Niyonka16

Q2. (John 1:29) Why is Jesus referred to as the Lamb of God? ANSWER: John the Baptist called Jesus the Lamb of God because Jesus was too holy and wonderful for Him to even untie his shoes. To be called a Lamb of God means that God gave Jesus to be killed like a lamb for our sins so we could live forever. A sacrifice is made as an agent of God or servant of God for the sake of eventual victory. The majority of Old Testament passages that mention “lamb” refer to a sacrifice. The lamb represents Christ as both suffering and triumphant. To what degree does He (Jesus) take away our sins? ANSWER: Christ's death removes - expiates - our sin and guilt. The guilt of our sin was taken away from us and placed on Christ, who discharged it by his death. Thus, in John 1:29, John the Baptist calls Jesus “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” Jesus takes away, that is, expiates, our sins. Jesus take away our sins because “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness; by His wounds you were healed. How does He (Jesus) come to represent you – as your sacrifice for sin? ANSWER: Jesus represents you, as your sacrifice for sin by propitiation which refers to the removal of God’s wrath. By dying in our place for our sins, Christ removed the wrath of God that we justly deserved. In fact, it goes even further: a propitiation is not simply a sacrifice that removes wrath, but a sacrifice that removes wrath and turns it into favor. (Note: a propitiation does not turn wrath into love — God already loved us fully, which is the reason he sent Christ to die; it turns his wrath into favor so that his love may realize its purpose of doing good to us every day, in all things, forever, without sacrificing his justice and holiness.)

Q1. What does Jesus’ holiness and righteousness demand of our lives as His disciples? ANDWER: As His disciples Jesus says we are to live lives that are holy and righteous. This we cannot do on our own strength but on the strength of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. Holiness is a condition of purity or freedom from sin. It describes God's nature; righteousness describes how God acts as a result of His holiness. God's laws are holy because they come from His nature. God's standards for enforcing His laws are always righteous. No one can work-up-to righteousness because righteousness begins as purity. It comes out of holiness; it does not reach up to holiness. Holiness sets the standard. Righteousness is the result of a relationship that fulfills that standard. If righteousness only flows from holiness, we can be righteous by walking in the presence of a holy God, and let His Spirit act through you. We need Christ's righteousness imputed to us—meaning, we need His holiness before God credited to our account. In the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, what was the primary characteristic of the sheep vs. the goats? ANSWER: Goats are typically pushy, self-reliant animals. They are independent and think they know best. Goats do not respond well to shepherding. But Jesus frequently spoke of Himself as the Shepherd and His followers as sheep. In contrast to goats, sheep are gentle, they stick together, and they rely on their shepherd. It is these qualities that help us understand God’s desire for compassionate service in and through us. Goats are naturally curious and independent, while sheep tend to be more distant and aloof. Sheep have a stronger flocking instinct and become very agitated if they are separated from the rest of the flock. It is easier to keep sheep inside a fence than goats. Sheep are easier to handle than goats.

Q6. Since Yahweh seems to be formed from “I AM” as God’s own name, what is the significance of Jesus’ “I AM” statements? ANSWER: The phrase “I AM” reflects Exodus 3:14, where God introduces himself to Moses with the expression “I AM WHO, I AM.” This statement became a way to connect with God personally and was used throughout Israel’s history to convey that God always was, always is and always will be. Jesus' I Am statements reveal to us who He is and what He came to do. They show us His nature and His heart towards His people. Each statement is intended to give the miracle meaning for the ministry of Jesus. They show us that Jesus’ miracles were not just acts of power or mercy, but actions demonstrating the meaning of his ministry and teaching. These are powerful statements that each follower of Jesus should know. The “I AM” statements found in the Gospel of John are: the bread of life (John 6:35), emphasis on 35 the light of the world (John 8:12), emphasis on verse 12 the door (John 10:7), emphasis on verses 7-10 the good shepherd (John 10:11,14), emphasis on verses 11 and 14 the resurrection and the life (John 11:25), emphasis on verse 25 the way the truth and the life (John 14:6), emphasis on verse 6 the true vine (John 15:1), emphasis on verses 1 and 5 Which of these “I AM” statements means the most to you personally? ANSWER: All of the “I AM” statements are most personally to me. If I want to grow my faith and step into the incredible life that God has for me, a great way to start would be to get to know God through these statements, “I AM”. I must study them, pray them, live them. Knowing Jesus is the way I can find truth and experience the freedom that He has for me.

Q5. (Luke 9:59-62; 6:46) Is Jesus our Lord if we don’t obey Him immediately? ANSWER: YES, if we don’t obey Jesus immediately, He is still our Lord. God wants us to obey His commands fully. We can’t pick and choose, making one lists of the instructions we’ll follow and another of those we won’t. Partial obedience is disobedience. He expects us to obey His commands right away, and He expects us to obey them fully. Obeying Him immediately will keep our heart tender so that we'll always be able to hear Him. He simply wants to protect us and to provide for us because He loves us. Psalm 119:60 says, “I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.” (NIV) a). Immediate obedience NEVER COSTS. It ALWAYS PAYS. b). Immediate obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit is a sign of spiritual maturity. c). Immediate obedience in order to avoid pending judgment. d). Immediate obedience is the key to supernatural protection and provision for us, our families and our Nation. If we love God, we will obey Him. We won’t be perfect in our obedience, but our desire is to submit to the Lord and display good works. When we love God and obey Him, we naturally have love for one another. Obedience to God’s commands will make us light and salt in a dark and tasteless world (see Matthew 5:13-16). Obedience is NOT an option because…: it is at the very foundation of the Christian life It is the true test of professing Christ (6:46) it is the foundation that will withstand the tests of time and eternity (6:47-48) those who do not obey Christ face sudden and final destruction (6:49) By obeying in all things, even the mundane, we are showing God that we are willing and able to obey whatever He asks of us. Obedience to God is not only a way to worship Him, but a way to get closer to Him, prepare for whatever He leads us to and grow as a person. What we can do to make sure that our house is built on the rock of obedience to Christ. First, you must come to Jesus. This implies a personal, one-to-one relationship between Jesus and you. Second, you must hear Jesus’ words. This implies growing in your knowledge and understanding of His teaching as revealed in the Bible. Third, Jesus says that you must act upon His words. This implies soul-searching obedience, down to our very thoughts, motives, and attitudes. It means continually examining ourselves in light of Scripture. Is He our Lord if we don’t follow His teachings? ANSWER: NO you can’t be a Christian and not follow Jesus’ teachings. It’s impossible. It’s like saying you are a believer who doesn’t believe. It is important to follow the teachings of Jesus. Jesus said a true follower of His is one who holds to His teachings. Within Jesus Christ's teachings we find the plan for our happiness, our redemption, and our salvation, a divine blueprint that includes faith in Christ, repentance, baptism, keeping God's commandments, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. What areas of your life do you need to surrender to His Lordship? ANSWER: Surrendering to God is showing complete faith in Him and belief in His promises. I must surrender everything. Surrender is literally giving up all control. Surrendering control is a daily, moment-by-moment choice. Like every discipline in life, I must learn to surrender and give it to God. The enemy seeks every new day to cloud our mind with worries, doubts, and fears. The devil wants there to be no room left for God in our lives. Surrendering to God becomes a lifestyle of daily giving it all to Him. In order to maintain continual abiding fellowship with the Lord, I need to yield my independence and acknowledge His Lordship over these three areas of my life. My undefined Soul (I am). Self awareness “the internal me” My undefined Body (I do). World awareness “the external me” My undefined Possessions (I have). What I own “Security”

Q2. (Mark 1:10-11; Ephesians 1:6) If Jesus is the Father’s Beloved, how can the Father send Him to die? ANSWER: The simple answer? Because the Father created all things for the glory of His beloved Son as an expression of His infinite love for Him. Therefore, since creation belongs to Christ it isn’t surprising, and actually makes perfect sense, that the Son came to redeem that which the Father gave to Him out of His infinite love. The Father sent Him, but He also voluntarily wanted to die to save us. How does that make sense, given what we know of parental love? ANSWER: Imagine how hard it must have been for Heavenly Father to see Jesus suffer so terribly. But He allowed it because of His love for us and His desire for us to progress. The Heavenly Father knew there was one more thing we needed in order to return to Him, we needed a Savior. Through the Atonement, Jesus made it possible for us to repent and return to our Heavenly Father. What does that say about God’s love for us? ANSWER: God sent His only Son into the world so that we might have life through Him. In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as expiation, (the act for making amends), for our sins.

Q4. Why is the title “Lord Jesus” such an exalted one? ANSWER: The title “Lord Jesus” is such an exalted one because Jesus went to the lowest depths. To exalt means to raise to the highest of heights. To exalt God is to raise God to the highest place in our lives. To give Him first place in every thought in our mind, every word spoken, and every deed done. It means that ALL authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus (Matthew 28:18b). There is nothing that is outside of Jesus’ authority. The title “lord” is similar to “master.” Thus, when the Scriptures declare that Jesus is Lord, they are saying that He is the Master over absolutely everything in heaven, on earth, and under the earth. There is nothing outside of the rule and authority of Jesus the Christ. Jesus is reigning as Lord over all of creation until the last of His enemies are put under His feet. Then all of creation will affirm with bowed knee that Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:10-11). There are not many truths, if any, that are more important than this. What does it tell us about Jesus’ divinity? ANSWER: There can be no doubt that the terminology that Jesus is Lord in the Bible is used to convey His authority. There can also be no doubt that this authority transcends all human authority because it also boldly declares the divinity of Christ. As the divine, eternal King, Jesus is Lord of all.

Q3. (John 1:18) How does the title “Only Begotten God” signify Jesus’ divinity? ANSWER: Jesus was the only person to be born of a mortal mother, Mary, and an immortal father, God the Father. That is why Jesus is called the Only Begotten Son of God. From His Father, He inherited divine powers (see John 10:17–18). From His Father, He inherited divine powers. From His mother, He inherited mortality and became subject to hunger, thirst, fatigue, pain, and death. The mortal life of Jesus Christ began when He was born in Bethlehem. He was God in the flesh, even the Son of God. These powers enabled Him to accomplish miracles, signs, wonders, the great Atonement, and the Resurrection, all of which are additional marks of His divinity. We should gratefully bear testimony of the marks which bear witness to His divinity: His divine birth, His ministry, His atoning sacrifice, His Resurrection, His promised coming. How does the Only Begotten Son differ from you and me as sons and daughters of God? ANSWER: The common definition of “begotten” refers to the natural process of being born through parents. From this definition, we receive the impression that Jesus was born of God through natural means of human reproduction. However, this would align with biblical teaching. Jesus took on human flesh when He entered the world when Mary gave birth to Him, Jesus has always existed since eternity past. He had to take on human flesh by being born of a virgin because He came to die for humankind. Jesus is unique since no one else can compare to Him. As Christians, we should be grateful for the new title we receive at salvation as “children of God,” but even more grateful that Jesus is the “One and only Son.” Without Him, we would still be lost and would never know the wonderful gift of eternal life. What it means to be sons and daughters of God: … We are spirit children of our Heavenly Father - sons and daughters of God. There is another important meaning for the phrase, sons and daughters of God. This lineage does not come by direct inheritance, but by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and by our choice. When defining the son or daughter of God we must not define them merely as one who is His literal offspring but as one who demonstrates fidelity to the covenant established by God. There are specific qualities or characteristics of those who can be called the sons and daughters of God described in scripture. In the first place, we are His spirit children. Secondly, we become the sons and daughters of God (Jesus Christ) when we make and keep sacred covenants. In the third place, sons and daughters of God are adopted into the family of the Father. They possess and develop spiritual gifts and qualities that help themselves and others return to God. What does “only-begotten” say about Jesus’ status with the Father? ANSWER: Jesus is the only One born of God. He is God’s Son in a unique sense. As Son of God, He has no equals. Humans are adopted as sons, but Jesus is God’s only true family; infinitely above created beings. He alone is God the Son, who has existed forever in a loving relationship with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Since He is the “only begotten,” He is the only One ‘born’ of God. We can say that He is the Father’s only true family. The Son is subordinate to the Father. Even though we don’t fully understand what the “only-begotten” says about Jesus’ status with the Father, it would serve us well to just take the word as it reads and believe just as how the Inspiration reveals to us, nothing more or nothing less. Christ is eternal and yet He is also an ontological Son of God and thus has the same substance as His father. Christ is also eternal for His existence extends from eternity to eternity, which no other creatures can claim. This however should not negate the ontological Sonship. “Christ is declared in the Scriptures TO BE THE SON OF GOD FROM ALL ETERNITY HE HAS SUSTAINED THIS RELATION TO JEHOVAH. Before the foundations of the world were laid, He, THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD, pledged Himself to become the Redeemer of the human race should men sin…” About the costliness of the cross? ANSWER: The Bible expressed this profound truth in this manner “for God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life”. The journey to the cross was a walk of God’s love for man! That love is extreme. Jesus has already paid the debt that you and I owe for our sins when He died on the cross of Calvary. When we look at the cross, we see the folly of pride for it was our sins that Jesus took upon Himself to provide our salvation. 1. Sin cost God His only begotten Son. (John 3:16). Now we know that God did not sin but because of Adam’s sin it cost God something to get man back into fellowship with Him. God is Holy, Just, and Righteous therefore He cannot just overlook man’s sin. So He provided His son the Lord Jesus Christ to come and die on the cross for our sins so that through the Lord Jesus Christ we could be saved and made righteous in the sight of God. 2. Sin cost Jesus Christ the Agony of the Cross. (Isaiah 53:1-12; Luke 22:63-71, 23:1-50). The death of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary was both humiliating and excruciatingly painful, not to mention He was beaten severely before He ever even got to the cross. And to top it all off He did not deserve any of it. He had never sinned in His life. What was doing was paying for your sins and mine and the sins of the whole world. This is why Hebrews says He endured the contradiction of sinners. (Hebrews 12:3).

Q1. In what way does the title Son of God make Jesus equal with the Father? ANSWER: Jesus is God’s Son in the sense that He is God made manifest in human form. Jesus is God’s Son in that He was conceived in Mary by the Holy Spirit. Jesus is called the Father for at least three reasons: because He is the Creator (or “Father”) of the earth, because we take upon us the name of Christ when we are baptized (just like a baby takes his or her father's name), and because Christ does His Father's will, which means He has the authority of the Father and is therefore called Father. That explained why the scriptures sometimes refer to Christ as both the Father and the Son. When you deal with the Son, is that the same as dealing with the Father? ANSWER: The Father and the Son Relationship which exist between God and Christ is the being a Father-head Figure and an Offspring Status Relationship instead of being two ranked Persons because the Son (Jesus) and the Father are equal in reference to the being of Spiritual Persons. The difference between God the Father and God the Son: … God the Father is the title of the supreme creator. The titles of the Son and Holy Spirit are merely titles reflecting the different personal manifestations of the One True God the Father in the universe. Do you know Jesus the Son of God? ANSWER: YES, I know Jesus the Son of God because the Bible gives evidence of His divinity from the virgin birth to the Resurrection. Do you love Him (Jesus the Son of God)? ANSWER: YES, I love Him with all my heart. I choose to do nothing but to love my Lord Jesus - nothing! I desire to do all things for His sake, and out of love to Him. This is the first and last of true delight — to love Him, who is the first and the last.

Q6. (Luke 9:35) Since Jesus is God's Chosen One, what does it mean to "listen to Him"? ANSWER: Since Jesus is God's Chosen One, to "listen to Him”, means we are to be ready to hear His voice speaking to us and be diligent to heed to His Word. One of the defining characteristics of believers is that they recognize the authority of Christ and obey His Word. The reason the sheep follow the Shepherd is because they know His voice. Actual sheep recognize the voice of their own shepherd and will not respond to another. True believers will heed the Good Shepherd’s voice and reject the overtures of false shepherds. Submitting to the authority of Christ is fundamental to the life of faith. In what ways does your life reflect listening to Him (Jesus is God's Chosen One)? ANSWER: To reflect Christ in my daily life I must stay connected with God and do what He asks of use, even when it does not make sense in my own understanding. There are five things that I have found that can help me give a more accurate reflection of God to my life/world: Spend time with Jesus … The more time we spend in intimate fellowship with Jesus, the more His likeness will be transferred to our lives. Invite the Holy Spirit to change you from the inside out … We cannot change ourselves. If we want to be more like Jesus, we must tend our connection with the Vine. If we do, the Fruit of the Spirit will come as a direct result of the His work in our lives. We won’t have to manufacture Christ-likeness. Cultivate a genuine interest in other people … We must ask God to give you a genuine curiosity to know other people better. Also we should ask God for eyes of grace to see each individual as He sees them. And a heart to love them as He does. Be available … We need to nurture a willingness to be interrupted – the kind of willingness Jesus displayed. As well as the “ruthless elimination of hurry”, so that I’m able to stop and tangibly love others – even in the midst of a busy day. Give God all the glory … To be more like Jesus, we need to keep God at the center of all we do. When He works in and through our lives, let’s be sure to give Him the credit. When we mess up and fail, let’s give Him the broken pieces trusting that He will know how to use it all for His glory. In all things and at all times, be quick to give Him praise. In what ways do you need to heed Him more explicitly? ANSWER: Ways in which I am to heed Jesus more explicitly is to: … Hear, Hearken, and Heed. Hearken means “to listen with the intent to obey.” To hearken means to “hear Him”, to hear what the Savior says and then to heed His counsel. In these two words, “Hear Him”, God gives me the pattern for success, happiness, and joy in this life. I am to hear the words of the Lord, hearken to them, and heed what He has told me! Where can I go to hear Him (Jesus)? I can go to the Scriptures. I can hear Him in the temple. I can also hear Him more clearly as I refine my ability to recognize the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. Finally, I can hear Him as I heed the words of prophets, seers, and revelators. As I continue to intentionally hear, hearken, and heed what the Savior has said and what He is saying through His prophets, I come to the realization that He promises: … I will be blessed with additional power to deal with temptation, struggles, and weakness; miracles in my family relationships and daily work; and my capacity to feel joy will increase even if turbulence increases in my life.

Q4. (Matthew 21:9, 15) Why were the chief priests and scribes so angry when little children referred to Jesus as “Son of David”? ANSWER: The chief priests and scribes were not very happy with Jesus. The Pharisees who controlled the synagogues and taught the people hated Jesus. They did not like the wonderful things that Jesus had done. The Sadducees who did not understand the Scriptures (Matthew 22:29-30) disliked Jesus. Even the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things and were indignant. But we are never told the people hated Him. It was these religious critics of Jesus who were unhappy with the wonderful things Jesus had done and with the people’s shouts of, “Hosanna to the Son of David.” One would have thought that the religious leaders, would have at least rejoiced that the sick were healed. Yet the response of these religious leaders were indignant that Jesus did wonderful things. What a horrible heart! At least they could have been contented that the people were healed, but they did not care! They had calloused, hardened hearts. Ice cubes would have felt hot to these religious leaders. But later Matthew 27:18 will tell us they (the chief priests and scribes) were indignant because of envy. What does the title “Son of David” signify? ANSWER: The definition of the “Son of David:” A messianic title describing Jesus Christ as man, a savior of His people who would bring Israel the full enjoyment of God's promises. It is based on God's assurance to David (2 Samuel 7:13-29) that his kingship would last forever. When people referred to Jesus as the “Son of David”, they meant that He was the long-awaited Deliverer, the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. The title “Son of David” is more than a statement of physical genealogy. It is a Messianic title. The titles of honor they gave Him declared their faith in Him. Calling Him “Lord” expressed their sense of His deity, dominion, and power, and calling Him “Son of David,” expressed their faith that He was the Messiah.

Q3. (Matthew 16:13-16) Whom did Peter believe Jesus to be? ANSWER: Peter believed Jesus to be Jesus is the “Messiah” or “God's Messiah.” Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” In sum, Peter did not believe Jesus was God but that He was the Christ, the Savior, the obedient and subordinate servant of the sovereign and only God-the Father. How did Peter come to believe this (Jesus to be)? ANSWER: In his Confession, Peter tells Jesus, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus affirms that Peter's confession is divinely revealed truth. His Father in Heaven had revealed it (his belief) to Peter. After the confession, Jesus tells His disciples about His upcoming death and resurrection. Why does Jesus command his disciples not to tell others that He is the Messiah? (Matthew 16:20). ANSWER: Jesus command His disciples not to tell that He is the Messiah because, once the publicity started, Jesus had more trouble defining His messiahship and setting His own agenda. It seems to me that Jesus doesn't want the people to go around saying who He is because this puts Him in a mold, a category, a title, that the people of His day had pre-defined. Jesus wants to redefine the meaning of Son of God. He wants to re-wire the circuits of what people think that it means to be the Christ, the Messiah. So until He can live it and show it, He doesn't want others to spread it. He will let His life, the cross, and His resurrection define His identity. Only then will He send His disciples out to tell the entire world who He is!

Q2. Which are your favorite messianic prophecies? ANSWER: My favorite messianic prophecies is the whole Old Testament: Law, Prophets, and Writings. Messianic Prophecy may be defined to be all prophecy that refers, whether more or less distinctly, to the coming of Christ, to his work of salvation, or to the growth and con-summation of his kingdom. Messianic prophecies deal with some aspect of the Messiah’s nature, ministry, or associations. We have in the Holy Scripture, an array of prophecies which extend over hundreds of years and yet find their complete fulfillment in the short thirty-year life span of one person, Jesus of Nazareth, many being fulfilled in one day. These prophecies truly accomplish the purposes of the Gospel writers as they carefully pointed to the person, words, and works of Christ. Why (are the titles from those favorite messianic prophecies is dearest to me)? ANSWER: The messianic prophecy which is dearest to me is the, the messianic prophecy of hope. It is dearest to me because, Isaiah’s prophecy represents the Messianic hope that existed among the covenant people: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. We discover that much of the whole chapter of Isaiah 53 corresponds directly to Jesus’ passion. When Jesus quotes an Old Testament passage and says that He is the fulfillment of it, we know for sure that passage was messianic.

Q1. What is the meaning of the words “Christ” and “Messiah? ANSWER: The meaning of the word Christ means “the .” Whereas the word Messiah means “the anointed one.” Jesus Christ combines His name (Jesus) with His title (Christ), meaning Jesus, the anointed One, or Jesus, the chosen One. Jesus is His human name as announced to Mary by the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:31), and Christ is His title, as the chosen, anointed Son of God. As “the Christ,” Jesus was God’s anointed One who fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies, the chosen One who came to save us from sin, and the One who has promised to come again to usher in His everlasting kingdom. Jesus is the Messiah, God’s chosen, anointed One who came to deliver us from sin and Satan. As the Messiah, He offers us forgiveness for our sins. He promises us salvation and a place in His coming kingdom. “Come to Me,” He urges, “. . . and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28, 29). How does the Davidic Covenant influence messianic expectation in Jesus' day? ANSWER: One of the major emphases of the Davidic covenant is the idea of perpetuity. David had wanted to build for God a permanent dwelling place, but God instead promised that he would establish for David a permanent dynasty. The Davidic covenant becomes the foundation for the messianic prophecies of the later prophets. The Davidic covenant looks not only to the fulfillment of past prophecies, it also looks forward, laying the foundation for Israel's eschatological hopes. At the heart of the Old Testament is the expectation that God will send a unique king, associated with the Davidic dynasty, who will bring God’s blessing to the nations of the world. Significantly, He will sacrifice His life to atone for the sins of others. There is an expectation that a future Davidic king will play an important role in the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plans for the earth. These expectations form the basis of the claims made by New Testament writers that the messianic hope finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Messianic expectations linked to the Davidic dynasty do not exhaust what the Old Testament has to say about Jesus Christ. They are only one strand of a cord of connections between the Old Testament and Jesus, but a very significant core strand.

Q4. (1 Timothy 2:5-6; 1 John 2:1) In what sense is Jesus our “one Mediator between God and man”? ANSWER: A mediator is an official “go-between” who acts as a link between two parties to reconcile their differences. The term literally means “one who stands in between.” Because of our sinful condition, human beings need a mediator to negotiate peace with God—and that person is Jesus Christ: Only the sacrifice of the sinless, spotless Lamb of God could fully pay the ransom required to set people free from sin and eternal death. Jesus took our punishment on Himself, making it possible for us to experience forgiveness of sin and freedom from its destructive control. There is one mediator between God and man means that Christ is the only way to God the Father. If we want to experience peace with God and a restored relationship of joy in His presence, we must come “by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body” Jesus Christ is the one mediator, the one and only Savior of the world. There is no other go-between. We come to God through faith in His Son, who is the only means of salvation. Religion cannot save us. Good works won’t make us right with God. Nothing but faith in Jesus Christ is sufficient to bridge the gap between sinful humanity and a Holy God. What happens to this personal relationship with Jesus when we ask a minister or a saint to intercede for us? ANSWER: God appreciates people who pray fervently for others facing trials. God urges us not only to pray and commit our burdens to Him, but to seek out others who will help us carry our burdens by their prayers. The Bible says, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Do this believing that there was power in others praying. This is why we shouldn’t hesitate to ask others to pray for us. God loves us, and one of the ways He shows His love to us is by promising to hear us when we pray. God sent His Son into the world so that the barrier separating us from God, a barrier caused by our sin, could be destroyed. Because Christ gave His life for us, the Bible says “we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand” (Romans 5:2). Does this mean we should indiscriminately ask everyone we know to pray for us, no matter how personal or delicate the situation might be? This may be appropriate at times, but not always. Sometimes our burdens shouldn’t be widely shared, because people who don’t know us may not be able to pray intelligently. Jesus prayed with His disciples, but frequently He also prayed alone, because even His closest disciples couldn’t have understood the burdens He was carrying. Don’t let your pride, or anything else, keep you from asking others to pray for you. Prayer is one of our greatest privileges, and the Bible’s promise is true: “If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” (1 John 5:14). How is Jesus our Advocate before the Father? ANSWER: Jesus is our Advocate before the Father means that our Savior (Jesus) stands before the Father to plead our case. He is literally our lawyer. When you mess up, He does the legwork, He makes appeals, He files motions, and He defends us even when we were wrong because of His grace, empathy and forgiveness. He is the fulfiller of the Law, and He is actively fighting for us. He advocates for us to be judged by the Law of mercy because our Lawyer already paid every penalty. Even when we are guilty of messing up, the verdict is not guilty. And He has a host of angels to enforce His verdict. He has never lost a case. Imagine; the God of the universe is our personal lawyer. Run to Him! He will set you free from a life of sin. He will be your Advocate and will empower you to advocate for others. In what ways are you an advocate for the powerless in your community? ANSWER: Community advocacy is a strategic approach to influencing outcomes and driving change on behalf of your community. It involves representing your community's rights and needs to the level of government best able to respond. We currently live in a society in which individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are not fully appreciated and included as valued members of a community. The ways in which I am an advocate for the powerless in my community are: speaking up when I see someone being insensitive or discriminatory against ALL people, especially for people with disabilities. Very supportive of people with disabilities. Actively listen to the needs and passions of the individuals. Support and love them unconditionally. Have managed several group homes for people with autism. Continue to assist the seniors in my apartment building (cook meals, push to get maintenance issues done right away, etc …). I must continuously strive and to use my extensive education, skills, dedication, and training to support the people with disabilities, so that they can be recognized as productive members of an inclusive society. How do you function as a reconciler, a mediator, a peacemaker as you serve Christ? ANSWER: How do I function as a … as I serve Christ? a). Reconciler - Reconcilers serve as witnesses to Christ when they mediate between parties. Using a process to facilitate godly discussion, they coach all parties to apply God's Word to the conflict. As mediators, reconcilers do not make decisions for the parties but guide them in reaching biblically faithful solutions. I encourage people to reconcile through confession and forgiveness. Throughout the process, they proclaim Christ and His ministry of reconciliation. b). Mediator - Functioning as a go-between or intermediary between two people or parties, in order to initiate a relationship, promote mutual understanding or activity, or effect a reconciliation after a dispute. Do not make decisions for the parties but guide them in reaching biblically faithful solutions. c). Peacemaker - First, we must forgive others as God has forgiven us in Christ Jesus. The peacemaker initiates reconciliation when others have wronged them. The peacemaker is quick to repent when they have wronged others. The point of peacemaking isn't just to avoid violence, but rather to radically bring about peace. When we talk about making peace, we’re talking about reconciliation. We’re talking about doing whatever is in our power to build bridges and create opportunities for relationships to be mended and strengthened. Take responsibility for reconciliation. It also means that you’re willing to do what you can to improve other folks’ relationships, too. Avoid sweeping generalizations about others. As children of God, it’s our responsibility to destroy barriers and walls of hostility, not add to them. DO NOT buy into representations of others that solidify those divisions. Cultivate a gentle spirit. It might be surprising to discover, but “nice” isn’t necessarily the goal of a peacemaker. “Nice” tends to circumvent the hard work of bridge building. Gentleness addresses the way we wade into difficult situations. It’s a trait that helps breed peace and calm in the midst of high-stakes discussion. Sometimes peacemaking entails saying difficult things that others don’t want to hear. Be patient with others (and yourself). Patience is so critical because it gives us the stamina to work through the typical process of making peace. There isn’t always a quick fix to relational brokenness. Patience flows from our faith and hope that you’re doing real kingdom work in reconciliation, and the outcome will be worth the effort. Don’t vent about others. Being a peacemaker is about consistency of character. People need to be able to trust you and your motives. When you vent about difficult people and situations, people doubt your sincerity and don’t feel that they can be open with you. As peacemakers, it’s very important that we avoid gossip and complaining about others. Venting about others also impacts our attitude. Jesus tells us that peacemakers will be recognized as children of God.

Q3. (Isaiah 53:3) How can Jesus be the Man of Sorrows as well as the One who finds joy in His Father? ANSWER: Jesus is called “a man of sorrows” because of how much suffering He had to endure. He suffered first by leaving the glories of heaven and entering the human race as a man. Then He suffered all the things that humanity suffers, and then finally He suffered the wrath of God as the sin-bearer. Such suffering must have been all the more acute for Him, given His perfect nature. Who of us could ever understand the depths of what His righteous spirit suffered as He lived among fallen humanity? Although He is called “a man of sorrows,” Jesus was not a morose, doleful person. He did endure times of sadness, but He could rejoice in His sufferings as He focused on the final outcome. Jesus is “the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus endured many pains, hardships, sufferings, and sorrows. You can sense sorrow in Jesus when he sees gross unbelief in his followers, even his disciples. There is deep sorrow in Jesus on the cross, where He as Sin-Bearer is carrying the weight of all our sins, and cries, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46). But He kept His eyes on the final joy of completing God’s purpose and redeeming His lost sheep. It was Jesus’ willingness to endure suffering and sorrow in a world of suffering and sorrow that ultimately rescues all who trust in Him from the very presence of any suffering and sorrow. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4). Yet the earthly Jesus also experienced joy and prayed that this joy might be shared by His disciples How can we experience sorrow without it coming to dominate our lives? ANSWER: The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. The Scripture depicts a sort of happiness in the midst of sadness. It means experiencing two things at once: one being the damage caused by sin and the other being the happiness given by God. We are to have joy in sorrow. Now we focus on the simultaneous experience of joy in weeping, joy in pain, joy in sorrow. We can experience joy in the midst of suffering by experiencing joy in the Holy Spirit. reasons for joy and sorrow can converge. One of the reasons there can be joy and sorrow simultaneously is that the reasons for each of them are different, and those reasons can both be true simultaneously in our experience. pain and joy are grounded on different realities. Christian joy doesn’t mean we don’t feel pain. We can see from Revelation 21:4 that tears correlate with death and loss, and crying correlates with pain. the Bible speaks about that pain in relation to joy in two ways — two real, true ways. tearful joy in God will be replaced with tearless joy in God. Painful joy in God will be replaced with painless joy in God. You can’t stop pain and tears from coming, but you can keep joy from going. Because the pain and the joy are grounded on different realities. nothing can dislodge our joy in Jesus Christ. God is in charge of what happens to you. There is no condemnation now or forever. And Jesus is an all-satisfying treasure and friend. This is an unshakable boulder of joy — real gladness, real satisfaction in all that God is for you in Jesus. Tearful joy gives way to tearless joy. Moreover, embrace all the Scriptures about joy and sorrow.

Q2. (Daniel 7:13-14) Since Jesus is the Son of Man in Daniel’s prophecy, what implications does that have for your obedience, your worship, your estimation of Jesus’ power and glory? ANSWER: The implications that the Son of Man in Daniel’s prophecy have for my obedience, my worship, and my estimation of Jesus’ power and glory. …: a: your obedience - the Son of Man, serve as a source of hope and encouragement for the Jewish people, assuring them that God remains in control of history and will ultimately establish His everlasting kingdom. b: your worship - The Son of Man is presented as a figure who will act on behalf of God's people, bringing about their ultimate deliverance and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. 😄 your estimation of jesus’ power and glory - Imagery would have resonated deeply with Daniel's original audience and continues to hold significance for readers today as we seek to understand the role of the Son of Man in the broader biblical narrative.

Q1. (Daniel 7:13-14) What attributes does the “one like a son of man” have in Daniel’s prophecy? ANSWER: Daniel is written during a time of great upheaval and persecution for the people of Israel, who are struggling to maintain their faith in the face of oppressive foreign rule. The visions in Daniel, including the one featuring the Son of Man, serve as a source of hope and encouragement for the Jewish people, assuring them that God remains in control of history and will ultimately establish His everlasting kingdom. In Daniel 7:13–14 the "Son of man" seems to symbolize the angels (perhaps the archangel Michael) and/or the righteous and persecuted Jews who will be vindicated and given authority by God, rather than function as one individual, heavenly figure who represents the people. The Son of Man in Daniel's vision is portrayed as a heavenly figure who is granted authority, glory, and sovereign power by the Ancient of Days. The Son of Man is presented as a figure who will act on behalf of God's people, bringing about their ultimate deliverance and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. His kingdom is described as everlasting and indestructible. In what ways does this personage, (“one like a son of man”), possess divine elements? ANSWER: This personage, “one like a son of man”, possess divine elements in that He: Resembles a man. Comes on the clouds of heaven, perhaps denoting His heavenly origin. Approaches the Ancient of Days, a figure obviously representing God. Receives authority, glory, and sovereign power. Is worshipped by people of all nations and languages. Possesses an everlasting kingdom. What authority does He, (“one like a son of man”), have? ANSWER: The Son of Man in Daniel's vision is portrayed as a heavenly figure who is granted authority, glory, and sovereign power by the Ancient of Days. The authority He has is He will rule over an everlasting dominion which will not pass away. The Son of Man is the final king over the earth. His kingdom will last forever. His subjects are all the peoples, nations and men of every language who will serve Him. All rulership, praise, and the entire earth are given to this king. This new king is unlike any king who came before Him. He is, of course, Jesus Christ. How do we know that Jesus identified himself with this Son of Man in Daniel? ANSWER: He is presented before God so that God can examine and evaluate Him. God clearly approves of this Son of Man, because He gives Him dominion, Glory and a kingdom. This king will be a son of man (someone in human form) yet arrive with the clouds of heaven (v. 13), attaching heavenliness and deity to Him. This combination of man and God is only found in the person of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God and of Man. Today, the Lord Jesus is seated on the right hand of God the Father in heavenly glory, but the great Creator of the universe has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness - through the Man Christ Jesus, Who has been appointed heir of all things. By grace, He has furnished us with proof that Jesus is indeed His anointed Son, by raising Him from the dead - praise Hiss holy name. Q2. (Daniel 7:13-14) Since Jesus is the Son of Man in Daniel’s prophecy, what implications does that have for your obedience, your worship, your estimation of Jesus’ power and glory? ANSWER: The implications that the Son of Man in Daniel’s prophecy have for my obedience, my worship, and my estimation of Jesus’ power and glory. …: a: your obedience - the Son of Man, serve as a source of hope and encouragement for the Jewish people, assuring them that God remains in control of history and will ultimately establish His everlasting kingdom. b: your worship - The Son of Man is presented as a figure who will act on behalf of God's people, bringing about their ultimate deliverance and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. 😄 your estimation of jesus’ power and glory - Imagery would have resonated deeply with Daniel's original audience and continues to hold significance for readers today as we seek to understand the role of the Son of Man in the broader biblical narrative. Q3. (Isaiah 53:3) How can Jesus be the Man of Sorrows as well as the One who finds joy in His Father? ANSWER: Jesus is called “a man of sorrows” because of how much suffering He had to endure. He suffered first by leaving the glories of heaven and entering the human race as a man. Then He suffered all the things that humanity suffers, and then finally He suffered the wrath of God as the sin-bearer. Such suffering must have been all the more acute for Him, given His perfect nature. Who of us could ever understand the depths of what His righteous spirit suffered as He lived among fallen humanity? Although He is called “a man of sorrows,” Jesus was not a morose, doleful person. He did endure times of sadness, but He could rejoice in His sufferings as He focused on the final outcome. Jesus is “the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus endured many pains, hardships, sufferings, and sorrows, but He kept His eyes on the final joy of completing God’s purpose and redeeming His lost sheep. It was Jesus’ willingness to endure suffering and sorrow in a world of suffering and sorrow that ultimately rescues all who trust in Him from the very presence of any suffering and sorrow. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4). How can we experience sorrow without it coming to dominate our lives? ANSWER: The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. The Scripture depicts a sort of happiness in the midst of sadness. It means experiencing two things at once: one being the damage caused by sin and the other being the happiness given by God. We are to have joy in sorrow. We can experience joy in the midst of suffering by experiencing joy in the Holy Spirit. reasons for joy and sorrow can converge. One of the reasons there can be joy and sorrow simultaneously is that the reasons for each of them are different, and those reasons can both be true simultaneously in our experience. pain and joy are grounded on different realities. Christian joy doesn’t mean we don’t feel pain. We can see from Revelation 21:4 that tears correlate with death and loss, and crying correlates with pain. the Bible speaks about that pain in relation to joy in two ways — two real, true ways. tearful joy in God will be replaced with tearless joy in God. Painful joy in God will be replaced with painless joy in God. You can’t stop pain and tears from coming, but you can keep joy from going. Because the pain and the joy are grounded on different realities. nothing can dislodge our joy in Jesus Christ. God is in charge of what happens to you. There is no condemnation now or forever. And Jesus is an all-satisfying treasure and friend. This is an unshakable boulder of joy — real gladness, real satisfaction in all that God is for you in Jesus. Tearful joy gives way to tearless joy. Moreover, embrace all the Scriptures about joy and sorrow. Q4. (1 Timothy 2:5-6; 1 John 2:1) In what sense is Jesus our “one Mediator between God and man”? ANSWER: A mediator is an official “go-between” who acts as a link between two parties to reconcile their differences. The term literally means “one who stands in between.” Because of our sinful condition, human beings need a mediator to negotiate peace with God—and that person is Jesus Christ: Only the sacrifice of the sinless, spotless Lamb of God could fully pay the ransom required to set people free from sin and eternal death. Jesus took our punishment on Himself, making it possible for us to experience forgiveness of sin and freedom from its destructive control. There is one mediator between God and man means that Christ is the only way to God the Father. If we want to experience peace with God and a restored relationship of joy in His presence, we must come “by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body” Jesus Christ is the one mediator, the one and only Savior of the world. There is no other go-between. We come to God through faith in His Son, who is the only means of salvation. Religion cannot save us. Good works won’t make us right with God. Nothing but faith in Jesus Christ is sufficient to bridge the gap between sinful humanity and a Holy God. What happens to this personal relationship with Jesus when we ask a minister or a saint to intercede for us? ANSWER: God appreciates people who pray fervently for others facing trials. God urges us not only to pray and commit our burdens to Him, but to seek out others who will help us carry our burdens by their prayers. The Bible says, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Do this believing that there was power in others praying. This is why we shouldn’t hesitate to ask others to pray for us. God loves us, and one of the ways He shows His love to us is by promising to hear us when we pray. God sent His Son into the world so that the barrier separating us from God, a barrier caused by our sin, could be destroyed. Because Christ gave His life for us, the Bible says “we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand” (Romans 5:2). Does this mean we should indiscriminately ask everyone we know to pray for us, no matter how personal or delicate the situation might be? This may be appropriate at times, but not always. Sometimes our burdens shouldn’t be widely shared, because people who don’t know us may not be able to pray intelligently. Jesus prayed with His disciples, but frequently He also prayed alone, because even His closest disciples couldn’t have understood the burdens He was carrying. Don’t let your pride, or anything else, keep you from asking others to pray for you. Prayer is one of our greatest privileges, and the Bible’s promise is true: “If we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” (1 John 5:14). How is Jesus our Advocate before the Father? ANSWER: Jesus is our Advocate before the Father means that our Savior (Jesus) stands before the Father to plead our case. He is literally our lawyer. When you mess up, He does the legwork, He makes appeals, He files motions, and He defends us even when we were wrong because of His grace, empathy and forgiveness. He is the fulfiller of the Law, and He is actively fighting for us. He advocates for us to be judged by the Law of mercy because our Lawyer already paid every penalty. Even when we are guilty of messing up, the verdict is not guilty. And He has a host of angels to enforce His verdict. He has never lost a case. Imagine; the God of the universe is our personal lawyer. Run to Him! He will set you free from a life of sin. He will be your Advocate and will empower you to advocate for others. In what ways are you an advocate for the powerless in your community? ANSWER: Community advocacy is a strategic approach to influencing outcomes and driving change on behalf of your community. It involves representing your community's rights and needs to the level of government best able to respond. We currently live in a society in which individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are not fully appreciated and included as valued members of a community. The ways in which I am an advocate for the powerless in my community are: speaking up when I see someone being insensitive or discriminatory against ALL people, especially for people with disabilities. Very supportive of people with disabilities. Actively listen to the needs and passions of the individuals. Support and love them unconditionally. Have managed several group homes for people with autism. Continue to assist the seniors in my apartment building (cook meals, push to get maintenance issues done right away, etc …). I must continuously strive and to use my extensive education, skills, dedication, and training to support the people with disabilities, so that they can be recognized as productive members of an inclusive society. How do you function as a reconciler, a mediator, a peacemaker as you serve Christ? ANSWER: How do I function as a … as I serve Christ? a). Reconciler - Reconcilers serve as witnesses to Christ when they mediate between parties. Using a process to facilitate godly discussion, they coach all parties to apply God's Word to the conflict. As mediators, reconcilers do not make decisions for the parties but guide them in reaching biblically faithful solutions. I encourage people to reconcile through confession and forgiveness. Throughout the process, they proclaim Christ and His ministry of reconciliation. b). Mediator - Functioning as a go-between or intermediary between two people or parties, in order to initiate a relationship, promote mutual understanding or activity, or effect a reconciliation after a dispute. Do not make decisions for the parties but guide them in reaching biblically faithful solutions. c). Peacemaker - First, we must forgive others as God has forgiven us in Christ Jesus. The peacemaker initiates reconciliation when others have wronged them. The peacemaker is quick to repent when they have wronged others. The point of peacemaking isn't just to avoid violence, but rather to radically bring about peace. When we talk about making peace, we’re talking about reconciliation. We’re talking about doing whatever is in our power to build bridges and create opportunities for relationships to be mended and strengthened. Take responsibility for reconciliation. It also means that you’re willing to do what you can to improve other folks’ relationships, too. Avoid sweeping generalizations about others. As children of God, it’s our responsibility to destroy barriers and walls of hostility, not add to them. DO NOT buy into representations of others that solidify those divisions. Cultivate a gentle spirit. It might be surprising to discover, but “nice” isn’t necessarily the goal of a peacemaker. “Nice” tends to circumvent the hard work of bridge building. Gentleness addresses the way we wade into difficult situations. It’s a trait that helps breed peace and calm in the midst of high-stakes discussion. Sometimes peacemaking entails saying difficult things that others don’t want to hear. Be patient with others (and yourself). Patience is so critical because it gives us the stamina to work through the typical process of making peace. There isn’t always a quick fix to relational brokenness. Patience flows from our faith and hope that you’re doing real kingdom work in reconciliation, and the outcome will be worth the effort. Don’t vent about others. Being a peacemaker is about consistency of character. People need to be able to trust you and your motives. When you vent about difficult people and situations, people doubt your sincerity and don’t feel that they can be open with you. As peacemakers, it’s very important that we avoid gossip and complaining about others. Venting about others also impacts our attitude. Jesus tells us that peacemakers will be recognized as children of God.

Q4. (John 4:16; 1 Corinthians 1:24) How does Jesus’ truth contrast with your culture’s dearly held “truths”? ANSWER: God’s culture of grace is timeless and is not subject to the changing cultural norm or rules of society. As an all-knowing and all-powerful being, God’s ways and actions are not limited by the constraints of human knowledge, understanding, data, or ideas. Whereas, Secular culture, on the other hand, refers to beliefs, attitudes, and values of people who are not necessarily religious and who may reject organized religion altogether. This includes cultural norms, social practices, political ideologies, and those that are shaped by factors such as science, technology, economics, and social change. In summary, then, we may say that God recognizes culture and reaches out in grace to all cultures in this day of the gospel of His grace. He brings them together “in one body by the cross”, raising them above the background in which they grew up, and gives them new desires and associations (see Ephesians 2:16). Finally, He judges every culture, showing us in His Word how to weed out those attitudes and patterns of living that hinder our walk with Him, in order that we might “walk as children of light” (see Ephesians 5:8). How does Jesus’ wisdom differ from the worldly wisdom that your culture teaches you? ANSWER: The wisdom that is from God reflects Him. 1). While earthly wisdom says always follow your heart, godly wisdom tells us that the heart is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9). 2). While earthly wisdom says seeing is believing, godly wisdom tells us that blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed (John 20:29). 3). While earthly wisdom says love your family and friends, godly wisdom tells us to also love your enemies and bless them (Matthew 5:43-47). 4). While earthly wisdom says there are many ways to God, godly wisdom tells us there is only one way to God, Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). God desires to give His divine wisdom to His children. All other types of learning are valuable but limited unless built upon the knowledge of the Lord Himself. To gain God’s wisdom, we must pray for it, while studying and living out God’s Word. Jesus calls us to be as wise and shrewd as serpents, but this wisdom is very unlike the world’s wisdom. Godly wisdom is innocent, gentle, reasonable, peace-loving, impartial and sincere. It is full of mercy and willing to yield to others. It leads to godliness and peaceful relationships with others. Worldly secular wisdom tends to be self-centered. It exalts ourselves. When our hearts are not submitted to God, we will harbor pride, jealousy and selfish ambitions and use our wisdom against others. God’s Word calls such wisdom “earthly, unspiritual, demonic“. Jesus pointed out that Satan fosters such thinking and gets people to focus on things from a human point of view, not from God’s. Earthly wisdom does not understand that heavenly wisdom is characterized by humility and meekness. Earthly wisdom finds its roots in jealousy and selfish ambition. Earthly wisdom appeals to the senses and the emotions. We may have to stand against the wisdom of the world, the advice of our well-meaning family and friends, and battle our own self-seeking desires in order to be solely led by God. God’s wisdom gives us focus and direction when we have to choose between what looks good, what feels good, and what is good. The good news is that godly wisdom can be gained and learnt. True wisdom is “the wisdom of God,” which will stand the test of time and eternity. What would help you hold on to Jesus’ truth and wisdom more effectively? ANSWER: The point is simple. Wake up each day with the intention to be good and do good. Spread light, not darkness. It’s really that simple. Give compliments freely, smile kindly, give generously, don’t complain, speak only kind words, and never tear people down. Above all: remember to love god and love people. WAYS TO STRENGTHEN MY FAITH: TRUST - This one is a bit obvious, but sometimes the hardest to execute. We must trust Him in all things, which means having complete trust and complete confidence. Not only do we trust Him to provide provision, but we are completely confident that He will provide us with an abundant life as well! PRAY - I must start every day with prayer! Sitting in the presence of God is important and there are times when God deserves my undivided attention. I am not to limit myself, there is no right or wrong way to pray, God simply wants to hear from me. I talk to Him, no pressure, just talk. READ SCRIPTURES - I need His Word inside, in my mind and in my hearts. Knowing God’s Word goes hand in hand with trusting God and praying. Reading His promises, and then have great faith in God, I gain wisdom, knowledge, and understanding in my life through His . If we want to exercise faith in our lives, we must let God’s instructions and commands be our guide. In doing so we will strengthen our faith greatly. LIVE OUT HIS WORD - After all that reading, studying, and note taking, now it’s time to start using my knowledge. Applying the Word of God to the life I live, will deepen my walk with Him and strengthen my faith. Obviously, no one is prefect, but I have to make a commitment to grow in my faith and commit to living God first lives. I know I personally need to work on memorizing Scripture, and then intentionally start to apply them to my life, one day at a time. My goal is always to be better than I was yesterday. BE THE LIGHT - I am to be loving and caring towards others. Must be encouraging, and build another up. Be joyful and don’t spend my days complaining. Additionally, I should practice thankfulness and be forgiving. I am to forgive, so my Father can forgive me of my sins. I must be giving of my time, my talents, and my treasures. When people see me, let them not only see a person that is a believer in God, but let them see a person that exercises great faith in my life. Lastly, let them see a role model for a God first life, let my actions draw people closer to God.

Q3. (Revelation 3:14) Why is Jesus called the “true and faithful witness”? ANSWER: In the book of Revelation we read letters from Jesus to the Seven Churches, and in each letter, He identifies Himself with a different name. In the letter to “the Church in Laodicea”, Jesus addresses Himself as the “Amen”, the “faithful and true witness”, the “originator” of God’s creation. Laodicea focused on fending for themselves, lived in luxury, and relished their wealth and material prosperity. In Jesus’ letter to the Laodicean church, He named Himself “the Amen” signifying that He is firm and faithful. It accentuates the next part of His name, that He is the “Faithful and True Witness (Martyr)”. None of the other letters to the seven churches uses this title. Christ emphasizes His own faithful and true character because the Laodiceans so completely lack these two qualities. What did He witness to? ANSWER: He witnessed that the Laodicean Church was a lukewarm church. Laodicea was a wealthy community. They were complacent, arrogant, and didn’t see their need for the Lord. The people, were spiritually indifferent and did not make themselves open and available to God, preventing God’s blessings from flowing, and also preventing themselves from being used by God. They claimed that what they had was due to themselves rather than a gift from God, and used it for selfish worldly luxury and boasting. How was He faithful in His witness? ANSWER: Jesus was pointing out that He is a faithful and true witness, that He sees their deeds and their hearts, and that His testimony about them is true and trustworthy. Those who are faithful and prove they are true to the Lord and the works He has given them to do will get to rule with Christ one day. In this letter, Jesus is warning those who are self-reliant and fail to live in obedience to the Lord that if they do not repent and come into an intimate relationship with Him they will continue to miss out on blessings, and will not get to rule with Him when He comes back to rule over the earth. What as a disciple, to what degree are you a “true and faithful witness” to the Word that your Rabbi has taught and has done in your life? ANSWER: To become a faithful witness, I start with receiving the knowledge of Jesus deep within, drawing near to Him in prayer and worship, and then following His example as a faithful messenger of truth. I am committed to pleasing heaven and doing what the Lord says, not what the culture wants. As His messengers, I proclaim salvation, call people to pray, expose lies and false beliefs, and announce Jesus’ return. Finally as a witnesses I am diligently seeking to bring understanding of His judgments and to give understanding to praying them in at the proper time. The cost is real, but the reward is great … shaping history, building the kingdom, and pleasing the Lord, not men. THIS IS GLORIOUS - THE BEST LIFE POSSIBLE - BUT IT’S NOT WITHOUT TRIALS. JUST LIKE JESUS, THERE WILL BE TIMES WHEN WE MUST SPEAK THE TRUTH, EVEN WHEN IT HURTS. What would it look like if you improved as a witness? ANSWER: As a Christian, it is important to be faithful to God. It is one thing to simply believe in Him, but another to be faithful to Him. When we are truly faithful to God, this shapes the way we live. For example, we are able to be loyal in our relationships here on Earth and truly love others. Love for God and others is the way to remain growing in the Lord. Faithfulness, is a fruit of the Spirit, it can be a challenging trait to possess. Faithfulness comes from a place of trust and loyalty. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is a confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Faithfulness requires us to submit our ways to God. It comes from a place of realizing that we are in need of a Savior and that He is in control of our lives. We grow in our faithfulness by having a personal relationship with Christ. If we are truly faithful to Him and obey His commands, this will be evident in our lives.

Q2. (John 1:1-3, 14) In what sense is Jesus the Word of God? ANSWER: The Word Is God's Communication To Humanity: … We know from scripture that God the Father is Spirit, meaning He doesn't exist in physical form. So, there is no physical substance to God the Father. Also we know that the third member of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, is likewise spirit only and therefore invisible. He can only be known by observing His work in the Creation. Jesus is the physical manifestation of God the Father, just as a spoken word is the physical manifestation of our inner thoughts. Until Jesus took action and created the universe, there was no physical reality to God's presence. But when God "spoke" (i.e., when Jesus took action), the Creation came into existence. Jesus is the Word because He was the means through which the Father brought all physical reality into existence and because He is the One Who represents the Father's invisible nature and character to that creation. Just as your spoken word is the physical manifestation of your thoughts and personality, Jesus is the "Word" of the invisible God to His creation. Why do you think He (Jesus) is called this (the Word of God)? ANSWER: It is possible that the term "word" is used the same manner as does the Old Testament, the communication of God to humanity. This is exactly what Jesus did, He revealed to the world the Word of God. Jesus was the personification of the written and spoken Word. In the Old Testament God revealed His word through the prophets while in the New Testament the word of God was revealed in a Person - God the Son. In summary, Jesus is called, "the Word of God." Although Scripture does not define what is meant by that term it could refer to the fact that He is the personification of the written and spoken word. The testimony that God revealed through the prophets during the Old Testament period was now made human with the coming of Christ. Hence the Word became flesh. Why does John call Him (Jesus) the Word of Life (1 John 1:1)? ANSWER: The “word of life” is both the good news of the gospel of what God has done for sinners in Jesus Christ as well as the word of revelation found in Scripture that explains what that gospel is. It is the word of “life” because it is there that we find truth regarding where life may be found, namely, in Christ. John is a faithful witness of what He is proclaiming to us. What John is proclaiming (the Word of Life) is not something he made up. He is a faithful witness of the things he is telling us about. He will also explain what he saw, heard, and handled. Jesus is the one who became flesh and dwelt among us. This is why John said he touched Him. He heard Him, saw Him, and touched Him. Jesus is more than a concept or an idea. He is personal, present, and wants to be integral to our lives. The title, “the Word of Life” for Jesus Christ, signifies Him as the pre-existent One from eternity past who created all things, and is the source of all life: physical and spiritual. He was the Father’s agent in the creation of the universe, and then He filled it with life. The Word of God is life-changing and life-sustaining and life-giving. If only the world could grasp the benefits available to the soul who seeks God through His Word, be þwilling to see it as truth, clinging to it at every turn. For the Word of God is life-changing and life-sustaining and life-giving. What does this say to us about the importance of hearing, meditating on, and internalizing Jesus’ words? ANSWER: The importance of hearing, meditating on, and internalizing Jesus’ word: … Hearing God's Word is a foundation of existence and welfare of God's people. The importance of hearing God's word means meditating on His Word until we receive, through it, His message for us. Thus alone can our minds be renewed and conformed growingly to the mind of Christ. He speaks to those who listen. Whatever it may be that keeps you from hearing from God, you must disconnect yourself. God grants that it may be remedied at once and permanently. When we ask the Lord to speak to us so we can hear from Him, we then must open our Bible and seek the face of the Lord earnestly, and we too shall hear His voice. Meditating on the Word of God and responding in obedience, will give us success and make us prosperous. The importance of meditating on God's word means meditating on the Scripture which strengthens us for obedience by strengthening our love for God and others. By keeping God's law in our mouth and meditating upon it, we would be strengthened to lead faithfully. The value of internalizing God's word involves a deeper reflection on the meaning and application of a verse. If we have God's Word in our hearts and minds, then we will be easily reminded to not sin. When temptation rears its ugly head, we can be reminded by God's truth of the consequences of that sin and a righteous response to it. Consider Jesus when he was tempted in the wilderness by Satan

Q1. What is your relationship to Jesus as your Rabbi (or teacher)? ANSWER: My relationship with Jesus as my Rabbi/Teacher, it is a relationship where I can be loved completely, challenged to grow in my faith, and transformed into the exact person He created me to be. I am to teach as the Lord taught. So often we are busy rather than devoted; engaged in good works rather than basking in Jesus' presence. He is our Rabbi, our Teacher, our Master, our Guide, and as such, he deserves our full and constant attention. Because of my relationship to Jesus my Rabbi/Teacher, I am able to continue to perform the following: a). Love those I teach. During His life on earth, the Savior showed great love and understanding to every person. He taught the poor, the rich, the outcast, and the sinners. He taught us to love everyone and to help one another. b). Teach Gospel Truths. The Savior taught the truths of the gospel. I too should teach the gospel as revealed in the scriptures and the words of latter-day prophets. c). Teach by the Spirit. I should seek to have the Spirit of the Lord when I teach. When the Spirit is present, all are strengthened in their love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, in their love for each other, and in their commitment to live the gospel. d). Invite Diligent Learning. The Lord said, “Seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith. Even though each member is responsible to gain a knowledge of the truth through his or her own efforts, as the teacher, I must awaken in others the desire to study, understand, and live the gospel (i.e. awaken and hold the interest of those you teach, encourage participation, help them apply what is taught to the circumstances of their lives) e). Create a Learning Atmosphere. Those I teach, we must work together to create a positive learning environment. How often do you come to Him (Jesus) to teach you? ANSWER: My answer is simple my desires are to come to Jesus to teach me every day. The more I read, the more I learn about God by reading, studying and meditating daily on the Word (daily Bible study), helps me too keep Jesus and His mission top of mind. When I study the Bible regularly, I am more likely to read ALL OF IT. The inspiring accounts of His miracles help me grow closer to Him. And as I come to know Him, I experiences the miraculous effects of His teachings and grace in my life. Additionally, I discovered that by reading the Bible, it fuel an infectious faith that refines me. Christ's teachings are found in much more than just His parables and sermons; they are also found in the personal example He set for us throughout His life, an example of obedience, humility, and love. The more I study Scripture, specifically Jesus’ and Paul’s ministries, the more convinced I’ve become that sharing the Good News should bleed across everything we do. How do you receive His (Jesus) teaching? ANSWER: Accepting Jesus into my heart simply means accepting His way of living, loving, and leading my life. I need to turn away from my sins, believe that Jesus is God's Son and my Savior, and submit to Him as Lord of my life. By doing so, I receive salvation and eternal life. How teachable do you think you are? ANSWER: The word teachable means able to be taught. In order to be taught we have to be humble enough. By being teachable, I must activate the full force and blessings of the Atonement in my life. Being teachable I can be more clearly to see, hear, and adhere to those revelations continuing even today through our living apostles, prophets, seers, and revelators (one that reveals. especially: one that reveals the will of God). Becoming teachable is a process of learning line upon line. In this process I can converts thoughts and feelings into actions. Furthermore, I must make sure that my desires to receive instruction is a greater force than my comfort in remaining as I am, then I become teachable (we need to start with a willingness to be instructed). I am willing to seek the Lord until I have opened the path of communication from God to my own soul (I need to put myself into a proper frame of mind and heart). I must be very careful not to turn away the small still voice; it will teach me what to do and where to go; it will yield the fruits of the Kingdom (I must be obedient to the instruction I receive). As a result of being teachable, I gain an even greater testimony of my Heavenly Father’s care for me.

Q4. How did Jesus’ disciples use his name when they healed and cast out demons? ANSWER: The normal method employed by Jesus and his disciples for casting out demons is not prayer at all. Prayer is speaking to God while, casting out an unclean spirit is commanding a spirit to depart, and it must obey. The Devil often likes to deceive people away from their healing, by creating in their mind an image of their physical situation. He does this for the purpose of defeating them, and preventing them from receiving healing from God. Jesus gave His apostles, (a "messenger" or "one who is sent"), authority over unclean spirits through his name. He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. His disciples too cast out demons in the same way, but evoking the authority of Jesus through His name and through the power of the Holy Spirit. It's the name (JESUS) that is recognized and gets things done in Heaven. Do we have this kind of authority, or was it only for the apostles themselves? ANSWER: After the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, He gave all His believers the authority to cast out demons. In Matthew 28:17, we see the signs that should be following believers. This is a confirmation that everyone who believes in Jesus Christ has the authority to cast out demons, and it's not only reserved for pastors, deacons or elders. All authority has been given to Jesus, and He calls us to walk in this authority here on earth to expand His Kingdom. Satan is a fallen angel, and so are his servants (demons); they are simply persons with no bodies which you have authority over. Like in all things, wisdom is required. There's no one size fits all, but you must understand how deliverance works, what it is and that you have the authority to perform such works. In what way does speaking or acting in Jesus’ name demonstrate the concept of power of attorney? ANSWER: Jesus gave every believer in His name on earth the authority to use that name. The transfer of this type authority in our world today, is what is recognized in legal terms as “The Power of Attorney”. A Power of Attorney is the authority that is given to another person, so as to act on behalf of the issuer in legal or any other matters. Jesus gave us the power to use His name on earth in the same manner. We are acting as His representative on earth today. Everything that Jesus wants to get done on earth today, He does it through the believers in His name, who has been given the Power of Attorney to act on His behalf. That means Jesus literally gave us (believers in His name) the license to heal the sick, rescue those who are suffering and do the works of God on earth today. Why are we sometimes afraid to speak or act in Jesus’ name? ANSWER: We are sometime afraid to speak or act in Jesus’ name due to the following: 1: Fear. We fear Jesus revealing our true wounds. I believe that the main reason we doubt God and are afraid of Him is a misunderstanding of His character. 2: Pride. We cannot seek the things that the world prioritizes and at the same time, seek God. There is a cost for knowing Jesus. 3: Commitment. We must be diligent in seeking God first and making Him the center of our lives instead of limiting Him to just church on Sunday. We must let Jesus into every area of our heart. When you give Him your whole heart, He will make your heart whole. He will restore what is broken and will provide you with steadfast peace, radiant joy and unshakable hope. How might hearing His voice about a particular matter alleviate that fear? ANSWER: One of the essential tools in our walk with God is hearing His voice. Without the ability to hear God, we are stunted in our own walk with Him. There are many “voices” out there competing against God's voice. Therefore, it becomes very important in our walk with God to hear and discern His voice. How do you hear from God? We must take the following steps to hearing from God, among other things: Withdraw: To hear from God, you need to pull back and get alone with God in a quiet place. You can’t hear God’s voice, if you are surrounded by noise. Wait: We must learn to be still before God. Waiting is the depth of prayer. Read the Word of God: God’s Word is His mind. God speaks to us through His Word, both spoken and written. Write it Down: As you wait upon the Lord, He will give you insights, revelations and specific instructions. You need to write down those things you received from God for reference and guidance. Test: Although the Spirit of God leads us, but we must verify every leading. God does not feel offended when you verify. In 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22, God Himself said, to test all spirits to know whether they are of God. We are to review regularly what God says to you.

Q3. What does it mean when you pray “in Jesus’ name”? ANSWER: Praying in Jesus’ name means praying with His authority and asking God the Father to act upon our prayers because we come in the name of His Son, Jesus. Praying in Jesus’ name means the same thing as praying according to the will of God, This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have what we asked of Him. Praying in Jesus’ name is praying for things that will honor and glorify Jesus. Saying “in Jesus’ name” at the end of a prayer is not a magic formula. If what we ask for or say in prayer is not for God’s glory and according to His will, saying “in Jesus’ name” is meaningless. Genuinely praying in Jesus’ name and for His glory is what is important, not attaching certain words to the end of a prayer. It is not the words in the prayer that matter, but the purpose behind the prayer. Praying for things that are in agreement with God’s will is the essence of praying in Jesus’ name. To pray in Jesus' name is to acknowledge that our access to God in prayer comes only through Jesus. Do you use the phrase “in Jesus’ name” as you pray? ANSWER: Yes, I use the phrase “in Jesus’ name” as I pray. Why or why not … Do you use the phrase “in Jesus’ name” as you pray? ANSWER: Why, I use the phrase “in Jesus’ name” as I pray: Because there is power in the name of Jesus when I link my faith with heaven. Praying in the name of Jesus is powerful because when I pray in His name, I am praying with His authority. God promises to answer whatever I ask in His name according to His will. This is why I must know the will of God in order to pray with the authority of Jesus. This truth is wonderful because I have the assurance that He hears my prayers. Through prayer in His name I shall make known to all what He has done. His name is a strong tower and a fortress that all the forces of darkness cannot withstand nor overcome. He can do anything! “The name of Jesus is the gateway through which true prayers must enter heaven. His name is the ‘pass key’ that opens heaven’s account.” How does praying “in Jesus’ name” limit what we will pray for? ANSWER: We can limit our prayers by only what we think is possible. God is not limited by the impossible; it is only we who limit our prayers. No. Big issues/situations are nothing to a God Who is bigger, and the Creator is supreme ruler over His creation, so we shouldn’t ever limit our prayers by what seems impossible to us, for with God, nothing is impossible. He is a God Who has unlimited power. God loves it when we trust Him to pray big prayers and not limit our prayers by what we think is possible. Jesus said that whatever we ask for in faith, we will receive, that is if it’s good for us and according to God’s will. God will never answer a prayer that is contrary to HIS will. The point is, when praying big prayers for what seems impossible, pray that it’s His will and that the name in which you pray, that is Jesus Christ, will be glorified by the answer because God is always interested in glorifying Jesus’ name. That’s a promise!

Q2. In what ways does taking Jesus’ name on ourselves, or identifying ourselves with Him, open us to shame and persecution? ANSWER: We are likely to experience persecution at some point because of our allegiance to Christ and the gospel. Christians are naturally the objects of disdain and hostility. No one wants to suffer, but in a fallen world it is unavoidable. If we understand the inevitability, purpose, and fruit of suffering for Christ, and the resources He gives us to face it, we will be better able to endure when it comes. Forewarned is Forearmed. We should begin by noting that Jesus was steeped in Scripture and knew all about the persecution and suffering of the prophets and other godly people in the Bible. He knew that such evil ultimately grows out of the spiritual darkness, blindness, error, and sin that dominate the hearts of fallen people and cause them to resist truth and righteousness. He understood as well the opposition that His followers would face from their families, communities, the world, and the devil, and He sought to prepare them. Jesus frequently warned His followers (us) that they (we) would face persecution and suffering. Clearly, persecution was and is a real possibility for anyone who followed Jesus Have you seen examples of this in your own experience? ANSWER: The persecution of Christians is increasing and from first-hand experience I can tell you they need our help. This includes prayer, but we can also be answer to their prayers, but providing for their needs. I have seen the impact of their help first hand and heard testimonies from people who continue to receive support. There is no limit to the amount of kindness to be bestowed upon others because every single act of Christian charity/acts help. What actions might show that a Christian is ashamed of Jesus? ANSWER: To be ashamed of Jesus means that you shy away from identifying with or sharing the Gospel because you are worried about being tied to Jesus. This worry is based on fear of embarrassment or humiliation, feeling guilty or embarrassed about something you have done or about a quality in your character. What actions might show that a Christian is unashamed of Jesus? ANSWER: To live unashamed of the gospel means we proclaim it, but it also means we apply it to our lives and show we believe it. To live unashamed of the gospel means that we, are to allow it to dominate our lives to the extent that everyone within our sphere of influence can see that we have “been with Jesus” When we identify with Christ, God gives us a new identity. Instead of SINNER, you are called CHRISTIAN. Instead of LOST, you are called FOUND. Instead of ENEMY, you are called FRIEND. Instead of UNRIGHTEOUS, you are called RIGHTEOUS. Instead of SICK, you are called HEALED. Instead of POOR, you are called RICH. Instead of ENEMY, you are called FRIEND.

1. Jesus the Nazarene Carpenter’s Son Q1. How is the meaning of Jesus’ name linked to His mission? ANSWER: “Jesus means in Hebrew: “God saves.” At the annunciation, the angel Gabriel gave Him the name Jesus as His proper name, which expresses both his identity and his mission (Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins (see Matthew 1:21). The name “Jesus” signifies that the very name of God is present in the person of His Son, made man for the universal and definitive redemption from sins. It is the divine name that alone brings salvation, and henceforth all can invoke His name, for Jesus united Himself to all men through His Incarnation, so that “there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Like Josuha of old, Jesus will deliver His people from their bondage and bring them into the true promised land of God's forgiveness. What is His (Jesus) mission? ANSWER: Jesus came to earth to preach the Good News, to give people an understanding of the Kingdom of God and the eternal hope that they had through Him. Jesus not only preached the Good News through His words, but He powerfully demonstrated the Good News through His actions! How did He (Jesus) fulfill this mission? ANSWER: An essential part of Jesus’ mission was, of course, to die for our sins on the cross and, through repentance and faith in Him, open the way for us to experience eternal life with the Father. As Romans 5:8 says, “God demonstrated his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”. Jesus paid the penalty for our sins! How did He (Jesus) fulfill His mission in your life? ANSWER: Jesus came to reconcile a broken world, to put into a right relationship all He created, and bring in a Kingdom of righteousness, peace and justice. This is something that He has started, and which will be completed when He comes again!