leihaynes

1. What are the elements of Paul's prayer for the Colossian believers? 1. to know God's will (1:9b) 2. to have spiritual wisdon and understanding (1:9) 3. to live a life worthy of Jesus, one that is pleasing to him (1:10a) 4. to bear fruit by doing good works (1:10b) 5. to grow in knowledge of, or relationship to God (1:10c) 6. to be strengthened by God's power (1:11a) so that you have the qualities of endurance, patience 7. to have thankfulness, and joy (1:11b - 12a) 2. What are the seven or eight specific results that he prays will be produced in their lives? All of the above. 3. Which of these are most important in a Christian disciple? I believe that if Paul took the time to tell us of all these elements and what it would produce then I believe all are equally important and go hand in hand. Why, because it keeps us blanced and in check. I like to look at this way. How can I demonstrate wisdom and knowledge without being thankful for the one who gave it. How do I live a life worthy of Christ without joy. 4. Which, you think, are least important? None 5. What happens when some are missing? We become out of balance and our testimony becomes a question of our faith and belief.

1. How did God act as a Shepherd to Jacob? I see that he was very patient with him. He lead him down the path and continued to encourage him. And when he went off the path he guided him back safely. He fed, clothed, loved and protected him. 2. How does God act as a Shepherd to you? In very much the same way. But I don't always respond the way that I know I should. When I lack his word it is very evident in my life. 3. Do you trust him or rebel against his shepherding? I really wish that I could say that I trust him. I try my hardest but am not always successful. Like I mentioned above its all about my attitude of my heart. There are many times I rebel but am trying to get it down to a minimal. This Bible Study is a crucial part of my attitude and so I really need this. Mahalo (Thank you Pastor Ralph for taking the time to disciple us. I appreciate you) And to everyone else we stand together and grow together. Love you all.

1. Why do we equate blessing with a lack of crisis in our lives? It is the human way of thinking that if we lack crisis that means we are doing the right thing and living a righteous life. 2. What are the effects of crises on our faith? The effects of crises on our faith depends on the attitude of our heart. We can take what has happen to us and use it to bring glory to God by focusing on others and God and not ourselves. (like Joseph) (Which is the easiest thing to say and the hardest thing to do). Or we can wallow in our grief and become hateful and resentful. 3. How do they help us grow in our faith? When we are close to God crises will deepen our faith in Christ. We learn to trust and depend on him. We learn from our mistakes. We learn that God is in total control. We learn to move on even though we don't quite understand and we learn that only he can give us the peace that surpasses all understanding. 4. Why do they sometimes destroy our faith? Our faith is destroyed when we take things into our own hands, when our hearts are full of pride and when we become ungrateful and take for granted what we do have and not what we don't.

1. Why do we equate blessing with a lack of crisis in our lives? It is the human way of thinking that if we lack crisis that means we are doing the right thing and living a righteous life. 2. What are the effects of crises on our faith? The effects of crises on our faith depends on the attitude of our heart. We can take what has happen to us and use it to bring glory to God by focusing on others and God and not ourselves. (like Joseph) (Which is the easiest thing to say and the hardest thing to do). Or we can wallow in our grief and become hateful and resentful. 3. How do they help us grow in our faith? When we are close to God crises will deepen our faith in Christ. We learn to trust and depend on him. We learn from our mistakes. We learn that God is in total control. We learn to move on even though we don't quite understand and we learn that only he can give us the peace that surpasses all understanding. 4. Why do they sometimes destroy our faith? Our faith is destroyed when we take things into our own hands, when our hearts are full of pride and when we become ungrateful and take for granted what we do have and not what we don't.

1. Why does Jacob cross his hands when blessing Ephraim and Manasseh? Because they were in the wrong position. Manasseh was on the right Ephraim on the left. It seems that the 1st blessings comes from the right hand so Jacob had to cross his hand in order to secure the blessing to Ephraim. 2. Why does Joseph try to stop him? Because thinks that his Dad is making a mistake. Which he believes the blessing should go to the elder son. 3. In what sense are Jacob's blessings an actual prophecy from God? He is prophesying what his dad had prophesied which came from God.

1. Faith is what quiets our fears. What in God's word to Jacob at Beersheba quiets his fears? I think everything that God said to him quieted his fears. Confirmed once again who he was "I am God, the God of your father", It gave him assurance that God would make him into a great nation and bring him back to the same land, and that the son that he missed all those years would take care of him. 2. God had brought the same assurance to Jacob before (28:15; 31:3). Why do you think he had stopped believing it? It seems to me that his grief got the better of him. Not talking to God about the deep hurt you are going through will make you turn away from God and quiet frankly make you stop believeing. 3. What is the relationship between faith and God's word? It goes hand in hand. Faith comes after hearing the word of God. Even when we do not understand it or it doesn't make any sense we have that peace about taking that leap of faith knowing that God is in total control of the situation. Having faith says I believe even though I can't see or understand why but I believe it is the right thing according to the word of God and I am willing to take that step.

1. Contrast Jacob and Joseph. Jacob has suffered great loss. Joseph has suffered great injustice. Why is Jacob's vision so bleak but Joseph's, so broad? It would have to be an individual thing. Probably the attitude of each person. Was Jacob so stuck in his loss that he left God out the whole time he grieved? Did he seek God for an explanation as far as what God was showing him or teaching him? Did he continue to talk with God about his feelings? Taking the whole load upon yourself will definitely bring you down at some point and time where you begin to make unwise decisions which will always cloud you vision. Joseph on the other hand continued to allow God to use him inspite of his circumstances and gave God the glory for the outcome. 2. What have been their differing responses to fear? The pain that apparently never went away, for Jacob was to much for him to bear when hearing about Benjamin. Because of his fear he tried to see if he could fix this problem. After exhausting all his avenues finds out his way is not going to work. Fear will make us react without thinking it through and consulting God about it. Joseph although had fear new who would take care of him. 3. What insight has kept Joseph from being bitter towards his brothers? Understanding his dream. Understanding why God allowed him the gift of interpreting dreams. Being patient about understanding why he was even there in Egypt.

1. What is Jacob's state of mind after the first trip to Egypt? He is very angry with his sons for not handling the situation. 2. If you were a psychologist, how would you diagnose him? After hearing from his sons what he needed to do brought back memories of his past loss. The thought of losing anyone else especially Benjamin was devastating which probably moved him into depression 3. What factors have paralyzed Jacob mentally and spiritually? Depression can take a toll on anyone when not seeking God for answers. God is the only source that we have in order to maintain our sanity. Not staying close to Him can weaken our spirituality as far as discernment, wisdom, strength to do what is right even when you don't understand etc. 4. Why do you think Jacob changed his mind about going again to secure grain? Probably after thinking it over he had more to loose than gain had he not done what was asked of his sons by Joseph. And at that point he chose to add God in the picture.

1. Why do yo think God appears to Jacob yet another time? It is probably to let Jacob know that He will continue his covenant with him and to assure him of it. 2. What are the primary promises that God renews to Jacob? 1. "I am the Almighty". (El Shaddai, 35:11b). 2. "Be fruitful and increase in number" (35:11c). 3. "A nation and a community of antions will come from you, and kings will come from your body" (35:11d). 4. "The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you" (35:12).