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Q2. (1 Samuel 22:20-23:12) What did Abiathar and the ephod have to do with "inquiring of the Lord?" Abiathar was a priest and when he escaped to Savid, he brought the ephod which is part of the high priest's garments that include the Urim and Thummim, that were used to determine God's will when David inquires of the Lord. Thus, with the presence of the ephod, David now had the ability to seek God's will about key decisions. Why did David inquire of the Lord? David inquired of the Lord to seek guidance whether he should go and attacjk the Philistine who raided and were attacking the city of Keilah; stealing the crops right at harvest time. What huge advantage does the person have who seeks God's will before acting? The advantage that the person who seeks God's will before acting has is the correct action. The Lord will taell that person to act or not to act. Such a person then is assured of success, and this is a huge advantage. How can you find God's will at key points in your life? I can find God's will at key points in my life by having faith in Him and keeping on praying, asking for guidance.

Q1. (1 Samuel 22:2) Why were David's men attracted to him? David's men were attracted to him because they wanted protection as they knew the how powerful David was. What did they have in common? What they had in common is that, they were all being pursued by Saul. Why kind of men were these? These were people who owed Saul money and were being hounded for repayment, some were rebels who wanted to overthrow Saul, and a few were bandits who were wanted for various crimes. What difficulties do you think David probably had in leading them? The difficulties thatDavid had in leading these men include the different backgound of these people. Some were relatives others not. Secondly is the different reasons for siding with David. Probably others just wanted to be protected but not necessary that they respected David. And thirdly, is the different characters of these people. Some were bandits and some rebels and some were just humble people who failed to pay their loans.

Q4. (1 Samuel 20:35-42) What is the nature of the covenant between David and Jonathan? The nature of the covennant between David and Jonathan is peace; they concluded a covenant whereby the two and their decendants will live in peace, without causing harm to any of them. What does David receive? David receives assurances from Jonathan that he, Jonathan, will not betray David to Saul. What does Jonathan receive? Jonathan receives assurance from David that, when he, David, becomes the King, he will not kill the family of Jonathan. Who benefits the most from this covenant? Although in covenants is not a matter of who benefits most, I think Jonathan benefited a little more as this covenant assured of his life and that of his family when David becomes a King. I don't see any other better benefit than being spared life. Is it self-serving -- or not? I think is not. What is the significance that God is witness to the covenant? The significance that God is witness to the covenant is in the fact that, each party will be compelled to live to the terms of the covenant when is reminded that, God witnessed the conclusion of the covenant. This witnessing means approval of the covenant by God, thus its terms are approved by God. A party will then be afraid to contravene any term of the covenant.

Q3. (1 Samuel 19:18-24) What does it tell us about Saul's faith that he pursues David even when he has sought the sanctuary of the prophet Samuel? This tells us that, Saul's faith is not solid; he does not really accept everything that the Lord wants. Why do people prophesy when the Holy Spirit comes upon them? People prophesy when the Holy Spirit comes upon them because of the Holy Spirit possesses them, moving them to speaking the things of God. What is the relationship between this incident and the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2)? The relationship between this incident and the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) is that, in both cases the mystery of the Holy Spirit was manifested and shows how the Holy Spirit has control over us.

Q2. (1 Samuel 18:18-22) Which of the following is David's chief motive for marrying Michal, in your opinion? Argue for the motivation that makes the most sense to you: (1) pride in his military prowess, (2) obedience to Saul's desires, (3) love or desire for Michal, or (4) enjoyment in killing Philistines. In my opinion, David's chief motive for marrying Michal is ebedience to Saul's desires. David has noticed that, this is the second time King Saul has indicated desire for him to marry his daughter. While on the first time he had excuse i.e. being not having bridal gift to give to the King for his daughter, on the second time he does not have excuse. The condition given is totally under his control. Thus, afraid of dissappointing the King, he agrees to mary his daughter Michal.

Q1. (1 Samuel 18:13-16). Why does Saul send David into battle? Saul sent David to battle in order to get him away from his site and out of his court, and also to put him in a dangerous place with expectation that he will be killed. What is the result? The result is that, David proves to be both a powerful warrior and a leader of men. The men trust him and he leads them to victory. David has consistent success which brings him even greater publicity and adulation among the people. To what does the narrator attribute David’s success? The narrator attributes David's success to the fact that, the Lord was with David.

Q3. (1 Samuel 17:47) Why do we so often forget that “the battle is the Lord’s”? We often forget that "the battle is the Lord's" because of our pride and arrogance. What does that phrase actually mean? That phrase actually mean that, God will act on our behalf when we trust in him and are obedient to his voice. How can we avoid the arrogance of pulling God into our battles (“God is on my side”), rather than engaging in His battles (“I am on God’s side”)? We can avoid the arrogance of pulling God into our battles ("God is on my side"), rather than engaging in His battles ("I am on God's side") by engaging Him in matters which they please Him and not on those which we want but do not please Him.

Q2. (1 Samuel 17:34-37) What does David’s explanation to Saul of his combat experience say about David’s faith? David's explanation to Saul of his combat experience indicates how David was courageous and has great faith in the Lord. How lethal is David as a warrior? David does not look to be lethal as a warrior. In fact he was a little boy and has not been at war. Why do you think Saul allows him to go out to battle Goliath? I think Saul allows David to go out to battle Goliath in order to remove an embarrasment of his army as no soldier dared to step forward to fight Goliath. Does Saul have faith? Saul has faith. If so, what is the source of it? The source of this faith is the narration by David of his experience of killing a lion and a bear. Saul knows that, very few of his soldiers can killi a lion or a bear.

Q1. (1 Samuel 17:26-30) Why is David so upset about Goliath’s taunt? David is so upset about Goliath's taunt because he saw Goliath as diminishing the army of Israel, being God's nation. Why is Eliab, David’s brother, so upset with David? Eliab, David's brother, was so upset with David because he saw this as a challenge, being older than David but not having courage to fight Goliath. What does this teach us about David’s faith? This teaches us that, David had great faith in God and he believes that no one can challenge the army of God. What does it teach us about Eliab’s character? This teaches us that, Eliab was jelousy of his younger brother's,David's, courage.

Q4. (1 Samuel 16:14-23) From Saul's perspective, why is David summoned to court? From Saul's perspecctive, David is summoned to court to play music to Saul so that he can be calmed from the fears that were coming upon him when the Holy Spirit was removed from him due to his disobedience to God. From God's perspective, what seem to be the reasons for this service in Saul's court? From God's perspective, the reasons for this service in Saul's court seem to expose him to the skills of governing, to learn him the art of leadership from that nation's leaders. It is also to give him time to write his songs as in the sheep fields he did not have the opportunity to write down the lyrics to his songs. In Saul's court, David has that ability. What things tend to prevent us from learning from God in the midst of the circumstances in which we find ourselves? The things that tend to prevent us from learning from God in the midst of the circumstances in which we find ourselves are arrogance, stubborness, impatience, rebellion. What might make us more teachable? That might make us teachable are obedience, listening carefully to the voice of God, accetting the Holy Spirit and the arrangement of God.

Q3. (1 Samuel 1:13) What is the significance of Samuel anointing David? The significance of Samuel annointing David is first to designate David as the King to be; and secondly and more importantly, is the coming of the Holy Spirit upon him. What is the significance of the Holy Spirit coming upon David? The significance of the Holy Spirit coming upon David is to empower him. How does this explain his success? This explains his success by becoming an anointed, prophetic songwriter and the "sweet singer of Israel"; the mighty warrior who defends his country against giants and Philistines; the shepherd of a nation as its king. How is the Holy Spirit upon us vital for our own success as disciples? The Holy Spirit upon us is vital for our own success as disciples as it empowers us as christian believers.

Q2. (1 Samuel 16:3-12) How does this story teach us the importance of listening carefully to God's voice? This story teaches us the importance of listening carefully to God's voice by listening to the Holy Spirit. What is our instinctive way of discerning? Our instinctive way of discerning is judging by means of our physical sight and our social experience. How is God teaching us to discern? God is teaching us to discern spiritually so that we can see what is in the heart. How do we learn to listen to the Spirit? We learn to listen to the Spirit by obeying the word of God.

Q1. (1 Samuel 15:22-23). What is rebellion? Rebellion is doing what we decide to do rather than what God tells us; while making our difficult circumstances as excuses. In what way is rebellion as bad as witchcraft or occult practices? Rebellion is as bad as witchcraft or occult practices in that, like rebellion, practicing witchcraft or occult is going against the authority of God. What does rebellion have to do with arrogance? Rebellion goes hand in hand with arrogance against God. An arrogant person thinks he/she knows better than God, so he/she does it his/her way instead of God's way, and this often comes with tragic results. What can we do when we find rebellion against God in our hearts? When we find rebellion against God in our hearts, we must repent of this sin so that Jesus can take it away. What happens if we do nothing? If we do nothing, Jesus will deny us and we will not enter the Kingdom of God.

Q2. (Matthew 7:15-20) Jesus says that one's inner self will eventually become apparent (Matthew 12:34). What kinds of "fruit" might be clues to a false prophet? Kinds of "fruit" that might be clues to a false prophet are: Strange or somewhat perverted teachings. Dominant character flaws. Actions and attitudes that don't conform to what you expect of a Christian leader.

Q1. (Matthew 7:13-14) If Jesus' teaching about the narrow gate and the narrow road to life is to be believed, what change would this make in how you conduct your life? If Jesus' teaching about the narrow gate and the narrow road to life is to be believed, the change that this would make in how I conduct my life to follow Jesus' commands with faith in order for me to be able to find the narrow road. What difference would it make to how you witness to your neighbors? The difference that it would make to how I witness to my neighbours is to make sure that they understand the teachings of Jesus that there is only one way to enter the Kingdom of God and that is through the narrow gate; there is no universalism. is to assure them How might it affect your acceptance of Universalism? It might affect my acceptance of Universalism by understanding that, Universalism is not a correct teaching.

Q4. (Matthew 7:12) In what way does the "Golden Rule" capsulize the message of the law and the prophets? The "Golden Rule" capsulizes the message of the law and the prophets by commanding us what to do: We should treat others in the way we would like to be treated. This seems like a different "summary" of the law and the prophets than Jesus indicated in Matthew 22:37-39. How are they the same? They are the same in that, they are both talking of love. How are they different? The different I can see is the command who to love. While Mathew 7:12 is telling us of the love amongst ourselves; in Mathew 22:37-39 there is a command for us to love our God.

Q3. (Matthew 7:9-11). What do these verses teach us about God's relationship to us? These verses teach us that, God is our loving Father. What do they teach about God's characteristic response toward us? They teach us that, God will not give us somthing useless, bad from what we ask; He will just give us something good. How does this differ from a cynical view of God? This proves wrong the cynical view of God. Why is a positive understanding of God important to be able to pray with faith? A positive understanding of God is important to be able to pray with faith because we will know without doubts that, when we ask, He will give us what is good for us.

Q2. (Matthew 7:7-8) Which lesson is taught in both the Parables of the Friend at Midnight (Luke 11:5-10) and the Widow and the Unjust Judge (Luke 18:1-6)? The lesson that is taught in both the Parables of the Friend at Midnight (Luke 11:5-10) and the Widow and the Unjust Judge (Luke 18:1-6) is to continue to pray, and not to give up. How do these relate to the commands in Matthew 7:7-8? These relate to the commands in Matthew 7:7-8 in the teaching of persistence.

Q1. (Matthew 7:7-8) What do the words "ask," "seek," and "knock" have in common? The words "ask", "seek" and "knock" all indicate desire that would be met. What distinguishes them from each other? What distiguishes them from each is the way how the desire is met. Does one word convey more intensity than another? I think they convey the same intesity. What is the significance of the present, continuous, imperative tense of these verbs? The significance of the present, continuous, imperative tense of these verbs is to stress continued, persistent action.

Q4. (Matthew 7:6) In Jesus' day, what did dogs and pigs have in common? In Jesus" days, dogs and pigs were all unclean animals. What would holy food and pearls have in common? Holy food and pearlswould all be precious. Read Matthew 10:14; Acts 13:44-51; 18:5-6; and 28:17-28. In what kinds of circumstances did believers turn away from a continued sharing of the gospel? Belivers turn away from a continued sharing of the gospel by showing hatred against preachers, inciting rebellion against them, threatening to kill them, expelling them, opposing them publicly, making false accusations against them, and showing no interest to what they are preaching. To what kinds of people did they continue their witness? They continued their witness to the gentiles who were ready to listen and accept the word of God.

Q3. (Matthew 7:3-5) What about this parable is humorous? What is humorous in this parable is a picture of a man with a large plank of timber in his eye stooping down to perform minute eye surgery on a man with only a sawdust speck in his eye. Why do you think Jesus compares a speck of sawdust with a plank or beam? I think Jesus compares a speck of sawdust with a plank or beam to show the intensity of wrong doings (sins) towards God. What does the speck represent? The speck represent non-serious sins. What does the plank represent? The plank represent serious sins. According to this parable, when is it okay to remove a speck? It is ok to remove the speck when one removes the plank. When is it not okay? It is not ok when one still has a plank.

Q2. (Matthew 7:1-2) Read a similar passage in Luke 6:37-38. According to Matthew's account, what is our fate if we measure out big heaps of judgment with a critical spirit? According to Mathew's account, if we measure out big heaps of judgment with a critical spirit, the same measure of big heaps of judgment with a critical spirit will be used against us. According to Luke's account, how can measuring be both positive and negative? According to Luke's account, measuring can be both positive and negative as it is indicatedd that, the same measure is used to those who measure. Therefore, it depends on how one measures; if one measures positively, he/she will be measured positvely, and if one measures negatively, he/she will be measured negatively. What should we measure out instead of judgmentalism? Insteda of judgmentalism, we should measure objectively.

Q1. (Matthew 7:1) Have you ever caught yourself severely criticizing others Christians behind their backs -- or to their faces? Yes. I have in several occasions caught criticising other Christians behind their back and others to their faces. What is the attitude that underlies censoriousness? The attitude that underlies censoriousness is looking for fault, blaming, putting the worst possible construction upon an act, condemning sternly. How can the psychological concept of "projection" motivate harsh judgment? The psychological concept off "projections" can motivate harsh judgment by attributing one's own ideas, feelings, or attitudes to other people or to objects; especially, the externalization of blame, guilt, or responsibility as a defense against anxiety. Why must Christians show love in the face of a brother's or sister's failing? Christians must shoe love in the face of a brother's or sister's failing because they are supposed to treat others as they want to be treated themselves. Further, Jesus teaches us not to judge others so tha we are not judged.

Q4. (Matthew 6:33) What is the command in this verse? The comaand in this verse is: Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. How must our seeking God differ from our seeking of food and clothing, according to this verse? Seeking of God should be our first priority then the seking seeking of food and clothing can follow. What is the promise found in this verse? Our Father in Heaven knows of our needs and He will provide them for us.

Q5. (Matthew 6:34) Is there humor intended in verse 34? I don't think there was any humor intended in the verse. What is the point of Jesus' joke here? The point of Jesus here is that, we should deal with today with God's help and we will deal with tomorrow when tomorrow comes. What is the command in this verse? The command in this verse is: Don't worry about tomorrow.