Lottie

Q38. (1 Peter 5:5-6) Why is prideful living incompatible with showing grace? Why do you think God opposes the proud? What does humility have to do with repentance to enable us to receive God's grace? How does pride prevent us from showing grace? Prideful living is incompatible with showing grace because we become too full of ourselves to think of anyone else. We put our needs before others and think we are better than anyone else. We push others away from us and from God when we are too proud. God opposes the proud because in their pride they have forgotten all about Him and what He has given them. They think they do not need Him that they are fine on their own and that faith or religion is for the weak. Humility is needed in order for us to be humble enough to admit we need His grace and mercy. It is coming to the end of ourselves and admitting our helplessness or powerlessness. It is only then that we can turn ourselves around and admit we have sinned and we cannot save ourselves. That He is the only one who can save us and give us eternal life. Pride keeps us locked into ourselves and our own agendas. It keeps us from receiving God's grace and from showing grace to others. We have to fully empty ourselves like Jesus emptied Himself in order to receive it.

Q37. (2 Corinthians 9:6-9; 8:9; Luke 6:37-38) Is it possible to be grace-filled and stingy at the same time? Why is this so? What is the relationship between forgiving and giving generously? No if one really loves the Lord and others the person will want to give to further the gospel and help others in need. They will remember what Jesus did for them on the cross and how God did not spare His own Son for us. Their love will compel them to give generously. Yet sometimes people hold back if they do not have enough money. They are afraid of running out. They have yet to fully surrender and trust Him to take care of things. By God forgiving us and sending His only Son to die for us He became poor so we could become rich. And Jesus gave up everything in order to come and die for us. God forgive me for not trusting You enough to provide so I can give more.

Q36. (Colossians 4:5-6; 1 Peter 3:8-9, 15; Ephesians 4:29-32) What would be the characteristics of a conversation with an unbeliever that might be termed "full of grace"? What guidelines should rule our ways of speaking? How can we avoid the bad examples set for us by leaders of our culture and our world? One that is filled with gracious and loving words. Words that are friendly and warm and not hateful or critical. Words that draw the hearer in and make the person want to know more. Words that are not offensive or judgemental at all. Words that would speak about how ones life is characterized by love since one has found Jesus. Words that express how ones life has changed since knowing Jesus as Savior. Words that are spoken in love and genuine concern for the lost one and not be self-serving at all. Our words should be respectful and spoken in gentleness. We should not force our faith on them either if they are not interested but pray for the Holy Spirit to speak to them. We need to reach them where they are at and try to identify with them.We need to see them through the eyes of the Lord or God our Father. They are people who need Him and people who are hurting and lost. We cannot preach at them but tell them about what God has done for us. We should always pay attention to the Spirit's leading in our converstions with them. And most assuredly we need to live out what we talk about.

Q35. (Luke 6:27-36; Romans 12:12-21) What is the difference between ethical behavior and grace? What is so radical about Jesus' teaching about loving one's enemies? What illustrations does he use of this outrageous grace? Ethical behavior is what is the proper, moral or right thing to do in any situation. While grace is unmerited and undeserving favor to those who do not deserve it all. Those who deserve to be punished because of how they treated us. Jesus' teaching about loving your enemies is radical because He tell us to love our enemies and do good to them when they hurt us. Do good to them when they treat us badly or gossip about us. He tells us to lend to them when they need help and not ask for it back. He gives the example if someone strikes you on the cheek you are to let him hit your other cheek also. If he takes your cloak, you are to give him your tunic. Another example is in Matthew 5: 41 where Jesus says whoever compels you to go with him a mile to go, with him two miles instead.

Q33. Why are God's gifts of grace an immensely greater blessing to those who attend church and are a functioning part of a congregation? How can isolating yourself from the Christian community involve selfishness and fear? How can it impoverish you? God's gifts of grace bless others more when they are all together then when they are seperated. People cannot experience God's gifts or mercy and compassion when they are home. They cannot feel the love from others or be benefiited by a smile or a hug or a word of encouragement or even healing. Isolating yourself from the Christian community involves selfishness and fear when people refuse to go because they are afraid they might get sick or because they were hurt in the past by some church members and refuse to forgive and go back. Then they are wasting their talents and gifts that the Lord has given them. It can impoverish me because I am missing out on being with other Chritians and being prayed over. I am missing out on using my gifts for the church and helping others. I am missing out on the joy that giving service brings

Q32. (1 Peter 4:10) We are stewards of God's grace. What are the responsibilities of a steward or trustee? In what way do we act as trustees of what belongs to God? In what way are spiritual gifts or the message of the gospel part of this trust we have been given? A steward manages a household or estate and oversees how the money or goods is distributed. He makes sure they are distributed the way the master wanted. We act as trustees because God has given us certain gifts to use for Him and the church and we are to do as He requests. Spiritual gifts and the gospel message are part of our responsibility. We are to use our gifts for the church and spread the gospel message to the world. We are to use our money wisely to build up the church and for missions and other projects He puts on our hearts.

Q31. (Ephesians 4:7; Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:1, 4-6) Why is there such a close relationship between "grace" (charis) and "gifts" (charisma)? What is the chief characteristic of a generous person? In what ways do spiritual gifts channel God's grace? Grace and gifts are closely related because they both mean favor or something freely given or bestowed. The spiritual gifts are the evidence of God's grace to us. He wants us to use them to benefit the church and glorify Him not for ourselves. The chief characteristic of a generous person is that he or she shows love to others by generously giving of their time, talents and money to help others. Spiritual gifts channel God's grace by flowing from Him to others. He blesses us with gifts so that we can edify and build up the church and help others grow. But also so that His glory can be shown to others. That people would be drawn into the church and be saved and that it would grow.

Q30. (2 Corinthians 12:9) Why does God's power flourish best when we feel weak? If God's grace is "sufficient," what is it sufficient to do or accomplish in or through us? What are the practical limits of the sufficiency of grace? It flourishes best when we are weak for it is only then that we depend on Him fully. Only when we come to the end of our resources and strength that we encounter His strength flowing through us. For God cannot work in us when we are trying to do it on our own. He will wait until we have exhausted all our own resources and options and turn to Him. God's power can only flow through us when our power is done. God's grace is sufficient to help us live for Him each day and help us with all of our trials, struggles and thorns in the flesh. It is sufficient to help us deal with whatever comes our way if we get out of the way and let Him take over. God cannot help us when we do not think we can do it ourselves. It is only when we come to an end of ourselves that His grace can take over.

Q29. (2 Corinthians 12:7) Why do we often feel so weak in times of sickness or affliction? Why are we tempted to stop ministering to others when we are struggling? I think because we think we can do nothing worthwhile when we are sick or afflicted. That we forget that it is God who gives us strenth and power to do things. It is God who enables us to work for Him in spite of our sickness or disability. Nothing is impossible with Him. I think we are tempted to stop because we think we do not have anything to give them. That it is too much, and we forget that God can help us in our weakness. I have been there when my husband died yet God used me at a ladies retreat to speak and minister to others especially a woman who had just lost her husband. God can use anyone in any kind of condition.

Q28. (Hebrews 4:16) Why is approaching God's holy throne in prayer intimidating to some people? Why do we sometimes fear judgment and condemnation when we approach God. In what ways is God's throne the place where he dispenses "mercy and grace"? In what ways is your home a place where grace is given out? They think they are unworthy to come before Him and don't fully understand Him at all. They think that He is like their own Fathers; harsh, critical and unforgiving maybe or distant and uncaring. We fear it because we know we have done wrong and expect Him to come down hard on us instead He forgives us. We think we are unworthy to come before a holy God. God dispenses mercy and grace by forgiving us our sins. He is sympathetic to our problems and cares deeply about us. He wants to help us to overcome our problems and grow to be more like Him. He wants us to have joy filled and productive lives. I show grace to my daughter when she makes mistakes and when she hurts me, I forgive her. I am in a Christian Overeaters Anonymous group, and I lead meetings for them. I share my experience, strength and hope in meetings, and I pray for and with other members on the phone. I make sure to call people and see how they are.

In what ways is your position in the Kingdom greater than John the Baptist's? (A hard question, but at the root of today's lesson.) My position is greater because I am an adopted child while John the Baptist is only a prophet proclaiming Him and baptizing others. He will be in heaven but not as a regular member. He will be grandfathered in. Why were people so critical of John and Jesus -- and for opposite reasons? What are we learn from this? People were critical of John because of the clothes he wore and what he ate. And that he would not dance or be joyful. Jesus was criticized because He went to eat with publicans and tax collectors and sinners. They also called Him a glutton and a drunkard. That we cannot please everyone. People will always be critical about something or other.And that people will always misunderstand people of faith. Do you know anyone who has "rejected God's purpose for himself"? What can you do to influence him or her for Christ before it's too late. What is doing too little? What is doing too much? Where is the right balance, do you think? I can think of people who were prominent as authors or singers and who turned around and left the faith totally. I cannot think of anyone personally who rejected God's purpose for them.

Q27. (John 10:27-30; Jude 24-25; Romans 8:38-39; 2 Timothy 4:18; Philippians 1:6; 1 Corinthians 1:8; 1 Peter 5:10-11) Why do you think there are so many assurances of faith in the New Testament? What is your favorite promise of God's role in keeping you in Christ to the end? How does your favorite promise give you powerful assurance of salvation? I think because God knew we would need to be reassured when we have doubts. To know that He is watching out for us and holding us in His hands. That as long as we hold firm in our faith we need not worry about losing our salvation. That He God the all knowing one and powerful is guarding us and we need not fear. No matter what we go through He will be there and not let us go. As humans we are prone to worry and anxiety and God knows this. Romans 8: 38-39 because I know n9o matter what I go through He will be with me and help me. He will never leave me. He will be with me to the end.

Q26. (1 Peter 1:4-5) How does our faith function alongside God's protection to keep us to the end? How does this show God's grace? Our faith is the key that holds us close to God. When we stay close to Him no matter what we will persevere. He is the one who guards and protects us when we trust in Him. It is God who decided to save us and it is He who watches oves us and keeps us because of His grace towards us. Because He wants the best for us and the best is that we stay close to Him and persevere until the end when we see Him. Until we enter heaven and all our troubles will be gone.

Q25. (John 16:8; 6:44; 6:65) Why is it impossible for people to come to Christ without God's action to convict, draw, and enable them to come? How does God's preparation illustrate his grace? Because man's heart is ultimately corrupt and dcceitful and wicked. Man cannot come on his own to God he must be drawn by the Holy Spirit. Left to his own devices he will choose to go the way of the world and try to earn his way into heaven. His preparation shows how much he cares for mankind and how he longs for them to be saved. He does not want any to perish. For He loves them regardless of how they are or what they do. It shows how far he is willing to go to do it.

Q24. (Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:4-6) How does predestination function with God's grace? What is gracious about predestination? Why is his grace "glorious"? Predestination works alongside grace in that God decided long ago before Adam and Eve sinned who would be adopted into His family. He knew that Adam and Eve would sin and disobey Him. And he had a plan in place to save mankind if they turned to Him. He knew the state of man's heart from the beginning. He knew that only Jesus could pay the ultimate price and save us. In His love and mercy He planned it all along with the Son and the Holy Spirit. So that the ones He knew would come and be saved from the second death. He also knew that not everyone would be drawn to Him. His grace is glorious because it comes from His very nature. He is love personified and He is merciful and gracious. He did not have to come up with a plan to save man after the fall. He could have just started over again but He chose to do it because He loved us; not because of anything we did. We don't deserve it yet He chose us and drew us in. All becsuse He does not want any to perish.