Speleogirl

Timothy's role was important because the believers in Thessolonica were being persecuted and they needed a strong leader to guide them and to help them maintain their faith throughout. In addition to this, as a body of new believers, it was important they they be properly led so that they can develop in their faith. It is certainly easy enough for mature believers to wander off the path, and even doubly so for new believers without the proper guidance from an experienced leader. Since Paul was not able to return to lead them, Timothy was a good choice to go in his stead. This was a sensitive role because it required the right amount of leadership to help the people keep the faith without bringing more trouble on them. Timothy had to find a way to strike a balance that would help the Church develop without causing more persecution. I believe that through this work, Timothy was able to grow in both his own faith, and his ability to lead. In helping the Church to grow, he was also growing himself. Delegating ministry is important in two ways. First, by delegating responsibility to other members, the leader is freed from many of the day-to-day workings of the ministry, allowing him/her to have more time to grow the ministry. It also allows members of the group to realize and utilize special gifts that will help to make the group more functional, and it will make for a more solid group with help to individual members more accessible at any given time.

I think that we often get so wrapped up in our own fears and worries, that we forget to rely on God for our strength. The phrase, "The battle is the Lord's" means that we need to call on him to help us in the face of adversity; that He is the source of our strength and without him we are powerless. We can avoid the arrogance of pulling God into our battles rather than engaging in His battles by relying on Him rather than ourselves, by going to Him in prayer daily, studying His word, and acknowledging His control over our lives.

David is small in stature, but was still able to fight off some pretty dangerous predators. He finds this strength through his faith in God. This fact does not escape Saul, and perhaps re-ignites a spark in his own faith. This makes Saul believe that David actually does have a chance of defeating Goliath because David pulls his strength through his faith. Quite often we see this in our own lives when we see believers face adversity with strength through faith. I think that might have been the case with Saul in that his faith had been shaken with fear and then given new life by witnessing David's faith.

In David's mind, because the Israelites were God's chosen people, to taunt them was equivalent to taunting God. He simply could not imaging anyone thinking that they could challenge God's people. Eliab is an interested case. He, along with the rest of the army, is obviously displaying his lack of faith in his fear. He is also acting as a typical older brother by not taking his "baby brother" seriously and a bit embarrassed by his behavior. David shows strong faith, Eliab does not. God wants us to drop our silly little fears (even if they seem big), trust in him and know that things will work out in the way they are supposed to work out. This is something that I have been known to struggle with, but God has been patiently teaching me.

Q2. (1 Samuel 16:3-12) How does this story teach us the importance of listening carefully to God's voice? What is our instinctive way of discerning? How is God teaching us to discern? How do we learn to listen to the Spirit? I think that this story teaches us to pause and wait for guidance from God. In making decisions, it's a simple matter to take the easier, or most obvious route, but that's not always the right one. When he went to visit Jesse's sons, Samuel's natural instinct was to assume that the larger and stronger man would make the best king, but God had other plans, and Samuel had enough faith to wait for God to let him know His choice for the new king. In this way, we tend to naturally judge people by outside appearance, while God looks deep into our hearts. He teaches us to discern though prayer and study. Only in our quiet time with God, can we effectively learn His will for us. We need only to listen and He will reveal Himself.

I would say that rebellion is to try to go your own way without God's guidance, which will ultimately lead to disaster. I think that it would be as bad as witchcraft or occult practices because you are ignoring the will of God. You are acting outside of His will and are being disobedient, just as if you are practicing occult. You are worshipping another god so to speak. Arrogance goes along with rebellion because when you try to do things without consulting God, you are certainly being arrogant because you are insinuating that you don't need God. When we find rebellion in ourselves, which I have done many times, it is important that you stop, reflect, and seek guidance from the Father. To do anyting else, would end in disaster.