Marie Beukes
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Posts posted by Marie Beukes
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Q3. (1 Thessalonians 3:3-5) In what ways does persecution discourage Christians from active, open service? In what ways does it mature them? In what ways does it reveal our underlying motives? Why do you think God allows the tempter the ability to tempt us? Why hasn’t he done away with Satan already?
Satan is supreme among evil spirits. His activities can affect the physical and the spiritual and he hinders missionary work.
God wants us to focus on our strengths and not our weaknesses, our victories and not our losses, our joys and not our problems. God wants us press forward and respond to His upward call and forget what lies behind us. Pay attention to what you focus on and magnify the works of thr Lord. Do not believe in the lies of the devil.
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Q2. (2 Thessalonians 3:2-3) Why is Timothy’s role to be a strengthener and encourager so important? In what ways was this a sensitive role. How did it help Timothy to be sent on this assignment? How does delegating ministry help the overall enterprise of the Kingdom?
Paul was concerned that the pressure would be too much for His new church and would become unsettled.Timothy who is his brother and God's fellow worker would therefore continue to spread the Gospel of Christ.
It was sensitive because they knew beforehand that they were to be pressed with difficulties and made to suffer affliction,
Jesus calls us not just to witness but to be witnesses in our words and deeds. Reach out with Christ and grow in God's love toward all persons.
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Q1. (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20) How can we justify a desire for rewards for our labor in light of God’s free gift of salvation and our love for him? What does Christ reward? What doesn’t he reward? Why should showing accountability to our Master bring us pleasure? How does it motivate us?
Every person is given a certain measure of faith. We can be assured that God will always give us enough faith to receive His grace for the fulfillment of every task He gives us. We can express our gratitude for His boundless love by showing others the same grace that Jesus has shown us.
The Lord rewards righteousness and faithfulness, but when Christ returns there will be rewards in addition to the gift of
salvation.
God puts potential in all of us and if we are willing to develop it, we will see wonderful things take place in our lives.
If we are obedient to God's instructions, if we humble ourselves and are willing to serve others out of pure love for God, we will live in harmony and therefore be pleasing to God.
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Q5. (1 Thessalonians 2:13) What is the role of the Word of God in molding disciples’ lives? Does it have a power of its own? How does that seem to operate? What are the implications for disciplers of this powerful action of the Word?
The word disciple means to be a learner, a pupil of a master. The Word of God is living and active and is a powerful agent for change, growth and discipleship to grow in the likeness of Christ for the sake of others.
Once we have heard the word and believe it, we should continue believing. God invites us to live from faith to faith.
We need to constantly be renewed in the spirit of our minds. Attitudes begin in our minds and are renewed by the Word of God and therefore we need to read daily.
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any doubled-edged sword, it penetrates even to diving soul and spirit, it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart". Hebrews 4: 12. Jesus said : I am the way, Jesus has certain ways of doing things and if we submit to His way everything will work out, but so often we wrestle and struggle with Him, trying to do things our way. We must live in obedience.
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Q4. (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12) Why are “fatherly” roles so important to making disciples? How effectively do you think women can adopt these traits?
Disciples, men and women are followers of Jesus. They have responded with their whole being to the call of Jesus to follow Him and become "fishers of people". You are called to God's own Kingdom and Glory, it is a priviledge. Disciples are Christian Leaders and have responded to two commands of Christ "Follow Me" and "Feed My Sheep" and they reach out to lead others to the life of grace.
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Q3. (1 Thessalonians 2:6b-8) Why are “motherly” nurturing qualities so important to growing disciples? How effectively can male disciplers adopt some of these traits?
It is important qualities because all these "motherly" nurturing qualities are evident in a true disciple, female or male disciples eg. a disciple loves. To a disciple of Jesus, every person matters. Through sharing one's life, a disciple is blessed to be a blessing. Gladly exhibiting towards others the generosity and gentleness she experienced from God, giving of your presence, prayer, gifts and service.
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Q2. (1 Thessalonians 2:3-6) Which of the character flaws mentioned in these verses is the greatest problem in the church? Why do you say that? How can you prevent one of these character flaws from overtaking you?
Every church is driven by something. It may be unknown to many in the church, but it is there, influencing every aspect of the church's life. A balanced church will be a healthy church, but the major barrier to church growth is that people resist change.
In our church I would say reputation. Our church at the moment is divided. One side you have the tradition-driven church and the favourite saying is "we've always done it this way"
The church must offer people something they cannot get anywhere else.
Churches grow warmer through fellowship,grow deeper through discipleship, grow stronger through worship, grow broader through ministry and grow larger through evangelism.
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Q1. (1 Thessalonians 2:2) Why is personal courage such an important character trait for a disciple – and for a discipler? How does lack of courage prevent evangelism? How does lack of courage prevent a congregation from being healthy? What is God calling you to do that will require courage on your part?
Paul's total commitment to fulfill his calling to teach others about God and what it means to follow Him. It was dangerous but he loved God so much that it did not stop him from declaring the Gospel and to make disciples amongst the people. He had the courage to take the risks for the gospel. God also promises that He will not leave you on your own, but to be with you always.
Christian courage and boldness is vital to the success of the Kingdom of Christ, and the lack thereof will invite strong opposition, spiritual warfare. It is important for us to see that we cannot fight darkness with darkness. Rather, we need to put on our spiritual armour and yield ourselves to the power and presence of the Holy Spirit within us as we pray.
The love of the great Body of people, the Church will grow cold, due to the lawlessness & wickedness in our land. The pressures of modern-day lifestyles produce an atmosphere so supercharged with problems that most people totally ignore their walk with God. Instead they concentrate on themselves, look out for themselves and try to solve their own problems.
Refuse to let my love grow cold, and to stir up the love in my life, toward other people. Reach out to others who are hurting and in need. Pray for people and bless them.
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Q3. (1 Thessalonians 1:5b-6a) How important is imitation in the formation of a new Christian’s spiritual life? What kinds of ministry are most conducive to imitation? Why is the character of the mentor or leader so important to the health of the church? How well do people grow in Christ who aren’t part of a Christian community? In what way is your character important to your family and spiritual children?
For a new christian imitation in the formation is important to learn and grow spiritually. A God breathed ministry is healthy, and it is amazing the great promises in the Bible we sometimes refuse to believe, because they are not part of what we have been taught in the past. We should not be afraid to listen to what is being said and then check it out for ourselves by reading the Bible
and talking to God about it. We need to have open hearts. God's word and our hearts will affirm the truth to us, when we hear the truth. Our minds may be closed, but our hearts must be open to allow God to allow Him to do new things in our everyday lives. God will guide those who are willing to follow him.
We as parents/ grandparents need to be an example to our children/grandchildren by obeying God's word and to express our Christian Faith.
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Q3. (1 Thessalonians 1:5b-6a) How important is imitation in the formation of a new Christian’s spiritual life? What kinds of ministry are most conducive to imitation? Why is the character of the mentor or leader so important to the health of the church? How well do people grow in Christ who aren’t part of a Christian community? In what way is your character important to your family and spiritual children?
For a new Christian imitation in the formation is important to learn and grow spiritually. A God breathed ministry is healthy. It is amazing the great promises in the Bible we refuse to believe because they are not part of what we have been taught in the past. We should not be afraid to listen to what is said and check for ourselves by reading the bible and talking to God about it, to see if it is really true. We need to have open hearts. God's word and our hearts will affirm the truth to us, when we hear truth. our minds may be closed, but our hearts must be open to God, to allow Him to do new things in our everyday lives. God will guide those who are willing to follow Him. we as parents/grandparents need to be an example to our children/ grandchildren by obeying God's word and express our christian faith.
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We sometimes hesitate to share about God, because we are not sure what to say. We need to depend on the Holy Spirit to speak through us too and then believe that He will. This will result in a effective ministry.
God recognizes and chooses - the Gospel came to us not simply with words but also with power and in the Holy Spirit. Without rival, so many of the conversions we see are intellectual and emotional of nature. There will be times when the message seems to fall on deaf ears and have little effect.
God empowers us to do the things God calls us to do. Paul new that God was doing something special. God chose Paul to bring God's message to the Thessalonians, as God's message, which they heard and accepted. It was not a man's message. We must learn to pray constantly and trust God.
The Holy Spirit gives us spiritual gifts to use eg.faith, healing etc. There are different gifts and not everybody has the same, you can also have more than one gift. The truth is every gift is necessary for the Body of Christ to function as God intends it to. We need to seek out gifted people and nurture them.
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Q2. (1 Thessalonians 1:4-5) Why is the Holy Spirit’s working so necessary to effective ministry? What happens when the main power behind our ministry is will-power? What is the role of miracles in Paul’s evangelism? What would happen if we saw miracles in evangelism in our day? What is hindering this?
We sometimes hesitate to share about God, because we are not sure what to say. We need to depend on the Holy Spirit to speak through us too and then believe that He will. This will result in a effective ministry.
God recognizes and chooses - the Gospel came to us not simply with words but also with power and in the Holy Spirit. Without rival, so many of the conversions we see are intellectual and emotional of nature. There will be times when the message seems to fall on deaf ears and have little effect.
God empowers us to do the things God calls us to do. Paul new that God was doing something special. God chose Paul to bring God's message to the Thessalonians, as God's message, which they heard and accepted. It was not a man's message. We must learn to pray constantly and trust God.
The Holy Spirit gives us spiritual gifts to use eg.faith, healing etc. There are different gifts and not everybody has the same, you can also have more than one gift. The truth is every gift is necessary for the Body of Christ to function as God intends it to. We need to seek out gifted people and nurture them.
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Q1. (Acts 17:1-10) Why do you think there was so much strong opposition to Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica? Why do you think Paul keeps preaching the gospel, even though there is often a violent reaction against him? Does a violent reaction to our ministry necessarily mean we should stop?
The people ( the Jews) were jealous because of the large number of people who responded to Paul's ministry. The new congregation was growing as Paul was teaching about another King, Christ the Messiah, quoting and explaining the scriptures.
Because of Paul's strong belief he called the people to remain steady in their faith and to keep doing good.
No - it makes our faith stronger in believing to spread the word of Our Savor.
Q1. (Acts 17:1-10)
Why do you think there was so much strong opposition to Paul's ministry in Thessalonica?
Why do you think Paul keeps preaching the gospel, even though there is often a violent reaction against him?
Does a violent reaction to our ministry necessarily mean we should stop?
There was strong opposition to Paul’s ministry in Thessalonica, as there was in other cities. Paul was preaching the doctrine of resurrection and telling people that Jesus is the promised Messiah. Many believed, and this was pulling people away from the synagogue’s toward Christian fellowship. The Jewish leaders became envious of Paul as this loss of members must have affected the finances of the synagogues. These unbelieving leaders then decided to spread untruths about Paul and Silas saying they were deceivers, and at the same time they used mob tactics to chase them out of town. Paul must have been a very brave man, and he needed to be if the Word was to spread in the early churches. He himself had reminded Timothy that to spread the gospel requires courage and boldness, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7). Potential trials and persecutions did not deter him; besides our Lord Jesus had chosen him to be the apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15). I think if one knows the truth and we meet violent opposition or reaction to it, surely we are to defend it with all our might.
Q4. Itinerant Ministry
in 3. The Warm Heart of a Disciple-Maker (1 Thessalonians 2:17-3:13)
Posted
Sometimes it brings an afresh way of ministering the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the congregation, where a regular pastor tends to avoid change in the way of preaching. With the itinerant preaching they never really see the growth and progress of the local church.