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Q41. (Luke 14:7-11) Why do people push themselves forward? According to verse 11, what will happen to them? Why is humility so important a lesson for Jesus' disciples? What is the danger to us, if we don't learn and internalize this lesson? A desire to be noticed and thought well of; A feeling that they deserve a higher place of honor than others do. Pride. They will be humbled. You can’t serve God and others when your serving yourself. We will be chasing the bright lights of notoriety and self promotion instead of the light giver, the life giver, Jesus Christ.

Q38. (Matthew 13:44-46). If you were to objectively assess your life, career, family, values, and possessions, is there anything more important, anything of greater value to you than your relationship with Jesus? How would you objectively prove to a friend that Jesus is first in your life? No I saw a great example for this question illustrated in the Kendrick brother’s movie, “Courageous.” One of the main characters in the movie was a young Christian man who had recently immigrated to America from Mexico. He was struggling to find adequate work to house and feed his young family. A friend helped get him a full time job at a textile mill. After a month the boss called him into the office and told him what a great job he was doing and wanted to promote him to supervisor. The catch was, his boss asked him to do something dishonest on a regular basis. The boss asked him if he was a team player, if he was he would do this for him. He had until the next morning to make up his mind. He agonized and argued with his wife all evening, weighing his family’s needs over honoring God and doing the right thing. He chose wisely, turning down the job, saying doing right by God and not compromising his faith was more important than this job. Knowing he would probably lose the job he currently held also. Turns out the boss was testing his integrity and honesty. He was looking for a man who wouldn’t lie, cheat or steal, even if asked to by his boss. He was looking for a man who was trustworthy. He said, the last 6 men had failed the test. He was promoted immediately. The boss said to him, “A man with integrity was rare these days. That’s how I’d like to prove it.

According to Mark 10:13-16, what characteristic of children is necessary for salvation? What characteristic were the disciples showing in rebuking the parents? When arguing about who was greatest? Why is humility essential to repentance? To learning? To obedience? Why did Jesus give his disciples the saying of becoming like little children? Their faith. Pride and ignorance.They were annoyed at the parents, thinking that the children were an unwanted distraction (not important enough),keeping Jesus from doing the more important work. It’s hard to have an attitude of repentance when you have such a lofty opinion of yourself. Pride keeps us from seeing the truth of who we are and what we have done or not done. And the willingness to confess it. To being teachable as well as obedient to the truth. Because He wanted them to see what childlike faith looks like. And the importance of teaching children at an early age about Jesus. They are not yet worldly. They are the future and one day will be witnessing and disciplining others in Jesus’s name.

Q39. (Luke 18:9-14) Why do you think the Pharisee is so convinced of his righteousness? What do you think are his actual sins? What is so remarkable about the tax collector's prayer? Why is it easier to promote ourselves in front of others rather than humble ourselves? Why did Jesus tell this parable for his disciples? His position as a Pharisee, the things he was doing, “weekly fasting and paying tithes”, he didn’t think that he was a sinner and his pride. His pride, (lack of humility) His words were telling God that He would be fortunate to have a man such as himself in heaven and that they should get the band ready to play for his arrival. And not only was he a sinner, but the words that he prayed to God, shows his sin all the more. We just want to look better in front of others and have the praise of men. He wanted them to be aware of the trap of your position in life. That it’s what inside you that matters: not who you are and what you look like. You’re not fooling God. Fight pride and remember, he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Q28. (Luke 13:18-21) What lesson did Jesus intend his disciples to learn from the Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast or Leaven? Why might the disciples be discouraged by the "size" of the Kingdom? Why are we sometimes discouraged in Christian work? Why are patience and faith so important for disciples. I think that Jesus is equating the Kingdom of God as to those who have put their faith, hope and trust in Him alone. And although followers seem to be few now, one day the number would be too many to count. And that His followers would be also include Gentiles. The disciples had spent a lot of time with Jesus and had seen him perform many miracles; even bringing a dead person back to life. They believed Jesus to be from God. As far as the disciples are concerned, between Herod and the religious leaders, it seemed there were more against Him than were for Him. I guess maybe for the same reason that the disciples of Jesus’s day were; we want results and for people we know and love to come to faith just like we did. We forget about the free will that God has given to us all. And that we don’t save anyone, only God can bring someone out of darkness into light. So we have to be faithful and pray, as well as do our part in the salvation process. (sow seeds, water, fertilize the soil) And be patient and allow God to do the “saving part,” as only He can do. In His perfect time.

Q27. (Luke 11:17-22) In the Parable of the Binding of the Strong Man, who is the strong man? Who is the stronger warrior? How does this explain Jesus' power to cast out demons? How does it explain Jesus' power to set you free? To set your friends free? The strong man is satan and the stronger warrior is Christ. Jesus is God and has the power to cast out demons. Jesus has come to set the captives free whether it is myself or a friend . He had the power to save all mankind from sin and He has defeated satan.Thank you Jesus!

Q26. (Matthew 26:26-29; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26) How do the bread and wine remind us of Jesus' sacrifice for our sins? In what way, when we partake of the Lord's Supper, do we "proclaim the Lord's death until he comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26)? They remind us of Jesus’s body and His blood. Of His life, death and resurrection and all that He had done for us and all mankind. That He took the punishment for our sins so we could be forgiven and rightly related to God. As we take communion, we remember what Jesus did, knowing that afterwards He ascended into Heaven and is at the right hand of the Father. When He returns the whole world will know; until then we remember Him and all He has done.

Q25. (Luke 18:24-25) Why do you think people try to distort Jesus' Saying of the Camel and the Needle from a parable of impossibility? Why is salvation impossible to humans? Those who are very wealthy tend to depend on their money to handle all the hardships of life. And may think why do I need a Savior / God, when I have the means by buy myself out of almost any problem. And to follow Christ they are faced with the question; who do I love, God or money? It can’t be both. Salvation is a miracle of God. A person cannot save themselves. It is an act of God that no one can fathom or predict. We are part of that miracle in that we believe, but salvation is all from Christ’s work on the cross. Thank you Lord!

Q24. (John 4:13-14; 7:37-39) If water is symbolic of life, what is flowing or living water symbolic of in these passages? Who creates this spiritual thirst in a person? How are these promises fulfilled in believers? The power of the abundant life giving Holy Spirit, living and active in the heart of a believer. Jesus creates this spiritual thirst in a person. Psalm 34:8 says, O taste and see that the Lord is good: How blessed is the man who take refuge in Him!” When we experience an encounter with the living God, we are forever changed and want to that experience to never end. The Holy Spirit in the life of a willing believer flows through him/her into the lives of those God has placed before them. Through acts of evangelism, personal witness, acts of kindness, service and sacrifice. 1 John 5:11, “And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.”

Q23. (John 3:3-8) In what way is becoming a believer in Jesus similar to a second birth? What aspects of physical birth are analogous to spiritual birth that Jesus seeks to clarify with this analogy? What about wind's characteristics are we to attribute to the Spirit? 2 Corinthians 5:17 says it well: Behold the new has come! Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away, behold, the new has come into being. The act of coming from one consciousness into a completely different one. From living in the environment on your mother’s womb, to living in the world. Coming from sin and darkness in a world centered around myself to a world of light, freedom from sin that is centered around God as my creator and Heavenly Father. Like the wind, we do not control it, or can we predict it; such as the Holy Spirit. People who are born of the Spirit are no longer subject to the ways of this world, therefore their behavior is not predictable or understandable by the world’s standards.

Q18. (Matthew 20:1-16) What does the Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard teach us about God's generosity? About grace? What in our heart rises up to demand recognition and fairness when we feel we are overlooked and taken for granted? How much of this is a godly sense of fairness and how much is pride? That His generosity like His grace knows no bounds as far as we would think of it. This parable illustrates that it doesn’t matter when we came to faith in Jesus Christ; as a young child or like the thief on cross who came to faith in the last moments of his life. We are all on the same footing as children of God. We didn’t earn it in any way, shape or form. I also thought that the difference in the hours that the workers worked could also refer to the nation of Israel, the Samaritans and the gentiles. The nation of Israel being the worker who came early in the morning, the Samaritans who came at midday and finally the gentiles that came at the 11th hour. Though they came at different times, their faith in Jesus Christ makes them all the same in Gods eyes. Pride I think that it’s all pride when we cry, “unfair,” because it all goes back to us and our rights. It becomes all about me. We are not concerned about the other person, we are only concerned about our rights. I think the whole idea of fairness seems to be very worldly and is taught very early on in childhood. As a parent I noticed that fairness is not necessarily the best policy.

Q17. (Matthew 13:47-50) What is similar about the Parable of the Weeds and the Parable of the Net? What belief are these two parables meant to counter? How does a belief in the ultimate triumph of righteousness encourage Christians? That both the good and bad are gathered together and then separated. In both parables, the ones doing the gathering and culling are angels. At the end of the age both are thrown into the furnace of fire, where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth. First, that judgement is coming. The Jewish nation was aware of the Messiah’s coming but many missed Him because the time it took for that prophecy to come to fruition. They had grown tired of waiting and were caught unaware. Second, is that evil will be punished. We read in the Old Testament, “ how long Lord, will you allow evil to go unpunished.” And God says that at the proper time evil will be punished. Well, even now as we all witness increases in sin and lawlessness in our own countries. Wars, hunger, disease and natural disasters are rampant to a degree possibly never seem; we wonder, how long Lord before you come again. But we know that God is forever faithful. What He says He will do, will be done. As He is faithful, we must also remain faithful and live out our lives with anticipation that we may living when He returns. And to be encouraged that He will never leave us or forsake us. His Word is truth.

Q16. (Matthew 25:31-46) What are the "sheep" complimented for? What are the "goats" condemned for? Is this salvation by works? If no, why not? How does Jesus identify himself with "the least of these my brothers"? Why did Jesus tell this parable to his disciples? What do modern-day disciples need to learn from it? How should this parable motivate missions to aid immigrants, the poor, and the homeless? They are complemented for their compassion and for seeing the needs of those who are hurting, needing help. And after seeing their need, being proactive to help and assist them. The goats are condemned for their lack of compassion and for not seeing the needs of others or just ignoring them if they do. I don’t think that it is salvation by works. It reminds me of when Jesus says, “To those who have ears, let him hear and to those who have eyes, let them see.” I think He’s talking about spiritual eyes and ears that are able to discern God’s voice and what is important to Him. When you come to know Christ, your priorities change and you begin to notice things that you didn’t use too. Or He will give you a burden to help others. Not to earn your way into heaven but because you love Him and have a burden for those in need. It’s interesting that Jesus say, “ that to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.” Just one! Through their struggles and suffering. The human condition for so many around the world and maybe across the street from us. He wanted them to see the need and to reinforce the fact that the Kingdom of Heaven is not solely for the rich and well off, but the poor, downtrodden, weak and sick have equal access to it. As He also spoke with them about how the last will be first and the first will be last. The religious leaders of Jesus’s day had it all wrong and sought the rich and marginalized the poor; Jesus wanted to set them straight on this. The very same thing. That has always been the job of the church and should continue to be. Government’s try to provide and fill this gap but aren’t nearly as effective. People not only need a helping hand but they need to hear the good news of salvation that only come with Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Q15. (Luke 16:19-31). What was the Rich Man's sin that landed him in hell? Since it isn't stated explicitly, what must it be? In hell, what is the Rich Man's attitude towards Lazarus? What is the main point of the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus? What are you and your church doing to aid the very poor in your area? In the world? I think of when Jesus was asked, “what is the most important commandment” and He said “love God and love your neighbor as yourself.” The Bible says that you can’t both love God and money; you will hate one and love the other. And the second commandment was to love your neighbor as yourself. Lazarus lived practically on his doorstep. And yet the rich man failed to see Lazarus as his neighbor who was sick, starving and homeless. In hell the rich man still sees Lazarus as beneath him and as one to serve him. We are God’s hands and feet here on earth and we love Him by obeying His commands. When we reach out to the poor and needy with compassionate hearts we are also showing our love and appreciation to God, who owns everything anyway. Our church seems to do a good job addressing these issues at home and overseas. But it always seems like its never enough to meet the incredible need.

Q14. (Matthew 7:3-5) What is humorous about the Parable of the Speck and the Beam? How can we get to a place where we can see with clear spiritual eyes? Why does Paul insist that "spiritual" members correct sinning Christians with gentleness? What does judgmentalism have to do with hypocrisy? I like it too; plank eye. It’s a great example of hyperbole and my wife reminded me of a few more that are used in the Bible. It has to be a struggle for sure. We have to realize that we aren’t any better than anyone. “That we all sin and fall short of the glory of God.” And that by the grace of God go I. Because they need to be encouraged and not discouraged. If they are not treated with love and gentleness, they may become hurt and walk away. If our motivation for correcting someone is not rooted in love then maybe we’re not the one who should point out their sin. I think that it assumes that we are better than someone else, when in fact we are dealing with or own temptations and sin and are in no position to look down on anyone.

Q13. (Matthew 21:28-31) Which son represents the tax collectors and prostitutes? Why do you think so? Why is it harder to actually obey, rather than just mouth the words? How is the lesson of this parable similar to the lesson of the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders? (Matthew 7:24-27) Why is actual obedience essential to true discipleship? The first son. I think so because like the tax collectors and prostitutes, the first son knows he’s doing wrong, (sin) and feels regret for his action and went to work like he was told to do. Likewise the tax collectors and prostitutes believed John’s message of repentance for their sinful lifestyles. It often requires action on our part and sometimes we need to swallow our pride and change direction and do the right thing. I guess what stands out to me is that in both parables, making a good decision and being faithful to follow through with it is necessary. To can’t be a disciple without obedience. John 14:15, “If you love me, keep My commandments.”

Q12. (Matthew 7:13-14) Why is "seeking" necessary to "find" the narrow gate? Why do you think Jesus concludes this brief parable with the phrase, "and only a few find it"? How is this parable designed to strengthen disciples to be willing to go against the flow, to be different from others in the culture? Our faith and being a follower of Jesus Christ is not passive. To go from darkness into God’s glorious light is an amazing miracle of God. Who can truly understand it but God? But it requires from us generally, a lot of research, thought and soul searching to come to faith. All these are about seeking. Once again our faith is not passive. James 4:8, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” We need to be actively seeking God. Our relationship with Him is not static: we are either moving closer to Him or moving away. It is a relationship that we need to pursue and as we do, He pursues us. It’s calling all disciplines to build their house on the solid rock of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Matthew 16:16, “Simon Peter answered, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” That testimony is the solid rock that the church sits on that our faith should be built on also. And if we follow Christ and not the ways of this world, we will be different than others in the culture.

Q11. (Matthew 7:24-27; Luke 6:47-49) Why does Jesus focus the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders on "putting into practice" rather than in "believing"? How can you help young Christians move from believing to true discipleship? He is teaching us to live our lives in such a way that it brings glory and honor to God. To put our beliefs and faith in Christ into action. To be different and set apart for God. Philippians 4:9 “These things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” The best way is to model and live out these principles in your own life, using every opportunity to share your testimony with others on how God has been faithful and true in everything He calls me to do.

Q10. (Matthew 5:23-26) Why did Jesus tell the Parable of the Guilty Defendant? How do people we have wronged and to whom we have not kept our promises get in the way of us worshipping God properly? In what ways is it hypocritical not to address these matters to the best of our ability? It reminds me of Romans 12:18, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” As we are reconciled with those around us, we are reconciled with God. And His perfect peace can be our peace. If we are not rightly related to those around us, it directly affects our relationship with God, it steals our peace. And we know that God has called us to clean up these issues, so when we don’t we are walking out of His will for our lives. Well the outside of the cup maybe bright and shiny but the inside needs to be cleaned. God’s will for our lives ultimately always is for our benefit and produces abundance and intimacy with Him.

Q9. (Mark 7:14-23; Matthew 15:10-11, 15-20) What does Jesus teach about the heart of man? What does Jeremiah 17:9 tell us about the heart of man? Why do we try to look good on the outside, but resist letting Jesus change us on the inside? Why is repentance necessary for an outwardly "moral" person in order to be saved? That the heart of man is exceedingly wicked and the problem is not what goes into the stomach (food), it’s what proceeds from the heart. (words, actions and thoughts) That it is more deceitful than all and desperately sick, beyond understanding. I think we tend to want look good before our peers , pleasing man over God. Real change, on the inside is difficult and requires humility and sometimes hard work. Our pride keeps us from owning up and confessing our sin. We can want to hold on to our sin even though we know that we aren’t fooling God, He know everything about us. I think that repentance is important for all people, outwardly moral or otherwise. But I think that coming to belief and faith in Jesus Christ precedes that and is the springboard for a life of repentance. Or even being aware of sin and a desire to repent of them comes from that relationship with Jesus Christ. And wanting to be obedient to God’s Word and His will for our lives. We take off the old, ( our sinful ways) and put on the new, (the righteousness of Christ)

Q8. (Matthew 21:33-46) Who do the servants sent to collect the landowner's share of the crop represent? What happened to Israel who rejected God's servants and Son who were sent to them? This is a parable about resisting those whom God sends to us to help us. Have you ever seen a church reject a pastor or leader that God sends to help them? Why is supporting our pastors and leaders important to God's plan for the church? (Hebrews 13:7, 17). In the Beatitudes, how does Jesus encourage those who are rejected and persecuted? (Matthew 5:10-12)? The Old Testament Prophets They missed out on the ones that God sent to them, to help and instruct them on how God wants them to live; including the coming Messiah who was sent to them by God to die for their sins. If they would just trust in, rely upon and cling to Jesus they would be saved. No, but I’ve seen Pastor and other leaders treated poorly in more than one church situation. Because God sent them to shepherd the church and to further the great commission. If we reject them we may be also rejecting God and His plan for the Church. He tells them that they are blessed when they are persecuted and rejected and that they should rejoice because their reward is great in Heaven. That they share the same treatment as the prophets received.

Q7. (Matthew 22:1-10; Luke 14:15-24) In Jesus' Parables of the Wedding Banquet (Matthew) and the Great Banquet (Luke), who are the people represented by those recruited from the streets and lanes of the city? From the highways and hedges? Who do the servant-recruiters represent? How diligent are you and your church in recruiting those who are of a lower class than others in your congregation? What keeps you from this Kingdom task? How might your church fulfill it? The Samaritans. The Gentiles. The disciples of Jesus Christ. Good in a sense of the programs in place that aid the poor. But work is needed in bringing these people in, sharing God’s grace, love and acceptance. As well as leading them to Christ and disciplining them. I think that this is an area that the church, in general, has traditionally fallen short. In much the same way the 1st century Synagogue and the temple in Jerusalem also did. I think that it stems from the church and congregation’s struggle to find balance between legalism and license. The Law and grace. One says they’re sinners and don’t belong here; the other says they’re sinner, (everyone is) God loves them, of course they belong here. Where else should they be. We have an upcoming generation that is searching for meaning in life, but being misled much like the Hippie Movement of the 60’s and 70’s. We need to reach out to these people in Christ’s name. We don’t hate them for their sin but do the best we can to love them into the kingdom, knowing that this pleases God.

Q6. (Matthew 22:1-10; Luke 14:15-24) Who do the excuse-makers represent? What are the potential results of excusing ourselves from carrying out God's will as we know it? The religious leaders of Israel along with the unrepentant people of Israel. The good works ,(Ephesians 2:10) God had planned for you and I will be given to another believer. We will miss out on the blessing of being in God’s will and on the abundant life that He has for us in Christ. John 10:10

Q5. (Luke 13:6-9) What caused Israel's barrenness in Jesus' time? What keeps the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) from growing and maturing in our lives? What can we disciples learn from the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree? They had unconfessed sin and had made poor lifestyle choices. The leadership of Israel at the time was very poor also. The keepers of the Law, the Pharisees and Sadducees were more interested in their position and lavish lifestyles than they were in leading their people closer to God. The government was Roman appointed. God had been mostly silent for 400 years. For mostly that entire timespan they had been occupied by invading armies. Our life’s focus, are we living a life for the Lord or for ourselves. Are we followers of Christ cleverly disguised as electricians, nurses, letter carriers, doctors, football players, waitresses, etc. or does our profession precede our faith; our commitment to God. Who sits on the throne in our lives; me or He? We need to be rightly related to God to be the strong healthy trees that bear His fruit. To make the best of the time that we have all been given. None of us have any guarantee of another day. God and His Word are our fertilizer. To put a premium on our relationship with God, to put Him first in our lives. To confess and repent of our sins.

Q4. (Matthew 18:23-35) In the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant, where do you see justice? Where do you see grace? Where do you see greed? Where do you see unforgiveness? What lessons from this parable are disciples to incorporate into their lives? I see justice in verse 34, when the king handed the unmerciful servant over to prison until he could pay his debt off. I see grace in verse 27 when the King showed compassion for the servant that owed him 10,000 talents and forgave him his debt. I see greed in verse 28 when the unmerciful servant confronted another servant who owed him 100 denarii, choking him and demanding immediate payment. I see unforgiveness in verse 30 where the unmerciful servant was unwilling to relent and be patient in waiting for the money owed him. Instead he had the servant thrown into prison until he could pay back what was owed. God offers mercy—to you and everyone else who calls on his name. If a perfect God can do that for a sinful world, then you can do it for the person who sins against you. -Rick Warren-