Lionwolf

Q4. (Galatians 3:19-25) What was the purpose of the law? Was it intended to justify a person? In what ways did it restrain sin? In what ways did it expose sin? The law was given by God to man to show what sin is and what transgressions are. Sin is therefore defined and sin is committed when man transgresses the law. The law was intended to guide us toward God, to show what is expected from us. it was not intended to justify but was intended to make us know what sin is. It did restrain in that provided limits for our behavior but it did not completely stop sin. The law exposed everyone to the fact of all being sinners.

Q3. (Galatians 3:10-14) What is Paul's argument for salvation by faith based on the concept of the "curse of the law"? On what basis do the Gentiles receive "the promise of the Spirit" (3:14)? Paul argues that the law is a curse since no one can keep the law. Jesus became a curse for us in order fo remove our dependence on the law. With Christ's resurrection came grace. Christ became our redeemer by paying the penalty required by the law for our sins. Gentiles now receive the promise of the spirit on the basis of Christ's redemptive sacrifice which removed the curse of the law.

Q2. (Galatians 3:6-9) What is Paul's argument for salvation by faith based on Abraham? In what sense are we "children of Abraham"? Abraham's faith in God is without question. It is well established throughout Genesis. Justification was given to Abraham due to his faith (Gen 15:6). All nations are blessed through Abraham. Christ is the seed of Abraham whose crucifixion and resurrection secured God's grace for all nations. By believing in Christ we become the spiritual children of Abraham.

Q1. (Galatians 3:2-5) What argument for salvation by faith does Paul give from the presence of the Spirit? What does this tell us about the spiritual environment of the Galatian churches? How can we regain this dynamic environment in our own congregations? Paul argues that the Galatians had received the Spirit when they first accepted Christ. The Galatians had been foolish and gave up salvation through faith and went back to the law thus rejecting the Spirit. Churches need to focus on how Jesus was crucified for us, how He was resurrected, and how salvation is through faith.

Q5. (Galatians 2:20) In what sense have we been "crucified with Christ"? What does that mean? In what sense do "I no longer live"? Whose life now motivates us? How does this verse relate to Paul's closing comments about the "new creation" (Galatians 6:15)? What does Galatians 2:20 teach about Christ's attitude toward us? Christ was crucified in order to end our dependence on the law and introduce us to God's grace. We are "crucified with Christ" when we accept Christ as our savior because we are dead to the law. We are no longer dependent on the law for our salvation. Christ now lives in us and it is Christ that now motivates us to live a life for Him. This explains the "new creation" as we are no longer the same person. We are not living in the flesh but are now living in the spirit, now living by grace and not living under the law. Christ loved us so much that He was willing to suffer a painful and excruciating death in order for us to have life, willing to give His life so we may die to the law and experience God's loving grace.

Q4. (Galatians 2:15-21) What happens to the importance of Christ's death if circumcision is deemed necessary to salvation? Why was this issue of the sufficiency of the Messiah's death so important in Paul's day? Why was this issue important to Luther and the reformers? Why is it so important in our own day? How does it affect the relative legalism of our congregations? If circumcision is deemed necessary to salvation then Christ died for nothing. Christ's sacrifice on the cross brings justification through faith and the law does not bring justification. That is the central point of Christ's sacrifice, justification through faith. The law makes us aware of sin but does not save. Paul understood that Jesus ended the law as far as salvation, we do not rely on the law for our salvation. Luther read Galatians and was awakened to it's truth. He realized all the legalism and ceremony was not necessary. Christ's sacrifice is the same today as it was yesterday and will be tomorrow. Based on the truth in Galatians legalism is something we need to always be on guard against.

Q3. Why is it so hard to take the gospel to different peoples without wrapping it in our own cultural practices? Can you think of examples of this in Church history? What is the danger? How can we avoid such cultural faux pas in our church's missionary enterprises? Our culture puts blinders on how we interpret other cultures. This affects how we present Christianity. When Christianity was brought to the Americas it was presented through European eyes. Not taking the culture practices into account makes presenting Christianity in way that can be understood and accepted hard to do. There is a very real danger Christianity will be rejected or misunderstood. Understanding the culture gives us a way to present the Gospel in a way that is acceptable.

Q2. (Galatians 2:14) Why do you think Paul confronted Peter publicly rather than privately? Do you expect Paul had talked with Peter about this previously? How did a public discussion of this benefit the Jewish Christians? How did it benefit the Gentile Christians? What kind of pressure do you think this put on Paul? Putting this in the open left no margin for any misunderstanding. Everyone involved will be aware of the resolution of the issue. Paul may have discussed this with Peter privately but if he did there was no agreement. This benefited both the Jewish Christians and the Gentile Christians by showing the truth of Paul's ministry, faith over law. All Christians, Jewish and Gentile, are saved the same way. It was a beginning of the removal of barriers. Paul was now going to have to defend this position to the church in Jerusalem and the apostles. This was a critical point in the growth of the Church and Paul knew it was one that could determine the true future direction.

Q1. (Galatians 2:11-14) Why do you think Peter first embraced the Gentile believers in Antioch and later withdrew from them to eat only with Jews? What does this tell us about his character? Why should he have known better? What does this tell us about Barnabas? What does it tell us about the political clout of the visitors from Jerusalem? Have you ever acted like a hypocrite to impress others? What should you do when you recover your senses? Peter did vacillate when he was unsure. This was a situation where Peter was unsure of himself. Should he follow Paul or follow the visiting Jews? He put more credence in the visiting Jews than in what Jesus had taught. As a Christian Peter knew this was hypocritical behavior. Barnabas also placed the Jewish law above his faith as a Christian. Both kowtowed to the status of the church in Jerusalem. Most people have been in this situation. When the hypocrisy is realized you need to do whatever it takes to undo the damage that has been done. This includes asking for forgiveness from those injured and from God. And remembering the lesson!

Q4. (Galatians 2:1-10) Why do you think Paul seems to distance himself from the leaders of the Jerusalem church (2:2, 6, 9)? Why does he at the same time write of their approval of his ministry? How does this further his argument to the Galatians in this letter? Not sure Paul was distancing himself from the leaders of Jerusalem as he was showing his ministry had been revealed to him by God and the Holy Spirit. Paul knew his ministry was right. Having approval of the Jerusalem leadership only reinforced the truth of the gospel he preached to the Galatians.

Q3. (Galatians 2:1-3) Paul is arguing that the Jerusalem leaders support his position on circumcision, rather than that of the Judaizers. What is the significance of Paul's mention that Titus was not required to be circumcised? Titus was a gentile convert to Christianity. Paul held him up as an example of salvation through faith and not according to the law. Uncircumcision was proof of salvation through faith alone. Thus, the gospel Paul preached was the true gospel. This proof also solidified Paul's apostleship in the Church.

Q2. (Galatians 1:13-16) What factors in Paul's background made him an ideal apostle to the Gentiles? How did God use his being different from others? To ponder: How has your unique background fitted you for ministry? What uniqueness has God given you? What will it take to see that uniqueness as a God-given strength rather than as an embarrassment? Paul was born in Tarsus, a Roman gentile city. He was familiar with gentiles. He was also a Pharisee and had studied the Old Testament scriptures extensively. Paul was also a zealous person. God knew Paul would use these abilities as zealously for Christ as he had to persecute the followers of Christ. God used Paul's differences to move among the gentiles as well as the Jews and preach the gospel with equal ability. My uniqueness and unique life experiences have given me an understanding of people. Being patient is something my disease of hemophilia has taught me. These are strengths God has given. Hemophilia has taught me the strength to persevere, to not give in to that which defeats. This is the gift God gave.

Q2. Paul called the Judaizers' message as a "different gospel," a perversion of the true gospel. How is this dangerous to the Galatian believers? How do twisted gospels (or an unbalanced interpretation of the gospel) affect Christians in our day? A "different gospel" is dangerous as it sows confusion and discord. It also takes the Galatians from the truth of Jesus. As Paul states so clearly the law doesn't save, the law convicts. The confusion and discord can also pit one against another. Unbalanced interpretation of the gospel can, and does, create these same types of problems today. As we see Paul speaking very strongly against the "different gospel", these issues need to be confronted immediately.

Q1. (Galatians 1:4) According to verse 4, for what purpose did Jesus give himself? How does Jesus rescue people today? How does he keep people from falling back into their old ways? 4 Jesus gave himself for our sins in order to deliver us from the the present evil according to the will of God. Jesus asks the same today, believe in Him by faith! Jesus helps keep people from backsliding by the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Q1. (John 3:22) What is the importance of Jesus spending time with his disciples? What is his strategy? How does Jesus make disciples today? Where is our time with the Discipler? How important is your time as a discipler, "hanging out" with people God puts on your heart to disciple? Jesus wants to spend time with the disciples in order to facilitate their training and education. Jesus wanted his disciples to walk with Him, watch Him, learn from Him, be His apprentices. But most importantly, listen to Him and talk With Him. Jesus makes disciples today by the same method. To become a disciple one must spend time with Jesus. This means quiet time, prayer, study time, and active time. This time must become a big part of our daily life. The time spent as a discipler is very important just as it was for Jesus and the apostles.

Q4. (John 3:16) Why is this verse so famous? What does it teach us about God? What does it teach us about salvation? Since "entering eternal life" is a synonym for "entering the Kingdom of God," what does this verse teach us about our destiny? This verse explains better than any other God's love and plan for us. God created man as His crowning achievement but man rebelled. Because of our sin we were separated from God. God loves us so much He became flesh for us, suffered for us, and died for us. This verse shows the depth of God's love for us. Salvation depends on man accepting Jesus, believing Jesus is our savior, having faith. Having faith in Jesus allows man to enter the Kingdom of God, allows man to experience the grace God has given us thanks to the sacrifice Jesus made. The gift man can have is because of the love God has for us. All summed up in this one verse!

Q3. (John 3:5-7) What does it mean to be "born of water and the Spirit"? What do you think "water" refers to? Why have you come to this conclusion? How, then, would you paraphrase "born of water and the Spirit" to best bring out the full meaning? I believe being "born of water and the Spirit" refers to physical birth and spiritual birth. Apparently this was something understood by Nicodemus but the meaning has been lost. While I believe "water" refers to physical birth the other possible meanings are probably just as defensible. Not sure "water" refers to baptism as this was not a common practice among the Jews. I believe "born of water and the Spirit" means we must become new beings in Christ, must become children of God.

Q2. (John 3:3-5) What does "entering the Kingdom" have to do with being "born anew"? Which do you think is the best translation here: "born again," "born anew," or "born from above"? Defend your reasoning. The Kingdom is spiritual. Being born anew means spiritual birth. It seems the translation "born again" is the best translation. Jesus says one must be born of water and of the spirit. Since we have been born of water we must experience a second birth, must be born again. It seems this is the understanding of Nicodemus. Nicodemus asked how can physically be born again. Jesus explained spiritual birth, in other words a "second" birth, born again. Seems Jesus is explaining this in a way that is understandable to Nicodemus.

Q1. (John 3:3, 5) What does Jesus teach here about the nature of the Kingdom of God? Do you think Nicodemus understands him? Why or why not? Jesus taught the Kingdom of God is a spiritual place not of this world. Nicodemus was confused when Jesus explained the way to enter the Kingdom of God was to be born again. Nicodemus understood "born again" in the physical sense. He did not understand the meaning as spiritual.

Q3. (John 2:23-25) What is the problem with faith that rests solely on miracles? Is it true faith? What is necessary for it to develop into true faith? Did Jesus see these problems as a reason not to perform miracles? Faith that rests solely on miracles is not faith that relies on Jesus. It is faith that soon withers and fades. To be true faith it must be based on Jesus and the message he brings, based on what Jesus did for us. This is faith that grows stronger and stronger. Jesus knew mans nature and realized that miracles did not produce deep faith. Jesus used miracles only to prove He is the Son of God not as a means to induce faith. Faith is something that must have a strong and proper foundation. Miracles are the bona fides of Jesus ministry but not the foundation for faith.

Q1. (Isaiah 1:2-20) In what way is Judah confused about its identity, according to verses 2-4? What are the consequences when Christians today suffer from such identity confusion? What injustices does God accuse his people of in verses 15-17?�In verses 18-20 God argues that their behavior is "unreasonable." Why is it unreasonable? What does God offer as an alternative? Judah has forgotten God, forgotten they are God's people. The consequences today of forgetting God are much the same as what happened to Judah. We become secular and worship worldly things. We lose the gift Jesus gives us. God states Judah's hands are full of blood, they commit evil deeds. The people resist and rebel against God. This not reasonable because it leads nowhere. God says they would have the best of everything if they would just turn to him.

Q2. (Isaiah 2:1-5) What does this prophecy of the future Jerusalem tell us about God's plan for the Gentiles? About God's plan for the Jews? About spiritual hunger? About peace? God's plan of the future Jerusalem is universal, for Jew and for Gentile. Everyone is included. Everyone will seek out knowledge about God. Everyone will hunger for this knowledge. Peace will reign. Since the one true God is known everyone will go to Him for answers. There will be no need for "nations" or "war".

Q4. (Daniel 9:15-19) What was Daniel's essential prayer? What are the various grounds of Daniel's appeal? How did God answer the prayer (see Daniel 9:20-23)? Daniel's prayer is for Israel to return to Jerusalem. Daniel confesses to God just how unworthy the Jews are but appeals to God's mercy, to worship in the Temple, and to God's identification with Jerusalem. God allowed those that wanted to return to Jerusalem/Judea to do so.

Q2. (Daniel 9:3-4a) What is Daniel's demeanor as he prays? How does he prepare? Why is this so important in this case? In what ways might you and I prepare for intercession? Daniel is humble. He prepared by fasting and in sack cloth and ashes. Daniel is asking God for mercy for the Jewish people. He knows the people are sinful and have forgotten their God. This is different than pleading for a righteous cause. We must be humble before God.

Q1. (Daniel 9:1-2) What encourages Daniel to seek God for the forgiveness and restoration of Israel to its homeland? What practice on Daniel's part leads him to pray? It seems Daniel's reading and study of Jeremiah renewed his awareness of the Jews return to Jerusalem. This awareness and continued study made him realize the time of this return was near. Daniel, as he always has, prays to God for help and understanding. Prayer is, after all, that part of Daniel we should all take from his example. He prayed to God not only in times of trouble but when times were good. He trusted God and had faith in God's plan for him.