Raph

Q3. (2 Corinthians 8:9) What riches did Christ have according to this verse? According to this verse, Christ had spiritual riches. He is the Son of God; He is God himself. How did he become poor? He became poor by leaving all the glory in Heaven and came down to earth where he became man and died on the cross for our sins. In what way were we poor? We were poor by being sinners thus not deserving to enter the glory of God. In what way have we become rich? We have become rich by the death of Christ who accepted to die on the cross for our sins to be forgiven and thus be eligible to enter the glory of God.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 8:4, 7-9, 19) What does grace have to do with giving? Grace has to do with giving in that, it is seen as a sign of care someone else; it is a work of charity. What does giving look like when it isn’t accompanied by grace? When giving is not acompanied by grace it looks like something not good to do but just because of necessity or forced to do. What does it look like when grace prompts your giving? When grace prompts my giving, it looks like a service to those in need and also a blessing to me for giving.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 8:1-5) Why is it so difficult to give when we are stressed by circumstances and bills and pressures? It is so difficult to give when we are stressed by circumstances and bills and pressures because of lack of generosity. Under these circumstances we only think of ourselves. The Macedonians were poor, but out of their generosity, they gave for other poor saints even beyond their ability. What can we learn from the example of the Macedonians and the poor widow? From the example of the Macedonians and the poor widow we learn that, out of our generosity and our love for God, our poverty cannot be a barrier to help others by sharing what we have. How will this lesson affect your own giving? This lesson will afffect my owning giving by knowing more the need to be generous and giving according to how much I earn.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 7:5) What are the distinctions between fear, faith, and courage? Fear is a state where you become afraid to do something; but with faith which is a state of believing, you do not allow that fear to restrict you in doing what you intended to do but you get courage, being a state of not being afraid, to do it. Why is being honest about our fears better than pretending we don’t have any fears? Being honest about our fears is better than prestending we dont have any fears because it is only in the understanding of being afraid that you can be able to prepare yourself to find a solution; how to defend yourself. How did Paul deal with his fears? Paul dealt with his fears by facing them, taking courage and not allowing the fears to control him.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1) What kind of separation is Paul calling the Corinthians to? Paul is calling the Corinthians to a separation from people who can lead them into sin. They can remain friends with them but not associate with them. Paul’s concern was that the Corinthian Christians still participated in the pagan feasts and their attendant sexual immorality. Thus, in order to ensure that, they do not participate, he called for them not to associate with the pagans. How can they strike a balance between separating themselves from sinful practices that mess up their spiritual lives while at the same time maintaining friendships with pagan neighbors and co-workers? They can strike a balance between separating themselves from sinful practices that mess up their spiritual lives while at the same time maintaining friendahips with pagan neighbours and co-workers by not being around them when they are engaged in their sinful practices. The idea was to separate themselves from sin and the people who would tempt them to fall back into sin.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) What are the reasons Paul gives us – both in his letter and by quoting Old Testament scriptures – that we should live holy lives? The reasons that Paul gives us - both in his letter and by quoting OldTestament scriptures - that we should live holy lives are: 1. Our bodies are temples of God; we should therefore keep them pure. 2. God walks among us; thus if we are together with God, we should not take Him to evil places or do evil things. 3. We, ourselves, are holy; thus we cannot not be involved in evil doings. 4. We are God's own special children; we therefore should not be against our Father but live according to His wishes. What kinds of temptations did the Corinthians face in their notorious city. In their notorius city, the Corinthians faced idolatry and sexual immorality temptations.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 6:3-13) Why do you think Paul shares so much about his various struggles with the Corinthians? I think Paul shares so much about his various struggles with the Corinthians in order to show them that, the spreading of the word of God is not an easy task; it can involve sufferings, but with commitment, dedication and dependance to God, we will succeed as he himself, Paul, succeeded in Corinth. How does this help them accept his apostleship as authentic? I think this helped as they came to realise that, despite the sufferings, the Lord was with Him, he did not despair and leave everything. Have you ever complained about what you’ve had to put up with in your ministry? Yes, as human being, sometimes I found myself with so many reponsibiltiies in the Ministry and start complaining why others are like not doing enough to help me. How does it compare to what Paul faced? Of course this does not compare at all with what faced Paul as the Corinthians were really difficult.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 5:18-6:2) If you, then, are called to be an urgent agent of reconciliation, how is this likely to affect your daily life? If I, then, am called to be an urgent agent of reconciliation, this is likely to affect my daily life in that, I have to change my conduct and behaviour and live according to the word of God and also to make sure I am spreading the word of God and calling people to accept the free reconciliation that is there and only needs to be accepted. How will it affect how people perceive you? This definitely will have effects on how people will perceive me. Others, who are in the reign of evil spirit will see me as wasting time and invading in their lives, thus they will render resistance. But those who will be touched by the Holy Spirit will see me as doing a good job and they will encourage me to continue. How will it affect how God perceives you? God will definitely like me for fulfilling His instructions for calling on peole to reconcile with God and living according to His word.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 5:21) In what sense did Jesus "become sin" on our behalf? Jesus "became sin" on our behalf in the sense that, although He was sinless, He became a bearer of our sins. In what sense do we "become righteousness" ? We "become righteousness" in the sense that, when Jesus took our sins upon him, we take upon us his righteousness which comes from God.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 5:18-20) How have we humans been reconciled to God? We have been reconciled to God by the death of Jesus Christ whereby our sins were laid on Christ and God stopped counting them against us. What did God do so that reconciliation could take place? So that reconciliation could take place, God sent His only Son Jesu Christ to come and die for us sins. In what sense are you an Ambassador of the Kingdom of God? I am an Ammbassador of the Kingdom of God in sense that, I am called to spread the word of God to people around me: be at my home, at my workplace or at my neighbourhood. In what sense are you a Minister of Reconciliation for Jesus Christ? I am a Minister of Reconciliation for Jesus Christ in the sense that, I am an official representative of God tasked to ask people to reconcile with God.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 5:16-17) What does verse 17 teach us about the nature of a new believer? About the nature of a new believer, verse 17 teaches us that, the new believer does not only get a religion but becomes a new creation as that person is changed in some fundamental ways. What changes in a person when he puts his faith in Christ? When a person puts his faith in Christ, what changes in him is the life which now is being nurtured by the Holy Spirit. Why don't old habits disappear immediately if everything has become new? Old habits do not disappear immediately even if everything has become new because the changes begins on the inside. This inward change is supposed to affect and alter the outward life as well. This is a slow process that requires the cooperation of the person himself.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 5:10-11a) How does Paul's mention of the Judgment Seat of Christ fit the context here? Paul's mention of the Judgment Seat of Christ fits the context here in that, on the last day, the Lord will sit of the Judgment Seat to judge each person according to his or her deeds and receive reward for that. (1) Our belief that we Christians will appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ to be judged for our works would affect our desire to please him by konowing that, our judgment on the last daywill not be for salvation. Our judgment there will be for rewards that we will receive for faithful service. (2) Our belief that we Christians will appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ to be judged for our works would affect our motivation to persuade people to receive Christ by having the fear of knowing the type of verdict for those who do not know Christ; unfortunately such people include some of our relatives, friends and neighbours. As we love them, we should be concerned of their destiny and therefore the need to persuade them to turn to God.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 5:7) What does it mean to walk by faith, not by sight? To walk by faith, not by sight means conducting ourselves according to what the word of God tells us and not waiting to see what were are being promised. Why can't nonbelievers understand this kind of living? Nonbelievers can't understand this kind of living because their focus is on the temporary life on earth; they don't think of the eternal life after this earthly life. What aspects of your life are guided by your senses rather than by your faith? The aspects of my life that are guided by my senses rather than my faith are anger, poor family communication. How can you bring a faith perspective into these areas? I can bring a faith perspective into these areas by being in persistent prayers, asking for the Holy Spirit to be powered upon me.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 5:6-8) How do Paul’s words comfort you when you consider your death? When I consider my death the words of Paul comfort me in that, if I die as a true believer I will immediately go to God and be with Him until the day of the resurrection. This is really comforting and makes one wait with eagerness. What do Christians believe happens when we die? When we die, Christians believe that, our spirits go immmediately to God. What will happen to us if we die before Christ returns? If we die before Christ returns, our spirits will go to God and their will wait till the day of resurrection. What will happen to us when Christ returns? When Christ returns we shall be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so we shall always be with the Lord.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 5:1-5) In what sense are our bodies like tents? Our bodies are like tents in the sense that, here on earth they are temporary, not permanent. Just as a tent is dismantled after the intended use, the time will come when our bodies will be "destroyed" ready for our ressurection bodies which are eternal. If we were to truly look forward to our "house not made with hands," how would it affect our daily lives here? If we were to truly look forward to our "house not made with hands," this would affect our daily lives here by understanding the word of God and follow it with all our hearts. We will commit our lives to Jesus and no more commit sins.

Q5. (2 Corinthians 4:15-18) In what way do problems and physical deterioration help us toward "an eternal weight of glory" ? Problems and physical deterioration help us toward "eternal weight of glory" by strengthening our faith in God, thus growing spiritually. Why is it so easy to focus on temporal matters to the exclusion of eternal things? It is so easy to focus on temporal matters to the exclusion of eternal things because of our human weakness of caring about the body forgeting about eternal life to come. Why is a focus on eternal things so important to our spiritual growth? Focus on eternal things is so imprtant to our spiritual growth because by focus on eternal things we grow inwardly and do not become carried away or diverted by the physical sufferings. What can we do to help shift our focus? To help shift our focus we need to real believe in Christ and live our lives with a clear understanding and expectation of eternal glory..

Q4. (2 Corinthians 4:8-12) How does it encourage you to know that Paul went through tremendous stress and pressure? This encourages me to persevere; to know that, despite all problems, sufferings and difficulties, the Lord is there to make me through. What effect did these sufferings have on the way people could see Christ in Paul? The effect these sufferings have on the way people could see Christ in Paul is the ability to endure and succeed when one relies on the power of the Lord. Why is pain necessary to spiritual growth? It enables us to strethen our belief on God knowing that, despite the pain, He is there to uplift us. How does our pain allow others to assess our authenticity as Christians? Our pain allows others to assess our authenticity as Christians by the way we react to the pain: whether we become cowards or we exhibit God's Grace.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 4:7) What truth is Paul seeking to communicate by this analogy of a treasure in a pottery jar? The truth that Paul is seeking to communicate by this analogy of a treasure in a pottery jar is that, it is God's work to have the gospel known to all peolpe. Ministers are just instrument being used to do that work. What does the clay jar represent? The jar represent the ministers who spread the Gospel. What does the treasure represent? The treasure represent the knoweledge of the Gospel. What's the paradox here? The paradox here is that, although ministers know and spread the Gospel, they are human being who can be weak and make mistakes.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4) Since Satan has blinded people's eyes to the truth, is there any hope for them? Yes, there is still hope for them. What strategies must we use to overcome spiritual blindness? The strategies that we must use to overcome spiritual blindness include: 1. fighting the blindness with prayers; 2. being open, honest and truthfull in spreading the gospel; 3. spreading the Gospel with clarity; and 4. showing our intense love to unbelievers. How many people are likely to find Christ without intercessory prayer? I think intercessory prayer is important to all people in finding Christ.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 4:1-2) How do questionable ethics and ministry practices hurt the work of Christ? Questionable ethics and ministry practices hurt the work of Christ by making people loose faith in Christ. When the people realise the shameful, deceptive and distorting practices done by some so called servants of God, they decide to turn back from the work of Christ. What is Paul's alternative in verse 2b? Paul's alternative in verse 2b is that, ministers should minister as they are called to do, without any deception and let the Holy Spirit work in the people's conscience so that they can accept and live the truth.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 3:18) Why is character change directly related to time deliberately spent in God's presence? Characteer change is directly related to time delbelately spent in God's presence because during that time we tend to underastand God intimately and know what He want us to do and be. This then enables us to change our behaviour and deed and conduct ourselves according to the Word of God. What is the theological word for the process of maturing in Christ? Metamorphosis Have you noticed a change in the "degree of glory" you're experiencing now compared to a few years ago? Why or why not? Yes. It is because of the more time I dedicate to medidate with God.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 3:18) Moses glowed by spending time with God on Mt. Sinai, in his tent of meeting, and in the Tabernacle. How can we get a similar glow of the Spirit in our lives? We can get a similar glow of the Spirit in our lives by living the Word of God in our deeds and not only verbally. In what way is meditating on Scripture beholding God? Meditating on Scripture is beholding God in that meditation will make us understand more and more the Scripture and therefore change our way of living by abandoning sinful deeds. Is the low plane of Christianity in our day related to the time we spend in communion with the Lord? Yes, I think it relates, but just as one of the contributing factors. What is God leading you to do to increase your glow? In order to increase my glow, God is leading me to accept Him as my Saviour and live according to His Word.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 3:16-17) Why is the Holy Spirit essential to help people see truth clearly and be able to grasp it? The Holy Spirit is essential to help people see truth clearly and be able to grasp it because it removes the blindness from the people and they are able to see the glory of God. What enables people to come to Christ at all? It is the Holy Spirit that enables people to come to Christ. What kind of freedom does the Spirit give us when we become Christians? When we become Christians, the Spirit gives us freedom from the letter of the law.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 3:7-11) Why did Moses'face glow? Moses' face glew because he spoke with God face to face. And I think Moses' radiant face was an indication of the presence of God and His power to change a person. Why did he cover it when he was out with the people? I think people were becoming afraid of him whenerver they saw his face glowing and as a result he had to cover it. Why didn't more people's face glow in Moses'time? I think it is because of the weak faith. I remember how they were always troubling Moses whenever they were encountering problems and even to the extent of blaming God. What's the difference between the spread of God's glory in Moses'time when compared to our own time? The difference is that, during Moses' time the glory was of the law and was not permanent; it faded. During our time, the glory is of the Spirit and is permanent.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 3:6a) Why is a Christian's spiritual health so closely related to his or her involvement in ministry? A Christian's spiritual health is so closely related to his or her involvement in ministry because we are given various spiritual gifts which need to be manifestedd in order for the church to be effective. if we do not use such gifts, the church may fail to function effectively. What are the consequences of dropping out of church --for the believer? For Christ's Kingdom? For the believer, the consequences of dropping out of church are that the person fails to exercise his or her spiritual gifts in ministry, and he or she may not be giving of his or her finances to support Christ's mission in his or her community. What are the consequences of dropping out of church --For Christ's Kingdom? For Christ's Kingdom, the consequences of dropping out of church are that, the person fails to abide with Jesus' arrangement that the person must be part of a church because that is an integral part of Jesus'strategy to minister to his people and to the world.