Aleezah

Daniel took a stand due to his love for his God. Certain foods were forbidden and he chose to follow God. Hebrews are forbidden to eat pork and doing so would has caused him great distress. Daniel honored and obeyed and did not think of his dietary requirements as simply keeping "tradition". Daniel was obedient to his Master and Savior.

A complete identity change (language, name, diet, environment, etc.) They were noble Hebrew students in Jerusalem. They were servants in Babylon. The new names would make the transition easier. Also, this name change was a mark of dominance and control. To be eunuchs would inhibit them from having sexual desires as well as prevent them from wanting to runaway. No, they did not compromise.

Yes, when moving from the north to the south (USA), I didn't find it easy to assimilate. The culture is completely different. It is not a good feeling, you feel isolated. Absolutely, you take your faith, it would be difficult to navigate without it. This is an excellent time to allow your faith to grow.

Yes, when moving from the north to the south (USA), I didn't find it easy to assimilate. The culture is completely different. It is not a good feeling, you feel isolated. Absolutely, you take your faith, it would be difficult to navigate without it. This is an excellent time to allow your faith to grow.

Yes, when moving from the north to the south (USA), I didn't find it easy to assimilate. The culture is completely different. It is not a good feeling, you feel isolated. Absolutely, you take your faith, it would be difficult to navigate without it. This is an excellent time to allow your faith to grow.

Yes, when moving from the north to the south (USA), I didn't find it easy to assimilate. The culture is completely different. It is not a good feeling, you feel isolated. Absolutely, you take your faith, it would be difficult to navigate without it. This is an excellent time to allow your faith to grow.

Yes, when moving from the north to the south (USA), I didn't find it easy to assimilate. The culture is completely different. It is not a good feeling, you feel isolated. Absolutely, you take your faith, it would be difficult to navigate without it. This is an excellent time to allow your faith to grow.

Yes, when moving from the north to the south (USA), I didn't find it easy to assimilate. The culture is completely different. It is not a good feeling, you feel isolated. Absolutely, you take your faith, it would be difficult to navigate without it. This is an excellent time to allow your faith to grow.

Q4. (3:8-10) What does it mean to "know" Christ? Does this mean to have faith? Or to have a personal relationship? Is it possible to have a personal relationship with Christ without faith? Is it possible to have faith without a personal relationship? Where are you on your quest to know Christ? 1. "Know" is the Greek verb ginōskō, "to arrive at a knowledge of someone or something -- know, know about, make acquaintance of." To have a clear understanding of whom Jesus is, what he has done for us. 2. Yes, we must have faith. [Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) - But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.] 3. Yes we need both, your personal relationship begins when we first put our faith in Christ and continually grows over a lifetime. 4. No, [Hebrews 12:2 (KJV) - 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; 5. No, [Galatians 2:20 (KJV) states, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”] I am smack in the middle of it, walking with him, daily.

(3:9) How does righteousness obtained through faith differ from righteousness obtained through law observance? How seriously does righteousness by law observance infect your congregation? Society's view of Christianity in general? Why is this concept of justification or righteousness by faith so difficult to grasp? 1. Righteousness under law considers a person righteous because of his or her own upright behavior. Righteousness by faith, considers a person righteous because God has declared it so, and as judge considers a person so. 2. [saturday Bible study] It doesn’t, we understand righteousness by faith. We had a thorough study in Romans and Corinthians. 3. I don’t feel comfortable answering for society as a whole. 4. Because many people have not been taught the truth, they think they have to work their way into righteousness. They don’t understand that righteousness was imputed unto us. [Romans 4:11 (KJV) - And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:] [Romans 3:22 (KJV) - Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:] [Romans 10:4 (KJV) - For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believeth.][ 1 Corinthians 1:30 (KJV) - But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:]

(3:2-6) Why isn't Paul merely neutral about his religious pedigree? Why does he consider it loss, dung, an obstacle? In what way could your religious background be an impediment to your faith? 1. First, because they [Jewish 613 laws and traditions] are empty in themselves. They don't satisfy the heart. Second, the pride they represent stands in the way of grasping something much more valuable -- knowing Christ intimately. When you weigh the value of one vs. the other, his religious credentials tip the scale as "rubbish" (NIV, NRSV) or "dung" (KJV). The Greek noun skubalon means "dung, muck," both as excrement and food gone bad. 2. Judaism is not obsolete; however, for Paul it became a noose around his neck because he could not use it to bring people to Christ. He was a new creature in Christ old things were passed away and all things created new [1 Cor. 5:17] 3. There is a large percentage of anti-Christ in the world today. Since Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith [Heb. 12:2]; without knowledge of Him, that will be an impediment to one’s faith.

Q1. (3:2-6) How does "confidence in the flesh" show up in your congregation? Have you ever struggled with it? 1. I attend a weekly Bible study every Saturday, “confidence in the flesh”, doesn’t show up. Everyone is respectful of each other. We give our all to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 2. Yes, when Jesus Christ was not leading and guiding me. The consequences were too painful to continue in that mode.

Q1. (3:2-6) How does "confidence in the flesh" show up in your congregation? Have you ever struggled with it? 1. I attend a weekly Bible study every Saturday, “confidence in the flesh”, doesn’t show up. Everyone is respectful of each other. We give our all to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 2. Yes, when Jesus Christ was not leading and guiding me. The consequences were too painful to continue in that mode.

Q4. From what you've read in Philippians so far, what seems to be the Philippian church's chief problem? How does Paul's description of Timothy's character speak to this problem? How does Paul's call to honor men like Epaphroditus speak to this problem? Lack of love and unification. There was complaining, murmuring, and disputing. It appears as though they were at risk of believing false teachers, so Paul found himself having to reiterate the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His love for them. Paul was writing from prison after having gone there twice. They were a selfish people. 2. Timothy was selfless, he gave his all. Timothy was ordained the first bishop of the church of the Ephesians. He was one in Christ. 3. When Epaphroditus was close to death he thought of the Philippians he thought of them. 4. Paul had to call on outsiders to help this group, there were none among brothers that he could call on.

Q4. (2:17) You have gone through struggles and obstacles to your faith. If you were to look at your sufferings as a "drink offering" poured out before God, how does that honor God? How does that bring value to your struggles? Romans 8:17 (KJV) – states, “Romans 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” 2. It should bring tremendous value. Philippians 1:29 (KJV) – states, “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.”

Q3. (2:16) In what sense are we Christians to "hold fast" the Word of Life? In what sense are we to "hold forth" this Word of Life? How does this relate to the purpose of the church? 1 Thessalonians 5:21 (KJV) – states, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good [the Word of Life]. Also, 2 Timothy 1:13 (KJV) – states we should hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” Lastly, Titus 1:9 (KJV) - states, “Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.” The purpose of the church should be based on God’s Word only.

Q2. (2:14-15) How does ceasing complaining and arguing enable a church to shine as stars in a dark sky? What does this shining as stars signify? Have complaining and arguing compromised your church's witness as a God-place? If so, what can you do to change this? The church would be more cohesive; therefore working on the things of God: and winning souls to Christ. 2. Daniel 12:3 (KJV) – states, “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.” 3. I actually don’t attend a church; we have prayer and Bible study. We don’t complain and argue. There is no need to argue, God’s Word is the truth and we stand on the truth.

Q1. (2:12-13). In this passage, what does it mean to "work out your own salvation"? Is this referring to salvation from sin? If not, what kind of salvation is it referring to? While Christ is our Savior, and the author of our salvation, we must accept him and work together with him. Hence the Holy Spirit says, “Save yourselves” (Acts 2:40), and “work out your own salvation.” Unless we do our part Christ cannot save us. We should always fear God, and tremble from just knowing that he is omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient. 2. Yes!

Q4. (2:9-11) We know we're supposed to humble ourselves like Jesus did. But how can we know whether or not God will exalt us? Why do we get impatient with this? What does our impatience sometimes lead to? We must read the Bible, Matthew 23:12 (KJV) And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. 1 Peter 5:6 (KJV) Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 2. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (KJV) states, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.” 3. Hebrews 10:36-39 (KJV) For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

Q3. (2:7-8) Was Jesus really a human being, or was he only pretending to be one? What do these verses teach? What difference does it really make whether or not Jesus was human? He was very real. He came through His mother’s womb. 2. He refers to the state of our Savior before he took human form. His form was divine. “He had a glory with the father before the world was.” See John 1:1; 2 Cor 4:4; Heb 1:3, etc. [Johnson's Notes on the New Testament.] 3. It would make a difference, if he was not human it would make it difficult to relate to Jesus.

Q2. (2:6) In your own words, what does it mean that Christ didn't cling to his equality with God? How specifically does this passage teach that Jesus is divine? It means that Christ was willing to lay aside his glory and make himself not only a servant; but, was willing to also die for us. It teaches us that Jesus had a form of Glory just like His Father in heaven.

Q2. (2:6) In your own words, what does it mean that Christ didn't cling to his equality with God? How specifically does this passage teach that Jesus is divine? It means that Christ was willing to lay aside his glory and make himself not only a servant; but, was willing to also die for us. It teaches us that Jesus had a form of Glory just like His Father in heaven.

Q1. (2:1-4). To achieve unity in your congregation, why is humility necessary? Can you give an example of how lack of humility caused a division in your church? What are you doing to bring unity in your church? 1 Peter 5:5 (KJV) states, “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.” 2. Many were fighting for positions that would put them in authority, that caused utter chaos. 3. Praying and staying humble.

Q4. (1:23) What do Philippians 1:23 and 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 teach about the state of Christians immediately after death? How does this comfort you? How does this energize you? 2 Corinthians 5:8 (KJV) sums it up, “to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. “ 2. We can be comforted just knowing that one day soon we will be with Christ; which is far better. 3. This statement energizes me, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Q3. (1:20-21) How can fear keep us from being a bold witness? Why does fear of people bind our tongues? How does "losing our life" for Christ's sake actually give us an abundant life? What fear is keeping your from clear witness? As God’s children we do not walk in fear. According to 2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV) God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2. This is not my issue, but Moses had this issue. Exodus 4:10-11 (KJV) And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? 3. Jesus stated, “John 12:24-26 (KJV) Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.”There is no fear when you live your life for Christ and His Father.The only fear we should have is to fear God.See 2 Timothy 1:7.