Lionwolf

Q4. (Hebrews 2:3b-4) In what way has the truth of salvation been confirmed to you? Would signs and wonders help or hinder establishing the truth of Christ's ministry today? From which portion of the Bible have you formed your opinion of the value of signs and wonders today? Salvation has been confirmed to me by the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Christ. Couple that with the truth of the miracle of life we see all around us and the truth of salvation seems abundantly clear. I believe that signs and wonders are present today. It is not so much a hindrance today as it is a battle against the secular world. Much like the people to whom the book of Hebrews was written, once they realize the value of salvation it will be treasured. Trying to pick one section of the Bible is impossible. Every time I read the Bible new signs and wonders are shown to me.

Q3. (Hebrews 2:1) In what ways are we not immune to drifting away from the gospel? According to the author, how can we successfully resist the tendency to drift? How did Jesus describe this phenomenon of "drift" in the Parable of the Sower? God's word must be ever present, we must constantly be aware of the possibility of slipping away. We cannot simply disregard what God's word says. The parable of the sower teaches of the many ways one can drift. When we hear the word of God we have a choice, either fully accept the word and live by it or we can disregard it. There is no in between.

Q2. (Hebrews 1:2-3) What about the author's description of the Son makes you think that the Son described is himself divine? What role does the Son have in doing the Father's will according to these verses? The Son is the heir, He is the creator of the universe and all things in it, He sustains all. the Son is the one that implements the will of the Father both in the beginning, in the present, and in the future. The son is the Word.

While the term "Son" may infer a biological relationship, it is used to show the most direct relationship between God and Jesus. The Son has more authority than a prophet because of the greater relationship with God. The Son is the inheritor of the Kingdom hence his authority is much greater.

Q2. (Haggai 1:6, 9-11) God sometimes disciplines us through hardships and circumstances (Hebrews 12:7-11). Sometimes through us not having all that we need. What is such discipline intended to do in our lives? Are you experiencing hardship? What is God trying to say to you in the midst of it? The Lord uses discipline to make us stronger. Sometimes we become angry or depressed because of a weakness in our makeup. This weakness might be a physical shortcoming or it might be a personal shortcoming. God's discipline teaches us to find our strengths and use them. In this way our relationship with God grows stronger.

Q1. (Haggai 1:8) God wishes to "take pleasure" in the temple, but the people have stopped working on the project. When is God displeased with you? When does he "take pleasure" in you? What is keeping you from serving him deliberately and joyfully? God is displeased when excuses are made instead of taking responsibility and doing what needs to be done, displeased when we are self centered instead of God centered. God is pleased when we put Him first, both in thought and behavior. The biggest obstacle to pleasing God is living in a secular world. Keeping God first and living according to the scriptures is a very difficult thing to do. The physical world screams to the flesh. Paul tells us we are in a spiritual war so according to Ephesians 6 13-18 we need to put on the whole armor of God.

Q5. (Ezra 6:20-21) What do repentance and separation from the sins of our culture look like for a disciple today? How should we prepare ourselves to worship Jesus in the Lord's Supper? How should we prepare to serve him with purity day by day? Seperation and repentance is no different today than it was in Jesus' day. Things to avoid may be different but the rules are the same. Preparing ourselves is through prayer.

Q4. (Ezra 6:1-12) When faced with "insurmountable odds," why do we give up so easily? What are the characteristics of a disciple who retains a robust faith in the God of amazing breakthroughs and impossible solutions? A song I like says "...I can't even walk without you (Jesus) holding my hand.". We forget Jesus is watching over our shoulder, ready to support us when we falter. The characteristics of a disciple is just that, robust faith, an unshakable faith. Paul had it, John had it, Peter and James had it. Total surrender to Jesus!

Q3. (Ezra 4:1-3) Sometimes uncommitted people try to co-opt true worship for their own ends, as did the enemies of the Jews. What is the danger of letting people without a deep heart commitment and close walk with God redesign the church's image in the community? Redesign worship? Redesign the preaching? How can we be innovative and still be faithful to God's heart? We have seen the uncommitted co-opt true worship and salvation today and in times past. The Jewish elders knew the offer from their enemies was not a gift. Their worship would have been polluted and diluted, God would have been lost and forgotten. People today without the same commitment see church as social activity. The image to be broadcast is one of man for man. Worship becomes something to please man, not God. The preaching becomes flattering to the ear, something not to offend. Again, designed for man's pleasure. We can be innovative and still remain faithful to God. But with any change God must remain central to the change.

Q2. (Ezra 3) Rebuilding the temple in order to restore worship is the point of all this work. Is your personal worship what it should be? What foundations do you need to lay again in your personal restoration and revival of faith? My personal worship is worshiping God in everything I do. Is it where it should be? No. Everyday is a battle to keep things in focus. Time to read the Bible and the time to study God's word, time for prayer, has to be kept in perspective and not become a chore or something easily put off. Of course the activities of daily living must be handled as well. The foundation that needs to be layed again in my life is spending more time with the Lord apart from Bible study.

Q1. (Ezra 1:5-6) Why did only some return to Jerusalem when given the opportunity? What are the likely characteristics of those who return vs. those who stay behind in Babylon? Why do only some answer Jesus' call to follow him on his journey to a radically different kind of lifestyle and mission? What are the characteristics of true disciples? The people who returned were those who held faithfully to God. Jerusalem was the city of their people and the place of their Temple. It was the center of their religion. Those that stayed were probably too comfortable or not devout or maybe just not interested. Seems the same today. Some are willing to believe and thus have faith. Others are too comfortable and unwilling to let Jesus rock their boat, afraid of the light. True disciples are not afraid to follow where God leads.

Q1. (Colossians 1:5-6) Paul glorifies the gospel, the good news. What words does he use to describe the action of the gospel in verses 5 and 6? Given the temptation the recipients have to adopt another religious philosophy, why do you think he reminds them of the world scope of the gospel's influence? What happens in our day when a church becomes embarrassed or unimpressed with the gospel message? How does this affect the church? Paul tells the Colossians the gospel is the word of truth, that the gospel will bear fruit, and in turn promotes growth of the body of Christ. By reminding the Colossians that they are not alone, that they are part of the body of all Christians, they are made to feel secure in the face of people and philosophies that want to subvert the true gospel of Christ. When a church becomes embarrassed or unimpressed with the gospel the said church loses God and Christ. The same said church is following the ways of the world, is following the ways of the flesh. A church that no longer preaches the true gospel is no longer a church. This is the exact thing Paul is trying to prevent.

Q3. (1:5) According to 1 Peter 1:5, what is God's part in securing your salvation? What is your part? God's part in our salvation is protection for us. We can be secure in knowing God will keep us. Our part is faith in Christ.

Q2. (1:2) Why do forgiveness (sprinkling) and obedience come together as a package? Why is it deceptive to think you can have one without the other? Extra credit: If true faith requires obedience, how can we say that we are saved by grace rather than works? (Ephesians 2:8-10) When one accepts Jesus they are surrendering their self to God. This allows us to do as God wills which means obedience. One that is saved through faith is justified to God. To continue living as a sinner means falling from grace. Our salvation was for naught. Obedience comes after salvation. Ephesians 2:8-10 shows this.

Q1. (1:1) How would you describe the behavior of a Christian who identifies more with his present homeland than his heavenly one? Have you ever caught yourself doing this? What has to happen to get our spiritual priorities straight? Personal experience of being a Christian for an hour or so on Sunday and being "worldly" the rest of the week made me a Christian in name only. Thought I was saved but was only concerned with my present homeland. Not sure about others but as for me a desire to know more about Christ created an insatiable appetite for knowledge. Picking up my Bible and reading opened my eyes to the wonder and love of God. This has opened my heart to Jesus and how the gift of grace is a free gift for all. I can now understand how to stay grounded in my faith and not let the world get the best of me.

Q2. (Galatians 5:16-18) We are told that it's impossible for a Christian to live a sinless life. What do these verses teach about that? In what way does yielding to the Spirit suppress the power of the old nature (the flesh)? If Spirit-led living is possible, why do people claim that it's impossible not to sin? It is not impossible to live a sinless life if one yields to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit releases us from bondage AND restrains the flesh. However, too many times people trust to will power to restrain the flesh and not the Spirit. Too many times temptations arise and the Spirit is forgotten. Man relies on himself and is not truly surrendering to the Holy Spirit. Man needs to quit trying to beat sin through his own efforts and surrender to the Holy Spirit. This is the only way he can live sinless.

Q1. (Galatians 5:13-15) Have you ever seen Christians act as if they were lawless? How do Spirit-led Christians fulfill the spirit of the law? What does backbiting and rudeness in a congregation say about the spiritual climate of that congregation (5:15)? Yes, witnessing Christians being lawless is a painful thing. "Love your neighbor as yourself" is how Spirit-led Christians fulfill spirit of the law. If this simple truth is followed then God's grace is fulfilled. When a congregation becomes led by the flesh then backbiting and rudeness shows this congregation is led by the flesh. Sin abounds.

Q5. (Galatians 5:11) What is "the offense of the cross" that offended the Jews? How does the cross offend people in our day? Have you noticed Christians softening their proclamation of the cross? Does this help them communicate more clearly to our age or does it compromise the true message? The offense that offends is salvation through faith and not salvation through the law. Faith saves, law convicts. The cross offends the Jews because they did not accept Jesus as the Messiah and it reminds them of his death. People in our day are offended by the cross because it tells them there is absolute truth. Tells them they are in need and do not want to accept this. Some Christians are placing Jesus and the resurrection in a secondary role. Whether it is to draw new membership into their church or to be politically correct some churches are trying to redefine Christianity. The salvation given by God's grace was through Jesus's death on the cross and his resurrection. Letting concern over communication with young people, concern over secular politically correct issues, and concern over offending others with the truth is only compromising the true message. Paul is very clear on this. Diluting the truth does no one any service.

Q4. (Galatians 5:5-6) Circumcision had been the primary "mark of identity" for a believer in God. In what way has the Spirit become the new "mark of identity" for the believer? What is the evidence of the Spirit's presence in a believer's life according to verse 6? The new mark of identity is our spirit led faith. This means our life is focused on love and belief in Jesus. This is shown by loving one another.

Q3. (Galatians 5:4) Exactly what does Paul mean by "fall from grace" here? What has occurred that has caused this fall? How can present-day Christian legalism cause such a "fall from grace"? Paul means those that followed Christ but started following the law have lost their salvation. This dependence on the law for salvation is the act that has lost them the grace of God. Present-day Christian legalism which places ceremony and creeds above salvation through faith causes such a fall from grace. Just as the Judaizers placed the law in a position as being necessary for salvation, some present day Christians have at times done the same thing with creeds and ceremonies and rituals.

Q2. (Galatians 4:19-20) How is Paul's grief over his spiritual children like that of a parent seeing children stray? What does it look like when Christ is formed in a person? What is the process involved in this spiritual formation? Paul's first journey established the Galatian churches. He felt a kinship with them much like a father has with his children. The mere thought of these churches turning from what Paul had taught about faith in Christ aroused strong emotions. In essence Paul was upset like a father is when his children falter when they should know better. And like a father he is both angry that they are so easily swayed by a false gospel and hurt that they would turn from him. When Christ is formed in a person refers to the early stages of our discipleship and spiritual formation. This sets the pattern for our life in Christ. Paul saw the danger posed by legalism which can be seen today. Salvation comes through faith in Christ as our savior. This involves deep repentance of our past sins and allowing Christ into our life. This requires time to allow Christ to grow in us much like a child grows in the womb.

Q4. (Galatians 4:6-7) How does the Spirit's filling demonstrate we are full sons? What is the special sense in which the Aramaic word abba is used to speak to one's father? What is the significance of being heirs of God? Are we sons in the same sense that Jesus was God's Son? The Spirit's filling was sent by God to tell us we are son's. The term abba was initially a term of endearment for father. Being an heir of God means we are heirs of the kingdom. We are sons in the same sense of inheritance as Jesus.

Q3. (Galatians 4:3-5) In what sense were both the Gentiles and the Jews enslaved? What does "redeem" mean in verse 5? What are the implications of adoption regarding a person's legal and spiritual rights? All people, Gentiles and Jews, were enslaved as they had no rights or entitlement to God's kingdom. Being enslaved means no inheritance from God, slaves to sin. Whether enslaved to the law or to paganism or the secular world the fact remains we are not heirs to the kingdom. Jesus came into the world to redeem the world. To redeem us means to liberate us, to secure our deliverance from sin. Adoption bestows full status as a son on the adopted person. This gives all rights as an heir. By believing in Jesus as our redeemer we become children of God and heirs to the kingdom.

Q2. (Galatians 4:4) Why do you think it took so long to send the Messiah? What about the first century world made it fertile ground for the revelation of the Messiah and the spread of the gospel? God could have sent the Messiah at any time but both the world and the Jews had to be ready. The world had to be receptive because the Messiah was for all mankind. The Jews had to be ready because they would be the foundation for the early church. The time seemed right as there was common law due to the Roman Empire, koine greek was a common language, and travel was easier than in times past due to the great number of roads. Israel was right religiously because the Old Testament canon was closed and the Jews were ready for a messiah. This time was fertile for the Messiah due to the ease and rapidity in which ideas and knowledge could be spread.

Q1. (Galatians 4:26-29) Do you think Jewish Christians regarded Gentile Christians as second-class citizens? What is the basis of our unity in Christ? In what way does this unity pull down barriers? Do any groups continue to be regarded as second-class citizens in our congregations? What should we do about this? It seems the Jewish Christians regarded the Gentile Christians as either not Jewish enough or not Christian enough or both. The Jewish Christians probably thought they were still Jewish and perhaps had trouble divesting themselves of the law. Faith alone must have been hard for many to understand. That being said our unity in Christ is very simple...Faith. Faith in Christ is our unity as Christians. As Paul said in Gal 3:20 ther neither Jew or Greek, bond or free, male or female for we are all one in Christ. Some congregations are divided and cliquish for various reasons. We have probably experienced this. We should all take a lesson from Paul and address this immediately based on our desire to help all remember we are all equal in Christ.