IvoryEagle

Q2. (1 Peter 2:4-8) In what way are these rock images of Christ attractive to our world? In what way do they repel people? Why? In what ways do you see Jesus as a Rock, Stone, and Foundation in your own life? THE WORLD IN ALL OF ITS PRIDE, SEEKS ATTENTION, POWER, & CONTROL. It is all of these things that are already taken and are being offered if we would only believe, trust, and obey. This repels those who seek their own power, for they want to grant what is already occupied. As a result, they stumble. I SEE JESUS/GOD as the foundation of everything. Proverbs 3:5-6 says it best. Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, lean NOT on your own understanding, ACKNOWLEDGE HIM in all of your ways and HE WILL DIRECT YOUR PATH. FOCUS ON THESE THINGS...THIS IS THE ROCK!

Q1. (Colossians 1:18) How should the assertion that Jesus is the "head of the body, the church" affect the way we conceive of the church? Is he talking about the universal Church or a local congregation, or both? If we believe that Jesus is the head of the church, how should that affect the way we conduct our life and ministry as the church? In what ways does the visible church represent the "head"? How well do we, as the body, follow his leadership? FROM THE WE ARE GRANTED THE PRIVILEGE TO BE AWARE OF ANOTHER DAY, EACH DAY, WE ARE GUARDED BY OUR MIND, THOUGHTS, AND ACTIONS. It all stems from the head. Not a single part of the body can function if we are BRAIN (JESUS) DEAD. He is all of that and more that we do not know. As a body, we are in a continuous challenge to remember that in word and in deed. It is a continuous struggle but struggle we must. It hurt soooooooo GOOD!

Q4. (John 10:11-14) What are the characteristics of the "Good Shepherd"? A CARING AND EMPOWERED PROTECTOR How do these contrast with the "hired hand"? A HIRED HAND IS DRIVEN BY HIS OWN NEEDS; A SHEPHERD IS DRIVEN BY THE NEEDS OF THE SHEEP God calls us to shepherd others as pastors, small group leaders, teachers, mentors, etc. YES, HE DOES. How can we demonstrate that we are "good shepherds" rather than "hired hands"? LEAD WITH THE HEART, NOT THE HEAD

Q3. (Mark 10:43-45) How does Jesus serve (like Boaz) as a Kinsman-Redeemer to us? What does the idea of needing a ransom imply about our condition? What was the redemption-price that the Father paid for us? He serves because He is in the position to serve, has the heart to serve, and like Boaz we have demonstrated the need to be served. Our condition is one of being constantly stalked by temptation, evil, and Satan. We need an anchor/ransom.

Q2. How are we disciples to assist in Jesus' mission to seek and to save the lost? What is the love-balance between seeking to save our friends and having to back off because they feel we are trying to pressure them? ONE CONSISTENT ACTON IS BETTER THAN A MILLION WORDS. PEOPLE RESPECT AND RESPOND TO WHAT YOU DO, NOT WHAT YOU SAY. NO PRESSURE NEEDED; people are attracted to a joyful spirit. When they ask why I am so joyful, they have stepped into my zone, I've got the joy, joy, joy, down in my heart. Some ask for more, some don't. Either way, I win.

Q1. (Luke 19:10; Matthew 11:19) Jesus came to seek and to save the lost. What does it mean to you personally that Jesus is the Friend of Sinners? How should it affect your relationships with people who are deep in sin? OBVIOUSLY, WE ALL HAVE FALLEN SHORT AND NEED JESUS AS OUR SIN. As for others who are deep in sin, if it is so deep that I can see it; it is unlikely that I will come close enough to impact them other than by my own behavior.

Q6. (Luke 9:35) Since Jesus is God's Chosen One, what does it mean to "listen to him"? In what ways does your life reflect listening to him? In what ways do you need to heed him more explicitly? "And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, 'This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!'" (Luke 9:35) Tarry for clarity, obedience, & continued belief.

Q5. Where did the title "Branch" come from? How does the imagery differ from the title "Root"? A root, of course, is the source of a tree's life. A branch is a stem or extension from the axis of a tree. Both of these metaphors are based on the idea of a "family tree," with sometimes Jesse (David's father) and sometimes David himself designated as the Root, Branch, or Shoot. "In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel." (Isaiah 4:2) "A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit." (Isaiah 11:1)

Q4. (Matthew 21:9, 15) Why were the chief priests and scribes so angry when little children referred to Jesus as "Son of David"? What does the title "Son of David" signify? ULTIMATE AUTHORITY: 'Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!'" (Matthew 21:9, 15)

Q3. (Matthew 16:13-16) Whom did Peter believe Jesus to be? How did Peter come to believe this? Why does Jesus command his disciples not to tell others that he is the Messiah? (Matthew 16:20). Simon Peter answered, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.'" Jesus strongly affirms Peter for this statement and declares that it was revealed to Peter by "my Father in heaven" (verse 17). But then we read something curious:(Matthew 16:13-16) Why would Jesus hide his title as Messiah from the masses? Probably to avoid the political implications of the title and the attention such a title would bring him (Mark 1:45)

Q2. Which are your favorite messianic prophecies? Which titles from those are dearest to you? Why? One shepherd: They will follow my laws and be careful to keep my decrees." (Ezekiel 37:24) Daniel's prophecy speaks of an "Anointed One" (NIV, ESV, Daniel 9:25, 26), "Anointed Prince" (NRSV), "Messiah" (KJV), who is also called a "prince" or "ruler." THEY ALL REFER TO "THE" NO DOUBT ABOUT WHO IS IN CHARGE.

Q1. What is the meaning of the words "Christ" and "Messiah? How does the Davidic Covenant influence messianic expectation in Jesus' day? Christ (christos) is Greek for "anointed one. "Hebrew word māshîaḥ, "anointed one," which we transliterate as "Messiah." Intense expectation among the Jews that a descendent of David would come as Messiah to deliver the people from their bondage.

How does Jesus' truth contrast with your culture's dearly held "truths"? OUR CULTURE BELIEVES IF YOU DON'T SEE IT; IT IS NOT THERE. How does Jesus' wisdom differ from the worldly wisdom that your culture teaches you? In John 1, the Word, the Logos creates the world: "He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." (John 1:2-3) What would help you hold on to Jesus' truth and wisdom more effectively? READ, BELIEVE, OBSERVE, & SHARE.

Q3. (Revelation 3:14) Why is Jesus called the "true and faithful witness"? Thus Christ is the ultimate affirmation, the Amen. What did he witness to? Witness to the Peoples. How was he faithful in his witness? Because Jesus is a faithful teacher, Jesus is also the Faithful Witness to the Father and the Father's words. John introduces him as: "Jesus Christ the faithful witness...." (Revelation 1:5a) As a disciple, to what degree are you a "true and faithful witness" to the Word that your Rabbi has taught and has done in your life? I READ, I BELIEVE, I SHARE, I ATTEMPT TO LIVE BY HIS WORD. What would it look like if you improved as a witness? I CAN'T IMAGINE.

Q2. (John 1:1-3, 14) In what sense is Jesus the Word of God? HE ONLY SPEAKS ON GOD'S BEHALF/ Why do you think he is called this? THE WORD WAS GOD. Why does John call him the Word of Life (1 John 1:1)? HE GIVES US LIFE. What does this say to us about the importance of hearing, meditating on, and internalizing Jesus' words? THE MORE THE WORD BECOMES A PART OF US; THE MORE WE BECOME THE WORD.

Q1. What is your relationship to Jesus as your Rabbi? IT IS MY BELIEF THAT HE WALKS AND TALKS WITH ME AT ALL TIMES. How often do you come to him to teach you? PERVASIVE How do you receive his teaching? CONFIRMATION How teachable do you think you are? VERY; I AM AWARE THAT THE ONLY THING I KNOW FOR SURE IS THAT I KNOW NOTHING. JESUS LEADS THE WAY.

Q4. How did Jesus' disciples use his name when they healed and cast out demons? THEY PRAYED IN THE NAME OF JESUS. Do we have this kind of authority, or was it only for the apostles themselves? WE HAVE IT. In what way does speaking or acting in Jesus' name demonstrate the concept of power of attorney? ONLY WHEN WE USE IT DOES IT HAVE VALUE Why are we sometimes afraid to speak or act in Jesus' name? FEAR OF RIDICULE FROM OTHERS How might hearing his voice about a particular matter alleviate that fear? IT MAKES US FEARLESS.

Q3. What does it mean when you pray "in Jesus' name"? I BELIEVE THAT UNTIL JESUS NAME IS INVOKED, WE ARE NOT SEALED IN OUR EXPECTATIONS OR OUR OUTCOME. Do you use the phrase "in Jesus' name" as you pray? YES. Why or why not? I BELIEVE THAT UNTIL JESUS NAME IS INVOKED, WE ARE NOT SEALED IN OUR EXPECTATIONS OR OUR OUTCOME. How does praying "in Jesus' name" limit what we will pray for? HE WILL ONLY HONOR/ACKNOWLEDGE WHAT WE PRAY FOR THAT IS IN GOD'S WILL

Q2. In what ways does taking Jesus' name on ourselves, or identifying ourselves with him, open us to shame and persecution? FOR THOSE WHO DON'T BELIEVE; WE APPEAR LESS THAN INTELLIGENT. Have you seen examples of this in your own experience? YES. What actions might show that a Christian is ashamed of Jesus? WE SPEAK OF HIM, INTRODUCE OTHERS TO HIM, WE FOLLOW HIM, WE STUDY HIM What actions might show that a Christian is unashamed of Jesus? SAME AS ABOVE.

Q1. How is the meaning of Jesus' name linked to his mission? Jesus' Hebrew name is a compound word which means "Yahweh Saves What is his mission? Save His people from our sins How did he fulfill this mission? Died for our sins; took our place How did he fulfill his mission in your life? Gave me a reason to believe, live, and share--an anchor for life

Q6. (Daniel 12:10) In what way will intense persecution in the End Times lead to many being "purified, made spotless, and refined"? "Many will be purified, made spotless and refined,but the wicked will continue to be wicked." (12:10a) In what ways is the Church in our day in such need of this? MANY SEE THE BIBLE AS A PART OF THEIR ATTIRE INSTEAD OF A PART OF THEIR ASSIGNMENT. IN MANY CASES IT STAYS IN THE CAR AND ON DISPLAY UNTIL IT IS TIME TO SHOW UP AT CHURCH. How do you think we can prepare ourselves for this time? CONTINUE TO SEEK, SHARE, & SHINE..PERHAPS THE WICKED WILL GET CURIOUS ENOUGH TO IMITATE & THE RIGHTEOUS WILL BE RE-AFFIRMED.

Q5. (Daniel 12:5-7). How long will intense persecution last during the final tribulation? 'It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed.'" (12:5-7) What will happen to God's people during this? TERRIBLE SUFFERING EVEN UNTIL & THREE DAYS AFTER DEATH Why do you think this difficult time is revealed to us people who don't like bad news? GET OVER IT! THE TENACITY OF TESTING FOR FAITHFULNESS NEVER END UNTIL THE END....NO SNEAK PREVIEWS

Q4. (Daniel 12:3) What is the end of those who are wise and influential for God? Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever." (12:2-3) What is their reward? They will shine with God's glory eternally ("for ever and ever"). And they will be a powerful influence on others who will turn to God. How does God use your influence currently to advance his Kingdom? RESPONSES TO CONFUSION AND COMPLIMENTS ARE ANSWERED & CONFIRMED THROUGH SCRIPTURE What would need to change so that you might have greater influence for Christ? I DON'T KNOW; RIGHT NOW, i AM ENAMORED BY HIS WORD AND SHARE IT EVERY CHANCE I GET.

Q3. (Daniel 12:2) What do we learn about resurrection? IT'S PAYDAY FOR BOTH THOSE WHO SERVED GOD & THOSE WHO DID NOT. ! "Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt." How does this compare with New Testament teaching?CONFIRMATION BY THE SON OF MAN: Indeed, Jesus affirmed that he personally would raise believers up on the Last Day (John 6:39-40). What is the future of the righteous who are raised? EVERLASTING LIFE Why do you think the unjust will be raised also? THEY MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE: ACCOUNTABILITY & CONSEQUENCES, FOREVER...

Q2. (Daniel 12:1) What will happen during the great distress of God's people? For the sake of the elect those days will be shortened." (Matthew 24:21-22; Mark 13:19-20) In what ways does this time seem to conform to the "great tribulation" spoken of in the New Testament? "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." (Revelation 7:14)