Debra Grant

Q3. (Acts 19:21; 20:22-24; 21:12-14) What would have happened if Paul hadn't been sure of his instructions from the Holy Spirit to go to Jerusalem? Would you have tried to dissuade him? It's comforting to receive encouraging words. What level of maturity does it take to receive a direction that might lead us into hardship and danger? What happens when we choose the easy way, when God leads us on a difficult path? 1. He would have been hindered by the flesh.He probably would not have finished the task of testifying the gospel of God's grace. 2. No! God’s will must be done and trials are a part of doing his will. 3. It takes trust and determination to do God's will. Know that Jesus went through hardship of trials and did not quit. The holy ghost is a comforter and will lead, guide, and protect us. We must have faith in God which means to trust him in every way. We must be a person that don’t cease from praying and reading the word alone with fasting. 4. We have failed to put our trust in God. We must repent and get back up with determination to do God’s will.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 12:9a; Acts 18:9-10; 23:11; 27:24) How do you think it feels to Paul for God to personally encourage him when he is afraid and hurting? What do we learn about God that he speaks to Paul in this way? 1. It feels good, he knows that he is not alone, God loves, cares and will protect him. He feels like he is in God’s hand. Paul got the sense of not giving up on God and received a closer walk with God. 2. We learn that if God protected, encouraged, and let Paul know that he is there, he will do it for us. We learn that we can trust God. When we trust God, we do not have fear. We learn that when we are in a distraction, God will rescue us.

Q1. (1 Kings 17-19) Why do you think the author contrasts the "still small voice" to the wind, earthquake, and fire? How does God's voice comfort and renew Elijah? Why is it easy to miss God when his voice is gentle and quiet? 1 . The contrast possibly is showing the sovereignty of God which catches our attention. The still small voice is easy to ignore if we're not expecting to hear it. 2. He gave Elijah something to do to help him forget about the distractions that was on his mind. God comforted Elijah by pointing him to a spiritual companion, Elisha who will share his sometime lonesome life with him and eventually succeed him. 3. Sometimes if we are not trained to recognize God's voice, we might mistake it for a passing thought in our mind.

Q4. (1 Corinthians 2:9-16) How does the Holy Spirit make "the mind of Christ" available to us? How does this make you dependent upon the Holy Spirit? How does this relate to listening for God's voice? 1. The Holy Spirit reveal God's thoughts and Christ's mind to believers. We have the Holy Spirit which communicates and mediate our thoughts at the basic level and communicate to our spirits God's guidance and truth. 2. We do not clearly understand God or know everything because of us getting a glimpse, a word, a thought. Therefore, we need to consistently go to him to give us more word and understanding concerning different situations. 3. We need to get in a solitary place to understand more of God’s words, promptings, and glimpses to help us proceed forward.

Q3. Q3. (John 14-16) What promises concerning the Paraclete -- Comforter -- Counselor -- Helper -- Holy Spirit does Jesus give in John chapters 14-16? How do these relate to guidance? To "hearing" God? 1. The Holy Spirit will: 1. Guide us into the way of truth (John 16:13). 2. Teach us (John 14:26). 3. Speak to us what the Spirit hears from the Father (John 16:13a). 2. The Holy Spirit is God's presence that will guide, help, lead, and counsel us. 3. The presence and gift of the Holy Spirit will mediate God to us here on earth (John 14-16).

Q2. (John 5:19, 30) Why do you think Jesus said, "By myself I can do nothing"? (vs. 30). How do you justify this statement with Jesus' divine nature as the Son of God? In what ways can we use Jesus' example as a pattern for our own life and ministry? How do you think Jesus would "see" and "hear" the Father? 1. Jesus was taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." (Philippians 2:6-7) He was depending on God. 2. It’s not about Jesus’ divine nature, but how Jesus performs miracles in the same way that he teaches his disciples to do them -- by direction from and dependence upon the Father. 3. We can accept that Jesus' miracles resulted from him being a human being who is full of faith and in tune with his Father's will and timing, that helps Jesus become our exemplar as the Spirit-Filled Man, whom we can learn from how to operate in the Spirit! 4. Jesus seeking not to please himself but the father who sent him. Jesus diligently seeks to see what the Father is doing (verse 19) and hear what the Father is saying (verse 30). Praying consistently to the father.

Q1. (Mark 1:33-39) What pattern do you see emerging in Jesus' prayer life? Why do you think he spends Quiet Time with the Father before the day begins? How does this prepare him for his ministry? How did the disciple desires for Jesus differ from what Jesus felt impelled to do? (Mark 1:37-38) Why? Do you have a Quiet Time? What could you do to improve the quality of your time with God each day? 1. He gets up early and pray by himself in a solitary place to seek God. 2. Jesus seeks his Father's voice to received power for ministry and be in his father’s perfect will. 3. It helps him to be able to do the father’s will and listen for instructions. 4. The disciples wanted Jesus to stay where they were and serve the people. Jesus wanted to go somewhere else and preach in other towns. 5. Jesus said, He came to preach and the others probably wanted him to heal some people. (Jesus said, “That is why I have come.”) 6. Yes!! 7. I can do my best to make sure I study close to three or four hours a day.

Q2. (Nehemiah 9:7-35) Why is God's compassion emphasized so strongly in Israel's history? How can God's compassion be present even in times of tough discipline (Hebrews 12:7-11)? How does the compassionate God of the Old Testament relate to Jesus giving himself as a ransom for sinners (Mark 10:45)? 1. Israel didn’t deserve God's mercy. God's compassion is emphasized strongly because he wanted them to know that he loved them and they were his people. 2. God's compassion is present because his disciplining us shows his love for us. He does not want us to go a stray. 3. Jesus was the only way for our sins to be forgiven because his blood was pure. John 3:16 states: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Q1. (Nehemiah 8:1-12) Why does the reading of Scripture bring such sorrow to the people? Why is Scripture reading so important in personal spiritual revival? What place does the Spirit have in this? What is the relationship between joy and faith in God's compassion and love? 1. They didn’t know the laws of God and when they understood the laws they knew they had been sinning. The people were convicted of their sins against God. 2. Daily reading and meditating on his Word renews our mind and helps us to recognize sin in our lives. It helps us do God’s will. 3. The Spirit helps us to understand God’s word and to be obedient to God. The Spirit leads and guides us. 4. Until we have faith we can't have true Joy and are blind to God's compassion and love. When we're born again and faith is alive, His joy becomes our strength. We have faith that God has compassion and still loves us even though we had sinned and repented. We then can still have joy because of his love for us.

Q3. (Nehemiah 5) Why doesn't Nehemiah wait until he isn't so busy to deal with the complaints of the poor who are being oppressed? What is the chief motivation of their oppressors? How does Nehemiah deal with the issue? Why are church leaders sometimes quicker to deal with the complaints of the wealthy than those of the poor? What motivates these leaders? 1.The children should not be exploited and made slaves. They were hungry and in need of something being taken care of immediately. 2.Greed, disregard for the poor, and selfish gain for themselves. 3.He publicly exposed them and reminded them of the Mosaic law : .Exodus 22:25 - If thou lend money to [any of] my people [that is] poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury. He had the nobles and officials make an oath before the priests to return confiscated lands, to lower the interests being charged and return overcharged interests and pronounces a curse to those who don't comply. 4.They want to please and keep the rich people who are the bigger contributors of the church. Greed is what motivates these leaders.

Q4. (Nehemiah 6:1-14) Why do Nehemiah's enemies want him to travel away from Jerusalem? Why do his enemies bribe the prophets? How are they hoping to hurt Nehemiah's integrity, will, and authority? How is your enemy trying to make you stumble? 1. Nehemiah enemies wanted to assassinate him and stop the building of the wall. 2. They hoped that the prophets will lure him to go into the temple and because the prophets were corrupted due to money and greed. 3. They were trying to get Nehemiah to break the Mosaic Law. This would discredit him among the Jews. 4. The enemy tries to get me to talk about people.

Q2. (Nehemiah 4) How does Nehemiah respond to his enemies' ridicule? How does Nehemiah respond to military threats? What effect does this have on construction? How does Nehemiah respond to discouragement and fear in the people? How do you respond to discouragement and fear? What "walls" need to be rebuilt in your life to protect you from temptation and sin? 1. He didn't respond to them but prayed for them. 2. He made sure that he had 24 hour guards at the vulnerable parts of the wall. He also armed the workers working on the wall and the workers worked with one hand while carrying a sword in the other hand. 3. The work slowed down due to some workers having to keep watch over others. 4. He reassured the workers that God would see them through. He encouraged them by telling them not to be afraid because God was with them and would keep them safe. He reminded them of the purpose that the wall was a means of protection for their city and their family. 5. I pray to the Lord and read the bible or some other encouraging spiritual words. 6. I just need to continue to look to God and not get angered about some things that are necessary.

Q1. (Nehemiah 3) Why does Nehemiah need to build the walls quickly? Why does he assign so many teams? What motivates these teams? What kinds of problems would Nehemiah need to solve with so many teams working simultaneously? 1. Nehemiah needed to build the wall quickly for security and to get the wall completed before anyone would try to appeal with the Persian King. 2. With many teams working on different sections the workload was not as hard and stressed for anyone, but it was accomplished more quickly. 3. They knew that the walls would keep them more secure. 4. There are different personalities to deal with, different views of doing things, lots of challenges,and different attitudes of the people.

Q1. (Nehemiah 1:1-6) Why does Nehemiah pray day and night for four months? Why does he fast and weep? Isn't that excessive? 1. Nehemiah knows that God is forgiving and God might have mercy on the people and hear his prayer. 2. He fasted and prayed because of the burden for God's people. He fasted and he weep because he wanted to purify himself before God. 3. No, because we are to pray, weep if necessary, and seek God for answers we des

Q4. (Ezra 10:2-4) Do you think Shecaniah's solution to the people's sin of intermarriage was from God? Can you think of any other examples in the Bible of prophetic "words of wisdom" directing God's people at crisis points? How do the people respond to Schecaniah's radical solution? How does Ezra implement it? 1. No, I do not. He seems to be unconcerned about the wives and children’s feelings. God is not in agreement with divorce. 2. Not at the present time. 3. They agreed. 4. Ezra put the leader's under oath to carry out what had been suggested.

Q3. (Ezra 9:3-4) How does Ezra react when he hears of the sin of intermarriage? Does he react for show? Does he over-react? Why does he grieve over the sins of the people? What is wrong with us if we don't grieve over the sins of God's people? 1. He was shocked when he heard of the sin of intermarriage. He tore his clothing and pulled hair from his beard because he knew a terrible punishment would come upon the nation. 2. No, he did not react for show. 3. No, he did not over-react. That was the way the culture of that day grieved. 4. He was serious about what God had commanded and because these were leaders of the nation and he knew punishment would be coming. 5. Lack of belief in the word of God and we perhaps do not take sin seriously. Possibly lack of concern and not moved to care for the lost and to pray for them.

Q2. (Ezra 8:24-30, 33-34) Why does Ezra weigh out the gold and silver vessels when he entrusts them to individuals, and weigh them again when they are delivered to the temple? Is this an act of distrust? If not, why are steps to prevent embezzlement good for Christian organizations? 1. The gold and silver vessels are weighed to assure that none of God's funds were embezzled. 2. No, it is not an act of distrust. 3. Steps to prevent embezzlement is good for Christian organizations because christian people can be tempted by greed. To protect those handling the money.

Q1. (Ezra 8:21-23) Why does Ezra call the people to fast? Does fasting compel God to answer our prayers? What does fasting accomplish in us? 1. It was because they are carrying a great deal of money. Ezra called a fast to humble them and to petition God for protection. 2. No 3. Fasting helps us to be aware of our need for him, rather than continue to be self-deceived by a sense of self-sufficiency. Our prayers become humble, earnest, faith-filled.

Q4. (Zechariah 12-13) Paul was broken-hearted for his countrymen the Jews, who had rejected the Messiah. We should be too. When do you think the prophecy will be fulfilled that says, "They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn...?" (Zechariah 12:10). Concerning the fountain that cleanses from sin and impurity (Zechariah 13:1), has that been fulfilled, or will it be future? Why will it please God so much when all the Jews finally believe in Jesus? 1. It has been already in John 19:36-37. It will be again during the end times of this world when Jesus comes back. 2. It has been fulfilled. It is also in these days when a person repents to God, they can be washed from their sins. 3. "A partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved" (Romans 11:25b-26a)

Q3. (Zechariah 11:4-17) Why is God so condemnatory towards shepherds or leaders who take advantage of their office and exploit the people? What is Jesus' standard for leaders (Mark 10:42-45). What would it look like in government if we followed Jesus' standard? What would it look like in your workplace? In your church? In your home? 1. His anger burns against the shepherd and he will punish them for mistreating the people. 2. Whoever wants to become great must be a servant,and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 3. It would be more organized. People would get along better by serving others. The leaders would care greatly for people and have more concern for people’s rights. 4. People would be treated fairly and there would be not favoritism. 5. Praising and worshiping God would be better because there would be more of God’s spirit in the church. People would have a chance to learn more about God and what Jesus did on earth as an example. 6. There would be more peace, love, and praising God. Family would get alone better. Children would be raised Godly.

Q2. (Zechariah 7:9-10; 8:16-17) What does it look like to operate from a policy of mercy and compassion? God commands justice for the poor and oppressed in our culture. How can we be sure that the poor are treated justly in our courts? How do you treat aliens in your country, sojourners from another land? Why is speaking truthfully with others so important to God? 1. Mercy is rendering assistance to a person in need of certain circumstances and unable to help him or herself. Compassion is having a steadfast love and concern that never ends. Both is expressing love and concern for others. 2. We need to have the love of God. With that, we can give aid to those in need. It doesn’t matter what kind of assistance they need, we Christians are to do our best. 3. I treat them nice and assist them in learning the way things are in my town. I embrace them so that they can feel welcome. 4. God is truthful and he is not a liar. All men should know the true word of God which is not comprising.

Q1. (Zechariah 7:4-6) In what ways have we Christians tended to make worship about us, rather than about God? How should we evaluate our churches and our worship patterns? What can we do to make our personal worship a matter of the heart, and not just rote readings and prayer? 1.Fasting is self-pity. No true repentance and humbling oneself,but whining. We seek our own pleasure on our fast days and leave God out" (Isaiah 58:3b) "We are near to God with their mouth and honor him with our lips, therefore our hearts are far from him. We praise God to be seen by others. 2.We should look for since worshiping that requires us to be strengthen. We should be able to feel the spirit of God in the church.We should see that the pastor is an example of living holy and ministers also. 3.We need to repent daily. We are to fast with a true heart, read and study the word of God, and pray to God in a sincere manner.

Q4. (Zechariah 4:1-10) Why do we so easily fall into the trap of trying to do God's work with our own strength? What does it mean, "Not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit"? How might you apply this truth to your life? 1. Because we do not listen to discern what God is saying and doing, and then cooperate with that, but we force things to happen by our own will and efforts. 2. God is always with us and will give us strength to do whatever is needed. We must depend on him. 3. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. We must listen and obey him.

Q3. (Zechariah 3:1-7) What do Joshua's filthy clothes represent? How does God deal with this? What message is this prophecy intended to convey to Joshua the High Priest? How might this message apply to Christian leaders who have sinned? 1. Sin 2. God reproves Satan most sharply: "Yahweh rebuke you, Satan! He also cleans Joshua up from sin. 3. That God loves him and desires him to be an obedient servant. The Lord shows this by promising Joshua the privilege of governing the temple if he walk in God’s ways and keep God’s requirements. 4. We must remember if we mess up that God will forgive us when we repent. God never stop loving us even when we sin.

Q2. (Zechariah 2:13) Why, in this passage, do you think the prophet calls all mankind to be still before him? In the context of God aroused to protect his people from attack, why is silence appropriate? For the enemy of God, what does silence represent? For the believer, what does silence before God represent? 1. So that they can listen to God and let him do what he want to do. They had to trust that God will fight their battle. 2. They could interfere if they talked or thought about doing something that could hinder. God wanted to take full control and fight for them. 3. The enemy could be confused and not know what God would do. 4. Be still and let him God what he is going to do. Listen and follow him.