Damary Alembi

Why did only some return to Jerusalem when given the opportunity? God had already moved the hearts of those who took a step of returning to Jerusalem. It took God to move them. It takes God to do so. One must be moved by God’s word so as to heed to the call of Jesus Christ. When God decides to do so, there is no point of retreat. One cannot hide. What are the likely characteristics of those who return vs. those who stay behind in Babylon? Others stay behind because they have become too comfortable to become pioneers once again. Others do not have history of where they have to return. Others find Babylon to be their original home. Maybe their parents died before they could tell them where they came from and therefore, cannot trust nor accept to follow what others are telling them. Also there are those who have the fear of the unknown. They have not been to Jerusalem before. God had not moved their hearts. 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 willingness to do what is right at the moment.

Q4. (2 Thessalonians 3:9-16) Why do so many churches avoid exercising any church discipline? Churches avoid exercising any church discipline because it is difficult to exercise in what is designed to be a community of love. Lack of discipline is not better. What is the result of a thoughtful and appropriate application of church discipline? It brings healing. When exercised lovingly, firmly, and consistently, it can have the effect of removing problems that otherwise stir up and discourage the fellowship. What is the result of neglect of church discipline? The failure to exercise appropriate and timely discipline is one of the reasons that some of Christian communities become unhealthy and also stop growing.

Q3. (2 Thessalonians 3:10) If we were to follow Paul's rule, "If a man will not work, he shall not eat," wouldn't that allow people to starve? This will enable the lazy to face the consequences of their actions by teaching them what they won’t learn otherwise. It sounds harsh. What are the positive results of this rule? Stop gossip as everyone will be busy with their life activities. Everybody will stop being lazy and therefore work for the good of the community by helping those who are unable to. They will support themselves and also help the Christian community. To whom in a Christian community would this rule apply? This rule would apply to people who cannot earn a living because of sickness, mental instability, age or infirmity. . Widows and orphans who have no family who can take care of them. To whom would it not apply? This will not apply to people who can work but do not and even young widows as it is encouraged that they remarry.

Q2. (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9) What kind of example did Paul set with regard to work when he was in Thessalonica? He taught them by his own example of working for his food, presumably as a tentmaker. “They did not eat anyone’s food without paying for it, they worked day and night, laboring and toiling so that they could not be a burden to any of them. As a Christian worker, did he have a right to support? They had a right to support but he did in order to make himself a model for the Thessalonians to follow. He did not exercise the right because he wanted to be a model for them to follow; so as not to hinder the Gospel of Christ. Why didn't he exercise that right? He did in order to make himself a model for the Thessalonians to follow.

Q1. (2 Thessalonians 3:6-15) What does the Bible teach about sloth and idleness among those who can work but refuse to? Anyone who is unwilling to work shall not eat. Hard work is the norm laid out in Genesis. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food…” The rest should keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching. What is our Christian duty? Lazy hands make a man poor. One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys. We are to work so that we can care for our needs and for those who are weak and cannot work. If we do not work, we can expect to pay the consequences, both naturally and socially.

Q4. (2 Thessalonians 3:1-5) Why is perseverance so important as we see wickedness increasing? Because that is where we draw our strength and protection from God. This is the season of growth and joy and harvest. Perseverance is Christ’s gift to move towards health What happens if we stop believing and being patient? We perish How can we help one another persevere? By encouraging each other in the ways of the Lord.

Q3. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12) What makes people so gullible that they believe the Antichrist's deceptions? Lack of love for truth makes people so gullible. “They perish because they refuse to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness.” Christ’s second coming will be without further warning. Christ will come suddenly. We may know the season of his coming, but not the exact time. Unexpectedly and without notice. Keep watch. You must be ready because the son of man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. What is the reason that God gives them over to this deception? They perish because they refuse to love the truth and so be saved. Why is a fearless seeking of God's truth so important to us? It is very important because after a while, our grasp of the truth will have faded, our consciences will have seared, and we are left believing our own lies. That is why we dare not put off responding to the call of God at the time he calls us.

Q2. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-5; Revelation 13:5-8) What are the characteristics of the Antichrist that Paul gives in this passage? The Antichrist exhibits the following characteristics: Lawless, Rebels, Opposes, Exalts himself, Takes his seat in the temple as God and Proclaim himself to be divine. What does Revelation 13:5-8 add to our basic understanding? Revelation 13:5-8 states that “The beast was given a mouth to utter proud words and blasphemies and to exercise his authority for forty-two months. He opened his mouth to blaspheme God, and to slander his name and his dwelling place and those who live in heaven. He was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them. And he was given authority over every tribe, people, language and nation. All inhabitants of the earth will worship the beast --- all whose names have not been written in the book of life belonging to the Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world” The Antichrist initiates a huge persecution against the church, since he is “allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them”.

Q1. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3) In what way were the Thessalonians confused? They were confused about the eschatology, the study of the last Days. Someone had spread false teaching that Christ had already come in a letter claiming to be from Paul. Someone had brought them a message that a message … purportedly from Paul … to the effect that Christ had already come, and that somehow they must have missed the rapture! What is the order of Christ's coming in relation to the revealing of the Antichrist? The antichrist must come first. Christ will come only after the appearance of the Antichrist. “Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction, Paul explained.”

Q4. (2 Thessalonians 1:9) How might you describe Christ's glory? How will his glory be terrifying to unbelievers? “They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power. If heaven involves sharing this glory forever, what would it be like to be excluded forever from the glory? This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power.

Q3. (2 Thessalonians 1:9) According to verse 9, what kind of punishment will unbelievers experience? Comes with blazing fire and judgment. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power.

Q2. (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7) Would God be just if he did not punish sin? God is just. He pays back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to everyone else. His judgment is a righteous thing, requirements justice, right, fair, equitable….. What is the difference between rehabilitation and retribution? Rehabilitation is a judicial response while Retribution is personal. Rehabilitation – Highest goal of prison, hash punishment. It is a judicial response; gross offence. It is for governmental authorities while retribution is of God; punishment by God. Retribution is an inferior motive. God’s purpose for justice on his day; payback, repay, recompense. God pays back in kind. It is personal. When does a Christian's rehabilitation take place? Rehabilitation takes place after a gross misconduct. When does a sinner's retribution take place? When we leave it to God to punish on our behalf…. How do you balance love and justice? God exacts retribute. Governmental Authorities exacts rehabilitation by individuals. To exact retribution, repay, payback to those who trouble or afflict you. Punishment inflicted in retaliation for an injury or offense, excessive retribution. Retribution is paying back to people what they deserve.

Q1. (2 Thessalonians 1:3-5) In what ways do persecution, pressure, and stress help us grow strong in Christ? God answers our fervent prayers in the midist of our trials, our faith blossoms. Perseverance is as sign that you have stood the trust and are worthy of the kingdom to which they have been called. You emerge from trials and pain… with stronger faith and love. What would we be like without the testing of our faith? We will not grow in faith, our love will not increase. We will not have the capacity to hold out or bear up in the face of difficult, patience, endurance, fortitude, steadfastness, perseverance. We would be weak in our faith. God’s judgment is right.

Q5. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24) If you met a true Christian who had no assurance of salvation, how would you explain to him or her God's power to protect and present them blameless before Christ at his coming? If you continue in rebellion against God, you will not be saved. Salvation is based on the saving death of the Son of God who died for our sins. … Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. For God who called you in fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ is faithful. What is the problem of having a false assurance of salvation? Continued open and flagrant rebellion is the one who should imagine no assurance of salvation.

Q4. (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22; 1 Corinthians 14) Why do churches sometimes despise or prohibit prophecy? Because of some bad experiences with people in the congregation prophesying things that didn’t occur or that were doctrinally incorrect. They may have gotten to the point that when someone prophesied in the congregation, there was a negative feeling. What guidelines does Paul give here and in 1 Corinthians 14 to keep prophecy in a congregation healthy? Prophesy is the Holy Spirit speaking directly to the congregation through the mouth of a gifted believer. Prophecy, when it comes from the Holy Spirit, edifies or builds up the church. Prophecy can sometimes speak directly to an unbeliever who might be present and result in his salvation. When they come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of which must be done for the strengthening of the church. Prophecy can be given and evaluated in an orderly manner. Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. Test everything and hold onto the good. Not to put out the spirit’s fire, not to treat with contempt. Prophecy is for believers and for non-believers. He advises that everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way. For God is not God of disorder but of peace. Paul advices that not to be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

Q3. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) In your own words explain how a person can rejoice and pray continually. A person can pray and rejoice continually irrespective of the circumstances that come their way. We have to rejoice always. We have to give thanks to God always; in both bad and good times. Are there any circumstances we might be in the midst of where we should not give thanks to God? Apparently, there are no circumstances that can hinder us from giving thanks to God.

Q2. (1 Thessalonians 5:15) What happens to people who seek revenge on those who hurt them? People who must pay back every hurt are miserable, selfish, vengeful wrecks. There is a kind of spiritual pride in their own righteousness. What happens in a congregation that has an unloving, superior attitude towards outsiders? A congregation that has an unloving, superior attitude towards outsiders is judgmental and vengeful. There is no peace with each other. There is no spiritual enthusiasm. They have a condescending attitude towards those who are not as spiritual, or even outright secular.

Q1. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13) What happens in a congregation when people don't show respect for their leaders? It causes rebellion. They speak ill of a leader behind his back and may act disrespectfully to his face. They covet the power for themselves such they speak ill of a leader. Will getting rid of the leader fix the problem, or is there something deeper going on here? Getting rid of the leader does not fix any problem.

What does it mean to be "sober" or "self-controlled" (verse 6)? Sober is to be free from every form of mental and spiritual drunkenness, from excess, passion, rashness, confusion to be well-balanced, self-controlled. To be calm and collected in spirit, to be temperate, dispassionate, circumspect. What does it mean to be "alert" or "watchful" (verse 6)? Is to stay awake, be watchful. To be in constant readiness, keep your eyes open, be vigilant. How does this differ from our normal Christian lifestyle? It causes us to watch our behaviours

Q3. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3) According to this passage, what warning can we expect to have prior to Christ's return? A loud trumpet call. What does it mean that he will "come like a thief"? It means that Jesus Christ will come unexpectedly. Christ’s second coming will be without further warning. Christ will come suddenly. We may know the season of his coming, but not the exact time. Unexpectedly and without notice. Would come suddenly. Keep watch. You must be ready because the son of man will come at an hour when you do not expect him. Belief in Christ’s soon coming should cause us to watch our behavior.

Q2. (1 Thessalonians 4:14) How will Christ bring with him those believers who have previously died? Those who die in Christ are with him now. But when he comes, they will come with him like a mighty army of the saints in the company of the returning king, along with myriad angels. Their bodies will be resurrected and reunited with their spirits. According to Matthew 25:31, who will also will accompany Christ when he returns? All the Angels.

Q1. (1 Thessalonians 4:16; Daniel 7:13-14) In what ways does Daniel's prophecy of the Son of Man outline Christ's return? Jesus Christ will return by descending from heaven. He will come down from heaven, with a loud command with the voice of the Archangel and with the trumpet call of God and the dead in Christ will rise first.

(1 Thessalonians 2:13) What is the role of the Word of God in molding disciples' lives? The word of God is at work in those who believe the word transforms the character of disciple’s lives and also produces some effect. The word cleans and also sactifys them by the truth. The word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joint and marrow, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Does it have a power of its own? The word sets one free from sin and makes them became slaves to righteousness. It is a very powerful agent for change, growth and discipleship.

(1 Thessalonians 2:11-12) Why are "fatherly" roles so important to making disciples? Good fathers help their children strive to be the very best they can be. They do so by Exhorting, Encouraging or comforting as well as urging or pleading. The purpose is to mold the disciple’s behavior into consistent followers of Jesus Christ so that they live lives that are worthy or suitable to God’s own kingdom and glory. A father rule encourages, comforts and urges one to live a life worthy of God, who calls one into his kingdom and glory. How effectively do you think women can adopt these traits? It is incumbent upon the women to conform to God’s standards as their lives need to reflect God’s value system. By sincerely seeking for their lives to be pleasing to God. Be honest and transparent about their actions.

(1 Thessalonians 2:6b-8) Why are "motherly" nurturing qualities so important to growing disciples? It is important because they are qualities of a disciple-maker who does not seek to further his own interest but the interest of those to whom God sends him or her. These qualities enable one to be gentle, caring and sharing one’s life. How effectively can male disciplers adopt some of these traits? Male disciplers can effectively adopt some of these traits by having one or even a whole congregation, by seeking the interst of those to whom God sends him.