Irmela

(Romans 5:1-2) According to verses 1-2, faith is a key to salvation. For Abraham (4:3), what was the relationship between faith and justification? (being made righteous) Abraham believed God and it was accounted to him as righteous. He trusted God implicitly. For us (5:1-2), what is the relationship between faith and justification? Believing something and thus declaring it to be so. In your own words, just what does it mean to be justified? I am guilty before God and a punishment for that has been metered out. (death) YESHUA my Saviour and Redeemer has taken that punishment on Himself and I have been declared free. I have been justified (made righteous) by believing that Christ has done just that (paid for my evil). Thank You my YESHUA, my REDEEMER, my JUSTIFIER, my SAVIOR

1. If we take this account seriously, what does it seem to teach us about demons? (Realize that our view of demons may be more influenced by sermons we have heard or movies we have seen than by the text of Scripture. Let's stick to the text here in Luke 8.) Demons need to be in some kind of being to operate. They can be one or many together. They take possession of whatever live thing they indwell and make it do terrible terrorizing things. Harm itself. In this passage we find that the man was held down by chains and that did not help. He broke them. He was wild and terrorized the district. The man was naked. He had lost all sense of dignity. The demons made him be what he was not meant to be. The demons recognized and knew who Jesus was. The demons are terrified of the abyss. 2. Why do we feel we need to apologize helping just one person like Jesus did on this occasion? We seem to think when much effort is made to have an outreach it is good to be rewarded with many converts. But ..... SEED ... has been sown. We do not know the actual result. Only God knows the real result. Many times a mass response is only like that because one follows the next one. It is not a genuine response. One genuine response is actually better than many responses but none being genuine. 3. What do we learn from the account about the pigs that we wouldn't have known if they hadn't been mentioned? We learn that demonic activity can also be among animals. It does not necessarily have to be among humans only. 4. Why did the healed man want to go with Jesus? Why didn't Jesus let him? He felt comfortable, loved and accepted by Jesus. Jesus had healed and saved him from something horrible, in fact a life of demon possession. Jesus knew that he needed to be accepted by his own people, who had in the past tried to control him, but had failed. Everyone knew about him and his testimony was first hand now. All could see that he was now normal. The townspeople also needed to accept him and help him adapt to his new life. 5. Where did they find clothes to clothe the healed man, do you think? Why does the story mention the man's nakedness? The clothes could have very likely been his own clothes that had previously been discarded and were lying in one of the tombs. It is suggested in the reading that Jesus gave him clothes and possibly those with Him. We are left to guess. 6. How does Jesus react to the rejection of the townspeople of the Garasenes? He accepts it and leaves. He realizes they are un shock and totally paralyzed by fear. There is no cursing the people because of it but total acceptance that it was like that. Then, so awesome, He leaves the healed man to tell of what was done for him.

1. What was the most important lesson that you think Jesus intended his disciples to learn from this? That He indeed was the Messiah and fully man at this stage. His exhaustion made that He was sleeping through the raging storm. While He was in the boat it would not sink. He controls the elements too. 2. What is the second most important lesson that they were to learn? To trust Him explicitly, through calm and raging storm. 3. What does it take to banish the fear that we sometimes feel? Prayer. Talking with God. Being honest with Him. Then worship Him. 4. How much of the substance of our faith is self-talk and convincing ourselves that something is true? How do we gain the kind of solid faith that doesn't consist in self-convincing? Reading the Word. Sharing with others. Learning of and listening to experiences of others. Prayer

1. What or whom does the lighted lamp represent in 8:16? A disciple? Jesus? The Message? Tell why you identify it in the way you do. From the context of the passage (verses 4-21) , (although part seems to be spoken outside and part inside) the lighted lamp is the Word which has been opened up. It is no longer not to be understood but is open for all to see and hear about and understand. Ps 119v105 aptly puts it ... Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Both a LAMP and a LIGHT 2. Why must the lamp be placed on a lampstand rather than hidden? What does this mean in the twenty-first century? If it is hidden it is not good for all, whereas if it is placed on a lampstand it is good for all who are prepared to use its 'goodness', its 'help', its 'guidance' etc. So the Gospel is available as the Lamp and Light for all. Up to the individual to use it. 3. In view of 8:18, is there any hope for people who think they are Christians, but don't really "get it"? Answer by previous person is very well put. 4. Why would Jesus speak so disrespectfully of his family as he seems to in 8:21? I think if you read that verse properly his family is included in His answer. If they were not following Him then it was a wake up call to search their lives and become part of His spiritual family also. 5. If you must state a single theme of Luke 8:1-21, what would it be? Be hearers and doers of the Word.

He is just a great inspiration to me. The fact that he left the familiar for the great unknown. His immediate obedience, even when it wrenched his heart. Leaving behind his father and whatever was familiar, circumcising the men in his camp, letting go of Ishmael, getting ready to sacrifice Isaac. Family loyalty. Even though Lot had been the one to leave his camp and protection, when he was in trouble. He helped. After his mistakes, not grovelling in the fact but still believing and trusting God would do the impossible. Obedience, loyalty, faith

It was good to be reminded once again that Abraham, this man I look up to, was human. In his humaness we find faith, success, obedience, even failure is not overlooked. In it all God could use him. My God is still the same. Even as Abraham believed,... Oh my God, help me believe...... The study was great. Thank you.

5. Even good soil can have factors that hinder growth in various parts of the field, or make some areas grow taller and fuller wheat. What factors make a disciple especially good soil for the growth of the word? When the Word that is heard is held onto (retained). When the person clings to the Word, when he perseveres in the Word, he is strengthened and surrounded by it. Then the cares, worries and riches of the world cannot penetrate and consume or choke him.

Why do you think Jesus told the Parable of the Soils? Many people came to listen to Jesus. Basically you could place these hearers in four categories. From early on Jesus makes us aware to sow the seed. If it will grow to bear fruit depends on the 'soil' of the listener. The seed remains the same. The hearers are different.

4. Here's a controversial, but important question: Can verse 14 describe true believers? That is not easily answered. Who are we to judge. There is fruit, but it doesn't come to maturity and perfection. I too am sometimes overwhelmed by cares and worries of certain things. It does feel like i am being choked by these circumstances. It is by God's grace alone that I keep on. Ultimately it is He Who decides Who are true believers. I love Him with my whole being. He knows my heart.

3. Which of the thorns that Jesus mentions in verse 14 do you think is the most dangerous? Worries, riches, or pleasure? Why do you think so? Verse 7 and 14 speak about the seed that fell among thorns. Identifying these to be worries, riches or pleasures of this world. I personally think those three elements are very much entertwined. If you are beguiled by pleasures, the worry comes hand in hand, how do you pay for that (riches). This then keeps one so occupied that the (Good News) seed that was sown soon gets no chance to develop(by reading the Word and prayer). Instead it gets choked.

I think the servant prayed right and had learnt well from his master Abraham. The prayer was a continuation of Abraham's prayer. I don't think it was a hasty prayer but an example of "praying without ceasing". The servants task was to find a wife for his master's son. He obviously wanted the right one. The most obvious way to ensure that the right one be chosen is conferring with the One Who was leading Abraham viz., GOD. God had answered the prayer before it was spoken.

2. Why, according to verse 13, do some people demonstrate "flash-in-the-pan Christianity"? What is the problem with them? In verse 5 and verse 13 we are made aware of soil that is above a slab of rock through which roots cannot penetrate. There is no crack through which the root can wend its way. The soil might be a few mm or inches deep, which means the seed would grow a bit, but would then wither and die, because there was no further fertility or water in the soil. This would be eager followers of the Word but because the roots could not get firmly inbedded in the soil they would soon stop their eagerness and forget what was so relevant and important and would leave the seed to die and not bring about a complete change.

1. How is the devil active when seed is sown, according to Jesus? What is the devil trying to prevent, according to verse 12? When seed is sown, i. e. when the Word of God is spoken, be it to one person, or to a crowd of people, that Word falls somewhere. In verse 5 and verse 12 we are made aware of one set of hearers, viz., those where the seed is snatched away immediately. The devil, in this instance, represented by birds, pecks at that seed immediately. It scarcely has time to lie on the hard trodden ground, before it is snatched away. We are made aware that the devil scarcely allows the seed to fall down. It is like an immediate removal of it. The hearer has no chance to ponder on the Word so as to later maybe reflect on it. It is gone. We also have the picture of the seed being trampled under foot. So not only does it get snatched away but also be made to be nothing. Here the picture seems to show the Word to be spoken of but excuses made to try and prove it to be not worth to be taken in.

The land had been promised to Abraham as an eventual inheritance to his posterity. If Abraham accepted the property as a gift, upon his death it would go back to the title holder. Upon purchasing the land, that was the first step towards acquiring the land promised to him. So he bought it with the full understanding or acceptance in his mind that more land was to follow. That was faith. He was 'seeing' the future.

I too feel at times i have to be careful not to be judgemental. She is a woman with a 'colorful' character. To have followed Abram into the great unknown after an apparent life of ease (with one sore point, being barren) took great faith. She did not have a 'small' household to run or only a few people to care for (easy to think, it was not her duty, but I am sure she heard many of their woes and plights and had to deal with them in some way) . Just think of the able-bodied men Abram could gather together, to follow him in getting his nephew, Lot, out of trouble. I am sure Sarah needed to be strong for those that stayed behind. Her big sore was that she could not produce an heir for Abram. She basically followed his decision blindly when the thought came up that he could be in danger because of her. She kept up the stance that he was her half-brother without including the truth or the fact that he was also her husband. She trusted Abraham that that was the right thing to do. Then humanly speaking the big impatience reared its ugly head and she suggested that Hagar bear a child in her stead. This of coarse back-fired as Hagar was a much stronger personality than given credit for at first. This showed lack of faith in God and taking things into her own hands. She did not show faith in God's timing, to bear the promised son. Then she was not truthful when confronted about her laughing at the thought of bearing a child at 90. She proved to be caring and protective over Isaac, God's promise. I do feel in some way she was impatient and then did not think straight. I am sure she too loved Ishmael, but was overcome with fear and jealously as what he and his mother could do to Isaac. Then blinded by that she had one thing in mind and that was to get rid of them both as quickly as possible. Possibly strong-willed to a certain extent. Certainly in many ways a woman to look up to. (What would i have done, standing in her shoes. Having a man like Abraham, as my husband. WOW)

Total obedience is what is reflected with Abraham taking Isaac and whatever was needed, along to Mt Moriah. It is like Abraham was prepared to give his all (if it can be put like this, his future lay in Isaac). And through his SEED mankind would be blessed .... yet he was prepared to give. God did give His All, His only Son, Who not only came BUT willingly GAVE HIS LIFE for mankind. God indeed GAVE so that ALL mankind could be SAVED. Thank You yet again my God for this giving and thank you YESHUA that You came.

Why do you think Jesus called out, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear?" What was he getting at? There were many people in that crowd. Some just to be part of the excitement and to be able to say that they heard Him speak. All of them had ears, though. Not all had ears to hear and it was to those in the category that had the hearing ears that Jesus was speaking to. Jesus was pointing out that there were different types of hearers. How could people listen to Jesus, but not really understand what he was saying? The people that had determined in their hearts that Jesus was a fraud, did not listen or hear with understanding. They hardened their hearts to anything that Jesus said. The more they heard Him the less they actually took in. In what way does Jesus' teaching harden people's hearts? When people do not want to hear or accept the truth (even though they feel convicted), they block out what is convicting them. Then whenever that same or similar talk, i. e. Jesus' teaching, comes up they just refuse to listen, thereby hardening their hearts. Is there any way that we can assist those with hardened hearts? If so, what can we do? I guess we can only live by example. Talking will be futile. Praying and praying and pleading to God for their souls to be saved, for hearts of stone to be replaced with hearts of flesh. Don't give up!!!!!

1.According to Luke 8:1, what was the content of Jesus' message? He brought the Good News to all and sundry about the good news of the Kingdom of God. 2. Why didn't he skip the smallest villages? It was important to Jesus that everyone had an equal opportunity to accept His Words, to learn of/from Him. To Jesus there was/still is no difference between people, be it rich or poor, able or not able ... all were alike in His eyes, all needed to be told. 3. What do you think Jesus' critics said about the women who traveled with Jesus' band continually? Why do you think Jesus allowed it? Do you think he encouraged it? Why? Women or no women, critics will find something to complain about. Jesus does not turn anyone away from following Him. Jesus knows if we are fake or not. He does not even put out a smouldering wick, or flickering candle, as it were. He will encourage until the person again is fully enthusiastic and 'burning bright'. By giving these women were blessed over and over. Jesus definately did not want to rob them of a blessing. 4. Why did the women respond as they did to healing? Imagine being bound. Suddenly set free and having the opportunity to follow the One responsible for the healing. What a privilege!!

He has provided again and again. Not only has He met needs financially, but has helped physically, mentally/psychologically, spiritually ... time and time again. I cannot claim that it is anything I do or don't do. I do know that reading His Word and hearing His Word and sharing His Word is a tremendous boost ... nevermind my state of being. My son is without a job and not in a good place spiritually, actually all-round .... I know and need to be reminded as i too go up Mt Moriah and sacrifice this wole siruation to God, that HE IS MY PROVIDER, MY JEHOVAH JIREH.

Can we really know God until we can trust him with our whole lives? Have you surrendered your life to Jesus Christ? If not, why not now? If you have, what has that surrender entailed for you? How has God blessed you in return? Yes, I do trust God with my all. Without Him there is no hope, no use to go on .... there is nothing to live for ... I yielded my mind, will, emotions I give Him control ... my blessing ultimately will be ... ETERNAL LIFE WITH HIM IN GLORY There are times (i dread them, but they come) when i take back (steal) what previously had been surrendered. What misery until I return it to where it belongs .... at the feet of Jesus.

How would you describe the expression on Simon the Pharisee's face when he saw the woman touching Jesus' feet? He was probably horrified. It all happened in his home, where he was responsible for the safety of the one who entered by invitation. It could also be that her actions made him feel guilty. He had not arranged for the Rabbi's feet to be washed. Then too he looked at this whole scenario, in anticipation, wondering if Jesus would recognize who it was that was touching him. What was the sinful woman's motive for coming to see Jesus? She came with a heart full of affection (love) and gratitude because of what Jesus had done for her, with the express purpose of anointing Him. She stood at his feet, washed them with her tears. Dried them with her hair. Anointed them with the sweet smelling ointment. Why did Jesus let her continue, since by all appearances what she was doing was scandalous? He did not see it as scandalous. He saw it as pure love and gratitude for she had been set free from a sinful situation. Jesus saw the motive of the heart. He looks much deeper than what man does. Is your love for the Lord more like the sinful woman's or Simon's? Why? I'd like to believe it was more like her love. I too have been forgiven much and have been saved from a life of "sin and death". I am exceedingly grateful to the Lord for setting me free.

What effect does Satan want trials to have in our life? He wants them to cause us to loose faith, to be a failure in our walk with Christ. To give up. What effect does God want them to have? God wants them to draw us closer to Him. He wants us to trust Him implicitly. To obey without questioning Him. (Knowing Romans 8:28 and Isaiah 55 : 8 & 9 is consoling) The effect really depends upon how we respond to the trial. Have you ever been through a trial that strengthens and invigorates you at the end? Yes Have any of your trials inspired others or have you been inspired by another's trial? Yes. When you have walked or are walking a similar walk that others are walking, you can encourage from experience or are encouraged by others knowing they truly stand by your side and help to hold you up.

Why were people so critical of John and Jesus -- and for opposite reasons? John and Jesus were alike and yet so different in their approach. Both touched people deeply. Those that were prepared for the change and accepted their msg, accepted both of them but those that were touched and refused change of heart they saw everything that both Jesus and John said and did, to be wrong and were then very critical about them. What are we learn from this? Don't listen to gossip. Know that if your lifestyle is different you can expect people to take offense, and will very likely experience rejection.

God is eternal / everlasting. I bow in awe before this amazing One who loves me. Before me is the thought He cares and so I try to live to please Him. I can only cry out to Him for forgiveness and continued help in my failing.

In what ways has God blessed Abraham in this difficult chapter 21? The son of promise was born to Sarah. Inspite of her age, just as had been confirmed by God, Isaac was born. Given what we know about Ishmael's character (16:12; 25:18), how has Abraham been blessed that he sent him away? Ishmael was not easy to get along with. He seems to have had a very strong will and been wild. In the latter verse it sounds like he dwelt on the outskirts of settlements. Much strife inside the encampment was prevented. How has Isaac been blessed? There was no doubt that he was the leader of his people once Abraham died. He was the one by whom the promise would continue. What might have happened if Ishmael hadn't been sent away? The influence of Ishmael could have been potent on Isaac. Being so strong-willed, he could have easily overridden Isaac's more docile character. Have you ever been rejected or sent away? Yes. But not by my parents. They were the BEST a child could have wished for. Where is God in all of this? God sees the fuller, complete picture. He has given man the right to choose. This is what brings about the mess and the heartache. Yet, in it all He has promised to never leave us, nor forsake us.