Irmela

Abram is acknowledging Melchizedek as the priest of God Most High, who is the same as Yahweh. Also Abram is acknowledging that his victory was directly due to God. So as worshiping God, he gave to God first before distributing the spoil to anyone or in anyway. It should be acknowledging Him in thanksgiving. It all is God's anyway. By giving to Him first we are acknowledging this in worship.

Abram is not selfish and does not hold a grudge against Lot. He did not put his own safety first but was prepared to stake all and rescue Lot. The fact that he could approach his neighbours, (Mamre, Eshcol and Aner) for help, meant that he was on a good footing with them. The fact that he did have 318 men of his own shows he was a man of means, and these people were ready to follow him into "battle". So in this way we can see Abram was prepared and did not just live a slap-dash kind of existance. Then even in the way he led tbem to the rescue. The attack was well worked out. Good strategy is reflected. Not o ly does he get back what was taken, but he makes sure the 'enemy' is chased well away. Live in peace with your neighbours and do not bear a grudge. Be trusrworthy and kind.

Does Jesus speak against fasting in this passage? What does he teach about fasting, if anything, in this passage? No, He does not teach against fasting. JESUS is saying that there are times to fast. Definately not while the Bridegroom hosts the wedding celebration in other words His disciples will not fast while He is ushering in the Kingdom of God.

Does Abraham's material wealth reflect God's blessing on him? In a way I guess it does. What he had, multiplied. He had "money" and could acquire more animals and servants. I guess he bartered with his goods in the places where he lived and so increased. I do feel God blessed what he had and multiplied it. Does material wealth always reflect God's blessing? No , not necessarily. Paul was blessed and he said that there were times he had plenty, and there were times when he knew want. Jesus was blessed, yet He said of Himself that He had nowhere to put His head. Does physical poverty always reflect God's curse? No. It does not always reflect God's curse.

(12:2-3) What relationship does God's promise to Abraham in 12:2-3 have to do with the incident of Sarah's abduction in 20:10-20?God promised Abram offspring. At the time of Sarah's abduction, this had not yet occured. God stopped Abimelech from interfering unknowingly with this promise. Fortunately Abimelech listened and restored Sarah to Abraham. His actions were actually because of a half-truth, viz. that Sarah was Abraham's sister. They did not reveal that she was also his wife. God kept His side of the promise. If we are faithless He will remain faithful.

What do you think about Abraham's and Sarah's ethics and faith? I think they acted in the way, which they thought was right. They had a whole group of people under their protection. Even in what they did they could have been trusting and believing that God would protect them. Are they ethically and morally wrong? Maybe not in their eyes. They sure did what they felt was best. Does the Scripture intend to show that their actions as a lack of faith? I think it shows that God is in control, no matter what decisions we make. What lessons should we disciples learn from these stories? To trust God and not make decisions without Him.

(20:3-6) What does this story teach us about God's view of adultery? God takes it very seriously. In fact it was punishable by death. Can God forgive a person who has committed adultery? Yes, He sure does.

Why did Pharaoh and his household get sick? Pharaoh had taken Sarai into his harem with the objective of marrying her. Now Sarai was not just already a man's wife, she was Abram's wife and God had made a promise that He would bless those who bless Abram and 'afflict' those who 'afflict' him. So Pharaoh and his household were being afflicted. What effect did this have? It obviously made Pharaoh think about his actions and stopped him short of taking Sarai as his wife. He must have recognized God as a sureme Being/Power under whose protection Abram was moving. What was God seeking to accomplish through this affliction? He was seeking to stop Pharaoh from doing something that was not right. Did it have the desired effect? Yes

Who in our society would correspond to the rich outcasts like tax collectors were in Jesus' day? The politicians and often people in 'uniform'. Those who seem to have the authority and power. So often they seem corrupt. It is difficult to know who of them one can trust. One tries to shy away from them as much as possible. When one has to rely on them for help one hopes to have gotten an uncorrupted one. Why do we Christians feel so uncomfortable around blatant sinners? Why did Jesus succeed in making himself so at home in their presence? I guess it is so easy that in oneself one feels, 'There but for the grace of God, go I' and also it is easily taken that our lifestyle then corresponds to theirs or one approves of their lifestyle. From them again one feels you give a small finger and before long they grab the whole hand and before long you are just as corrupt as they are. .... Jesus went to them. He met them on their turf and once they seemed comfortable with Him they also sought Him out elsewhere. eg. Zaccaeus. He hid in a tree and Jesus invited him out in the open and then went to his home. Matthew ... Jesus called him at his tax-collecting booth. He then invited friends and Jesus to his home. Have you ever had a time when you felt like an outcast? I always do. Maybe I need to change that to I often do. What did it feel like to you, when Jesus' voice broke through all the static and let you know that He had chosen you and really wanted you? Absolutely amazing. To feel His love just permeate my whole being. It was just indescribably amazing. Please share your experience with the others in your group. To know that He, the King of Glory, has forgiven all, is just awesome. To Him I can come but man who is so inferior to Him who can make me feel so insecure and afraid to approach them lest I do or say something that is disapproved of in their eyes. Lest I am misunderstood. It's weird. I do try to be bold and stand and go anyway but it is not easy. So I am mostly invisible in my being visible. In light of the lessons of this passage, what kinds of people around us should we be reaching out to? The outcasts and sin-sick souls. Those that are bound by sin.

As aliens they had no native civil rights. Abram and his family faced dangers around them, evil people groups waiting to take advantage of them. Wherever possible he sought to find favour with the king/leader of the surrounding area. His safety depended on the whim of the local king or warlord.

The people all around Abram were calling on pagan gods. Abram called upon Yahweh. To call on the name of the Lord means that I make my requests know to Him. I rely on Him to answer my cry.

3. Which of the phrases is easier to say, "Your sins are forgiven!" OR "Get up, take your mat and go home!"? What point did Jesus want us to draw from this incident? It is easier to say "Your sins are forgiven! " because that is the invisible part. But also that is the part which would start the talking ... Only God can forgive sins. ... He, Jesus is in fact God. He had the authority and Power to forgive sins and to heal. When He told the man to get up and the man did so, this point was driven home to those who wanted to "see" and "hear".

2. What is the connection between sin and sickness in this passage? It seems like the sickness/paralysis was because of sin, for that is the first issue Jesus addresses. If the sin is forgiven, the healing can take place.

1. Why do you think Jesus spoke the extremely controversial words, "Your sins are forgiven"? He could have been less offensive to the guests. Why do you think He chose not to be? Many times sickness was associated with sin. Here Jesus deals with the issue immediately. Also, only God can forgive sin. These words would inadvertantly prove to or show the people present who Jesus actually was. They would also spark off some talk. Teaching was done by discussing the topic. This would thus be an ideal opportunity for that. Jesus noticed that these friends had faith and no ways were they goi g to skip the opportunity. The forgivi g of sin was the 'invisible' part. Jesus refers to Himself as the "Son of Man" and He has the authority and right to forgive sins.

God does not necessary give us the complete picture when He calls us to do something. Stepping out in faith and doing it in obedience is what is required. Yes I have had to do things without knowing the outcome before. And am in the midst of it all again. God knows and is with me on this walk (thank goodness)

Correction. I am adopted into Abraham's race.

In what ways was Abram blessed? He became the "Father of a Great Nation" ...... the Jewish nation ... through Isaac who was born in his old age. He is also the father of the Arab nation ... through his son Ishmael .... the son he had with Hagar. He also had six children with Keturah after Sarah died. Abram became rich in "cattle". He had big herds, so much so that his and Lot's herdsmen faught over the grazing grounds. His name is great and famous among the nations. A blessing is promised to all who bless him. How have all the peoples of the earth been blessed? He is a blessing to all the earth as it is through his ancestral line that the Messiah was born. In what ways does Abram continue to bless people through your life? Because i accepted Christ as Saviour, whatever i do or say to bless others is indirectly still Abram blessing people through my life. (I am adopted into Adam's race)

5.A few weeks ago we studied Luke 4:42 about Jesus going to a solitary place. Since then have you made progress toward establishing a Quiet Time of your own? If not, what steps are you making to establish this Jesus-trait in your life? I do have my alone time with Him, first thing in the morning. I find it very hard to have this time during the day in my present situation. By night time my concentration is not much use anymore. I am aware though throughout the day of being in touch with Him. I dread to think to go through the day alone.

4. "I will, Be clean" is pretty strong. Can you think of any place where Jesus indicates that He isn't willing to heal those who are sick? Matthew 15: 21-28 relates the story of the Syro-Phoneacian (Canaanite) woman whose daughter was possessed by a demon. Initially it seemed like Jesus was ignoring her request completely. As she persisted in her request, He finally gave recognition of that as faith and her daughter was healed. There is the part where Paul speaks of a "thorn in the flesh". He says 3 times he asked for it to be removed. Maybe it was not a sickness but it was a prayer request not being answered as desired. 2Corinthians 12:6-10.

3.What is the difference between believing God can do something for us and believing that He wants to do it for us? Would you call the difference faith? Or knowledge? Or both? It is in His power to do whatever. But!!!!! He knows what is best for us. So there are times when the answer for healing or removing a malady is 'No' or 'Not now'. Sometimes we need to be reminded who is actually in control. Maybe it is not a healing but a deep friendship or a job that is the issue. God knows what is the BEST answer for us in every situation. So there we see He can do it for us but if it is not for our best He will not want to do it for us. So prayer is still answered but not in our way.

1. Who in our society are treated like lepers were treated in Jesus' day? Anyone or any group that is different to the 'norm'. Could be the very poor, those acting different, the cancer-ridden, or where there is an obvious ailment or difference - very fat people or very skinny people - sometimes a person with the onset of Alzheimers or Dementia - it could be different races, drug addicts, or parens/families of drug addicts, prisoners, or those released from serving a prison sentence, the illiterate or not so clever kids, those from single parent homes, orphans, etc. It varies from society to society. Who sometimes feels like a leper in the presence of Jesus? When our eyes are opened to see the person one really is, sin-ridden and so in need of help to get out of that miry-clay situation, be it in sexual sin, bound by drugs or just realizing our need for Salvation. Jesus' cleansing and forgiveness changes it. 2. Describe the kind of faith it takes to act and speak as this leper did? What level of belief was required of him? This person was loathed by society, he was disfigured and covered with sores. It was highly probable that he would be thrown with sand or stones. He firmly believed that Jesus was able to heal him. He approached Him to ask if He was indeed willing to. The man was also very boldin that he knelt inches away from Jesus, not the customary 4-cubit rule of distancing. The leper risked everything because he believed without a shadow of a doubt, that Jesus coul heal him. This was actually serving as an example of "Anything that is asked in His will, believing, we will receive". Aligning his desire to God's will.

4.Does Jesus require all His disciples to leave everything? If not, why not? If so, in what sense? It is rather difficult to put into plain words, without offending anyone. I do believe He does in the sense that it is all surrendered to Him. You might still work at the same place, draw a salary etc same as before, only now it is under "new management" and your time too is no longer yours but Christ's. Your whole outlook on life becomes different. You become a steward of what God has given you to do with as He directs you. By "leaving everything", i feel is meant, not making an idol of it. Working there where God has placed you and doing your best for His Glory.

3. How does Jesus respond to Peter's plea for Him to leave, due to Peter's sinfulness? Jesus responds by putting him at ease with the words, "Have no fear;"... Why doesn't Jesus address Peter's sinfulness at this point? Peter had already acknowledged it. Jesus does not want us to wallow in it. He forgives and gets us out of it. What does Jesus talk about instead? Jesus talks about the task He has assigned to him instead. "... from now on you will be catching men!"

2. Why do you think Jesus asks Peter to do the impossible task of catching fish during the day, after he's tried all night and failed? I guess Peter and the crew were exhausted after having worked in their own strength and been completely unsuccessful. Then Jesus sends them to the same place at a seemingly wrong time to perform the same task again. This time it was in obedience to Jesus's instruction. Testing Peter to trust him even in the situation that was familiar ground to Peter. This experience proved to Peter that with Him all things are possible. He could hold onto this experience later in his life and be reminded.

1. What things does Jesus ask Peter to do and in what order? I guess the first request was to get into the boat. Jesus then requested Peter to draw away a little from the shore. He then told Peter to put out into the deep water and to lower the nets (he also added the reason) for a haul. Finally after the miracle ... Have no fear, from now on you will catch men. Why the progression do you think? He started off with the familiar setting and then used the familiar ordinary everyday task and told Peter to do the ridiculous (according to human perspective) viz. to lower the nets for a haul, in broad daylight and on top of it all, when they had unsuccessfully toiled throughout the night and had caught nothing. This proved to be a miraculously successful task. How absolutely exciting. I guess He wanted absolute obedience without questioning. Even if the task seemed ridiculous. Being ready to prove what man thought impossible to do what with God is possible.