Patriciaa
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Posts posted by Patriciaa
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Q3. (Colossians 3:8) Why are sins of the tongue so easy to slip into? In what ways do they damage us and others? How can we break free of sins of the tongue?
It is so easy to slip into sins of the tongue as often we say things when we are angry and use words to put others down. When we do this, we not only damage ourselves by showing poor character but we also can damage the reputation of others. We are break free of sins of the tongue by prayer as we ask God to help us love all His children, by not saying things when in state of restrained anger and by striving to love others in all circumstances. We may not love their actions but if we truly love each other as God's children, we will not want to say hurtful things.
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Q2. (Colossians 3:5) Why is sexual l u s t so difficult for people, especially males? Though we cannot deny that we are sexual beings, how can we keep sexual desire from controlling us and causing us to sin?
Sexual **** is so difficult for people because living a pure life according to God's standards is counter to our culture. There is so much in our culture that promotes an unpure life and according to the standards of our culture, any desire for sex should be fulfilled without concern for what God's word teaches. Males have a high sexual desire and tempations abound. In our world it is common to try to rationalize sexual sins as merely normal human desires. It is quite true that the desire for sex is a strong, innate drive. But to suppose that God is neutral about how we exercise our sexuality runs directly in the face of Scripture. He has given us an arena in which we can exercise our sexuality freely -- the bonds of marriage. Outside of the bounds of marriage, sex can become destructive -- to children and families, for example. Sexual sins outside of marriage, both of the body and of the mind, can become compulsive and dangerous. So we are to put to death in us the permission to exercise our sexuality outside of the bounds of marriage.
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Q4. (Colossians 2:20-23) Why are legalism and asceticism unable to restrain the sinful nature? What alternative to legalism does Paul offer in Colossians 2?
Q4. (Colossians 2:20-23) Why are legalism and asceticism unable to restrain the sinful nature?
Christ is the one who makes sense out of faith
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Q4. (Colossians 2:20-23) Why are legalism and asceticism unable to restrain the sinful nature?
Christ is the one who makes sense out of faith
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Q3. (Colossians 2:13-15)
How did forgiveness free us from the Law?
OUR SINS WERE FORGIVEN AND BLOTTED OUT WHEN JESUS DIED ON THE CROSS. WE DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE OUR SIN REMOVED BY WORKS.
What does this symbolize? How did the cross bring triumph over evil spiritual forces?
THE LAW BEING NAILED TO THE CROSS SYMBOLIZES THAT AFTER JESUS
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Q2. (Colossians 2:9-10) What does verse 9 teach about Christ
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<br /><br /><br /><br />Q1. (Colossians 2:8) Philosophy refers to a prevailing belief system. How can a belief system be empty and false? Have you ever personally experienced being captivated by a belief system only to find it deceptive and hollow?<br />Philosophies can be based on false information that has just been passed along. Yes, I have been captivated by a deceptive belief system.
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Q2. (Colossians 1:20-22)
- By what means did Jesus accomplish this reconciliation? JESUS ACCOMPLISHED THIS RECONCILATION BY HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS FOR OUR SINS.
- What does "the blood of his cross" have to do with it? BECAUSE OF OUR SELF CENTEREDNESS, WE SIN. JESUS SHED HIS BLOOD AS A SACRIFICE FOR OUR SINS. THIS ACT OF LOVE DRAWS US TO JESUS AND WE PUT OUR TRUST IN JESUS AND ASK FOR FORGIVENESS AND THUS RECEIVE SALAVATION.
- What is the purpose of this reconciliation? (verse 22) WE ARE NOT LONGER ENEMIES OF GOD BUT FRIENDS OF GOD WHO WILL LIVE WITH HIM FOREVER.
- To whom are we "presented?" (verse 22)But God sees us as united with Christ. Thus we are seen "in him," not on our own.
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Q2. (Colossians 1:15b-17)
- What does "firstborn of all creation/every creature" mean?It means above and in authority of all creation.
- Is Jesus a created being?No If not, what does "firstborn" mean here?It means above all creation and the creator of all creation.
- What do verses 16-17 teach about Jesus' pre-existence?This passage ends with the words, "All things were created by him and for him" (1:16e). Jesus is not just one among various spiritual authorities. He is the Creator of them all and they exist to serve him.
- What does verse 16b teach about the purpose of creation? He is the Creator of them all and they exist to serve him.
- According to verse 17, what is Jesus' past role in creation? What is his present role in creation? He created all things and holds all things together.
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Q1. (Colossians 1:15a, 19) The great understanding of Judaism was that God is spirit, not physical. That he is invisible. Any idol that tries to depict him is blasphemous. So what is the significance of the statement that Jesus is "the image of the invisible God"?Jesus became man in the flesh but is also God. According to verse 19, to what degree does this image accurately represent God?Jesus is fully God. Is Jesus actually God in the flesh, or only a manifestation of God, a kind of holograph? Actually God in the flesh. (A holograph might be like Princess Leia in Star Wars sending a message through R2-D2: "Help me Obi-Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope....")
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We can now have eternal life with God.Q5. (Colossians 1:13-14)
- What are the two qualities mentioned in verse 14 that characterize the "kingdom of his beloved Son"? REDEMPTION FORGIVENESS
- What did the idea of redemption mean in the Greek? Originally the word meant, "buying back" a slave or captive, that is, "making free" by payment of a ransom
- In what way did Christ "redeem" us? What is the significance of the fact that our sins are forgiven in this kingdom?Jesus' death on the cross paid the price for our manumission, our purchase.
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Q4. (Colossians 1:12-13)
- [*]What are the three or four action verbs in verses 12 and 13 that paint a picture of salvation? RESCUED, BOUGHT, FORGIVEN[*]Who performs the action? JESUS, OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR[*] Who is it performed on? In what way were we
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Q3. (Colossians 1:12-13)
- Why does Paul use the terms darkness and light to portray his readers past and future? Darkness referrs to the powers of the dark world--evil, etc. Light is God's realm of love, forgiveness and hope.
- Why does he remind them where they came from? Joy comes from knowing we were saved from this darkness and makes us aware we want to live in the light.
- What is "the inheritance of the saints in light" that he mentions? Salvation and life with God is the inheritnce of the saints in light.
- In verse 13 we find two terms used of governing bodies.
- How are they contrasted in verse 13?13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves." The darkness is one from which we have been rescued and the kingdom of the Son is being with God.
- In what sense are subjects "governed" in each? Darkness is controlling and evil and light is full of love and hope.
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Q1. (Colossians 1:5-6) Paul glorifies the gospel, the good news. What words does he use to describe the action of the gospel in verses 5 and 6?
We thank God ... 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints -- 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6 that has come to you." (1:4-6a)
Given the temptation the recipients have to adopt another religious philosophy, why do you think he reminds them of the world scope of the gospel's influence?
So Paul explains that they are not just an isolated few, but part of a world-wide movement.
What happens in our day when a church becomes embarrassed or unimpressed with the gospel message? How does this affect the church?
This could lead to falling away from teaching the truth of the Gospel and thus could easily lead to following false teachers. -
Q4. (Genesis 48:15)
1. How did God act as a Shepherd to Jacob?
Jacob had many trials in his life just as we do. However, God was always with him and by trusting in God, Jacob overcame these trials and died in peace knowing God and trusting God.
2. How does God act as a Shepherd to you?
God never leaves me and this is my comfort in difficult times in life. Knowing this, I can ask God to show me how to use trials to bring glory to Him. A shepherd always watches over his sheep and the Good Shepherd always watches over His children.
3. Do you trust him or rebel against his shepherding?
I trust the Good Shepherd and asks for forgiveness and strength in times when I become weak and try to take trials in my own hands rather than trusting in Him.
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Q3. Why do we equate blessing with a lack of crisis in our lives?
We live in a world where we expect life to be easy and have a lack of trials. Therefore, when there is a lack of trials, we think we have been blessed.
What are the effects of crises on our faith?
Crises can either make our faith growth or become weak depending on whether we turn to Jesus to help us in times of crisis. We need to ask how trials can help us grow stronger and closer to the Lord.
How do they help us grow in our faith?
Trials can help us grow in our faith when we learn to trust God in all circumstances and know we are not living for the world but for eternity.
Why do they sometimes destroy our faith?
Trials can destroy our faith if we do not turn our trials over to the Lord and ask Him to show us how to use them to grow closer to Him. If we don't do this we could see trials as punishment.
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Q3. Why do we equate blessing with a lack of crisis in our lives?
We live in a world where we expect life to be easy and have a lack of trials. Therefore, when there is a lack of trials, we think we have been blessed.
What are the effects of crises on our faith?
Crises can either make our faith growth or become weak depending on whether we turn to Jesus to help us in times of crisis. We need to ask how trials can help us grow stronger and closer to the Lord.
How do they help us grow in our faith?
Trials can help us grow in our faith when we learn to trust God in all circumstances and know we are not living for the world but for eternity.
Why do they sometimes destroy our faith?
Trials can destroy our faith if we do not turn our trials over to the Lord and ask Him to show us how to use them to grow closer to Him. If we don't do this we could see trials as punishment.
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Q3. Why do we equate blessing with a lack of crisis in our lives?
We live in a world where we expect life to be easy and have a lack of trials. Therefore, when there is a lack of trials, we think we have been blessed.
What are the effects of crises on our faith?
Crises can either make our faith growth or become weak depending on whether we turn to Jesus to help us in times of crisis. We need to ask how trials can help us grow stronger and closer to the Lord.
How do they help us grow in our faith?
Trials can help us grow in our faith when we learn to trust God in all circumstances and know we are not living for the world but for eternity.
Why do they sometimes destroy our faith?
Trials can destroy our faith if we do not turn our trials over to the Lord and ask Him to show us how to use them to grow closer to Him. If we don't do this we could see trials as punishment.
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Q2. (Genesis 48)
1. Why does Jacob cross his hands when blessing Ephraim and Manasseh?
He has heard from God and is doing what God is showing him to do. Though we aren't told anywhere that the Spirit of God is upon him, that is surely what is happening. He is prophesying God's words, just as his father Isaac had "mistakenly" prophesied the correct blessing over Jacob instead of Esau.
2. Why does Joseph try to stop him?
Joseph is "displeased." This isn't going the way he wants it to happen. Surely his aged father is confused. He takes his father's right hand to move it from younger Ephraim's head to firstborn Manasseh's head (48:17-18) and to correct his father. One must do these things properly! Old Jacob tenses his arms and refuses to let Joseph move them, and when he speaks, he speaks in a conciliatory way to his favorite son:
"'I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations' ... so he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh." (48:19-20)
3. In what sense are Jacob's blessings an actual prophecy from God? Jacob said, "'I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations' ... so he put Ephraim ahead of Manasseh." (48:19-20) Jacob has heard this from God.
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Q1. (Genesis 47:9) In what sense is life on earth like a "pilgrimage" or a journey, with no permanent home?
Our life on the earth is only temporary. Each day here is a fleeting moment compared to our eternal life.
What happens to us when we settle down and get too comfortable with our lives?
When we get too comfortable with our lives, we have tendency to think our life on earth is what is important and may forget about our eternal life with God. We need to constantly remind ourselves that we need to live to glorify God so that we will spend eternal life with Him.
How do we retain a journeying spirit in our faith.
We can retain a journeying spirit in our faith by constantly praying, study scripture and living as God has told us to live according to His Word.
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Q4. (Genesis 33:1-16)
How has Esau changed since Jacob had gone to Haran? Esau runs to meet him, but instead of anger is an embrace, instead of thrusting a knife, he offers a kiss of peace. After a lifetime of enmity the two brothers are reconciled.
How has Jacob changed? God's grace figures centrally in Jacob's conversation with his brother. He is not attributing his family and children to his own shrewdness, but to God's graciousness. This is no longer the Supplanter, but the one who looks to God for his very life and safety.
How does the encounter demonstrate Jacob's "craftiness"? After the prosperous years spent with his uncle Laban , the time came for Jacob to return home. Despite the time away, Jacob did not know what Esau would do, so Jacob sent gifts ahead in an attempt to appease his brother. Jacob knew that he was well protected, that he was being escorted by "God's army", so Jacob's attempt to keep Esau from attacking may have been intended to protect Esau's life as much as his own.
How does it demonstrate his faith? "God has been gracious to me and I have all I need." Notice how God's grace figures centrally in Jacob's conversation with his brother. He is not attributing his family and children to his own shrewdness, but to God's graciousness. This is no longer the Supplanter, but the one who looks to God for his very life and safety.
Can Jacob be humble and "crafty" at the same time? Yes as indicated in the above 2 questions and answers
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Q4. (Genesis 33:1-16)
How has Esau changed since Jacob had gone to Haran? Esau runs to meet him, but instead of anger is an embrace, instead of thrusting a knife, he offers a kiss of peace. After a lifetime of enmity the two brothers are reconciled.
How has Jacob changed? God's grace figures centrally in Jacob's conversation with his brother. He is not attributing his family and children to his own shrewdness, but to God's graciousness. This is no longer the Supplanter, but the one who looks to God for his very life and safety.
How does the encounter demonstrate Jacob's "craftiness"? After the prosperous years spent with his uncle Laban , the time came for Jacob to return home. Despite the time away, Jacob did not know what Esau would do, so Jacob sent gifts ahead in an attempt to appease his brother. Jacob knew that he was well protected, that he was being escorted by "God's army", so Jacob's attempt to keep Esau from attacking may have been intended to protect Esau's life as much as his own.
How does it demonstrate his faith? "God has been gracious to me and I have all I need." Notice how God's grace figures centrally in Jacob's conversation with his brother. He is not attributing his family and children to his own shrewdness, but to God's graciousness. This is no longer the Supplanter, but the one who looks to God for his very life and safety.
Can Jacob be humble and "crafty" at the same time? Yes as indicated in the above 2 questions and answers
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Q3. (Genesis 32:24-30)
Who was the "man" Jacob wrestled with? The "man" is a manifestation of God himself. Hosea calls him both an "angel" and God. The text itself which clearly identifies the Wrestler as none other than God (32:28, 30).
What does the wrestling represent? Jacob is struggling with his conscience.
Was it spiritual or physical? This event is both physical and symbolic!
Why does the "man" wound Jacob permanently? This mark of faith will be with him unto his grave.
What do you think the limp means to him? Jacob's limp isn't so much a mark of discipline, but a remembrance of encounter -- a mark which reminded him ever after of the seriousness with which he served his God, a mark of faith which he carried to his grave.
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Q2. (Genesis 32.9-12)
What does Jacob's prayer tell us about his fears? He admits his fear for himself and for his wives and young children, all under 13 years of age. This kind of transparency in prayer is another indication that Jacob has gotten to know God.
About his faith? . He believes and has acted on God's instructions to return home. God has confirmed the blessings of Abraham to him, and he believes them, too. I think Jacob reminds God of his promises as a faith-statement. It is this faith that props Jacob up when he is afraid. He shares with his God both his fears and his faith, and so his prayer is an authentic, faith-filled prayer
About his pride? Jacob reminds God that he is returning in obedience to God's own instructions. He acknowledges his own unworthiness of God's great blessings to him. We see both humility and thankfulness have grown in Jacob these twenty years since he first met God at Bethel.
What are the signs of spiritual growth you see in Jacob since he left Canaan to go to Haran years before? Jacob reminds God of his promises as a faith-statement. It is this faith that props Jacob up when he is afraid. He shares with his God both his fears and his faith, and so his prayer is an authentic, faith-filled prayer.
Q4. The Value of Christian Virtues
in 6. Guidelines for Holy Living (3:1-17)
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When we live Christian virtues we are living Godly lives as taught to us by Christ and given to us in His Word. The church is made of God's people and His people need to live as He taught us. Non-Christians need to see Christians live and practice what Jesus taught. Even non-believers often live these virtues as they show consideration and care for each other. These virtues are important in the our homes for the same reason but most importantly, Christians strive to live them to glorify God.