Debra Grant

Q16. (Matthew 25:31-46) What are the “sheep” complimented for? What are the “goats” condemned for? Is this salvation by works? If no, why not? How does Jesus identify himself with “the least of these my brothers”? Why did Jesus tell this parable to his disciples? What do modern-day disciples need to learn from it? How should this parable motivate missions to aid immigrants, the poor, and the homeless? 1. The sheep are humble, kind, and more willing to obey or help others. 2. The goats are naturally more aggressive and condemned because the mistreat others. They will not obey as sheep does. 3. I would say no. 4. Yet, there is spiritual work being done such as seeing after others which teaches salvation is working and expressing our love through God's mercy and grace. We are to let others see the love light in us by being obedient to God's will. We do the will of God because we are saved and love him. 5. Jesus is closely identified with the least of his brothers because he serves them. Where there is two are three gathered in his name, Jesus is there. He states whatever you do for the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. Jesus helps and advises his brothers to help others. 6. Those who are given eternal life are those who do the will of God from their heart towards the needy and not for show. 7. Modern-day disciples need to learn that we are to help the needy and others as much as possible from our heart. We are not to be selfish and to obey God in every way needed. 8. Understand that Jesus is teaching to help everyone and let love of God be expressed for the people that don't have much or nothing at all. Remember we will be judged by how our love and compassion shows up in our behavior. Have the understanding that we are to let our fruit of the spirit show from within.

Q15. (Luke 16:19-31). What was the Rich Man's sin that landed him in hell? Since it isn't stated explicitly, what must it be? In hell, what is the Rich Man's attitude towards Lazarus? What is the main point of the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus? What are you and your church doing to aid the very poor in your area? In the world? 1. The rich man refused to feed the beggar who laid at his gate and was covered with sores that the dogs licked. He allowed the beggar to eat the crumbs that fell from his table. 2. The rich man was not concerned about others, only concerned about himself, which was selfish. 3. He wanted Lazarus to dip his finger in water and cool his tongue. He was asking for help from Lazarus when he had no compassion on him at all. He was still concerned about himself. He did not even ask Lazarus to forgive him. 4. Jesus is teaching that the love of money will get you in hell and that he is not pleased about it. We are to think about others and not be selfish. God don't mind us having things in life, not to exceed it as being ungrateful for others who are in need. We are to use and share what we have to help others. 5. We help others as much as possible. We help the firemen that came to put out big fires in our area. We encourage the elderly women and men at mother's day and father's day by having a program just for them or giving them a small token of money to show that they are special. We have a Community Christmas dinner for the special need group homes every Christmas. During that time we give them gifts and let them do something spiritual, such as sing, answer bible questions, and we provide a nice meal for them. My church also send clothes, shoes, toys, and other small things to Honduras and other countries that have less or nothing.

Q14. (Matthew 7:3-5) What is humorous about the Parable of the Speck and the Beam? How can we get to a place where we can see with clear spiritual eyes? Why does Paul insist that “spiritual” members correct sinning Christians with gentleness? What does judgmentalism have to do with hypocrisy? 1. The person with the plank is trying to remove a speck from another person's eye. Not looking at themselves. 2. We are to use our time wisely by dealing with our sins and weaknesses, in order to help some one else who is in sin. We must repent and turn our lives to God completely. Get ourselves together by fasting, praying, and reading God's word. 3. Jesus said, "Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. Galatians 6:1 We being harsh can push them away because they need love. Our love and kindness will draw them. The spiritual members have already dealt with their own sins and can acknowledge that being gentle is necessary to gain the attention of a sinning Christian. 4. We cannot be self-appointed correctors of others because we will miss the spirit and not obey the law fully. We must clean ourselves first before trying to help someone else. Judgementalism and hypocrisy go hand and hand because a person tries to correct others when they are not clean, but acting as if they are,

Q13. (Matthew 21:28-31) Which son represents the tax collectors and prostitutes? Why do you think so? Why is it harder to actually obey, rather than just mouth the words? How is the lesson of this parable similar to the lesson of the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders? (Matthew 7:24-27) Why is actual obedience essential to true discipleship? 1. The first son represents the tax collectors and prostitutes. 2. The tax collectors and prostitutes believed what John presented to them. At first they did not, but later believed the word of God. 3. The tongue is trouble and deadly along with lying because it is not from the heart. Action is from the heart and putting forth an effort to obey. 4. The wise put forth and effort to stand on obeying the word of God. The foolish is just allowing weakness to succeed and cause them to fail. 5. God is not a fake or pushing for wrong, compromising, and allowing something wrong to succeed. He is true and wants his followers to be true. He wants his followers to look for good in life to be blessed and express being an example to draw others.

Q12. (Matthew 7:13-14) Why is "seeking" necessary to “find” the narrow gate? Why do you think Jesus concludes this brief parable with the phrase, “and only a few find it”? How is this parable designed to strengthen disciples to be willing to go against the flow, to be different from others in the culture? 1. We should want to be where there is few people because it will lead us to the right place which is heaven with God. The wide gate is open all the time and leads to destruction. 2. There is only a few looking and that really care to find it. 3. Looking at Jesus and what he has done for us such as dying on the cross should encourage us to do the right thing which includes obeying to be with him for ever. It lets us know being in the few is a help to eternal life. It lets us know that following Jesus is the right way. We are also reminded that being different is necessary when we go through our trials.

Q11. (Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:47-49) Why does Jesus focus the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders on “putting into practice” rather than in “believing”? How can you help young Christians move from believing to true discipleship? 1. He advises them to put his words into practice and both listen and obey. The foolish will build and their house will fall. The wise will build and their house will not fall because of the firm foundation. Building a house requires wisdom to spend adequate time to construct a firm foundation. We must trust God all the way to have a spiritual firm foundation. 2. Let them see the true life I am living which is an example. It will help them understand that living for God can be done truthfully. My testimonies will encourage and allow them to know that God can deliver, heal, and save our souls from hell. We are to let our light shine and not make it shine.

Q10. (Matthew 5:23-26) Why did Jesus tell the Parable of the Guilty Defendant? How do people we have wronged and to whom we have not kept our promises get in the way of us worshipping God properly? In what ways is it hypocritical not to address these matters to the best of our ability? 1. We need to get things right before the judge before it is too late because we can go to jail and have consequences that we don't want. Jesus explains that we are to treat people right and apologize when necessary. We are to keep our promise to others. 2. Reconciliation will not be possible and God cannot be reached. Our worship can not be true to God. We are to forgive and when necessary ask for forgiveness. 3. It is trying to make people believe we are something more in God than we are. We are being foolish because we know we should get it right. We are disobeying God when we do not get it right regardless of what the situation is. Jesus forgives us so that we can be reconciled to God.

Q9. (Mark 7:14-23; Matthew 15:10-11, 15-20) What does Jesus teach about the heart of man? What does Jeremiah 17:9 tell us about the heart of man? Why do we try to look good on the outside, but resist letting Jesus change us on the inside? Why is repentance necessary for an outwardly “moral” person in order to be saved? 1. What comes out of a man is what makes him 'unclean. For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.'" 2. The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond fixing. 3. We try to look good on the outside but the heart is corrupt on the inside. Therefore we try to hide it by making the outside look good. We have pride and resist letting Jesus Christ change us on the inside. We have selfishness deep down inside of us which is deceitful, devious and conniving. 4. We need inner cleansing and we cannot do it ourselves.

Q7 1. The poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame of the town, and countryside. The guests both good and bad. 2. From the highways and hedges? 3. Who do the servant-recruiters represent? Those that are obeying God. 4. We are very much willing, but trying to do better. 5. What keeps you from this Kingdom task? Nothing, but going at it more and more. 6. Teaching the word of God to members and how to approach the unsaved in love and words.

Q6. (Matthew 22:1-10; Luke 14:15-24) Who do the excuse-makers represent? What are the potential results of excusing ourselves from carrying out God’s will as we know it? 1. Pharisees and Jewish religious establishment the nation of Israel, who as a whole refused to repent and believe the Gospel. 2. Lame excuses, rejecting God, completely disobeying God.

Q5. (Luke 13:6-9) What caused Israel’s barrenness in Jesus’ time? What keeps the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) from growing and maturing in our lives? What can we disciples learn from the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree? 1. Israel did not bear any spiritual fruit because they were in sin. They had pride in themselves and would not obey God. 2. Sin and pride along with being disobedient. The Isrealites felt as if they were right and refused to obey God. This caused their love for God to be non existed. They were religious. 3. We must be examples of the fruit of the spirit, willing to obey and trust God at all times.

Q8. (Matthew 21:33-46) Who do the servants sent to collect the landowner’s share of the crop represent? What happened to Israel who rejected God’s servants and Son who were sent to them? This is a parable about resisting those whom God sends to us to help us. Have you ever seen a church reject a pastor or leader that God sends to help them? Why is supporting our pastors and leaders important to God’s plan for the church? (Hebrews 13:7, 17). In the Beatitudes, how does Jesus encourage those who are rejected and persecuted? (Matthew 5:10-12)? 1. The apostles, prophets, and Jesus. 2. God brought them to an end which is destroyed them. Other tenants will be able to rent the vineyard. 3. Yes, I have. 4. We are to respect them and imitate their faith. Have confidence in our leaders and accept their authority because they watch over our souls. We are not to be an burden to them. 5. We are blessed even during persecution, the kingdom of heaven is ours. Rejoice and be continuously glad because our reward in heaven is great.

Q4. (Matthew 18:23-35) In the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant, where do you see justice? Where do you see grace? Where do you see greed? Where do you see unforgiveness? What lessons from this parable are disciples to incorporate into their lives? 1. The unmerciful servant received punishment because he did not forgive, but was forgiven. He didn't care about anyone else and showed by not forgiving or having mercy as was given to him. 2. Grace was given to the unmerciful servant after begging, but not to the one who owed him. 3. Where no forgiveness was rendered, it was greed. That was due to no thankfulness and owing less than he was forgiven for. 4. The unforgiving servant not concerned with being free, forgiving, and expressing grace to the one that owed him. 5. If you want to be forgiven, you must forgive from the heart. Showing grace, forgiveness, love, and concern for others is a benefit.

Q3. (Luke 7:41-43, 47) According to Jesus’ Parable of the Two Debtors, do you think the woman was saved prior to the dinner or during the dinner? How effusive is your love for Jesus? How should we as disciples express our gratitude for salvation? 1. I believe the woman was saved during dinner because it stated she was a sinner. Her love for Jesus saved her. She felt his compassion and wanted what he had to give her. She felt peace that was needed for her. 2. I have great love for Jesus because he understands and knows me truefully better than anyone. 3. We should by obeying Jesus in every way he wants us to. We should witness to everyone with his word and our life.

Q2. (Luke 15:11-32) What does this parable have in common with the Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin? What does the parable tell us about our Father’s way of operating and his values? In what ways does the older son hold his father’s values? In what ways does he lack them? What should disciples learn from this parable to equip them for ministry? 1. When the lost is found, there is rejoicing because of God's love, grace, and mercy. He is a forgiving God. 2. The father does not look at what we have done, but what we need which is his love, forgiveness, and a relationship with him. 3. The older son was obedient, reliable, and willing to be of good help to the father. He didn't have the concern for sinners or the lost as his father did. 4. There was some selfishness because he looked at what he did and considered it as being more than his brother. His compassion for his brother was not good. 5. Look at the good that was done and how a sinner should be treated regardless of what wrong has been done. Understand love is greater than anything that can be given to someone. Think about the greatness and love of God that has been given to us and others. His love never changes.

Q1. (Luke 15:1-10) What do the Parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin teach disciples about God’s heart? In what way do these parables represent a contrast to the murmuring of the Pharisees? How should a disciple implement Jesus’ value of seeking the lost in his or her own community? 1. It teaches us about God -- his love, his heart for the lost, his forgiveness, and his mercy. 2. In this context, the lost sheep is a sinner and the ninety-nine sheep represent the righteous. This is the answer to the Pharisee question. 3. We are to look for the lost even if we have to leave the righteous one. Express our love to them and let them know we are concerned.

Q38. (1 Peter 5:5-6) Why is prideful living incompatible with showing grace? Why do you think God opposes the proud? What does humility have to do with repentance to enable us to receive God’s grace? How does pride prevent us from showing grace? 1. Pride is when someone thinks only of themselves. Pride is not being humble, loving of others, or willing to help others. Pride is not forgiving anyone. 2. There is nothing good in being proudful. A proudful person is dangerous and like to be the big thing in everyway to get attention and look on others as nothing. 3. We must humble ourselves and be serious about repenting to God or else there is no forgiveness. Humility lets God know we are serious and want to receive forgiveness and that we are thankful for him. 4. When we have pride, we are selfish and do not true love, mercy, and compassion for others. We are concern about ourselves. Grace is love.

Q37. (2 Corinthians 9:6-9; 8:9; Luke 6:37-38) Is it possible to be grace-filled and stingy at the same time? Why is this so? What is the relationship between forgiving and giving generously? 1. No, you are grace-filled or stingy not both the same time. Grace filled makes us generous whereas stingy is a person being selfish. 2. When we follow Jesus, we see him as an example of being grace-filled along with being loving, concerned, and letting himself become poor for us. Being generous increased our blessings. 3. Jesus died on the cross so that our sins could be forgiven. Thinking about Jesus forgiving us and did it generously, lets us know that we should do the same. Forgiving makes us free and giving generously brings blessings to give even more.

Q36. (Colossians 4:5-6; 1 Peter 3:8-9, 15; Ephesians 4:29-32) What would be the characteristics of a conversation with an unbeliever that might be termed “full of grace”? What guidelines should rule our ways of speaking? How can we avoid the bad examples set for us by leaders of our culture and our world? 1. To have a conversation speaking with gentleness, compassion, love, allowing grace to be seen and being humble. 2. Speaking with love as we are gentle and kind. Allowing the other person to speak and letting them know we are listening to understand how we can be a help. 3. We can avoid the bad examples by reading God's word, praying, and doing what the bible says. Not judging someone because of their ungodly ways, but loving them.

Q35. (Luke 6:27-36; Romans 12:12-21) What is the difference between ethical behavior and grace? What is so radical about Jesus’ teaching about loving one’s enemies? What illustrations does he use of this outrageous grace? 1. Ethical behavior is to show feel, or give in response or return to someone who will do the same to us. Grace is giving when someone do not deserve it, but loving them anyway. 2. We should not pay evil for evil or retaliate when things go wrong. We should express loving kindness. 3. The illustrations are: turn your cheek, if they take your cloak, give them your tunic, express love about everything that not worthy.

Q34. (1 Corinthians 15:10) How does your openness to God’s grace define your persona, who you actually are? How does your willingness to dispense God’s grace to others mold you into who God has designed you to be? 1. Accepting who I am in God and willing to do my best at it. I share with others the gift God has given me. I do what is needed to grow in God . 2. God's grace is help and encouragement to me which also means a lot. I grow when dispensing what I know to others while helping them understand to push forward. I get joy when helping others.

Q33. Why are God’s gifts of grace an immensely greater blessing to those who attend church and are a functioning part of a congregation? How can isolating yourself from the Christian community involve selfishness and fear? How can it impoverish you? 1. We are helpers to one another. We learn from one another spiritually through gifts that each one holds in the body of Christ. We give and receive love, learning the word of God, and communicating with each others. When we isolate ourselves, our learning, communicating with others, using our gifts is not in progress, is at a stop. 2. Not knowing what can be our strength brings fear because we are lacking knowledge of God and trust. If we are along, it brings selfishness due to only thinking about ourselves. 3. It can impoverish a person because the person does not know everything and need the gifts, teaching, communication of others. When we live off of what we know it shortens our knowledge and wisdom. How can our gifts be exalted if we just rely on the little we know.

Q32. (1 Peter 4:10) We are stewards of God’s grace. What are the responsibilities of a steward or trustee? In what way do we act as trustees of what belongs to God? In what way are spiritual gifts or the message of the gospel part of this trust we have been given? 1. As a steward, we are to manage with what we are given by helping others as best as possible. We are to not hoard anything and not be selfish at all. 2. Remembering that what we are trusted with is God's to be used faithfully. We are to provide for others as much as possible. When we see a need, ignoring it is not of God. Expressing our love to fulfill the need anyway possible and righteously is of God. 3. God gives us different gifts to use for the ministry. The gifts are to build up the church successfully as we help others to grow stronger. It is also joy and encouragement for ourselves while obeying God. We are strengthen by disbursing gifts to others righteously and thanking God for trusting us to do so. Our blessing comes when we disburse help to others.

Q31. (Ephesians 4:7; Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-6) Why is there such a close relationship between “grace” (charis) and “gifts” (charisma)? What is the chief characteristic of a generous person? In what ways do spiritual gifts channel God’s grace? 1. God has given us grace which we do not deserve or can earn. Therefore, with grace we are give gifts to edify the body of Christ. Both go together in a relationship because of being forgiven and free which allows us to use the gifts given in a lovely way. 2. A generous person must have love to be able to give and not expect anything back. Feeling good that he or she can help a person in need as seen or knowing there is a space of blankness. 3. The gifts are give to us not for selfishness, but for us to share as needed and as God wants us to operate in freely. We must use the gifts with others to build up the body of Christ.