Irmela

Q1. (Judges 6:33-35) What inspires Gideon to blow the battle horn and summon an army against the Midianites? The enemy tribes had encamped in the Valley of Jezreel . Joel, Gideon's father had stood for him and said if baal was really a god, then he would stand up for himself. This must have been a great encouragement to Gideon, knowing he had his father and his clan's backing. Most important of all, the Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon with Himself and took possession of him What does Gideon have in common with other judges and leaders of his era? Deuteronomy 34:9 : And Joshua was full of the Spirit of Wisdom . . . and the Israelites listened to him. Judges 3:10 : The Spirit of the Lord came upon Othniel, the son of Kenaz . . . and he went to war, and the Lord delivered Chushan-rishathaim . . . into his hand. Judges 13:25 : And the Spirit of the Lord began to move him (Samson) at times in Mahaneh-dan Judges 14:6 : And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him . . . Judges 14:19 : And the Spirit of the Lord came upon Samson . . . Judges 15:14 : . . . and the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him . . .

Q5. (Judges 6:25-31) What kind of leader has Gideon's father Joash been up to this point? Joash has definately up to this point, not chosen to take a stand of serving God only. He was doing what pleased the masses. So his leadership left much to be desired. How does Gideon's action affect his father? It gave him a wake-up call. It made him think and make an important decision. He came to the realization that Baal was no god. They had followed a false teaching in 'serving' Baal. It was futile. Shouldn't Gideon have considered the impact on his father? That was now in God's Hands and the outcome proved that Joash did realize that baal-worship was futile. How should this have affected Gideon's action? (See Matthew 10:34-38) As Gideon was now doing what God told him to, I guess he would have continued with his clean-up operations anyway. In what sense is Joash a follower of Yahweh now? He too has realized the falseness of serving something that has no life. It is meaningless and serves no purpose. He too now stands and is a follower of Yahweh.

Q4. (Judges 6:25-27) What is the strategic significance of God's command for Gideon to tear down the Baal altar and Asherah pole? The root cause of Israel's problem was -- Baal worship. Gideon needed to be brave enough and trust God enough to tear down the Baal altar and the Asherah pole. He had to be prepared to pull the sin out by the roots as it were. What positive thing is he to erect in their place? He is to erect an altar unto the Lord. He called it the Lord is Peace. What risks are involved in this action? Firstly his father could turn against him and the people of the community could kill him for his actions. Why does Gideon do this at night? He was afraid of his father's household and the men of the city. Is this night mission a sign of weakness or of faith? Somehow I don't think it was a sign of weakness. I think it was almost wiser to do it at night, in this way they would not stop him from completing his mission. He could concentrate on fulfilling what God had ordered him to do. He was scared. Now the deed would only be seen as done when it was completed, and could not be reversed.

Q3. (Judges 6:12-16) How did God see Gideon? How did Gideon see himself? Whose self-perception is most accurate? How can our own self-perception prevent us from becoming what God has made us to be? What is God's answer to Gideon's self-image? What might be an appropriate prayer to pray in light of what God has taught you from this passage? God saw the Gideon that could be, (a mighty warrior) not the Gideon that was there now. Now he was brave, in that he was threshing the wheat. A coward in that he was doing it at the bottom of the hill and not on top of the hill, which was the appropriate place. Gideon, at this time and place had an inferiority complex, and was very skeptical. He saw himself belonging to the poorest family in Manasseh, and also as being the least in his father's house. God's is accurate because He sees far deeper than what we do. ( When we perceive that we are nothing then He can use us without us opposing Him because we think we know better. ) If we rely on what we see and feel we will never get started on anything. We will never take that step in faith. Go in this thy might . . . have I not sent thee. Gideon's strength was that God had sent him. Lord whatever and wherever You send me, may I be aware that I am able because Thou hast sent me. Without Thee I can do nothing. In and with Thee I am able. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen 1 Cor 1:28 & 29 . . . things that are despised, God has chosen . . .

Q2. (Judges 6:13) In what way does Gideon blame God for his troubles in verse 13? Is Gideon's assessment accurate? Why or why not? Why do we blame God? What's the danger and how can we stop short of this in the future? Gideon has learnt that in the past, the God Whom the Israelites were supposed to serve, had performed mighty deeds in the time of Moses, when He led them out of Egypt etc. They, of the present generation had not seen this. He is stating a fact that he was unsure of. It is as if he wants to believe but has no proof that it is so. He wants to believe that God is with them but he cannot see that it is so. Here he is threshing wheat at the bottom of the hill instead of at the top of the hill. If he does go to the top of the hill the present oppressors are bound to see him and become aware of what he is doing. I understand from this passage that Gideon expected God to continue delivering the people from their oppressors, so he seemed to blame God for the trouble the nation was in. No, it is not really accurate. Gideon too was not only worshiping the True God. There was also an image which needed to come down. We do not look at the broader picture. We do not see what has led up to that point. We tend to focus on the present, meanwhile deeds performed or a lifestyle has led us to the present state we are in. We need to repent .

Q1. (Judges 6:7-10) According to the prophet, what is the reason for Israel's oppressed state? They did not obey God, Who told them that He was the Lord their God Who had delivered them out of the hand of their oppressors. He told them not to fear the gods of the Amorites, not to worship them. What commandment did they break? You shall have no other god before or beside Me. In what way hadn't they "listened"? They practiced syncreticism in that they feared the gods of the peoples of the land also. It was no longer pure worship of Yahweh. In what way does this same sin affect Christians today? In many ways we function in "fear' of not having or being the same as the next one. Or what will the next one say about my lifestyle etc. It is like we are making man a god instead of being in awe of God alone and worshiping Him alone.

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? A person that is proud is full of his own importance. In that state you think so highly of yourself that to accept a gift, would almost be beyond your capabilities or contrary to your nature. That would be why it would not be part of the proud person's nature to be able to show grace. To maybe give what is owed , yes but not easily to give graciously to the one not deserving the favour. It does not fit together. The two natures clash. When we have done wrong, we are usually flooded with guilt. It usually seems like one is drowning in it. To repent means to acknowledge without a shadow of a doubt that your actions were wrong and forgiveness is needed. A proud person will not easy acknowledge that. It is only in humility that we can accept God's forgiveness and acknowledge His grace in Him granting forgiveness.

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? No Why is this so? Grace is giving unreservedly and getting undeservedly. What is the relationship between forgiving and giving generously? Forgiving someone is taking away the wrong that was done and making as if it did not happen. Like wiping the slate clean. It is an action that is not deserved to be taken away. Yet because of grace together with mercy forgiveness is metered out. Giving generously is also giving what is not deserved. As soon as it is deserved, it is payment and no longer grace. I am reminded of the song penned by Annie Johnson Flint. He Giveth More Grace The chorus is: His love has no limit, His grace has no measure, His pow'r has no boundary known unto men; For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

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? The conversation must be such that no offense is felt or taken because of the words used. Use words that build up rather than break down, gracious words. Let your speech be open and friendly and not defensive , hard and condescending. We should be gentle and respectful in the way we speak to others, irrespective of what they deserve. Avoid replying to every criticism with an insult. "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." (1 Peter 3:9)

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? In plain English one can say that ethical behaviour is moral or good behaviour. Almost like saying the normal expected good behaviour. Whereas GRACE is unmerited favour shown to someone or received. Something good that is not deserved. Doing something good for someone that is out of the ordinary and not deserved by that person is grace. Radical grace towards your worst enemies would be reacting to them in a way they did not deserve. Reacting towards them in such a way which their behaviour did not warrant. It stands out in contrast to what is expected. One of the illustrations is that if the enemy strikes you on the cheek to offer him the other cheek also. Don't strike back at your enemy. Don't give him a taste of his own medicine but rather let God handle the deeper part of the situation in His way and in His time. Pray for your enemy. Show favour to your enemy. Do good to him.

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? If I, as Paul and others, allow the Holy Spirit full reign in my life, He, by His grace molds and makes me into who He wants me to be , to be used effectively where He has placed me. As His grace is then poured into my life , that same grace will then be used to reach others. To work with them. To serve them. In doing so I become more and more who God has designed me to be.

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? God gives so we can in turn give. He did not make us to isolate ourselves from the human race. We are exhorted in the Word not to neglect the gathering together of the saints. This is for a reason. When we are a functioning part of a body of believers, then the caring nature that God has bestowed on us can function in the form He has gifted us with. Be it in serving, teaching, pastoring, nursing, encouraging, sharing etc. When we are isolated , we become me-thinkers (ego), no longer seeing the need in the community. Fear of crowds sets in, and in fact a fear of not being able to cope in a normal everyday situation. I guess if one is not careful one can become selfish or begin having lonesome pity-parties.

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? The steward or trustee needs to manage what has been entrusted to them, fairly and responsibly, so that the work entrusted to them can be accomplished. We are to use it to draw others and encourage others as He guides us on a moment by moment basis. In the Great Commission, Christ sent us into all the world to share the Gospel, to make disciples of all nations.

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? Grace is an undeserved gift . A generous person will practice just that. Undeserved favour on the recipient. Spiritual gifts are not there to be hoarded by the person with that gift, but to be shared, to be used with or among the believers, the "church", in this way God's grace is distributed. For we are not all given the same gifts. But all the gifts are distributed so nothing is lacking in the body of believers.

Q30. (2 Corinthians 12:9) Why does God's power flourish best when we feel weak? If God's grace is "sufficient," what is it sufficient to do or accomplish in or through us? What are the practical limits of the sufficiency of grace? When we are weak we know without a shadow of a doubt that whatever is accomplished is definitely not through us. When we are weak we cannot do much in our own strength and God's power takes over and accomplishes what is needed. When we still can do things it is easy to give the credit where it does not belong. It is when there is humanly speaking an impossible situation, then God's grace can accomplish what He wants in and through us. There are no limits to what God can do. We must just let go and let God.

Q29. (2 Corinthians 12:7) Why do we often feel so weak in times of sickness or affliction? Why are we tempted to stop ministering to others when we are struggling? It is easy to look on self in such time and presume that the reason for the malady/infirmity/sickness, be it whatever, is because of sin and being counted unworthy to be a vessel to be used by the Master. We come to the conclusion, who are we? But it is "who are we?" For it is not to us or on us others should look, for we are just a vessel, it is Christ using us. Christ knows our human frame and I just marvel again and again how and who He uses. For when I am weak, then I am strong, for Christ in me is reflected so much more.

Q28. (Hebrews 4:16) Why is approaching God's holy throne in prayer intimidating to some people? Why do we sometimes fear judgment and condemnation when we approach God. In what ways is God's throne the place where He dispenses "mercy and grace"? In what ways is your home a place where grace is given out? The thought , in the beginning that one is approaching the King of all kings, the Lord of all lords, is quite daunting. Also the fact that one's thoughts are an open book before Him, there is nothing hidden and then of course our guilt-ridden self. These are obstacles we first have to lay aside and get to the point of accepting The Grace of forgiveness, which He so freely offers. Once we get past that and accept God's offer, we can approach the throne of grace freely. It is because of our own actions, which are so often judgement and condemnation of our fellow human-beings, that we expect the same treatment. Sometimes it is unconfessed or unpardoned sin, which comes in the way, and then we tend to shy away from, or be intimidated about approaching God. We can picture Jesus as sitting at the right hand of the Father and through Him we have forgiveness and are found to be righteous as we are clothed in His righteousness., and that is why we can picture the dispensing or giving of "mercy and grace".

Q27. (John 10:27-30; Jude 24-25; Romans 8:38-39; 2 Timothy 4:18; Philippians 1:6; 1 Corinthians 1:8; 1 Peter 5:10-11) Why do you think there are so many assurances of faith in the New Testament? What is your favorite promise of God's role in keeping you in Christ to the end? How does your favorite promise give you powerful assurance of salvation? Life's journey is varied. One assurance can be used for one experience in life and another one for another experience. In this way there are many assurances that cover different aspects. It is for real and we are reassured that we truly are safe and secure in our assurance of salvation. I love the picture portrayed in John 10:27-30 that indeed no one can pluck us out of His Hand. Nothing and absolutely nothing can pluck us out of His hand. Just read the ominous list of things that can try, (Romans 8:38 &39), but praise God, none will succeed, to pluck me out of His hand.

(1 Peter 1:4-5) How does our faith function alongside God’s protection to keep us to the end? How does this show God’s grace? I will try to explain a picture that has come to mind about this. I see a father walking on a road with his child. The child walks where the father leads, just trusting him to guide and reach the end of the journey. The child can veer off to the right or left (it has a choice), but trust in its father keeps it close to his side, for he knows which path to take on this perilous journey. Just so if we stay close to God we trust in His protection which is given by God's grace, and so we can walk on our life's journey knowing He will keep us to the end.

Q25. (John 16:8; 6:44; 6:65) Why is it impossible for people to come to Christ without God's action to convict, draw, and enable them to come? How does God's preparation illustrate His grace? He convicts us of sin, righteousness and judgement. The sin is unbelief. "They believe not on Me" There is no trusting God. To be able to come before God we need to be righteous. Christ died for us and rose again to pardon us and to clothe us with His righteousness. So He subtracts sin and adds righteousness. When we are forgiven of sin we can still not come before the Father unless we have Christ's righteousness. So we come before Him "in Christ" as it were. The world has already been judged and found guilty. Our own righteousness is as filthy rags. By His grace once convicted we are drawn or dragged to choose to come to Christ. Still it is a choice. (see below about divine election) We are enabled to come because He clothes us with His righteousness, once we have accepted His gift of pardon, which we do not deserve, it is truly by grace and grace alone. Words by Vernon McGee: I can't explain it (divine election). I just know that you have a free will and you can exercise it. God holds you responsible for it, and you know you are responsible. you can come or not. It's up to you.

Q24. (Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:4-6) How does predestination function with God’s grace? What is gracious about predestination? Why is his grace “glorious”? From the way I understand things at the present time, God knows the actions we will display, He knows our responses to any and everything, He knows the choices we will make and yet in it all He loves us and He has prepared a way out for us , by sending the Messiah and right in Genesis we already read that a plan was formed to crush satan who had deceived Eve and then caused both Adam and Eve to doubt God. It was man's choice to choose to believe God or doubt Him. In spite of man's devastated choice, God , in His grace and mercy still predestined a glorious future for man, for those who He knew would choose to make the right choice and believe and follow Him.

Dear Guitar Jim, Praying for you, that God's peace and love will fill your heart and life. His instruction given in THE LORD'S PRAYER is ". . . forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those that trespass against us'. This includes all that your father said and did to you. Plus all the rest. May you experience and offer God's grace in this situation. May you find healing in your brokenness. Dear Jen, may you experience God's calm and comfort in your pain also. Praying for you

Q23. (Romans 8:28-30; 1 Peter 1:1-2) I realize that this is a mystery, but how do you see God's foreknowledge working alongside His ability to predestine? If all this is by grace, how might faith and/or good works fit into this predestination? God sees the end from the beginning and the beginning from the end. He also knows how we will use what we have in hand to complete a necessary task etc. It is only by His grace that we can accomplish the task and He knows beforehand if we will make use of that grace or neglect it. At the same time it is by faith we are making use of time and doing things without having a full picture of what it will end up like. I think by trying to explain it one just talks in circles. Then again if one truly understood everything 100 percent, surely then God would not be God. I praise Him for Who He is and am grateful for the grace He has given so freely and one can do things knowing full well that He knows the end from the beginning, Everything is safe and secure in His Hand.

Q22. (Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 2:12-13; James 2:17) How does the Spirit work in us after we are saved to form Christ in us? In what ways is this a process of "working out" our salvation? Why should you expect a person's life to change when they put their faith in Jesus? What is happening if there is no discernable change? The Spirit transforms or renews us. Those used to using bad language will find that their vocabulary has changed. The Fruit of the Spirit will start being visible in these lives. We need to put our salvation into action. If we truly are saved our lives will reflect it. The old has passed away, behold all has become new. There is now a different person behind the "steering-wheel" of that life. That is why the lives will change. You have someone else accompanying you into places now, viz., the Holy Spirit; it is no longer the devil. If there is no change then one must truly investigate as to have the keys of that life really been handed over or was it not real salvation. Do a self-evaluation and then you will see that self is still residing as chief. Christ was not really given that place.

Q21. (Acts 18:27; Matthew 16:16-17; John 6:44) How does the Holy Spirit work in our lives to prepare us for salvation? In what sense is the Spirit's revelation important to faith? In what ways have you seen the Father "draw" people to Christ? What is the role of "free will" in salvation? The Holy Spirit uses others who have already responded to the message of salvation, their lifestyle draws us and maybe convicts us. They can also by their direction / talk which will of course be the Holy Spirit leading them, cause the seeking soul to learn more of salvation. He even uses negative things that make us realize whereto we are headed if we do not turn to Him. God reveals things to us also by working in our thoughts. God draws us in different ways, even dreams. Different instruments or conduits are used, but ultimately it is the Father that draws people through those ways, to salvation. Without the Spirit's revelation of our need to have faith that we are indeed saved, we will be plagued by doubts, alternately we will think we are good enough and it can all be accomplished by works. I have seen people being drawn to Christ by hearing the Word. I have seen them desiring the same peace others have found upon living for Christ. The person still has to make that final choice of accepting or rejecting that "pull". God does not force it. His arms are open wide ready to accept us into His fold and ready to change us, to make us into His image.