RD35

Q3. (2:22) What is the significance of serving Jesus as a "slave" as opposed to serving him as a preference? What does it say about the quality of our service? Of our commitment? What is wrong with leaders who serve out of preference? To serve the Lord Jesus Christ as his willing slave is a high honor. A lot has to do with the quality of our love for this Jesus.​

Q2. (2:22) Who has come alongside you to teach you? What potential leader in your church needs someone to come alongside them? Do you have a person or two that you are mentoring "as a son with a father" or "a daughter with a mother"? Thanks to Jesus, I am blessed to have been under some really awesome people who sowed the seed of the gospel and prayed for me a result of what I am in the Lord today. God bless our Pastor who will give up his life but not dilute Gods Word, he also loves us like a parent and checks on our spiritual growth. I am also blessed to have wonderful brothers and sisters in our church family who challenge me daily in my walk with Christ. Thanks you Jesus for helping me grow.

Q1. (2:19-21) Why was Timothy's selfless concern so rare among church leaders? Rather than pointing the finger at others in your church, consider yourself. What things has Jesus had to deal with in your life that has helped you to become genuinely selfless and focused on the concerns of others? How has he refined you? (Of course, he is still at work in us!) Timothy was more than just a companion to Paul. He was a true disciple who could deal with the most sensitive problems of the church. This is because he had genuine interest in the welfare of the Body of Christ than looking for his own interests. He was not self absorbed. He did not have any hidden agenda. Jesus had to deal with many areas in my life like jealousy, gossip, anger, pride, self righteousness and many more ever since I chose to serve him. Initially while surrendered my life to Christ my life was a mess and even after I was born again I always looked down upon weaker Christians and wanted to be treated with respect and did most of my service to the Lord to be applauded by men and become popular. But thanks to Jesus he did not give up on me, he refined me and rebuked me and discipline me through his word. Sent right people in my life who imparted to me the undiluted Word of God. Though I am not perfect yet I have come a long way from where I have been and all glory to my Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

Q1. (2:19-21) Why was Timothy's selfless concern so rare among church leaders? Rather than pointing the finger at others in your church, consider yourself. What things has Jesus had to deal with in your life that has helped you to become genuinely selfless and focused on the concerns of others? How has he refined you? (Of course, he is still at work in us!) Timothy was more than just a companion to Paul. He was a true disciple who could deal with the most sensitive problems of the church. This is because he had genuine interest in the welfare of the Body of Christ than looking for his own interests. He was not self absorbed. He did not have any hidden agenda. Jesus had to deal with many areas in my life like jealousy, gossip, anger, pride, self righteousness and many more ever since I chose to serve him. Initially while surrendered my life to Christ my life was a mess and even after I was born again I always looked down upon weaker Christians and wanted to be treated with respect and did most of my service to the Lord to be applauded by men and become popular. But thanks to Jesus he did not give up on me, he refined me and rebuked me and discipline me through his word. Sent right people in my life who imparted to me the undiluted Word of God. Though I am not perfect yet I have come a long way from where I have been and all glory to my Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

Q3. (2:16) In what sense are we Christians to "hold fast" the Word of Life? In what sense are we to "hold forth" this Word of Life? How does this relate to the purpose of the church? Holding fast to the Word of Life means, giving the first place or the very foundation of our churches should be the Word of God. Jesus is the Word and therefore the Word of God and Jesus Christ are inseparable. Preaching Jesus should always be the priority of Christians, and the Word should be preached undiluted. we are also to hold the word out or forth to the world. Our proclamation of the Word is the unbelievers only hope of eternal life.

Q2. (2:14-15) How does ceasing complaining and arguing enable a church to shine as stars in a dark sky? What does this shining as stars signify? Have complaining and arguing compromised your church's witness as a God-place? If so, what can you do to change this? Complaining and arguing will cause divisions and disunity in Church but when this ceases, when we repent, God can effectively work his purposes in our churches and we can shine like stars in the dark crooked world. Christians being shining stars in the universe signifies - The world must see a difference in the church from any other kind of human institution

Q1 (Phil 2:12-13) In this passage, what does it mean to "work out your own salvation?" Is this referring to salvation from sin? If not what kind of salvation is it referring to? Work out means to achieve to bring about the fruit of the Holy Spirit. The Philippians as a body are to work out their problems and come to unity. They are to produce the fruit of their salvation, that is, peace, love, and harmony in the Spirit. Fear and trembling implies humility and complete reliance on God for his strength in carrying it out.

Q2. (2:6) In your own words, what does it mean that Christ didn't cling to his equality with God? How specifically does this passage teach that Jesus is divine? Jesus Christ is divine, He is God and already possessed equality with God but for our sakes he was determined not to cling or hold on to it, but humble himself, submitted himself to the authority of his father, so that Gods plan of salvation for mankind would be accomplished.

Q1. (2:1-4). To achieve unity in your congregation, why is humility necessary? Can you give an example of how lack of humility caused a division in your church? What are you doing to bring unity in your church Humility is a congregation is necessary for unity among its members. Humility is the very hallmark of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Humility takes strength from the Holy Spirit because it goes against our human nature. Genuine humility considers others better than ourselves. Real Christian humility has its focus on God and on others and not self. Humility at its roots is love and love binds one another and keeps us united. When we are humble we care about each others need and are concerned about our neighbors welfare. To bring about unity in our church we can be humble, obedient to God and pray at all times.

Q3. (1:20-21) How can fear keep us from being a bold witness? Why does fear of people bind our tongues? How does "losing our life" for Christ's sake actually give us an abundant life? What fear is keeping you from clear witness? Fear can keep us from being a bold witness. Fear will make us think more about ourselves and what people will think about us. Fear will make us shy away from speaking the truth, as we will fear losing the company of our loved ones. The fear of loosing our close relationships, fear of offending others , fear of being jeered at, all stops us from being a bold witness of Jesus. Losing our life for Christ means, I am no longer owner of my life but I make Jesus Christ the Lord of my life. When I die to my self, I unconditionally surrender my life in the hands of Jesus. When we do this we give access to the Holy Spirit to control our lives and Jesus reigns in our lives, and the life which we live in Jesus is abundant life. The fear of loosing loved ones, fear of rejection and being laughed at sometimes keeps me from being a clear witness.

Q2. (1:18b-19) Why is our ability to rejoice so dependent upon our faith that God is in control, working even in the midst of difficulty? What must you believe in order to be able to rejoice in the midst of problems? What is your basis for believing that? When we trust in God completely then only we can rejoice, knowing that God is in control of every aspect of our life. The faith in God that His plans are the best for us helps us to rejoice whatever circumstance we are in. we believe that God is in control, then we can rejoice freely, we can be filled with joy -- even in the midst of our struggles.

Q4. (1:9-11) Why does Paul ask God to give the Philippian Christians discernment? What will be the result of discernment in their lives? How does selfishness cloud discernment? How is the good the enemy of the best in our lives? Paul asks God to give the Philippian Christians discernment so that they will be able to discern the good from the best and be filled with the fruit of righteousness. Discernment in our lives will help us look more towards what God expects from us than what we want to do. Selfishness will not let us think about us because we will be thinking more about ourselves and loving ourselves. It makes us self pleasing than God pleasing. The good is the enemy of the best. We can be so preoccupied with good things, that we don't have time for the best, most important, most significant things. We can live years of our lives pursuing things that are transitory and ultimately of little worth. Good, maybe, but not of ultimate importance.

Q3. (1:6) What does Paul expect God to do for the Philippian believers? Why does he expect God to do this? What is the basis of Paul's confidence? On what basis can we expect God to do this for us? Paul expects God to complete the good work he has begun in the lives of the Philippian believers when Christ comes. He expects God to do this because he has chosen us and declared us to be his saints. Paul's confidence is based on his faith about Philippian believers who are sincerely seeking to follow Christ, in spite of their imperfections. On the basis of what Jesus Christ has done for us on the cross and When we sincerely seek after God, repenting of all our sins and turning away from them, then we can expect god to complete the good work he has begun in our lives too.

When we become financial "partners" with a Christian missionary, minister, ministry, or church, what do we receive out of the partnership? What other kinds of support might we offer beyond financial? When we become financial partners with a Christian missionary, minister, ministry or church we receive spiritual and material blessings. We also are blessed with immense joy and peace which comes with giving as it is said in Gods Word the giver is more blessed than the receiver. Other kinds of support we can offer beyond financial support is our time to help in spreading the gospel, or encouragement to the ones doing it.

A slave is a person who is solely committed to another, to their master for life. Saint is a person being dedicated and consecrated to the service of God. This word isn't referring to your perfection. When we are "saved," when Christ's Spirit comes into our lives, we become holy. No, not perfect or perfected, but dedicated, set apart to the service of God. We are now his sacred property and off limits to profane use. Both these words are pretty much same.

Q4. (John 4:16; 1 Corinthians 1:24) How does Jesus’ truth contrast with your culture’s dearly held “truths”? How does Jesus’ wisdom differ from the worldly wisdom that your culture teaches you? What would help you hold on to Jesus’ truth and wisdom more effectively? ​ Jesus' truth and wisdom is exactly opposite of the worldly and present day culture and wisdom. When the so-called "reality" of this dark world system is confronted with the intense Light of truth and revelation, God's reality, there is dissonance. And it is God's reality that prevails and gives freedom. "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32)​ Only a complete surrendered life to Jesus and the determination by Gods grace to walk the narrow path at all times will help me hold on to the truth of Jesus. When we embrace distortions and outright lies about the meaning of life, we lose freedom. Only when we conform our lives to Jesus' true reality, can we be truly free.

Q3. (Revelation 3:14) Why is Jesus called the “true and faithful witness”? What did he witness to? How was he faithful in his witness? As a disciple, to what degree are you a “true and faithful witness” to the Word that your Rabbi has taught and has done in your life? What would it look like if you improved as a witness? ​ Jesus is called the true and faithful witness because he always keeps his word and can be trusted. Jesus witness to the Father, the father's words. Jesus witness tot the Father cost him his life. and so he is the ultimate faithful witness. I am growing as a witness, not reached to the place where I should be as sometimes I fear or feel weak, but by Gods grace surely I will be what he has planned and destined me to be. If I improved I am sure I will be able to lead many more souls into Gods kingdom.

Q2. (John 1:1-3, 14) In what sense is Jesus the Word of God? Why do you think he is called this? Why does John call him the Word of Life (1 John 1:1)? What does this say to us about the importance of hearing, meditating on, and internalizing Jesus’ words? Jesus is the exact expression of God's word and will, thus he is God's Word personified. In Jesus, God expresses himself with complete clarity. John 1:1 is saying that Jesus in the flesh is the very Expression of God Himself, and that this Jesus IS God himself. Jesus is the Word of life means , He is the exact words of God in flesh which when we receive gives us eternal life. This explains that it is very important to hear and meditate on the words of Jesus because they are coming from God himself and are source of our salvation.

Q1. What is your relationship to Jesus as your Rabbi? How often do you come to him to teach you? How do you receive his teaching? How teachable do you think you are? Jesus is my Lord and Savior and I depend on him wholly to teach me things. It was not like that before I met Him, I used to depend on my own intelligence and strength which failed me. Now I just need Jesus to guide me and lead me. And when He teaches me its so gently and so apt to my situation. There is complete peace and joy and total understanding when Jesus teaches me. I come to him everytime I need him. but I need to come more often and sit at his feet in his presence and learn. Sometimes I get distracted with worldly things and I usually take more time to learn when I am on my own. I try my best to give more and more time to the Lord. I sometimes find his teachings very hard and it hurts, but its always the best teaching I have realized. What Jesus teaches me is only the Truth and when I depend on Jesus I am always successful. I have become a very good learner over the years as I have realized the benefits of being more open to the teachings of Jesus. Its only His grace that has given me a very good teachable spirit. ​

Q3. What does it mean when you pray “in Jesus’ name”? Do you use the phrase “in Jesus’ name” as you pray? Why or why not? How does praying “in Jesus’ name” limit what we will pray for? Jesus' name is not just a formula for prayer. It is a privilege given to Jesus' disciples by their Master. Unbelievers may try to act in Jesus' name, but the power of his name is given only to those who believe in him​. Yes I pray using the name of Jesus. Prayer in Jesus' name is similar to prayer that must be in accordance with God's will (John 15:7; 1 John 5:14-15). Prayer is never intended to cajole God into giving in to our desires. Rather, prayer is about seeking him and his will with the intent of seeing his will come to pass in our lives. That doesn't mean that we have to always pray tentatively. Seek him, find the will of God, and then pray it boldly before the Father, in the name of Jesus. ​

Q2. In what ways does taking Jesus’ name on ourselves, or identifying ourselves with him, open us to shame and persecution? Have you seen examples of this in your own experience? What actions might show that a Christian is ashamed of Jesus? What actions might show that a Christian is unashamed of Jesus? ​ When we identify ourselves with Christ we have the risk of getting ridiculed, laughed at and rejected and get persecuted too. because Jesus himself was not accepted his disciples will not be accepted too as Jesus said in his Word. Yes I have seen examples of friends and family distancing from me after I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior and trying to live a life pleasing to him. Actions like compromising with the worldly ways and not standing for the truth and the name of Jesus shows a Christian is ashamed of Jesus. Walking the narrow path come what may and living according to the commandments and statues and standards Jesus set for us shows a Christian is unashamed of Jesus.

Q1. How is the meaning of Jesus’ name linked to his mission? What is his mission? How did he fulfill this mission? How did he fulfill his mission in your life? Jesus' Hebrew name is a compound word which means "Yahweh Saves." That he bears this name is no coincidence, but the plan of God. ​ Jesus mission was to save / preserve mankind from eternal death / bring messianic salvation. His mission was to save his people from a far more insidious enemy -- sin. Jesus came to destroy the power of sin. Jesus did this by humbly being obedient to his Father and dying on the cross carrying all the sin of mankind. As I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior, he saved me from my old sinful life, forgave my sins and set me free, redeemed me from the clutches of the evil one. Jesus paid the price for my sins and I am blessed with life, a restoration of relationship whom I can have fellowship now through the blood of Jesus. Thank you Jesus.

Q4. (Jude 24) What does it mean to you that God is guarding you from falling? How can you explain God's exultant joy towards you? How will God manage to present you to himself "blameless"? How does that work? ​ God is guarding means to me that I can totally rely on him for his protection over me that I will not stumble, that no force is greater than him when he stands with me. though I do not deserve it, God will through Christ present me blameless. It is in Christ's mission. God loves me so much that the thought of me gives him exultant joy. He thinks of me all the time and rejoices over me as his creation. He loved me so much that he sacrificed his dearest son for me. I am dear to him and it gives me all the more hope to persevere for him. Thank you Father !!

Q3. (Jude 21a) What does it mean to "keep yourself in God's love"? What are you doing to strengthen your love relationship with God? What more could you do that might help?​ It means always keeping a loving relationship with God and never departing from loving God. We can do this by prayer and worship , meditating on his word and obeying humbly what God has asked us to do in his word. also by being in fellowship with his body, connecting ourselves with the church.

Q2. (Jude 20a) Why does God make you responsible to "build up" your own Christian faith? What are you doing on a regular basis to obey this command? What should you begin to do that will help you be built up better? ​ God has given us free will and this makes us responsible to build up our faith. Our faith is built up when we listen to, meditate on, and put into practice in our lives the teachings of Christ. We can do that for ourselves, through reading the Bible on a regular basis -- and not just reading, but thinking about, dwelling on, absorbing. It builds up, edifies, strengthens us in our most holy faith.​