RD35

What are the "sheep" complimented for? What are the "goats" condemned for? The sheep are complimented for the way they treat needy people around them, and the goats condemned for not treating well the needy people around them. Is this salvation by works? If no, why not? One objection to the "least brothers" being all needy persons might be that the parable might be seen to teach salvation by works. However, you could argue that people showed mercy because they had been saved, not in order to be saved. 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? Jesus is saying that the way they treated "these brothers of mine" is the way they treated Jesus himself. In some way, Jesus is present in "these brothers." Those who are given eternal life are those who do the will of God from the heart (Matthew 7:21; 12:50) towards the needy, whoever they are. That is the point of Jesus' parable. How should this parable motivate missions to aid immigrants, the poor, and the homeless? That we will be judged by how love and compassion show up in our behavior, motivated by the Holy Spirit who has come to live inside us when we receive Christ. Jesus said, "By their fruits you shall know them" Matthew 7:16

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? The rich man who was entrusted with a lot of money by God, used it selfishly for himself and did not use any of it to bless his needy brother. He did not care for the poor beggar Lazarus who sat at his door. This also proves that he did not have any faith in God. James 2:14 - 17 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. There was one more reason why the rich man went to hell. He discovered he had not repented 'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' Luke 16:30 The main point of the parable are In the Kingdom, the worldly wealthy and the poor in spirit reverse places. If we close our eyes to the truth we are given, then we are doomed. Wealth without active mercy for the poor is great wickedness.

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? Jesus is using humor -- very small speck vs. very large timber -- to make his point. We can get to a place where we can see with clear spiritual eyes when we deal with our own glaring sins first, so we can see well enough to help others, rather than overreact. Then when we see the sins of others, we'll do so with mercy rather than judgmental self-righteousness. When spiritual members correct with gentleness, they will be able to restore back a brother to faith, to Jesus.

Which son represents the tax collectors and prostitutes? Why do you think so? The first son, because though they lived sinful lives in the beginning yet when they had an encounter with Jesus they immediately repent and chose to obey Him and follow him. Why is it harder to actually obey, rather than just mouth the words? obedience requires us to actually put into practice the commands, it is painful and cuts our flesh to humble ourselves and not do our will but the will of the Father. Obedience is the result of true repentance and the mark of a true disciple of Jesus. 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? Obedience is God's command and a sign that we love God. John 14:15 - “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

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? Seeking the narrow gate is necessary, because it will clearly show the choice we have made to follow Jesus. Once we seek the way will be clear to us, even though it may look rugged and untrodden. Seeking is necessary because this path is hard to find as we will see the majority going the other way. Jesus concludes and knows that few will find it because the narrow pathway is unpopular and will require disciples to leave many precious things before choosing to walk on it. To find the narrow path one has to turn away from the crowd sometimes leaving their friends and family. To walk through the narrow gate is also difficult, because here one will always have to fight the flesh and sin. there will be hate and persecution. Disciples who chose to enter the narrow gate and walk the narrow path can be strengthened to know that ultimately this path will lead to life, eternity in the heavenly kingdom with Jesus.

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? Jesus teaches the people to be doers of the word and not just hear and believe, because doing so they would be building good foundations for their spiritual lives. When our spiritual foundation is strong, then our faith will not shake when trials and temptations hit us like storms. we can help young believers into true discipleship, when we become practical Christians. When young people see us living the Word than just believing, when they see the fruit of what we believe manifesting in our lives, it is proof for them what God can do in a sinners life.

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? Jesus told the Parable of the Guilty Defendant, so people understand the need to get things right before judgment comes, before it is too late. Reconciliation and Forgiveness is a command from God and we cannot worship God when we have disobeyed him, we would just be hypocrites. Our gratitude for what God gives us is revealed in how merciful we are toward those who owe us. Our horizontal relationship with one another reveals the nature of our vertical one with God.

What does Jesus teach about the heart of man? And then [Jesus] added, "It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person's heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you." Mark 7:20-23 NLT What does Jeremiah 17:9 tell us about the heart of man? The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Why do we try to look good on the outside, but resist letting Jesus change us on the inside? We try to look good on the outside because we want to please men, get applause, sometimes out of fear of rejection or just being legalistic. We resist to let Jesus change us because change comes at a cost, it is humbling to give away something we have always loved doing. Only God can change our heart of stone and give us a heart of flesh, which obeys him and not rebellious. There is an underlying selfishness deep down in us that is deceitful, devious, conniving. Why is repentance necessary for an outwardly "moral" person in order to be saved? Repentance that turns us away from sin and results in a change behavior cleanses us internally.

Who do the servants sent to collect the landowner's share of the crop represent? In Jesus' parable, the tenants represent the unbelieving ruling Class or the Rulers of Jerusalem. What happened to Israel who rejected God's servants and Son who were sent to them? The utter destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 AD. The end of the Jewish nation -- even as a self-governing kingdom under the Romans. At the fall of Jerusalem, the temple was destroyed, the city was burned, the walls were pulled down, and perhaps a million or more people were killed during the siege of the city, with another 97,000 people enslaved, many of them dying in the arena as gladiators to entertain the Romans. This crushing destruction was terrible evidence of the wrath of God upon his rebellious people. 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? Yes especially in traditional churches. Why is supporting our pastors and leaders important to God's plan for the church?(Hebrews 13:7, 17). Elders and Leaders of the Church appointed by God, do the hard work of directing people to Christ, help understand the scriptures, continually encourage, rebuke and provide spiritual food to God's people, setting and example through their lives. Supporting Godly elders will encourage them to continue faithfully in the ministry God has ordained them with. In the Beatitudes, how does Jesus encourage those who are rejected and persecuted? (Matthew 5:10-12)? Jesus calls them Blessed and reminds them that they have a great reward in heaven.

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? The poor and downtrodden are the common people who "heard him gladly" (Mark 12:37, KJV). Perhaps those inside the town are the Jews, while those in the outlying areas are the Gentiles. They represent you and me. We are unworthy to eat at our Host's table, but we have been invited and cleansed. Who do the servant-recruiters represent? Servants of God, disciples, Church and we who have decided to follow Jesus.

Who do the excuse-makers represent? The rich and socially elite who reject at the last minute the host's invitation are the Pharisees and Jewish religious establishment who reject John the Baptist and Jesus, who begin to plot against Jesus and eventually render the ultimate insult of having Jesus executed as a common criminal. What are the potential results of excusing ourselves from carrying out God's will as we know it? The result of excusing ourselves from Carrying out God's will is that we will not be partakers and will not enjoy the eternal plan God has for his children. We will be separated from His light and be in darkness.

What caused Israel's barrenness in Jesus' time? Legalism, Hypocrisy and Unbelief in Jesus What keeps the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) from growing and maturing in our lives? When we are proud and lean on our own understanding and not dependent on Jesus for our Spiritual Nourishment, we are unable to bear the fruit of the Spirit. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit. … ” (John 15:5) What can we disciples learn from the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree? Fruitfulness, both in character and in good works and ministry, is important to God. Though we are saved by grace, not by works, God is looking for productivity in our lives. God is Merciful, He gives us another chance to repent and bear fruit.

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? Justice: "In anger his master turned him over35 to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed." (Matthew 18:34) Grace: The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go." (Matthew 18:27) Greed: But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded. His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt." (Matthew 18:28-30) Unforgiveness: His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.' But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt." (Matthew 18:28-30) Lessons: Forgiveness from our hearts to people who sin against us, just as the Father has forgiven us.

Q3. (Luke 7:41-43, 47) According to Jesus' Parable of the Two Debtors, do you think the woman was saved prior to the dinner or during the dinner? How effusive is your love for Jesus? How should we as disciples express our gratitude for salvation? Either way, but the woman was saved by a Merciful Father and her debts forgiven. I love Jesus We can express our gratitude by continuing in the forgiveness Jesus has extended to us and not going back to our evil ways. We must allow God to be His instrument to work in and through us, love him above all things and obey him at all times. We can show gratitude as disciples by freely giving what we have freely got .....love and mercy.

Q2. (Luke 15:11-32) What does this parable have in common with the Parables of the Lost Sheep and Lost Coin? What does the parable tell us about our Father's way of operating and his values? In what ways does the older son hold his father's values? In what ways does he lack them? What should disciples learn from this parable to equip them for ministry? All three Parables tell us about the rejoicing of the Father when the lost is found. The Father did not prevent the son from going his own way and waited for him to be convicted of his own sin. When the son comes to his senses and is convicted of his waywardness and returns to the father in repentance, the father is quick to forgive and rejoices. He honors the dishonored son, clothes him lavishly, gives him the status of his son and feasts over the sons repentance. The Older son has been obedient to the father's commands and worked hard. He however does not appreciate the Fathers Mercy towards his younger brother. From the above parable i learn that i must nurture the attitude of my heavenly Father of compassion and mercy. As a disciple I must not be proud or self-righteous, but boast only of the grace of God. It is not a matter of fairness toward sinners, but of love. And we, if we are older brothers, need to learn both to seek the lost like our Father seeks and to celebrate what our Father celebrates.

Q1. (Luke 15:1-10) What do the Parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin teach disciples about God’s heart? In what way do these parables represent a contrast to the murmuring of the Pharisees? How should a disciple implement Jesus’ value of seeking the lost in his or her own community? The Parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin teach disciples that God as a Searching Father, looking for the lost, actively seeking them, and rejoicing when they are found. The Pharisees in contrast had a sense of superiority and blamed the lost for their sinful lifestyles and did not care about their eternal plight. As a disciple, Jesus teaches me that I should have a heart like him for the lost. I don't blame about how someone strayed but try my best to search and bring the lost to the fold with love and rejoice like God when a sinner repents.

Q3. (Philippians 3:8-9) How can pride in our own righteousness and religious achievements actually get in the way of "knowing Christ"? Has this ever happened to you or someone you know? Pride in one's own righteousness and religious achievements makes one blind to see things in the perspective of God. He is self justified and does not believe he needs to hear from Jesus. They believe their salvation is dependent on their works and not by knowing Christ and receiving Him.

Q2. (Colossians 1:14-20; Romans 8:1) What does it mean to be "in Christ"? Why is such union with Christ so important? "In Christ" means close association or in union with Christ. This close association is initiated by God. This close relation, this union with Christ, is brought about by the Holy Spirit -- Christ's Holy Spirit being joined with our human spirit (1 Corinthians 6:17). In that sense, we are a "temple" of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us (1 Corinthians 6:19). It suggests that when Christ saves us, he places us within his own sphere and joins us to him. We belong to him. We have been bought by his blood. We are united with him in spirit. We are "in Christ." This is not a fragile union, dependent upon our daily emotions. Rather, we have been transferred by God into Christ's sphere: Such a union with Christ is important because Christ is righteous and when we are "in him," we share his righteousness. We are one with Christ and God sees us in the righteousness of Christ.

Q1. (Philippians 2:5-11) How did Jesus demonstrate the importance of humility and forego his rights in order to do God's will? What happens when we try to exalt ourselves, rather than waiting for God to exalt us? What do you call this tendency? Though Jesus was God, had equal status with God but He didn’t cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. But when the time came, He set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human – an incredibly humbling process indeed! He didSuch n’t claim special privileges. Instead, He lived a selfless, obedient to the point of death life, and then humbled Himself even further by dying a selfless, worst kind of death at that – a crucifixion. Luke 18:14 "For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Such tendency is called pride and arrogance.

Q4. (Acts 20:24b; Ephesians 6:20; 2 Corinthians 5:20) In what sense was Paul an ambassador? In what sense are you an ambassador? Why is sharing your testimony important in your ambassadorship? Generally speaking, an ambassador is a respected official acting as a representative of a nation. Sent to a foreign land, the ambassador’s role is to reflect the official position of the sovereign body that gave him authority. Paul is an official representative of Christ, charged with "testifying to the gospel of God's grace" I too am an ambassador for Christ in the sense, that I have been approved and entrusted by God to represent His kingdom as a believer in Jesus Christ. Empowered by the Holy Spirit I must take the full gospel to the end of the earth, preaching repentance of sin and turning to God, accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and the only way to the Father. It is my responsibility to reflect His kingdom by being like Jesus in this world “as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves”

Q3. (Acts 20:24) Our life is valuable to God, of course, and we are to value it. However, what problems result from valuing our life for its own sake? What does it mean to "take up his cross daily and follow me" (Luke 9:23-25)? What keeps us from doing that? What does it mean when Paul says, "I have been crucified with Christ" (Galatians 2:20)? Can we follow Christ, if we are actually trying to hang on to our own life? As long as my desires, my will, my life plan, my comfort, my pleasure come first, then I cannot really be Jesus' disciple -- I can only fool myself and go through the motions of a religion. Luke 9:23-25 teaches us about total surrender of our lives to Christ in Humility. Without surrender we can't function as a real disciple; we only play at it. Worldly things and people precious to us, fear of persecutions and rejection keeps us from taking up our cross daily and follow Jesus. If you have been crucified dead, you don't resist any longer! There's a new life force in you now, many times stronger than your own -- Christ's life. The focus is on the word "I" which is self . It is only when I is crucified and dies that Christ can live His life in us.

Q2. (Acts 19:21; 20:22-23; 21:11) Are the prophecies about imprisonment in Jerusalem in conflict with Paul's leading from God? What, then, conflicts with Paul's leading to go to Jerusalem? Why do you think Paul actively encourages prophecy in the churches he establishes (1 Corinthians 14:1, 5)? Why do you think many Christians despise prophecy today (1 Thessalonians 5:20)? No the prophecies are not in conflict with Paul's leading from God, they are just an indication of what will surely happen when he goes. The conflict is because of the love of well-meaning friends Paul had and their interpretation of it. Paul encourages prophecy in the churches he establishes because with this gift of the Holy Spirit we will be able to declare the divine will and purposes of God. We should seek after the gift of prophecy to edify our churches. Many Christians despise the gift of prophecy because it is wrongly used, sometimes used by people of influence a future telling or because people may fear to know the will of God for their lives, mostly when it seems difficult to follow.

Q1. (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2) Why did Christians worship on "the first day of the week"? Why is it called "the Lord's Day" (Revelation 1:10)? What does it mean that they "break bread" (Acts 20:7, 11; 2:42, 46; 1 Corinthians 10:16)? Why is that important to believers (Luke 22:19)? In the early days, congregations would often meet on the first day of the week, Sunday, in honor of the resurrection (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). They met for worship, fellowship, communion and to collect offering. Often they met in the evening, because slaves, who make up a significant portion of the church members, can't get off work until evening. Historically, among Gentile Christians, Sunday, "the Lord's Day," the first day of the week (Revelation 1:10), becomes the primary day of worship as the gospel moves out of a Jewish setting into a Greek one. Breaking of bread refers to celebrating the Lord's Supper together. In breaking bread we remember the death, resurrection and glorious return of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. We remember the tremendous price our savior paid of our salvation. Jesus himself commanded us to do this in remembrance of Him. The Lord's supper is a remembrance of what Christ did for us and a celebration of what we receive as a result of His sacrifice.

Q4. (2 Chronicles 20:15-17a, 21-22; Acts 16:25-26; Philippians 4:4-9; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17) What do praise and thankfulness have to do with faith? Why do you think praise and thankfulness are such powerful weapons in our warfare? Praising and thanking God always shows that we have faith in God even through tough times, believing that He is in control and can use even the most trying of our situations to bring about good. it does not reflect well on Him, when we as His children live a gloomy life. It doesn’t make sense to say God is your Father, and yet live a miserable joyless life filled with fear, depression and unhappiness. Faith in God gives us the confidence that He will bring us through the storms in life. Hence God wants us to be cheerful no matter what, and this also sends across a positive message to unbelievers about Him. Praise and Thankfulness lifts our eyes off us and allows us to focus on God and trust in Him to fight our battles. Our faith increases when we praise God and we get strengthened to face our circumstances. When we are thankful and praise God we do not blame God for the circumstances we are in, rather look to Him to help us and receive the victory which He has already won for us. Rejoicing and praising confuses the enemy.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 2:10-11; Ephesians 4:26-27) How do you think anger and unforgiveness give Satan an opportunity to damage you? For you, who is the most difficult person to forgive? Why is your unforgiveness more damaging to you than to the person who hurt you? When we give Satan an internal platform to operate through unforgiveness or anger or for that matter, any unconfessed sin -- then he can continually attack us from within. Unforgiveness and anger imprisons us and keeps us away from joy and peace of Christ. Relationships are severed and we live in hate and misery. Wounds and hurts that are not forgiven make us live in offence and this does not let us operate in the full capacity God has called us to live. The Word of God can never grow and produce fruit in the soil of an offended heart which is the very thing the enemy wants. Unforgiveness and anger keeps a person irritable and control on the tongue becomes difficult too. We may start sinning by speaking harsh words and curses. In brief, by entertaining unforgiveness and anger we will allow Satan to draw us into deeper sinning and he will be successful in making us sever our relationship with God. The Bible is full of examples of people who did not prosper because of unforgiveness and anger, Cain and Saul to name a few. By the grace of God and ever since he found me and saved me, it is not difficult for me forgive anyone who hurts me. Though for a moment I do feel sad, His grace and the reminder of how greatly He has forgiven me helps me shake of the dust and forgive everyone who hurts me. All glory to God!! Bitterness, unforgiveness, grudges are like cancer which will slowly destroy a person slowly. It can chain us to the past, destroy families and sour relationships. The Bible is crystal clear on the necessity of forgiveness (Matthew 6:14-15) . Unforgiveness can also affect our physical health and mental health.