sherrylynn

Q1. (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 your own salvation means to live an obedient life, that being a Christian is working for God. This salvation is not obtained by works but rather is expressed by obedience to Christ. It is a continuing process both individually and as a group within the church. Jesus death on the cross already saved us from sin, however we must continually work at unity with other Christians.

Q4. (2:9-11) We know we're supposed to humble ourselves like Jesus did. But how can we know whether or not God will exalt us? Why do we get impatient with this? What does our impatience sometimes lead to? We know God will exalt us if we humble ourselves because scripture tells us this will happen. Matthew 23:12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Job 22:29 When men are brought low and you say 'Lift them up!" then he will save the downcast. Proverbs 29:23 A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor. Luke 14:11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself wil be exalted. James 4:10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. We become impatient because, as I Peter 5:6 tells us we will be lifted up in due time, which is God's time and His timing is perfect but we may want it sooner than He plans for us. Our impatience can lead us to taking things into our own hands, which can lead us into sin and separation from God.

Q3. (2:7-8) Was Jesus really a human being or only pretending to be one? What do these verses teach? What difference does it really make whether or not Jesus was human? Jesus was really human, born of a human mother. He was not pretending to be human. Verses 7 and 8 teach us that Jesus became a humble human servant who in obedience to his father died on the cross. If Jesus was not human, then his death on the cross would be meaningless and we would not have eternal life. Hebrews 2:17 tells us, "For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high preiest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people."

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 humbled himself by becoming fully human. He set aside (didn't cling to) his divine rights as God. Yet He remained God while in human form. This passage teaches us Jesus is divine by stating, "Who being in very nature God". This tells us Jesus IS God who put aside his rights as God to take human form in order to fulfill God's plan of salvation.

Q4. (1:23) What do Philippians 1:23 and 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 teach about the state of Christians immediately after death? How does this comfort you? How does this energize you? I am greatly comforted knowing that Christians will immediately be with Jesus after death. It gives me comfort to know my loved ones will be there with Him, rejoicing with Him. And that some are already there with Him now. And it gives me comfort to know that I will also join Jesus at the moment of my death. There are no unanswered questions for the Christian. We know where we are going and when. It energizes me now on this earth by knowing He will never leave me.

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 your from clear witness? Fear prevents us from being a bold witness because we may not live in a way pleasing to God or we may not say the words we should be saying. Fear of people can intimidate us to such a point that we don't speak as boldly as we should or we soften our words so as not to offend but in so doing we deny the truth. Fear can cause us to think more highly of ourselves and what consequences we might suffer from coworkers, neighbors or even strangers. Fear causes us to shift our focus from Jesus to ourselves. My own fear is that of loneliness; being ostracized at work and family.

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? Our ability to rejoice in the midst of difficulty is dependent on believing that God is in control. Without knowing that He is in control we would fall deeply into sin by trying any and all ways to get around the difficulty or cut it off or cut it short, but in truth God wants us to be in that difficulty so He will be glorified. We must believe that all things will work for the good of those that love God and are called according to His purposes. Our faith will grow stronger and our character will become more God-like. My basis for believing this is personal growth through my own troubles but most importantly because scripture tells me God will never leave nor forsake me, that He keeps His promises.

Q1. (1:12-14) From the standpoint of witness to others, you are much more credible when you are undergoing personal struggles, stress, and problems. Why is this so? Why was Paul's witness so powerful? What personal struggle are you going through that could enhance your testimony if you handled it right? I think we may be a more credible witness when we're going through struggles because we may be closer to God at that point. When things are going smoothly we sometimes tend to take God for granted. Paul's witness may have been so powerful because he went through many stuggles such as imprisonment, shipwrecks, stoning, etc, but also because his turnaround from persecutor to apostle could only be accomplished by God. I think, also Paul's boldness and consuming desire to carry out God's will for his life is very powerful.

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 help the Philippians until they have completed the work God wants them to complete. He expects God to do this because God promises us he will never leave nor forsake us. The basis of Paul's confidence is in knowing God; that He does not quit or give up on us. He has promised to finish the work He has begun and we will continue to grow and mature in our faith until we meet Jesus face to face. We can expect God to complete the work He began in us because from the moment we accepted Jesus He has promised that He will never leave us. By his grace we will mature into what He has planned for us.

Q2. (1:6) 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? We reveive fellowship with other believers and a sense of knowing that our financial blessings which come from the Lord are being given back to His work. I feel missionaries, ministers, church staff . . .well all believers need encouragement and emotional support. They need friendship from fellow believers. Sometimes a pat on the back but other times just a smile or a simple 'thank you" for all the hard work they do can mean so much, especially to someone whose ministry may not be noticed or acknowledged in the mainstream. We all need to feel worthwhile and appreciated. I think we can also offer support through prayer and by sharing our resources and gifts.

Q1. (1:1) What is the basic idea of "slave"? What is the root idea of "saint"? In what way are these words saying the same thing about a Christian's relationship to God? (Note: to answer this question correctly you'll need to refer to the notes on the precise word meanings.) Slave: One who is solely commited to another - for life Saint: Being dedicated or consecrated to the service of God - set apart for the service of God A Christian's relationship to God is one of total commitment for life - we are set apart, or made holy for Him and by Him. He is our master and we are obedient to Him. We are commited to Him and will serve Him on this earth and into eternity. Our commitment and service to Him encompass every aspect of our life - we give our all to Him and He has set us apart for service to Him.

Q2. (5:14) What is the elders' role in prayer for the sick? What must be their spiritual qualifications for this ministry of prayer? The elders' role is to pray over the sick person and in some circumstances anoit the sick person with oil all in the name of the Lord. For the prayer to be effective the elders must have faith. Their must love the Lord and believe He is able to cure the sick person.

Q1. (5:13-14) According to verse 14, who is to initiate prayer for healing? Why might this be important? The sick person is to iniate prayer. The importance of this is faith. Faith of the sick person and also faith of the elders.

Q4. (5:9) What does our grumbling and complaining say about us? About our faith? About our patience? Our grumbling and complaining say we are impatient and not trusting God. It says we are not living a life of faith. Hebrews 11 tells us of godly people who lived a life of faith. Faith being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Grumbling and complaining reveal a lack of faith in a time of testing. We are to rejoice in these times and give glory to God. Grumbling and complaining show a lack of patience and perhaps a lack of understanding and trusting God's ways. Proverbs 19:11a A man's wisdom gives him patience. We are not truly walking with God if we continue to grumble and complain. It reveals a lack of trust that everything is in God's hands and His timing is perfect.

Q3. (5:7-8) What can happen to us Christians if we lack the patience to eagerly expect Christ's return? Why is patience so vital? If we lack patience we may fall away from Christ, we may become distracted by worldly things and lose our reward. Patience is so vital because it reveals the Holy Spirit working in our lives; patience reveals love for others and love for God