Irmela

Q2. (John 19:26-27) What is Jesus' mother Mary feeling at the cross? Why does Jesus give John responsibility to care for His mother? What does this say about Jesus' values? One can, as a mother, only cringe, at the pain and helplessness, the anguish, that Mary felt. A Mother, generally wants to remove pain and suffering from her child. Mary must have remembered what Simeon had said at the temple ... a sword will pierce your heart ... she must have been heartbroken to see Him suffer so. Jesus, as the first-born , was responsible for caring for His widowed Mother, according to Jewish custom. John, who happened to also be His cousin, was very close to Jesus. No mention is made of another known male relative or disciple at the crucifixion scene. Jesus trusted John, so He gave the responsibility of His precious Mother over to John. Jesus did not disregard His responsibilities, but was careful to see to every detail right to the very end. His value system was recommendable right to the very end. He did not shirk His earthly responsibilities. Always an example!!!!

Q1. (John 19:23-24; Psalm 22:14-18) In what ways did Jesus fulfill Psalm 22:14-18? poured out like water extreme weakness and exhaustion This was so after they had beaten Jesus, He was weak and exhausted. bones out of joint Being stretched out on the beams of the cross and then left to hang like that, the bones would come out of joint holding the weight of the body in mid air heart like wax Melted through overwhelming grief strength is dried up dry tongue cleaves to my jaws Jesus said that He was thirsty in the dust of death surrounded by a pack of dogs the Romans were referred to as 'dogs' and these surrounded the area where the crucifixion took place encircled by a gang of evildoers two criminals were crucified at the same time one on either side of Jesus hands and feet are pierced Jesus was nailed to the cross. The nails pierced through His hands and feet bones can be counted being stretched out like that the ribs were clearly visible and could be counted clothing divided among them this was the done thing. The clothing was divided among the officers cast lots for the undergarment the undergarment was not torn apart (it was woven as one piece) but lots were cast to see who would receive it What does the Psalms passage tell us about how Jesus felt on the cross? In verse 1, the words spoken on the cross are reflected. My God, why have You forsaken Me In verse 6 it makes reference to a worm, being powerless In verse 6, it also makes reference to being the scorn of man and being despised by the people In verses 14-18 describes the weakness and aloneness that must have overwhelmed Him Yet in it all He triumphed in OBEDIENCE because He could have called to come down from the cross but He bore the pain, shame/humiliation and rejection, because of His love for mankind. THANK YOU, THANK YOU , THANK YOU

Q6. (John 19:7-15) What does Pilate fear when the Jewish leaders report that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God? What does Pilate fear when the Jewish leaders threaten to report him to Caesar Which fear wins out? It was believed that sometimes the gods or sons of the gods walked on earth as common man. Pilate now feared that he was indeed questioning one, who was a god in human form. Little did he realize that indeed it was The Son of God in reality not just the make belief stuff prevalent as idols whom they acknowledged as gods. When it seemed like the leaders were not getting their way and Pilate was trying every which way to release Jesus, as he saw Him to be innocent, they gave a punch line and threatened to report him to higher authority. Pilate knew this was no idle threat and he had done lots wrong in his rule so he preferred those things hidden and not revealed further to Caesar. This fear won in the end and to appease them he handed Jesus over eventually to be crucified. For me , the fear is rejection and not being good enough to do what I feel I need to do. I seem to have been criticized a lot and this puts a damper on doing or saying things. Many times I then fail by not even going or trying to attempt to do what I felt I should do.

Q4. (John 18:37-38) Jesus presents himself as the King of Truth, with a mission to testify to the truth. What is the danger when we disciples declare the gospel is absolutely true? The same as in by-gone days. Those who do not believe get agitated and angry, argumentative etc. It sometimes gets turned into a political issue. One can get charged with hate speech. How do cynics like Pilate or people in our post-modern age react? Either it is accepted lock stock and barrel or it is thrown out as "prove it", "not just one way to get to heaven, I am a good person", "it was for then, everything is different now", "what about all the other belief systems" etc. If people reject the truth we bring, what is the next step for us? To move on, keep on praying and lead by example.

Q5. (John 19:1-6) Why do you think Pilate maintains Jesus' innocence and then has him brutally scourged? Why does Jesus allow himself to be brutally scourged and then mocked? (see Hebrews 12:2) How much persecution are you willing to endure to accomplish the mission the Father has given you? Pilate believed in His innocence and tried in various ways to release Him. Finally he has Jesus flogged in the hope that when the Jews then see Him they will have mercy on one of their own people and that He can then be released. Jesus allowed all this to happen so that He would fulfill the will of the Father, to redeem mankind. He endured to the end. this ever remains an example to us. It is easy to say what we think we will do and how we think we will react, but we don't really know until we are in that position. I pray that God will help me to endure to the very end, regardless of the outcome.

Q3. (John 18:29-35) What do you think the Jewish leaders charged Jesus with before Pilate? They charged Him with political wrongdoing, so that Pilate would listen. If it was only something about the Jewish traditions he would summarily have handed it back to them to deal with the problem. So they lied and made it sound as if it was political and in this way they could assure death by crucifixion, which is what they wanted, in the hope that the 'movement' to follow Christ would be stopped. If true, why would that be taken seriously by the Romans? The Romans feared that their "underlings" would take over. They tried by cruelty to keep them under subjection. What kind of king does Jesus say He is? He is not a king of this world, i.e., not a political king to be a threat to Rome. Neither is He a rebel king; He did not come to overthrow Rome. Where is the source of His kingship, according to Jesus? His Kingdom is not of this world. What is the danger to our gospel message when we politicize Christian causes? They are twisted into seemingly being unjust and unfair, pointing fingers at certain wrongs and not others.

Q2. (John 18:17-18, 25-27) What have been Peter's acts of courage at the arrest and in the high priest's courtyard? Peter was the one who drew a sword and cut off the ear of the high priest's servant, when the crowd came to arrest Jesus in the Garden. This took courage. They were vastly outnumbered, in what was visible, including unseen forces this was of course not so. They were just not allowed to do anything as Jesus came for exactly that purpose, to die for mankind. In the high priest's courtyard, Peter was at first excluded, but the unnamed disciple saw to it that he could enter. This itself was a brave act . The fact that he then went and warmed himself around the same fire where the officers were standing, was surely even braver, Why do you think he ends up denying Jesus? He was no longer thinking straight , he was tired and terrified. How would you rebuke Peter according to Galatians 6:1b? In a spirit of gentleness and not superiority, for there but for the grace of God, go I. Has your courage failed lately? What should you do about it? When it does happen I am to turn back where I failed, ask God's forgiveness and accept it and walk on with Him as my guide and encourager.

Q1. (John 18:1-11) What do you think caused the soldiers to fall back in the Garden (18:6)? I feel it was the Power of God/ the Shekinah Glory (you cannot overpower it). Why does John tell us this detail? If Jesus had not handed Himself over, the soldiers would not have been able to take Him at all. They would not have been able to as much as touch Him. Jesus complied to the instructions of the Father and literally handed Himself over to them. John tells us this detail so we can know that this was actually in answer to Jesus prayer where He asked the Father that His disciples would see His glory. Here they saw that no power on earth could overpower Him. They could plainly see that no one could arrest Him , He gave Himself over. It was a willing deed. Why does Jesus rebuke Peter for defending Him with a sword (18:11)? Peter, in his enthusiasm, was actually trying to stop them from carrying out God's plan for Salvation of mankind. Jesus is facing forces sent by hell. Why doesn't He resist? He is carrying out His Father's plan and is obedient to the very end.

Q15. (1 Kings 20:23-30) Why do you think God seems to enjoy helping the Israelites in impossible situations? I don't think it just ends with the Israelites. We do read about their situations in the Word of God. I believe it is not only for the benefit of the ones being helped in these impossible situations, to strengthen their faith and trust in God but also for those who see or hear about what happened.They too are blessed and draw closer to God. Why do you think God whittled Gideon's army down to 300 men? (Judges 7:1-8). In no way would it be possible for the battle to be won with only 300 men. It was definitely God's doing . Praise could not be given to man. Yes, even today in our lives there are times the situations seem absolutely impossible and God intervenes and works a plan. Praise to His Name. For me He indeed has proved to be the God of the Impossible in many occasions.

Q14. (1 Kings 20:13-14) Why would God send his prophet to instruct a corrupt king and an apostate people so they might win a battle against the Syrians? It boils down to the fact that they are still His people, He still loves them, and His mercy has no boundaries, in that again and again He shows Who He is. No excuse can be given that they did not know Who their God was. He proved Himself over and over. What purpose is stated in verse 13? That it will be known by the king without a shadow of a doubt that it is indeed Adonai Who has given the enemy into his (Ahab's) hand. What is Ahab's reaction? He follows through with the instructions given by the prophet. What does that tell you about his religious piety or faith? It is there but easily swayed. I guess what happened on Mount Carmel really shook him to the core and opened his eyes as to Who indeed was the God of the Israelites.

Q13. (1 Kings 19:18) Why is a parent's rebuke difficult for a child to listen to? Why is God's rebuke difficult for us to listen to? How does a loving but sharp rebuke help our children? How does God's rebuke help us? What would it take for you to embrace God's rebuke like Solomon's "wise man" (Proverbs 9:8). As our children with us, so we with God as our Father, possibly feel we have let Him down when we are rebuked. Be it so, it is good that He does not leave us in that state and that we can then learn from our mistakes and not go down that road again. God has been so merciful to me and I am forever grateful to Him for His love and kindness He has shown to me. The wise man accepts the rebuke and learns from it.

Q12. (1 Kings 19:11-13) Why do you think the author contrasts the “still small voice” to the wind, earthquake, and fire? How does God’s voice comfort and renew Elijah? Why is it easy to miss God when his voice is gentle and quiet? In no way can you not hear or discern the difference between wind, earthquake, fire and still small voice; the difference is easily discernable. God's way of 'speaking' to us is not always a still voice, it varies, depends on the need at the time. He knows best how He will get through to us. Elijah was devastated. His nerves were raw and shattered. No way would something loud and scary get him to do much but cower or hide away even more. That still quiet voice was what soothed and caught his attention; like a soft blanket put over a cold wounded child. It just brings comfort and warmth. That's what it did to Elijah. It brought him back to his senses and he was now able to understand and accept a rebuke and gather his wits about him and follow through with the next task. Our mind is often filled with many things (clutter) that actually don't concern us. We need to come to the point where we single out what God would have us be busy with. Then we can easier hear God speaking to us. (Our minds need to be renewed)

Q11. (1 Kings 19:14) In what ways does self-pity prevent us from discerning the Lord's voice? What is the relationship of self-pity to pride? What is the relationship of self-pity to entitlement? How does a sense of entitlement stand in the way of true discipleship? Self-pity causes the focus to be on self and then our hearing is impaired because our vision is impaired and we just see self and cannot see beyond the mistiness. It is as if real reality is blocked out and this makes us unable to discern the Lord's voice amidst the voices pointing out our failure, our loneliness, our hopelessness etc. Self-pity and pride are close 'relatives'. My doing has not brought about the results I had hoped for. Focus is on me. Pride in what I had done. Now I wallow in self-pity because I did not achieve what I had hoped to achieve, in my way. If I understand correctly this means "What is the relationship between self-pity to your rights or to your claim"? When looking at all you have done (focus on self) and this did not bring about the results you had hoped or foresaw that it would (entitlement of the project) you take it to be a failure and easily wallow in self-pity. The results will not necessarily be immediate but take time to bear fruit. True discipleship is obeying the Master and following in His leading. It is not my doing. Self is not the focus. It is not my doing but the Master's doing through me. So if we want to take claim to what is being done , then in no way is it discipleship. Then it is self with a capital S and is doomed.

Q10. (1 Kings 19:3-5) How might Elijah be "at fault" for being depressed? Is "fault" the right question? Does God chide him for "lack of faith"? How does God minister to him? How do you minister to a friend who has isolated himself or herself in deep depression? I think he had reached the end of his tether. At the same time he looked on his circumstances and did not have his eyes focused on God. Personally I think he just proved that he was human. He was too exhausted to think straight. God gently led him to rest and sleep and then eat to regain his strength. Then when he was ready, He spoke to him. Each person is different. The main thing is to make sure that they realize you will be there when they are ready to accept your presence.

Q6. (John 17:11b, 20-21) Why is unity between Christians so important? What is the model Jesus gives of this unity in verse 21a? What effect does true Christian unity have on our witness to the world? The world watches us. If there is no unity between Christians, in which way are they to see that we are one in Christ? If there is unity they can see Christ in us, just as they could see the Father in Christ. For the unity to be seen we need to love one another as Christ loved us.

Q5. (John 17:15-16) Is God's desire to immediately extract us from the earth, or to leave us here? It is not His desire to take us out of this earth, but rather to be in the world but not of the world. How is it possible to be "in" the world, but not "of" it, or contaminated by it? Of the world means being and doing what the world expects whereas in the world is being here but standing out as being different because Christ is our LIFE and in that way we are OF CHRIST and not of the world. How do we achieve this? In reality, we are no longer citizens of the world, but citizens of Jesus' Kingdom. We are in the world -- Jesus wants us here to represent Him and His Kingdom -- but we are not to adopt its value system and lifestyle. "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -- His good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2) I guess those sentences from the notes actually answer the questions.

Q4. (John 17:6-10) In what sense do the Son and the Father "co-possess" everything? The Father and the Son are One, so whatever belongs to the One also belongs to the Other. What does that say about their relationship with each other? They are One In what sense do we "co-possess" everything with the Father and Son? It is no longer I that live, but Christ that lives in me. We are heirs of the Father and joint-heirs with the Son. How should that affect our values? How should that affect the way we live? Whatever we do, we do for Him. His values become my values, His standards become my standards, His lifestyle becomes mine.

Q2. (John 17:4) What was the "work" the Father gave Jesus to do? How did it bring glory to the Father? What is the "work" the Father has given you to do? In what ways are you bringing glory to the Father in this? The work Jesus came to do was to draw the lost to Him; to accomplish the Father's plan for salvation. This was done on the cross. It is finished = Tetelestai, which means : The debt is fully paid, the sentence is fully served, the battle has been fully won. To glorify the Father on earth was to make sure that the Father's plan for salvation was accomplished, finished, completed. We are to spread the Word, that salvation is offered to all. By testifying and bringing in the lost we are bringing glory to God.

Q3. (John 17:4-5) What was Jesus' preexistent glory like? What was His glory like during His earthly ministry? How did His glory peek through? What is His glory like now in the presence of His Father? Why do you think Jesus wants His disciples to see Him in this glory (verse 24)? Hebrews 1:3a reads as follows: "The Son is the radiance and only expression of the glory of our awesome God {reflecting God's Shekinah glory, the Light-being, the brilliant light of the divine} and the exact representation and perfect imprint of His [Father's] essence, and upholding and maintaining and propelling all things [the entire physical and spiritual universe] by his powerful word [carrying the universe along to its predetermined goal]. His obedience in carrying out His Father's plan through thick and thin, in His earthly ministry. In difficult times. He was an example and showed God's ways throughout. He healed the sick, drove out demons, loved the unlovely and went to those who needed and accepted help. From lepers (outcasts of society) and prostitutes, to tax collectors, rich and poor alike. He ministered to all who God put in His path. He was the LIGHT. I think that it was for encouragement and reassurance that He wanted them to see Him in His glory.

Q2. (John 17:4) What was the "work" the Father gave Jesus to do? How did it bring glory to the Father? What is the "work" the Father has given you to do? In what ways are you bringing glory to the Father in this? Jesus agreed to lay aside His glory and become a human being, so that ultimately He would lay down that very same life as a sacrifice and carry the sin and disease of mankind to the cross. Then He would conquer death and the grave as it were, and rise again. Jesus was to complete the Father's plan for salvation of mankind. Jesus came to give us life. He came to REDEEM us. He paid the penalty for our sins. His obedience and fulfillment of doing what He came to do brought glory to the Father. Our work too is to fulfill the work God has given us to do. We are to love one another as Christ loved us. We are to carry the news of this Salvation to others that they may know and also accept the fact that we are redeemed. Payment has been completed.

Q1. (John 17:3} If the average person were to define the words "eternal life," what would they say? Eternal life would be defined as living forever or life with no end. Does Jesus define eternal life in terms of duration of time? No, time or existence does not come into the equation. What is the key element of his definition? The key element is knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ Who was sent by God. Not knowing about Him but truly knowing Him and having a relationship with Him. How are you doing at present in Jesus' definition of eternal life. I do love the Lord with all my being and spend time in the WORD and talk with Him. In fact I tell Him everything, important or not. With the Hymn writer I also call out : Draw me nearer nearer nearer blessed Lord ....

Q9. (1 Kings 18:40) When we repent before the Lord, why is it important to put away the things that facilitate and tempt us back into our old life of sin? Yes, we want to avoid extremism. But what is the value of a clear break with evil? What is the danger of not making a clear break with evil? It is important to put away the things that had been part of our life of sin, because it is very easy to fall back into using them again from sheer habit. Not necessarily because you feel it is better that way. Without a clear break, we will just go back and every-time we then try to break away, it is harder to do so. When reaching the decision, (let's take the example of foul language) to stop speaking in this way, it is no good to use foul language with those you are accustomed to talk with in that way. You need to decide to stop that evil at all times, make a clear break, fully repent and start afresh. Only then will you honor God as a repented from foul speaking, person.

Q8. (1 Kings 18:37; Malachi 4:5-6) In what way does Elijah have a ministry of "turning hearts back again," of calling for true repentance? How was this fulfilled in Elijah's successor John the Baptist? (Mark 1:4-6). Why is this an important ministry for pastors and evangelists? Elijah knew and was grieved about the way the people had turned their hearts away from Yahweh. In a desperate bid to enable them to see what they were actually worshiping, he had called a come together where they could literally see it. By seeing they could then make a decision to truly repent and serve Yahweh. When he prepared the sacrifice , he took no chances that anyone could say that there was trickery involved. he had them pour water over the wood etc., until everything was saturated. In no ways could that sacrifice get burnt by any natural means. Elijah had faith enough to know that God would supernaturally consume the sacrifice . This would enable everyone to witness that Yahweh was indeed the One and only True God to worship. Already there had been a drought for 3 and half yrs and Baal, the so called god who could bring rain, could do nothing. John the Baptist also called out and pointed out the erring ways of the people. He called the people to repent and be baptized . To turn away from their former ways. People from all over came to hear him and be baptized. Elijah too called out to them to turn away from serving Baal and choose to follow Yahweh, Who was the True God. Pastors and evangelists, in fact every true child of God, should by our very life "show" that there is a difference in serving God and serving the world. Our call too, should be for all to repent from former way of life and truly choose to serve God. Our lives should bring a desire for change.

Q7. (1 Kings 18:30-32a) What is the significance of Elijah "rebuilding" the altar of Yahweh? The Altar of Yahweh was broken down. The stones were scattered. There had not been any regular sacrifice for a very long time. In faith Elijah was rebuilding it as a restoration and renewal or rekindling in the hope that the nation would serve Yahweh yet again. It was a new start. There was no chance that Elijah was fooling around. He was serious. There was no falseness. It was a fresh start. They could all see clearly. What rebuilding needs to be done in your own worship practices? Your church's? What has caused your "altar" or practice of worshiping and living before the Lord to be broken down? How will you repair it? Just listened to a sermon in these days about our spiritual life. In our formative years, with our parents, Grandparents, teachers and whoever we are regularly in contact with, the construction work begins. Many will grow up going to church regularly, attending Sunday School etc. The next part is in the yrs when we take the step and do something with what we have learnt. Either sharpen up what we learnt and draw closer to the Lord, or discard what we learnt and shelve it. It could be other way round, where in formative yrs, you were not exposed to the Gospel and now actually find Christ. So it is the de constrution period where the work is scrambled up and processed or thought through for the re construction period. This is what was happening in Israel. They had been told all that Yahweh had done for them as a nation. That was the construction part. Then when they settled in, in the land of Canaan, the de-construction period came. Their life became mingled with the lives of the people that had not been driven out or exterminated because of their wickedness. Now Elijah saw the moral decline and the fact that Yahweh was not being worshiped. He was hoping the Nation would reconstruct around the worship of Yahweh the One and only true God. Our lives too need to be untangled from worldliness and reconstructed around the Living Word of God, with the Holy Spirit as our Teacher and our Guide.

Q4. (John 16:33) In what sense has Jesus "overcome" the world? In what sense can we "overcome" the world? Can we overcome Satan even though we are martyred in the process? (see Revelation 12:11) Jesus did not give in to the evil one's temptations. He overcame them. Then on the cross, He took all the sins of the world upon Himself, and by rising again He conquered death and thus overcame the world. Because Jesus paid the price for our sin, we can repent of them and overcome the grip they have on us, and ultimately overcome them and not give in to temptation. So we can overcome satan by not giving in to his wiles, even if we are killed in the process.