our enmity removed and are subdued to the gracious rule of Christ. Jesus give His life as a Ransom:…The theory teaches that the death of Christ was a ransom sacrifice, usually said to have been paid to Satan, in satisfaction for the bondage and debt on the souls of humanity as a result of inherited sin.

Q1. (Colossians 1:18) How should the assertion that Jesus is the "head of the body, the church" affect the way we conceive of the church? ANSWER: Jesus is supreme over all. Jesus is head of the Church because of His primary role in our creation and our redemption. In the title Head, the emphasis is on Christ's vital connection to the body. He is its sustainer, source of growth, origin, and authority. We are Christ's body here on earth and serve "in Him" and under His direction. The point is that Christ not only has priority over the principalities and powers; He is the supreme Head of the church itself. We'll consider the titles Beginning and Firstborn from the Dead. As Christ's Body, we share in his work. Through us, the Church, Christ continues the work of salvation. He speaks and acts through us. Through us, Christ shows forth the love of God for the human race. United with Jesus in his suffering, someday we will share his glory. At the end of time when Christ returns in glory, the Church will be perfected. Then we will be gathered in Christ in a love that never ends. Is He talking about the universal Church or a local congregation, or both? ANSWER: It is clear from the Scripture references above that the New Testament speaks of both the church universal (which comprises all of the true believers throughout history, from every kindred, tribe and tongue) and also speaks of local churches (which consist of all of those separate bodies of Christ who meet together for worship, study, prayer and communion, in local congregations). The Universal Church has in it only true believers, ones who have been called by the Spirit to trust in the saving work of Christ, who are kept eternally by the love of God and who will be presented to Christ without spot or blemish. Local Churches have in their membership people who are professing believers, some of whom are genuinely saved, while others are unsaved and are still lost in their sins. Sometimes it is impossible to clearly distinguish between the two, because often unbelieving members exhibit many of the outward characteristics of believers. But the Lord knows who are His. If we believe that Jesus is the head of the church, how should that affect the way we conduct our life and ministry as the church? ANSWER: How does Jesus impact our daily lives? When we understand everything the Savior does for us, He becomes the most important person in our lives. Jesus is important to us because through His Atonement, teachings, hope, peace, and example, He helps us change our lives, face our trials, and move forward with faith as we journey back to Him and His Father. One of the reasons Jesus is so important to those of us who sincerely try to follow Him is that all of us fall short and need the gift of repentance offered through the Atonement. 1). Jesus Makes Repentance Possible - Jesus is important to us because through His Atonement, teachings, hope, peace, and example, He helps us change our lives, face our trials, and move forward with faith as we journey back to Him and His Father. 2). Jesus Teaches Truth - You can find the Savior’s “words of eternal life” in the scriptures, the teachings of the living prophets, and the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. 3). Jesus Offers Hope - When we face serious challenges, sometimes we find it difficult to trust in the Lord. But trusting in Him brings us the hope we need in order to face our challenges. The gift of the Atonement gives us the hope of eternal life, something we need when we suffer trials or the death of a loved one. They offer a foundation for “happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come,” and they guide us safely back to our Heavenly Father and our Savior. 4). Jesus Offers Peace - We can always turn to the Prince of Peace when we feel alone or overwhelmed, sad or worried, afraid or worthless. We do so by: Praying to Heavenly Father for the Spirit to be with us. Reading the Lord’s words in the scriptures and as revealed by living prophets. Attending the temple. Studying the Savior’s life at church and in seminary. Applying His Atonement by repenting of our sins. Sharing our testimonies of Him. 5). Jesus Sets the Example - Throughout His ministry, Jesus doesn’t just point the way to happiness, He leads the way. Through His Atonement, He leads us to love. Through His teachings, He leads us to eternal truths. Through His perfect life, He leads us to the path of obedience. When we understand that the Savior makes possible repentance and resurrection, teaches vital truths, offers hope and peace, and sets the perfect example, He becomes the center of our lives. And with Him as our friend, we have the courage to cast out fear and move forward with faith. In what ways does the visible church represent the "head"? ANSWER: According to passages of Scriptures, we see how Jesus is the Head of his church. He gives his people life spiritually and eternally and sustains them with his covenant blessings. He assigns their various duties as members of the body, and enables them to do their jobs effectively. He coordinates their work so that the body behaves in harmony, no part jealous of the others. He cares for each member and provides for them as one would his own body. But Jesus isn’t present physically. So, How does He exercise His headship of the church today? There are three ways by which Jesus carries out His headship in the church. Jesus is the head of His church by means of His revealed word. Jesus is the head of his church by means of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is the head of his church by means of its officers. Today, headship is under attack in almost every compartment of life. We need to look to his word to discover what pleases God. We should look to the Spirit with expectation and confidence, prayerfully counting on his direction and promises. And we should always work within the structure He has established for our homes, our church, and community. This is what makes us into a healthy body of believers thriving under the care of the loving headship of Jesus Christ. We learn to work together as brothers and sisters who care about one another in this spiritual family we call the church. Since the word of Christ has not changed, it can still do the same today in any place. And when it does, the true church is visible in that place. How well do we, as the body, follow His leadership? ANSWER: What matters most is who we allow to rule our hearts. With that said, we should wholeheartedly endorse Jesus. In our day-to-day life, we often find ourselves confronted with choices about whom we should follow or admire. Jesus teaches us what an honorable leader looks like. He shows us wise, loving leadership. We should compare Jesus to our own thoughts, actions, and character traits. Here are six characteristics of Jesus as a leader: Jesus always speaks the truth. Jesus asks for more and offers more. Jesus values us more. Jesus values all of us. Jesus is motivated by compassion. Jesus forgives.

Q4. (1 Timothy 2:9-10) How did women dressing in fancy clothes threaten to compromise the church’s witness in Ephesus? ANSWER: Paul tells the women in Ephesus that in the area of clothing and personal appearance, they were not to simply continue on in the style and manner of the culture around them. Rather than simply imitating the extravagance of the rich or the immodesty of the temple prostitutes, the women of Ephesus were to exercise restraint and moderation, to dress with decency and propriety. They were to remember that they were ones who professed belief in God and who worshiped God, therefore, their manner of dress and concerns about personal appearance ought to be a reflection of that, rather than simply a reflection of the people around them. The beauty Paul is concerned with is an internal beauty, a beauty that radiates from a certain kind of heart and attitude and works its way out into "good deeds." How do we apply the principle of Paul’s directive in twenty-first century churches without instituting a new legalism? ANSWER: There are two principles Paul is giving in 1 Timothy 2:9-10 that we can apply to our lives and culture today without instituting a new legalism. We should all live according to our faith and consciences, honoring the Lord in all we do. Paul indicates that those living like this are accountable to God, not to other believers, regarding matters of opinion. Their master is God and should work to please Him in their lives.

Q3. (1 Timothy 2:8) What problem among the men of the congregation is Paul referring to in this verse? ANSWER: Paul is countering that cultural trend and specifically telling men to pray. He IS saying he wants the men to pray. There is a reason that he is singling the men out here. When Paul says he wants men "everywhere" or "in every place" to pray, he is saying he wants the men to be active and involved in each of these places, these house-churches. To be sure, the women as well were to be involved and were involved, VERY involved, but Paul wants to make sure that the MEN were involved, especially in prayer, in each and every place. What is so serious about worshipping with the opposite of love in your heart? ANSWER: Our hearts should be so in touch with our Father and so in love with the Lord that it is our delight to filter every thought that comes into our mind through the Lord Jesus. Paul exhorts us not to be in a state of anger or argument when we pray. Certainly, our pleadings and petitions, prayers and thankful praise should not be from a heart that is harboring resentment or unforgiveness, anger or bitterness but from a heart that is holy and clean before the Lord, a heart that is gentle and gracious, a heart that is submissive before the Lord; for God looks on the state of our heart. Praise God that we can approach the throne on grace boldly, and give over to Him all of our anger, anguish, resentment, and malice, making the way clear for us to life up holy hands and pour out our praises, petitions, and thankful worship to the One "Who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy."

Q3. (Mark 10:43-45) How does Jesus serve (like Boaz) as a Kinsman-Redeemer to us? ANSWER: By definition, a Kinsman-Redeemer was someone who redeemed what was lost. In short, the Kinsman was a rescuer and restorer. There were four requirements that had to be met to be a Kinsman-Redeemer. You had to be kin. You had to be willing. You had to be able to redeem. You had to pay the price in full. How Jesus met all the requirements necessary to be our Redeemer. Jesus became just like you and me, which put Him in position so that He could redeem us. Jesus was willing to be obedient and see this process all the way through to the end. He gave up His life as a sacrifice of His own free will. No one twisted His arm to do it. Jesus was able to redeem. The death and obedience of Jesus was everything that was needed to bring about our redemption. Jesus paid the complete price for our sin. The beautiful thing about our redemption is that it is a complete redemption. There is one thing that is needed to complete it or bring it to pass. You must put your faith in the redeemer of your soul. When you do that, then the work is finished and the sin debt that was owed on your account will be paid in full. A Kinsman-Redeemer is all about what was lost being found. You and I were lost and on the verge of losing everything, but Jesus stepped in. He restored what was lost and gave us a new identity in Christ. The beauty of it all is you never have to worry about having to be redeemed again. He paid the price of redemption once and for all. In summation, as a Boaz was willing to be the kinsman-redeemer (Ruth 3:11), Jesus also was willing to redeem humanity (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; John 10:15-18). Just as Boaz took Ruth as a Gentile bride whom he financially enriched; Christ also took a Gentile bride (the church) that He spiritually enriches (Ephesians 1:3; 5:31-32). Boaz had to be next of kin; while Jesus Christ became a member of the human race to quality as humanity's redeemer (John 1:1,14; Galatians 4:4). Boaz had to have the means to pay the purchase price of the land (Ruth 2:1); while Christ also paid the expensive price to redeem the lost humanity (1 Corinthians 6:20; 1 Peter 1:18-19). What does the idea of needing a ransom imply about our condition? ANSWER: Ransom as an act means “to redeem from captivity, slavery, punish­ment, or the like, by paying a price; to buy out of bondage; to deliver, as from sin, its penalty, or the like; to be the redeemer of”. (Webster’s New International Dictionary) In the Bible a ransom means that which buys back, loosens or releases, providing deliverance from trouble, distress and calamity, or, more especially, releasing from inherited sin and from prospects of eternal death as a result of sin. A true Bible doctrine. Unquestionably, Jesus paid the ransom for our lives to God. That ransom was His own life, the shedding of His own blood, a sacrifice. Due to His sacrificial death, each person on earth has the opportunity to accept that gift of atonement and be forgiven by God. For without His death, God’s Law would still need to be satisfied, by our own death. Below are a few reason(s) why we needed a ransom: … Ransom Releases from Trouble and Distress. Man Needs a Ransom from In­herited Sin and Death. God Makes Provision According to His Expressed Purpose. Exact Price Needed for Human Life Rights Lost. Perfect Human Life of Jesus Christ Meets All Requirements. Available to All Kinds of Men of Faith. Restores Man to God’s Favor and Brings Life Everlasting. Those Not Ransomed Dead Eter­nally, Annihilated. What was the redemption-price that the Father paid for us? ANSWER: Jesus was the price for our redemption OR Jesus is our ransom. That is the ransom paid that brought redemption to us. Jesus is the ransom: 1 Timothy 2:6 says, “who gave Himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time”. It suffices us to say that Jesus offered Himself or made Him available for all who believes in Him. He is the price for our redemption; He is our redemption. He is God’s love dispensed; He is the gift of God’s love; He is God’s love revealed. Jesus is God’s love manifest; Jesus is the expression of God’s love. Jesus is an expression of God’s character and nature where mankind is concerned. Jesus is God’s love manifest to an undeserving man (John 3:16; Romans 5:18). The love of God is the reason for God’s giving.

Q2. How are we disciples to assist in Jesus' mission to seek and to save the lost? ANSWER: Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, it was His passion which He devoted His life to. Jesus did not come to condemn. In everything He did (healing the sick, preaching, teaching, instructing His disciples, contending with the religious leaders, feeding the multitudes, or having lunch with a tax collector), He never lost sight of His true purpose—to seek and save the lost. He gave Himself for that cause, ultimately dying on the cross for our sins. Today, Jesus’ mission statement has not changed. He is still seeking and saving the lost. Now, it is through you and me. We are His agents to fulfill His mission. Before He left the earth, He passed on His mission to us. Nothing has changed. We still are charged to seek and save the lost. Here are some of the practical ways that we can align ourselves with God’s purposes: Pray that the Lord will send laborers into the harvest of souls. We are to study the Word of God, especially the Gospel message. Be filled with the Holy Spirit and pray in the Spirit. Share the Good News of Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. Give people an opportunity to receive Jesus as Lord. Pray for, support, and encourage ministries who are fulfilling the Great Commission. Encourage Christians to evangelize and make disciples. What is the love-balance between seeking to save our friends and having to back off because they feel we are trying to pressure them? ANSWER: Becoming friends with people in the world can bring pressure, temptation, and negativity because they don’t believe in or serve the same God the same way we do. If we’re constantly surrounding ourselves with people who believe and behave differently, we can discover that the world’s unbelieving spirit becomes an easy rope to cling to. It’s so important that every Christian in this world has a sincere relationship with God that people can feel. When we go back to our busy schedules, we shouldn’t leave our love for God at the altar on Sunday. Instead, we should bring that Holy Ghost with us. It is vitally important to have church friends. If they’re true friends, they will pray with you, encourage you, lift you up, and strengthen you when you’re feeling down. God intended for us to work with one another to become who we should be for Christ. having a balance is essential in being friends with godly and worldly people. Socializing with people in the world is okay if you’re in a safe, better yet, godly setting. Be encouraged by your church friends, and never take them for granted. Be a light everywhere you go.

Q2. (1 Timothy 1:12-14) Why does Paul comment on his own life after a paragraph on the law (1 Timothy 1:8-11)? ANSWER: Paul kept his past depravity and ongoing corruption at the forefront of his mind because he saw it as an essential companion to the full apprehension of grace. As an example of the core of sound Christian teaching, Paul shares his own testimony: … Paul recognizes his own need for forgiveness and salvation, and encourages Timothy with a reminder that they share a common savior. In 1 Timothy 1:18, Paul reminds Timothy of his obligation to the gospel because of his call to serve Christ by stating, “Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight.” In addition to these instructions, Paul is careful to safeguard Timothy’s faith, recognizing that the hardships involved in confronting false doctrine can challenge and even destroy one’s faith. Paul reminds Timothy that his instructions are to be carried out while “holding on to faith and a good conscience. Paul encourages Timothy to continue following the good teachings of the gospel, as they would provide the nourishment he needed to sustain his strength in confronting the false teachers. Paul also urged Timothy to focus on training in godliness in order to serve as an example to the false teachers.There is healthy teaching and the law on one side, and everything else stands opposite. The law reveals God and exposes sin. Teaching that is not different (in content or approach) also reveals God and exposes sin. The more we comprehend the weight and extent of our sinfulness, the better we can grasp the magnitude and scope of God’s forgiveness and grace at work in our lives. Why does he (Paul) share this with Timothy and the church that will read the letter? ANSWER: Paul never got over the fact that at one time he had been determined to destroy God's church. He called himself “chief of sinners” because he was acutely aware of his sinfulness and understood how much that sinfulness had cost his Savior. Timothy is commanded to instruct these would-be instructors who do not know the law from a hole in the ground. The church was misusing the law to the detriment of all. But that is no negative comment on the law. The law is good and holy and perfect as is the God who spoke it. The problem is not in the law, but its application. Paul encouraged Timothy to focus on three spiritual priorities of the ministry, including nourishment from God's Word, training in godliness, and a mission-minded approach to ministry. When we recognize and remember the truth about ourselves, our old way of life with our weaknesses and failures, our lack of hope and purpose, and our utter helplessness apart from God, we remain exceedingly humble and grateful for what Christ has done for us. Like Paul, we rejoice and thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given us strength to do His work. He considered us trustworthy and appointed us to serve Him, even though we used to blaspheme the name of Christ … But God had mercy on us because we did it in ignorance and unbelief. Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled us with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus (see 1 Timothy 1:12-14). How might sharing this help get the church back on center? ANSWER: This self-identification is the discovery of every person whose eyes have been opened, whose conscience has been awakened, and whose heart has been pricked by the Holy Spirit. It is the humble posture of every believer who acknowledges he is utterly helpless and dependent on God for salvation. It is the admission we all must make: Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners—of whom He is the Chief. When there are problems within the church, between individuals, families, or different assemblies of believers, there is one inerrant and sufficient Word that reproves, rebukes, and exhorts us. Any failure of redemption and reconciliation is never an indication that the Word has failed. It’s either an indication that the Word has been approached in a flippant and irresponsible manner or it has just been ignored. The law is good if used lawfully. The Word is sufficient when approached properly. The message that we must deliver to the lost that think they find peace with God by being good citizens. We’re all sinners and Jesus Christ came to save us. You must trust Christ. You cannot trust in your own works. Your works are worthless to save you. But Jesus saves in spite of our worthlessness. Our own testimonies can be a powerful example to those we come into contact with so that they too will believe on Christ and receive eternal life. Our changed life is one we should all share – that of exalting God (our lives are to bring glory to God). all of us who are believers should make it our practice to exalt god just as paul does here.

Q1. (1 Timothy 1:3-7) What were some of the results of false doctrine in the church at Ephesus? ANSWER: False teaching was taking place in Ephesus resulting in extremely poor conduct in the Ephesian church. False teaching results in useless obsessions which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The false teachings at Ephesus which concerned Paul arose from misreadings of the Law of Moses, including false myths and genealogies that may have been tools for speculations about the origins of the world. Rooted in the ambitions of the false teachers, these misreadings swerved from a proper focus on faith in God's work, causing damage to the faith of some in the church. In addition to corrupting behavior, false teachings serve to distract them from what is truly important. False teaching does not produce love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Instead, false teaching produces division and hate and comes from an impure heart, a bad conscience, and an insincere faith! The false doctrine was in large part superficial and nonsense that had replaced the clear teaching of the gospel of God's grace. The result was strife and controversy. Rather than a place of peace, the church had become a place of rancor and dispute. False teaching always has consequences. We can’t be taught wrong and live right. How does doctrinal controversy hurt the spirit of a church? ANSWER: Lack of spiritual preparation on the part of leaders, members, and scholars contributes to ecclesiasti­cal disunity. When the Holy Spirit does not fill people, they are either empty or, even worse, filled with evil spirits. Lack of spirituality on the part of Bible scholars and church leaders may also lead to wrong hermeneutics. Likewise, when church members are not spiritually connected with the Divine, they can easily become misled theologically. Without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, every attempt to cor­rectly interpret God’s Word becomes futile. In other words, our spirituality influences our presuppositions and approach to biblical interpretation. When the Holy Spirit departs, the church is left too vulnerable to the con­trol of evil forces. When that happens, church leaders, church members, and Bible scholars will often not agree in matters of Christian faith and practice. The Holy Spirit and angels’ departure from the church at the individual or corporate level must be avoided at all cost. Church unity is possible only through the power of the Holy Spirit. The church should be united in belief and practice. There must be harmony in the Biblical practices of the church. Church unity is impossible outside the Word of God. Unity does not necessarily mean uniformity; rather unity means oneness of faith, purpose, and practice in Jesus Christ. How does it [doctrinal controversy] prevent church growth? ANSWER: Controversial issues have the potential of splitting the church. In order to avoid this dan­ger, church leaders need to exercise much care and, at the same time, show firmness when dealing with these issues. Doctrinal divisions and internal conflicts can quickly divide your church, driving away your current members and preventing new ones from joining! It’s important to understand and deal with doctrinal controversies to preserve the health of your faith community. When these problems occur, it is absolutely critical to remember that divisions can seriously harm the work your church is doing. It’s also important to ensure that these differences ultimately remain respectful and don’t divide the church. After all, churches are communities. When your church is unified in its doctrine, this helps to reduce potential quarrels and issues. Instead, everyone can focus on the community and vision. How does it, [doctrinal controversy], keep the church from its mission? ANSWER: The doctrinal difference had brought a breach in the peace of the local church and hampered efforts at evangelism and missions. The Bible should be the basis of all doctrines. Some doctrines are absolutely important to maintain because of their effect on other doctrines. For example, if we abandon the doctrine of the Trinity or the deity and humanity of Christ in one person, or the inerrancy of Scripture, or justification by faith alone, many other doctrines will be lost as well. We will waste time and energy in endless controversies rather than doing valuable kingdom work. Doctrinal conflict provides an opportunity for the church to take a clear stand for the truth of God’s Word. We should look to the work of the Holy Spirit within the church to aid us in our faith and practice. May we, by God’s grace, rise up to the challenges that face us as church leaders and scholars when we face controversial issues.

Q1. (1 Timothy 1:3-7) What were some of the results of false doctrine in the church at Ephesus? ANSWER: False teaching was taking place in Ephesus resulting in extremely poor conduct in the Ephesian church. False teaching results in useless obsessions which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. The false teachings at Ephesus which concerned Paul arose from misreadings of the Law of Moses, including false myths and genealogies that may have been tools for speculations about the origins of the world. Rooted in the ambitions of the false teachers, these misreadings swerved from a proper focus on faith in God's work, causing damage to the faith of some in the church. In addition to corrupting behavior, false teachings serve to distract them from what is truly important. False teaching does not produce love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Instead, false teaching produces division and hate and comes from an impure heart, a bad conscience, and an insincere faith! The false doctrine was in large part superficial and nonsense that had replaced the clear teaching of the gospel of God's grace. The result was strife and controversy. Rather than a place of peace, the church had become a place of rancor and dispute. False teaching always has consequences. We can’t be taught wrong and live right. How does doctrinal controversy hurt the spirit of a church? ANSWER: Lack of spiritual preparation on the part of leaders, members, and scholars contributes to ecclesiasti­cal disunity. When the Holy Spirit does not fill people, they are either empty or, even worse, filled with evil spirits. Lack of spirituality on the part of Bible scholars and church leaders may also lead to wrong hermeneutics. Likewise, when church members are not spiritually connected with the Divine, they can easily become misled theologically. Without the guidance of the Holy Spirit, every attempt to cor­rectly interpret God’s Word becomes futile. In other words, our spirituality influences our presuppositions and approach to biblical interpretation. When the Holy Spirit departs, the church is left too vulnerable to the con­trol of evil forces. When that happens, church leaders, church members, and Bible scholars will often not agree in matters of Christian faith and practice. The Holy Spirit and angels’ departure from the church at the individual or corporate level must be avoided at all cost. Church unity is possible only through the power of the Holy Spirit. The church should be united in belief and practice. There must be harmony in the Biblical practices of the church. Church unity is impossible outside the Word of God. Unity does not necessarily mean uniformity; rather unity means oneness of faith, purpose, and practice in Jesus Christ. How does it [doctrinal controversy] prevent church growth? ANSWER: Controversial issues have the potential of splitting the church. In order to avoid this dan­ger, church leaders need to exercise much care and, at the same time, show firmness when dealing with these issues. Doctrinal divisions and internal conflicts can quickly divide your church, driving away your current members and preventing new ones from joining! It’s important to understand and deal with doctrinal controversies to preserve the health of your faith community. When these problems occur, it is absolutely critical to remember that divisions can seriously harm the work your church is doing. It’s also important to ensure that these differences ultimately remain respectful and don’t divide the church. After all, churches are communities. When your church is unified in its doctrine, this helps to reduce potential quarrels and issues. Instead, everyone can focus on the community and vision. How does it, [doctrinal controversy], keep the church from its mission? ANSWER: The doctrinal difference had brought a breach in the peace of the local church and hampered efforts at evangelism and missions. The Bible should be the basis of all doctrines. Some doctrines are absolutely important to maintain because of their effect on other doctrines. For example, if we abandon the doctrine of the Trinity or the deity and humanity of Christ in one person, or the inerrancy of Scripture, or justification by faith alone, many other doctrines will be lost as well. We will waste time and energy in endless controversies rather than doing valuable kingdom work. Doctrinal conflict provides an opportunity for the church to take a clear stand for the truth of God’s Word. We should look to the work of the Holy Spirit within the church to aid us in our faith and practice. May we, by God’s grace, rise up to the challenges that face us as church leaders and scholars when we face controversial issues.

Q4. (Philippians 2:7-8) How are we to follow Jesus’ example as the Servant? ANSWER: How to be a servant like Jesus is to love and service with God's grace. As servants of Christ, that means we should desire to serve and love others. We will not automatically have a servant’s heart, after all it takes sacrifice. However, when we rely on God’s strength and not our own, we can find ourselves maturing. It may take time and effort, but it is a worthy endeavor. There are so many ways we can serve others depending on where we are in life and those who are around us. Here are a few ways that an individual can be a to serve others: Volunteering time: Time is valuable and giving our time can truly show love to others. Whether it is volunteering at a local shelter or signing up to help out at a church event, our time can make a big difference in the lives of others. Donating resources: For those of us who are able, donating resources also shows self-sacrificial love. Perhaps it’s money donated to an organization or charity or food given to a food bank or any other variety of donations. Looking for needs: Serving others can also mean looking out for their needs. Perhaps, a neighbor needs help with yard work or a classmate’s car broke down and they need a ride. We can serve others through little acts of kindness if we are looking out for their needs. Prayer: It is important we never underestimate the power of prayer. No matter what someone is going through, whether it be grief or celebration, we can pray for them and their needs. Why is humility difficult? ANSWER: For many of us, humility is one of the hardest traits to develop, because it has to start from a recognition that you are not always right, and that you do not have all the answers. It also requires an acceptance of yourself which many of us find challenging. Being humble so difficult because the self-delusion-for-self-preservation way of life is self-defeating. Practicing humility requires a realistic view of one's own strengths and shortcomings in order to debunk the idea of your self-importance self-image. Your self-delusion denies the truth of natural imperfection in nature and humans. Here are five ways to start developing a humble spirit/soul. Stop Questioning Your Worth. You are worthy because you are a human being who is alive. Be Willing and Nimble. Embrace Uncertainty. Collaborate With Everyone. Reflect and Connect. Why is obedience hard? ANSWER: Being obedient is hard. We struggle to be obedient for many reasons. We do not want to feel weak or feel like we have no control over our lives. We struggle to obey and listen because we are sinners that are full of pride, are scared of rejection, or do not completely trust God. Listening to God is hard but when we do, it blesses us and others. It shows that we trust God and believe in His promises. Obedience comes when our body and mind are under control. Because of our sinful nature, we cannot try to be the one who does the controlling. We must take the step of surrendering our control over to Christ. He was the epitome of obedience in what He did for us on the cross. Where are you struggling right now to be humble and obedient? ANSWER: Obedience. This is an area where I struggle. Why is obedience so difficult? The answer is simple. I know the answer, but yet I still struggle to be obedient to God’s Word. I’m not talking about the Ten Commandments here. Those are much easier to follow than some the other things I encounter like stubbornness or independence. I want control and to do things my own way. WOW, how about trying to be there for everyone? That one is tough for me. I sometimes spend more time doing for others instead taking time for myself and spending it with God and in the Word. Being more humble and obedient is something I seek everyday. I know my short comings and I want what the Lord wants for me. I want to trust Him totally and seek Him First, not last. One of the biggest hurdles to a vibrant, life in Christ is a thriving self-life. In order to walk in humility, we must daily die to ourselves so that Jesus's resurrection life can be made manifest through ours.

Q3. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26) What is the purpose of the Lord’s Supper? ANSWER: The supper's purpose is to remember Jesus. It is not a time for lavish display or ostentation. The supper's purpose is to remember Jesus. It is not a time for lavish display or ostentation. Through sharing of the sacred meal, believers engage in a reciprocal relationship with God and each other: believers remember and give thanks for the sacrifice that God made for humanity in Jesus, and believers return the favor by reaching out to others with the good news that God's saving work and loving concern are still active in the world until the end of time. Why should we partake often? ANSWER: We should partake often for five reasons and it is one way to remember Jesus' death: We remember Christ and what He has done for us. We celebrate the New Covenant that Christ came to initiate. We receive spiritual nourishment. We affirm our faith in Christ. We proclaim His death until He comes and await the final supper. Why is it so easy to forget what Jesus has done for us on the cross? ANSWER: Isn't it amazing to consider all that Jesus has accomplished for us and all He still intends to do? He suffered for us, defeated sin's power over us, proclaimed His victory to those who were bent on defeating us, allows us to identify with Him in baptism, and He rules and reigns with perfect judgement and benevolence. The reason it is sometimes easy to forget what God has done for us on the cross is largely due to being busy, distracted, and inattentive. When we get too wrapped up in ourselves or our day-to-day situations, it can be easy to forget about these blessings. But gratefully, the word of God continually brings to our attention the wonderful grace of our Savior and Lord.