Irmela

Q60. (Matthew 13:51-52) What is the "old" that the householder brings out of his treasure box? What is the "new"? In what way must we disciples be "cross-trained" as scribes of the Kingdom? The "old" and the "new" are one in essence. Two facts concerning the same things. The principle is old the application is new The root is old, the blossom and the fruit is new The old things are the eternal things, the new things are the applications of these eternal things to the passing phases of changing times. Destroy the old, then there is no new The "old" that would come out of the treasure box would be the correct interpretation of the Torah. The "new" would be the application of that teaching in the present time and comforting the hurting, healing the sick, explaining the Gospel of Salvation in terms that are understood. Both are vital. Without the "old" there is no "new". The "cross-training" is important. Scribes = moral rulers Elders = civil rulers Priests = spiritual rulers The scribes were the official interpreters of the Law (leave out all the traditions that were added, that clouded the law)

Q59. (Matthew 5:13-14) Why is a sharp and tasty witness so important? What is a bland witness to Jesus? How do we stay "salty"? Why are people tempted to hide their "light" or witness? What does Jesus say about that? By a bland witness, I understand a lukewarm person as spoken about in Revelation 3, about the church of Laodicea. In other words ones actions do not meet up to my words. It is important to be a sharp and tasty witness as that will draw others to want the same. We need to stay close to the Lord at all time to be able to stay "salty". Reading and studying the Word, praying and worshiping God. "Walking" with Him. To hide ones light is almost a sure way to extinguish it. We need to let our light shine. Our actions must display our words.

Q58. (Matthew 9:37-38; John 4:35-38) Where in your region does the harvest seem most ripe, that is, where people are most receptive to the gospel? Do you see yourself mainly as a sower or a reaper? Why is there such a shortage of reapers? Would you be willing to be a reaper, if Jesus helps you? I personally understand that at any given time and opportunity that lends itself to us, to share Christ, then we are to do so. In fact we are to live in such a way, that Christ is seen in us. In this way we are interchangeably reapers, sowers or those that water. Lord help me to be willing at all time to be used of You as You see fit.

Q57. (Matthew 9:36) Why is Jesus' heartbroken over lost sheep? Who are the lost sheep of your community? Of the mission fields that you know about? What is your attitude toward them? Lost sheep are very vulnerable. They are prey to the predators. Words used are harassed and helpless. (certainly not a happy picture) Troubled and tormented, without peace. Jesus knew that the end for the lost sheep was being a prey to the predator, be it in the form of false teaching or rejection or falling away in some way, just no longer believing in God. The lost sheep are the ones not believing in God. NO longer trusting Him. The ones following other non-existing, so-called gods. Longing to open their eyes to their lost state and longing to see them truly set free and following Christ. Many loved ones are included in this category.

Q56. (Matthew 9:13; Hosea 6:6) What does Jesus mean when He tells his disciples, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice"? What attitude did the Pharisees have towards sinners? What attitude did Jesus have toward sinners? What attitude do you have toward sinners? What is the role of a spiritual doctor? Sacrifice is an act of giving up something valued for the sake of something else more important or worthy; an act of penitence or prayer as propitiation (appeasement, to make amends or compensate) Mercy is compassion or forbearance shown to enemies; pity; tolerance; sympathy; kindness; soft-heartedness; generosity; consideration Sacrifice in a way has to do with oneself. Giving up something for oneself. Mercy is an act towards one's fellow-man. Mercy involves the other person, be it someone who one is friendly disposed towards or otherwise. I feel Jesus is telling His disciples that we are to be kind towards our fellowman, whether they are the same or different than we are. We are not only to tolerate them, but also be generous towards them. Accept them and do not show contempt for who they are, for their station in life. (Hate the sin but love the sinner). The Pharisees despised those who they saw to be sinners. They openly showed how they felt towards them. There was no tolerance or acceptance for them at all and they openly showed this. Jesus never pushed the sinners away. In fact He went to them and showed them kindness. He showed them that as human beings they were accepted. He ate with them. He allowed them to listen to His teachings. He called them also, to follow Him, this of course meant leaving the sin and starting anew with Him. I don't dare point a finger, for there, but for the grace of God, am I. The role of a doctor is one who treats or fixes something or someone which or who is broken. Thus a medical doctor will "fix" someone who needs medicinal care. A "mechanical doctor" will "heal" something that has a mechanical problem. So then you find a spiritual doctor is someone who helps someone with a spiritual problem.

Q55. (Luke 10:30-37) Why does Jesus contrast a Jewish priest and Levite with a hated Samaritan? According to the parable, how do you think Jesus would define "neighbor," that is, someone we have a responsibility toward? How much does compassion move you to go out of your way and comfort zone to care for those in need? Jesus told this story after a lawyer had questioned Him : Who is my neighbor? (It was a question concerning the responsibility created by Law) The lawyer was well-versed in the Jewish Law. He knew that part where you are admonished to love your neighbor as yourself. According to the rulers and teachers of the day, no Gentile was taken to be a neighbor. This question was thus asked to justify himself with his own conscience. From this, one can then deduce the reason for Jesus telling the story, and using his characters as people who would form part of the group of people the lawyer would be familiar with. Those he would rub shoulders with. The priest and the Levite were both involved in work at the temple. (Whether they were going to or from performing their duties is not of great importance for the answer to this question). The Samaritan was not acknowledged as a full-blown Jew, but as a half-caste, or a different race altogether. In fact they were generally despised by the Jews. It was this despised, hated person, who followed the law of loving his neighbor as himself. He put aside the racial differences and showed concern and love to a stranger. He took on the responsibility of caring for a fellow-human-being in need. I would understand that to be that we have a responsibility to those crossing our path, that are in some kind of crises or need. Those would be seen to be our neighbors. Much wisdom and discernment are needed because the begging option gets so much more compassion than the working for a low wage, does. The beggar gets so much more and is often hounded by the drug-abusers who then 'share' by taking the cash and 'protecting' the group, with their viciousness. Sharing in the meth, dagga, speed, or whatever their 'speciality' is. The low-income group is the hard-working, trying to make ends meet, to the best of their ability, type of people, who are often ignored but are the most needy. Often the beggar chooses this station in life, rather than to work. They say that begging is their work. Just sharing what I have experienced. Young children choose that lifestyle to get away from discipline or accepting to help with chores. They pop in from time to time at home just to show that they are still alive, and before you know it, they have disappeared again. They disappear to get out of the responsibility to attend school. Many, by the time they are teenagers cannot read or write because they refuse to go to school on a regular basis. They get passed from grade to grade just because of having registered in the class. A cluster/Phase of grades is 3 years. You can keep them in that Phase for 4 years and then have to pass them. In this way they then end up passing Grades at School with not much more than the very basic knowledge. These learn to fend for themselves, without discipline, on the streets of our towns and villages. In a way they are feared because they carry their own form of weapons to defend themselves from the more crafty. Is this answer just an excuse to justify the conscience of the many who are afraid to help. Or is the answer the picture reflecting what happens when there is too much giving out fish instead of teaching how to fish.

Q 54. (Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:12-27) Why did Jesus give his disciples the Parables of the Talents and Minas? How are you using the "talents" Jesus has given you? What causes people to "bury" the talents they once used for the Lord? If it is not salvation itself, what is the reward for faithfulness? Why does God expect more of greatly gifted people? These parables teach us that we are to use what we have, in Christ's work, whatever we are capable of doing. (Being good stewards). Another reason could be to convey to the disciples, that there will be a delay in the coming of the Kingdom, because they were under the impression that it would be then. This "how" question is not very easy to answer. Whatever we do, we are to do for Him. Our ability or capability varies, as we get older or as our responsibilities change. Visits to an elderly relative, who has dementia, who no longer recognizes you, but who is delighted with visits at that time and promptly forgets that you have been there, five minutes later. That is using ones 'talent' but also doing what you feel Jesus would do. Filling your time sewing and knitting for some needy children, that is using ones talents. Doing what we can do. Praying for or interceding for the missionaries on the mission field, that is using ones talent. Not everyone is an intercessor. Those are all small ways those of us who are no longer as active as in by-gone years, can use the talents we have been entrusted with. Unfortunately fear, rejection and bitterness play a big role in the fact that talents once used for the Lord, are buried. It could also be be that the person strayed from following the Lord wholeheartedly due to **** or covetousness. The reward for faithfulness, will be to hear His, WELL DONE. 100% REMAINS 100% . If we use whatever has been entrusted to us to the best of our ability and have done it all for the LORD, then that is all that is and can be expected from us.

Q53. (John 13:4-17) In what way is Jesus washing the disciples' feet a parable? Why did this act of washing their feet feel so shocking to the disciples? In what sense is this a parable of cleansing? In what way is it a rebuke of pride and competition? In what way is it a parable of humble service? In what areas of your life do you need to implement its teaching? Lord make me like You. Please make me like You. You are a Servant. Make me one to. Oh Lord I am willing, do what You must do, To make me a like You Lord, Please make me like You. Please make me willing, please make me like You. I never thought of it as an acted out parable beforehand. It was what happened just before He was betrayed. His words and actions were clear. A parable is a story and this tells a story. It is far more than something that was done, something that transpired. It has a deep spiritual meaning. When bathing the whole body is cleansed. Coming to Christ for Salvation, is like coming for a spiritual bath. We are cleansed, washed because of the fact that His blood cleanses us. Then as in everyday life, we walk through the dust of the streets, our feet need washing again, just so, in the spiritual sense, we come into contact with the "dust of life", and somewhere along the line we hurt someone, we omit to do something, we don't transfer a message , a truth is hidden, a wrong word is spoken, etc., in plain English, we sin. Then we too need to confess that sin, bring it to the light and are washed clean. The disciples were shocked, because this task was done by a menial slave or servant. Here Jesus, the Teacher, the Messiah, is washing their feet. As mentioned before, we need cleansing when we have sinned. Just so our feet need washing when we have walked in the dust of the day. It was not one of the disciples washing the feet, but it was the Master, the Rabbi, the Teacher, The Greatest of them all, Who was taking on the role of a servant, the role of a slave and washing their feet. This sure pointed out that there was no room for pride and competition for place and position. The Lord showed that humility was the order of the day.

Q52. (Luke 11:5-10; 18:1-8) What is the similarity between Jesus' Parables of the Friend at Midnight and the Unjust Judge? What does this persistence look like in your life? What will persistence in prayer do to develop you as a disciple? They were both persistent requests. In both it seemed like the request would not be answered. Because of persistence both were answered. The friend would sooner ask for bread from another friend, than from a neighbor. If it was not for the strange hour, this request is quite reasonable. Being at midnight makes it strange and almost prepares the requester beforehand to in fact be persistent. The widow would also ask no one else for justice. The Unjust judge was the most logical person to go to. She knew beforehand that a request by her would not find favour. She prepared herself for persistence. Both won in the end. Lord Jesus You have seen the hearts of each and every one of the individuals on this Bible Study group. You know our requests. Be it parents longing for their children to come to You, be it requests for parents to turn to You. Be it friends praying for friends. I pray specially for Krissi and for her dad. Please dear Lord may he truly turn to You and may she and her loved ones find peace in the knowledge that You do have the situation in Your Hands. May she not give up. Thank You Jesus. I ask this all in Your Name. Amen.

Q51. (Matthew 7:9-11; Luke 11:11-13) Why did Jesus give His disciples the Parable of Asking a Father for Bread? What misconception was He seeking to correct? Just before this parable in, both Matthew and Luke, we find the verses: . . . . Ask and it shall be given to you, Seek and you shall find, Knock and the door will be opened unto you. . . . Jesus puts the questions to the crowd, "Which of you ..." . As human beings, when our children ask for sustenance (bread and fish), we give them sustenance and not something that will harm them. How much sooner will our Heavenly Father give us something that is good for us and not something harmful. I am sure that by this He was showing them that they can come to God and make their requests known to Him. God will supply what is good for us and not give us something harmful. Should we inadvertently ask for what seems to us as sustenance but is actually harmful (venomous as a scorpion or serpent) He will not give us that but will give us what we need at the time.

Q50. (Matthew 6:25-34) How does the Parable of the Birds and the Lilies teach us not to worry? What does Jesus teach about worrying about the future? Rather than worrying, what does Jesus instruct his disciples to do? What does obeying verse 33 look like in your life? The needs of the birds and the lilies are met without them needing to worry about them. Worrying about the future is unnecessary. God knows what we need. Worrying accomplishes nothing beneficial. You cannot lengthen your life by worrying. So worrying about the future is futile (you might not even be there). Jesus instructs them to rather seek His kingdom and His righteousness. God holds the future, I don't need to worry about it. HE IS IN CONTROL. KOMMT ZEIT KOMMT RAD!!!

Q49. (Luke 16:13) What are the very subtle ways that we can begin to serve Money rather than God? We can use what we earn to accumulate worldly goods, instead of first coming before the Lord and inquiring of Him, how we are to spend the money. If we do ask Him and follow His leading, we keep Him Lord of our life and not possessions or Money. How can we detect these temptations in our hearts? When accumulated things and money manipulate our actions and monopolize our thinking. When we no longer seek God for guidance, as to how to use the gifts He has graciously bestowed on us. Why did Jesus tell His disciples the Parable of the Two Masters? It was a theme or something that they knew and it would make sense to them. Some people did work for two masters and if the masters were not of the same mind and purpose, it was hard. The one would be more agreeable than the other. One master would end up being more favoured than the other. The Pharisees were often around and they, of all the people needed to come to grips with and letting go of, "serving Mammon". This was a warning to His disciples that they needed to see and understand that loving money was like loving one master above the other with disastrous results. They needed to choose correctly.

Q48. (Luke 12:16-21) Is being wealthy a sin for a Christian? No What was the rich man's actual sin or sinful attitude? He did not consider God at all. He was greedy in wanting to keep his riches all for himself. There was no thought of sharing even a small portion with the poor. So it was the love of riches that had caught up with him. Selfishness. How do you sometimes see greed in the people in your neighborhood or social circle? Christians aren't immune. In what ways might greed influence a Christian's behaviors and values? Being blind to the needs of others. Accruing wealth and not helping the poor and needy in any way. Not looking to God to fulfill His purpose in our life, with the gifts He has graciously bestowed on us.

The passage is from Luke 16 not Luke 6

Q47. (Luke 16:1-13) In what way is the dishonest steward supposed to be a positive example to disciples? He did not become depressed by the fact that he was being demoted, but thought beyond that, in how he would cope in the new situation. That was when he came up with the idea he had. The disciples are not to become dejected in their situations but are to think beyond that and find some way to cope with the less. Not being shrewd but wise, How does one "lay up treasures in heaven"? By doing deeds in the Name of the Lord, for those less fortunate than us. Not going about blowing one's trumpet because of it, but seeing a need and fulfilling that need. Why is the quality of our work of very small things so important to God? If we can be trusted with the small things in life, the things that are not very important, in the eyes of most people, then the possibility is great that we will also be trusted with more important things. God sees our actions and hidden attitudes as well. Nothing is hidden from Him. What is He waiting to see in us? Honesty and integrity. He wants to see that we can be trusted. What happens to people in the church who are promoted beyond their spiritual growth? They stagnate and fail. They try to live up to what is expected of them but it doesn't work. You cannot be successful in doing the work you are not capable of doing. It brings about disillusionment and failure.