Raph

Q4. (1 Thessalonians 3:10-11; Romans 1:11) What is the value of visits of special speakers to a congregation? The value of visits of special speakers to a congregation is to strengthen the spiritual faith of the members of the visited congregation. What can they impart that your regular pastor can't? I really do not think they can impart something that my regular pastor cannot, but having a visiting pastor who repeats what the regular pastor teaches, can strengthen the message and consequently the faith. Why is a ministry of itinerant preaching so difficult -- and important? The ministry of itinerant preaching is so difficult and important because it involves much travelling and at the same time might be faced with fierce opposition but is important as it helps to spread the word of God and to strengthen the faith of believers.

Q3. (1 Thessalonians 3:3-5) In what ways does persecution discourage Christians from active, open service? Persecution discourages Christians from active, open service by inflicting fear. In what ways does it mature them? It matures them by being persistent no matter what. In what ways does it reveal our underlying motives? It reveals our underlying motives by the way we respond to persecution: if we stop then our belief was not strong; but if we persist then we are strong. Why do you think God allows the tempter the ability to tempt us? God allows the tempter the ability to tempt us because He gave us the will to decide: to folow Him or the tempter. Why hasn't he done away with Satan already? He has not done away with Satan because he uses him to measure our faith.

Q2. (2 Thessalonians 3:2-3) Why is Timothy's role to be a strengthener and encourager so important? Timothy's role to be a strengthener and encourager is so important because the younger church in Thessalonica was younger and was facing a threat of persecution from the leaders. Thus, the need for Timothy's role. In what ways was this a sensitive role. The role was as the survival of the Thessalonian church depended on how effectively such role will be executed. How did it help Timothy to be sent on this assignment? It helped as Timothy was seen as a trusted person to represent Paul. How does delegating ministry help the overall enterprise of the Kingdom? Delegating ministry helps the overall enterprise of the Kingdom as it ensures continuity and quick wide spread as the evangelisation can also be done by other persons, not waiting for one.

Q1. (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20) How can we justify a desire for rewards for our labor in light of God's free gift of salvation and our love for him? We can justify a desire for rewards for our labour in light of God's free gift of salvation and our love for him by following the scripture in the letters of Apostle Paul. What does Christ reward? Christ rewards good work. What doesn't he reward? Christ does not reward bad works. Why should showing accountability to our Master bring us pleasure? Showing accountability to our Master should bring us pleasure because we expect to be rewarded for what we have done. How does it motivate us? This motivates us to continuously do good works in order to receive the reward.

Q5. (1 Thessalonians 2:13) What is the role of the Word of God in molding disciples' lives? In molding disciples' lives, the Word of God strengthens the disciples' faith, makes them to be free from sin and become new born persons. Does it have a power of its own? Yes, the Word of God has power of its own. How does that seem to operate? It operates through the Holy Spirit. What are the implications for disciplers of this powerful action of the Word? The implications for disciplers of this powerful action of the Word are that, if they spread the Word wrongly i.e. with intent to farther personal interests, people will be lead astray, but if they spread the Word correctly, many believers will be made.

Q4. (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12) Why are "fatherly" roles so important to making disciples? "Fatherly" roles are so important to making disciples because such roles help to mold men and women into consistent followers of Jesus Christ, so that they live lives that are worthy or suitable to God's own kingdom and glory. How effectively do you think women can adopt these traits? Women can effectively adopt these traits by asking the holy spirit to fulfil these roles for the benefits of the believers.

Q3. (1 Thessalonians 2:6b-8) Why are "motherly" nurturing qualities so important to growing disciples? "Motherly" nurturing qualities are so important to growing disciples because they are qualities of a disciple-maker, who doesn't seek to further his own interests, but the interests of those to whom God sends him or her. How effectively can male disciplers adopt some of these traits? Male disciplers can effectively adopt some of the these traits by being genuine in disciple-making and not furthering personal interests.

Q2. (1 Thessalonians 2:3-6) Which of the character flaws mentioned in these verses is the greatest problem in the church? I think all the mentioned character flaws are a problem in the church. Why do you say that? I say that because each of the mentioned flaws can destroy the church. How can you prevent one of these character flaws from overtaking you? I can prevent one of these flaws from overtaking me by strongly and truly believing in the gospel and acting according to it.

Q1. (1 Thessalonians 2:2) Why is personal courage such an important character trait for a disciple -- and for a discipler? Personal courage is an important character trait for a disciple -- and for a discipler because it makes the person not to quit no matter what. How does lack of courage prevent evangelism? Lack of courage prevents evangelism in that when there is persecution, or threat thereof, the person who is spreading evangelism but lacking courage will immediately stop. How does lack of courage prevent a congregation from being healthy? Lack of courage prevent a congregation from being healthy as the opposition will win and there will be no more new believers. What is God calling you to do that will require courage on your part? Maybe I can just cite an example where there is an activity at church during working hours and I am required to be there but I find myself lacking courage to ask permission to go to church but raise a different reason.

Q4. (1 Thessalonians 1:10) What does verse 10 teach us about the Christian faith? Verse 10 teaches us of the following five elements of Christian faith: Jesus Christ is God's Son. Jesus Christ will return. Jesus Christ has been raised from the dead. Jesus Christ is our Savior. God's wrath is coming upon sin Which of these elements are most important? Which are less important? I dont think there are most important than the others. I believe all of them being important as each deals with an important matter in our faith. Which are underemphasized by the church in our day? None

Q3. (1 Thessalonians 1:5b-6a) How important is imitation in the formation of a new Christian's spiritual life? Imitation is important in the formation of a new Christian's life in that, the new Christian will grow spiritually by seeing how the old Christians are immitating Christ. What kinds of ministry are most conducive to imitation? The kinds of ministry that are more conducive to imitation are prayers, good deeds, caring for the poor and sick, etc. Why is the character of the mentor or leader so important to the health of the church? The character of the mentor or leader is so important to the health of the church because, the followers like to imitate the leaders. Thus, if the leader is of unsound character, he/she may lead members (some) of the church astray as they may imitate his/her bad character; thus destroying the church. How well do people grow in Christ who aren't part of a Christian community? The people who are not part of a Christian community do not grow well in Christ. In what way is your character important to your family and spiritual children? My character is important to my family and spiritual children through imitation; that, my family and spiritual children do imitate my character.

Q2. (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5) Why is the Holy Spirit's working so necessary to effective ministry? The Holy Spirit's working is so necessary to effective ministry because it strengthens the conviction of believers. What is the role of miracles in Paul's evangelism? In Paul's evangelism, the miracles had great effect to those who were hearing the evangelism and made them to be convinced of the teaching. What would happen if we saw miracles in evangelism in our day? If we saw miracles in evangelism in our day, this will confirm the gospel that, miracles can be performed even today; they are not for the time of Paul only. What is hindering this? I think this is being hindered by our little faith.

Q1. (Acts 17:1-10) Why do you think there was so much strong opposition to Paul's ministry in Thessalonica? I think there was so much strong opposition to Paul's ministry in Thesalonica because many influential and well-off people were joining the Ministry thus the synagogues feared to they will loose financial support from these people. Why do you think Paul keeps preaching the gospel, even though there is often a violent reaction against him? I think Paul keeps preaching the gospel, even though there is often a violent reaction against himm because he was responding to the call of God and that made him not to fear any human threat. Does a violent reaction to our ministry necessarily mean we should stop? A violent reaction to our minstry does not necessarily mean we should stop.

Q4. (1 Chronicles 22-29) Why do you think David prepares for the temple, even after the Lord refuses to let him build it? David prepares for the temple so that his son Solomon can built it quickly rather than wasting time preparing for its construction. How did David cooperate with the Holy Spirit in designing the temple and its worship? David personally contributed materials needed for the construction and then urged all others to do the same. He then drew the archtectural drawings for the temple. He also put in place a new worship order and wrote psalms to be sung during the worship. How did David's example in giving motivate others to give? David's example in giving motivated others as they gave abudantly, wholeheratedly and were happy.

(2 Samuel 24:14-25) Why does David choose the punishment of a plague on the people rather than his other choices? David chooses the punishment of a plague on the people rather than his other choices because the punishment was for a shorter time than others and David strongly believes that, the Lord will have mercy even before the expiry of the period of that punishment. David insists on paying Araunah for the threshing floor and the sacrifices. What principle drives this decision? The principle that drives this decision is that one has to sacrifice to the Lord something that costs that person. How should this principle guide our own giving to God? This principle should guide our own giving to God by ensuring that, what we give to the Lord is just pittance, but that costs us.

Q2. (2 Samuel 23:1-7) How does David describe himself in verse 1? In verse 1, David describes himself as a prophet, an Israelite, the appointed and annointed one and a sweet psalimist. In what sense was David a prophet? David wass a prophet in the sense that, the Lord used him to utter devine words. What is the main message of verses 3-7? The main message of verses 3-7 is to show what consequences will suffer those who are evil doers. How can this psalm guide government officials and elected leaders in our day? This psalm should make govermennt officials and elected leaders in our day to refrain from doing evil things and serve their people with integrity.

Q1. (2 Samuel 22 = Psalm 18) What do you find the most inspiring in the language of this psalm? What is inspiring in the language of this psalm is the way the paslm is written to flow like a story. You are left to desire to know what follows next. What encourages you the most? What encourages me most is the positive resppinse of the Lord to those who believe and depend on Him. Write down all the various titles and metaphors used of God in this psalm. my rock, my fortress, my shield, the horn of salvation, my stronghold, Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mountain, burning coals blazed out of it.

Q4. (2 Samuel 16-20) What does this passage teach us about David's character and faith? This passage teaches us how David was slow to make decision even when danger was eminent. He remains faithful to the Lord. What does it reveal about Joab's character? Joab is a worrior, a man of action. What kind of faith do you see in Joab? Joab's faith is in David. What does this passage teach us about the importance of friends? It teaches us the readiness of a true friend to protect a friend. Is Joab really David's friend? I think Joab is really David's friend.

Q3. (2 Samuel 18:1-19:8) Why does David command mercy for Absalom in the battle? David commands mercy for Absalom in the battle because of his ususal weakness of failing to discipline members of his family for their wrong doings. Why does Joab kill him against David's orders? Joab kills Absalom against David's orders because he knows Absalom will do anything even to kill David in order to remain at the throne. How does David's loud mourning threaten his kingdom? David's loud mourning threaten his kingdom as the people, especially his soldiers, might think that he cares about Absalom than then. The soldires might also think that, David preferred them dead than Absalom. What does this say about his followers' loyalty? Although his followers are loyal, the loyality might change if they think David does not care about them. What does it say about David's faith? David has faith in the Lord. About his weaknesses? He still shows his weaknesses when it comes to family members.

Q2. (2 Samuel 16:5-14) Why doesn't David silence Shimei son of Gera from cursing him? David does not silence Shimei son of Gera from cursing him because David thought it might be the Lord has sent Shimei to curse him. That curse is thus the wish of the Lord. Is this a political decision or a spiritual decision? It is a spiritual decision. What does it tell us about David's faith? David's faith in the Lord is strong and he hopes for mercy.

Q1. (2 Samuel 15:14-30) Why does David flee Jerusalem rather than stay and fight? David flees Jerusalem rather than stay and fight because he knows fighting at that time will destroy Israel. He was not aware of Absalom's coup plans thus he did not prepare himself by stocking enough food and and the number of his soldiers was small than that of Absalom. Thus, retreat was a sensible strategy. What are David's emotions during this retreat? David is convinced that, the Lord will be with him and one day he will return to jerusalem. Why doesn't he take the ark with him into exile? He does not take the ark with him into exile because he believes the Lord is of Israel and not his personally and therefore He, the Lord, deserves to be in the capital, Jerusalem. Does this exhibit faith, fatalism, or submission? This exhibis both faith and submission. What does this tell us about his faith? This tells us that, David's faith was still strong.

Q4. (2 Samuel 13-15:13) It's difficult to find positive spiritual lessons in these sad and grim chapters. What negative spiritual lessons do you find? The negative spiritual lessons I find are ****, lies, disrespect, rape, murder, jealousy, irresponsibility.

Q3. (2 Samuel 15:1-6) What are the elements of Absalom's public relations campaign to win over the people to his side? The elements of Absalom's public relations campaign to win over the people to his side are exalting himself by riding in a chariot whenever he goes; undermining king David's justice system and babby-kissing the people who bowed before him. How effective is it? This was effective as he became a man of the people. What should David have done differently? David should have stopped these acts of Absalom, but he saw them as no harm. Which of David's weaknesses does Absalom exploit? I think the David's weakness that Absalom expoits is that of failing to take any action against a member of the family for whatever he does.

Q2. (2 Samuel 13:39-14:24) Why do you think Joab conspires to get David to bring Absalom home? Joab conspires to get David to bring Absalom home because he wants Absalom, who is the next for inheritance after Amnon, to inherit the throne in order to avoid civil war when king David dides. Why do you think David does not immediately show Absalom his favor? I think David does not immediately show Absalom his favour because he was not a favourite to him like Amnon.

Q1. (2 Samuel 13:21-22) Why do you think David doesn't discipline his son Amnon for his sexual assault on his half-sister? David does not discipline his son Amnon for his sexual assualt on his half sister because David was also guilty of the sexual sins and maybe because Amnon was the first son and heir to the throne. What are the consequences of David's inaction? The consequences of David's inaction are cllear indcation of failure to justily execise authority and also as a person loss of the moral character and love to God as he used to be.