Irmela

Q1. ((Judges 6:36-38; Psalm 95:7-10) Does Gideon ask for a sign because of his unbelief? What is the difference between Gideon's seeking confirmation, and "testing God" in a way that displeases God? Does God mind if we ask for confirmation? When might God be upset with us for asking for confirmation? I just think he was overawed by the fact that his clan was chosen, and on top of everyone, he, Gideon. He did not feel worthy to accomplish such a task. Because of this he wanted reassurance or sought confirmation that it was not just wishful thinking from his part. I think it is not right to demand something from God for ones own desires. Gideon was requesting confirmation where many people's livelihood was, one can say, going to be put on hold (was at stake). It was a huge responsibility. In this instance God even reassured Gideon with more than what he requested.

Q4. How can pride corrupt our hearing from God? How do we protect ourselves from being deceived by our pride? Pride can corrupt our hearing from God in that it will mingle up and mix up what we really heard. We can start out by really having heard and then by proudly saying God told me, we are easily placed on a pedestal by others and then start to just say God revealed this or that and then it is actually not the Lord but pride, just to have that acclaim from others. Don't publicly claim God's guidance unless it is clear. Don't say, "God told me," unless he has really spoken. When you talk about God's guidance, do it with humility.

Q3. (Psalm 32:8-9; John 7:17) Why is a willingness to obey without understanding the reasons for God's commands so important? How does obedience sometimes help us understand God's workings? God sees the whole picture, from beginning to end. He knows what the end result of obeying His command will be. It invariably has a ripple effect, and we have no idea of who will be touched in some way by our obedience or disobedience of His command. It forms part of a small piece of a picture. God is the One in control and it is important to leave things like that. Do what He would have us do and leave the rest to Him. There are indeed times when one does not understand why we have to do something. When carrying out the instructions you sometimes understand the 'why' it had to be done that way. Being obedient to hug someone or something small like that can be just what that person needed for a breakthrough and a drawing to the Lord.

Q2. (1 Samuel 3:7; Hosea 6:3; Philippians 3:10-14) Why is a desire for a relationship with God more important than seeking to hear his voice? How does hearing his voice contribute to the relationship? Why are we commanded to "press in" to know the Lord? How does Paul's passion for a relationship with God inspire you? Having a relationship with God enables you to bask in His presence and possibly actually feel or sense what he desires you to do. When we have a relationship with someone that is worth anything, we try automatically to do things that will delight that person or bring pleasure to the person. So also the relationship with God, should enable us to do what He would have us do and also draw us closer to Him. The more you know Him the closer you want to get to Him. With the relationship comes the Voice, the recognition of the Voice. It is easy to just be part of a group and still be on the outskirts. Your'e part but not really part. Only once you contribute of yourself and vice versa can a trust be built. So you can speak, hear each other but NO RELATIONSHIP. Only with the trust, the pressing in, comes the relationship. So it is important to press in (don't give up, don't be half-hearted), be real.

Q1. (1 Samuel 3:1-10) What was Eli's counsel to Samuel, when he recognized that God was calling to the boy? He told him, that if the VOICE calls again, to answer and say, "Speak lord, for Your servant is listening." Was it good counsel? Yes What is the significance of Samuel recognizing that he is a servant? It was important to see himself as a servant. Usually a servant is humble and will not hesitate to follow through with the instructions given. This will be done without questioning.

Q4. (John 21:18-19) What does death have to do with glorifying God? How will your life and death bring glory or credit to God? What does this passage teach us about God's foreknowledge? I understand this to be that we remain standing to the end. Completing the race without giving up, but right through faithfully serve Him. In this way His Name will be glorified. If I do not waver but faithfully serve Him , my life too will bring glory to God while living as well as in death. Others will see Christ living in me. Christ knew and explained to Peter in which way he would die. This was yrs before it happened.

Q3. (John 21:15-17) Why does Jesus repeat the question and the assurance three times? What does this teach us about God repeating the lessons he wants us to learn? What does it say about God's mercy and willingness to restore sinners to ministry? Peter had denied knowing Jesus 3 times, now Jesus was repeating the question 3 times, in this way, fully restoring Peter. Also not only does He give Peter the chance to acknowledge his love for him, but He includes instructions as to what he must do. So Peter is restored and given work to do. When we have failed with a lesson given, God in His mercy gives us a chance again to do what he had intended for us to learn. He restored Peter to ministry and this total willingness to do so and that it is recorded, shows that He is still in the restoration business. THANK YOU FOR YOUR MERCY!!!!

Q2. (John 21:7-14) What does Jesus preparing breakfast for the disciples say about His love for them? What does Jesus preparing breakfast for the disciples say about His provision? What does Peter's early morning swim say about his love for Jesus? Jesus knew that they would be tired and hungry after having been on the Lake all night. He cared about them and reminded them that He could be counted on to meet their physical needs also. By His accepting them in their natural environment He showed that He not only loved them but also understood what their needs were. Peter, was not prepared to wait before reaching the shore by boat, but jumped into the water and swam to shore, reaching Jesus first, ahead of the others. I guess his nature was to be impulsive but he also wanted to be with Jesus as much as possible. It was hard to forget that he had denied Him in his moment of fear and uncertainty.

Q1. (John 21:4-8) Why did Jesus tell the disciples to cast their net on the right side of the boat? Why did the disciples obey? What was the result? What impression did it make on the disciples? He had called out to them and they had acknowledged that they had fished all night and had not caught any fish. The disciples had nothing to lose by obeying the instruction. The result was a big catch of fish. In fact the number is recorded, 153 large fish, without the net being torn. Rightfully they were awestruck, and immediately recognized that it was indeed their beloved Lord and Master Who had come to them.

Q4. (Acts 16:6-10; Psalm 27:14) Why does God sometimes not talk to us? Is it always because we aren't receptive? What should we do when we don't hear anything from God? Sometimes God has spoken to us and we have not responded to His response to us,then it seems as if He does not talk to us. Sometimes it is just a time where we need to just wait, be quiet and be strengthened for the next project God has, to put across your pathway, to involve you in. When we don't hear anything I guess we need to look into our lives and make sure first that there is nothing in our lives, hindering God from speaking to us, or hindering us to actually be hearing His voice. I asked for strength and God gave me difficulties to make me strong. I asked for wisdom and God gave me problems to solve I asked for courage and God gave me dangers to overcome I asked for love and God gave me troubled people to help Maybe He has answered by the above and I need to respond positively to that first before there is too much on my proverbial plate.

Q3. (Acts 5:1-11; 8:23; 14:8-10) Sometimes God nudges you by giving you insight into the spiritual state of people around you. What should you be asking God about once you receive this insight about them? What to do or say next and also when to do so. Then also asking for wisdom in following through with what God has shown you to do. Have you ever had a nudge from God that resulted in a person receiving help? yes What did you learn from this? To be obedient, no matter what. God does the rest.

Q2. (2 Samuel 5:19, 22-25) What's the similarity between God's brief, inarticulate nudges or promptings, and David's use of the Urim and Thummim to receive direction? What happens when David needs more than a "yes" or "no" answer? Both gave and give answers to questions we place before the Lord. being Yes, No And no answer at all. David need a direction and God gave him a battle plan. It was possibly by prophetic word.

Q1. (Acts 8:26-40; 16:6-10) Are promptings from the Holy Spirit clear enough when we're seeking God for direction? Why is "no" just as important an answer as "yes"? Have you ever felt God's promptings to take some action? If you followed through, what happened? Sometimes there seems to be nothing and at other times it is clear. A no is just as important as a yes for it could save us from disastrous outcomes. Yes I have. There was peace and just a knowing deep within, that that was the right thing to do.

Q31. What was Elijah's primary mission? How successful was he at this mission? How can we measure success in ministry? What are the dangers of self-assessment? When can an accurate assessment be made? Elijah's primary mission was to get rid of Baal-worship and turn the hearts of the people back to God. Humanly speaking or if one would look at what happened and is shared in Scripture, one would say that he was partly successful. It is hard to say how to measure success in ministry. In one way you can say that when you have lots of opposition and yet have God's peace, then there is success. It is not always measured by acceptance. Self-assessment is dangerous because all the negatives stand out, all the times when one truly failed. The same as trying to measure up if you did the right thing as a parent. You seem to remember all the times you failed. Accurate assessment will only be able to be seen in the life hereafter. Be prayerful and do your best and then allow God to do the rest in His way.

Q30. (James 5:16-18) Elijah is James' example of an ordinary man who did extraordinary things through believing prayer. Do you believe God can use you in extraordinary ways? Why? or Why not? What keeps us from being used effectively? With God all things are possible. In many instances, God calls the unqualified, and qualifies the called. The prayer of the righteous, availeth much. We need to be willing and available to be used in God's way , not in our way. Also be in right standing with God.

Q28. (2 Kings 2:9-11) Why does Elisha ask for a double portion (or full first-born's inheritance) of Elijah's spirit? Is he greedy for power? Is it right to long for a greater presence and power of the Holy Spirit? No How should we seek this? In truth, fullness and sincerity of heart. Elisha was the one that God had chosen and shown to Elijah to be his successor and he had faithfully followed Elijah since that time. So in view of this he was like the first-born son, in the prophetic sphere, to Elijah. That seems quite above board then and not greedy to ask for a double portion. To fulfill the task that was now resting on his shoulders would need the double portion.

Q29. (Malachi 4:5-6; Luke 1:17) In what ways did Elijah's ministry and calling have similarities with John the Baptist's ministry and calling? Was John the Baptist actually Elijah reincarnated? Elijah and John were both called in a time when the nation was not serving the Lord in fullness and truth. The kings of both times were ruled, as if it were, by the whims of their wives, Jezebel and Herodias. Both these so called queens desired the death of these prophets. Both Elijah and John were not living in comfort and style of the times, both were known to wear similar clothing. So even if they had not been met by someone before, they were recognizable by their garments and wild appearance. Elijah was calling the idolatrous nation back to Yahweh. Pointing out to them Who indeed Yahweh was. Turning the hearts of the fathers (Patriarchs, those who had served God) to the children (the present day Israelites); in other words changing the people living then back to the way the Patriarchs or those that before them had served Yahweh, like eg., David. John the Baptist was calling out to the people to repent, to change their ways (to change spiritually and morally), to be ready for the Messiah's coming. No, John was not Elijah reincarnated. John came in the Spirit and Power of Elijah.

Q27. (2 Kings 2:2-6) Why do you think Elijah discourages Elisha from following him at the end? What is Elisha's response? What kinds of discouragements have you faced that made you wonder if you should keep on following the Lord? I have pondered this many times. the only thing that makes sense to me is that parting is never easy. Elijah and Elisha had become close in their walk with the Lord and the parting was now imminent. It was now important for all to observe that Elisha was real and serious about following in his footsteps as "Prophet of God" to the nation, following in Elijah's footsteps. The other prophets would look up to him, Elisha, now as they had looked up to Elijah previously. Similar to when God pointed out that Joshua was the chosen leader after Moses. The Lord is my all in all, and it is my desire to follow Him faithfully to the very end.

Q6. (John 20:30-31) How did John decide what to include in his Gospel and what to leave out? What is the purpose of his Gospel? John differentiates in verse 31b between believing and having life. Why? John decided to include into his Gospel , that that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. The Messiah promised and pointed to by many prophets for hundreds of years. He would be 'son of David'. The other was that was included was that that you may have life. Belief in the Son of God would indeed open the door to eternal life. A relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It doesn't help to just believe, you need to also have a relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Q5. (John 20:24-29) Why do you think Thomas is so stubborn about believing that Jesus was raised from the dead? How do you think he felt when Jesus appeared before him? What was Thomas's confession in verse 28? What is Jesus' blessing offered to future believers? Thomas had not seen Him, himself. Possibly there were false rumors spread around that false statements were being spread that Jesus had been seen. Thomas was thus very skeptical about it all. He very likely was awestruck, especially when Jesus turned to him with exactly what was causing his doubts and pointed out the scars to him. My Lord and my God. He acknowledged Him as God Himself. Blessed are they who do not see Him but believe.

Q4. (John 20:23) In what sense does the Church have the power to forgive sins? Do we (or the church's authorized representatives) confer forgiveness or declare it? Or both? If we have sinned against someone and we confess this sin or they have sinned against us and they confess this sin we ought to forgive them and vice-versa. For in the same measure that we forgive, we will be forgiven by our Heavenly Father. Jesus is the One Who died for our sins, and He is the One through Whom we are ultimately forgiven. The binding and loosing that is referred to would be like binding the sickness and binding the spirit of alcohol and casting it out, or something in that line. Loosing whatever we are bound by, eg., sickness, blindness, fear etc.

Q3. (John 20:22) Why do you think Jesus commissioning the disciples (verse 21) is so closely linked with his giving the Holy Spirit (verse 22)? (See Acts 1:4- 😎 Why is Jesus sending the Holy Spirit? Why do you think the work of the Holy Spirit tends to be neglected and misunderstood in our day? To be able to do the work commissioned to them, they need to be empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will guide them, remind them, comfort them, strengthen them, (empower them) as is needed in the work. The fact that Jesus then breathed on them, saying receive the Holy Spirit, was symbolic of what was yet to come. There has been much false copying which has been called working of the Holy Spirit. The fruit has not been Christlike and so there has been much doubting and fear about letting go and truly letting the Spirit work. it is after all by their fruit that they will be known. In one's own strength miracles are certainly not forthcoming. Jesus did nothing without the Father and so ought we to follow in His footsteps. The Holy Spirit is there to remind us and guide us in the way we ought to go.

Q2. (John 20:21) What is the relationship between the way the Father sent Jesus and how Jesus sends us? How careful are you to listen and get directions from Jesus in serving the Lord? As the Father sent Me , I am sending you. That is how we have it in John's account. Jesus repeatedly points out that He did not have His own private agenda. He was sent by the Father. We share His mission to spread word of his redemption throughout the world. We bring another's message, and are charged to bring it accurately and clearly, not watered down just so we gain favour. We are not there to please man but to please God.

Q1. (John 20:19-20) What do we know about the relationship of Jesus' physical body to his spiritual body? Was Jesus' resurrected bodily? How is his resurrected body similar to his physical body? How is it different? It was the same body but it was not bound by time and space. He could enter a room though the door was barred/locked. The body has substance. They could touch Him and see and touch the scars in His body. He ate in their presence. Jesus was resurrected bodily. The resurrected body: Has definite physical aspects -- flesh, bones, the ability to eat food, converse intelligently, and walk for miles on a road. Has continuity with the previous body before death. Jesus' wounds in his hands, feet, and side are still clearly visible, and probably still open rather than healed over. Is not bound to the physical sphere -- it can appear and disappear at will, and walk through locked doors. While Jesus' body can relate to the physical world, it is not bound by space and time. From this we can deduce that it is a continuity of the earthly body in many aspects.

Q4. (Acts 10:19-20) Why was it important for Simon to get a very clear command from the Spirit to go with his visitors? What would he have done if the word weren't so clear? What does he do when criticized for taking this action (Acts 11:2, 12)? What kind of faith does it take to obey the Spirit and take an action you know you'll be criticized for later? Do you disobey when you know you might face criticism for obedience? It was important for Peter to get a clear command from the Spirit because this was not the normal thing for Peter to have done. Everything fitted in and the timing was amazing. He just knew that he knew God had sent him on this assignment to Cornelius. Peter does not hesitate but shares with them all that he had experienced prior to him having gone to Cornelius's place. This was just so amazing the timing and everything, it certainly left no doubt as to what to do. I can only say like the father did when Jesus asked him if he believed for a miracle for his son. Help Thou mine unbelief. I just pray that I would be obedient, come what may. Please help me Lord Jesus.