Pearl

Q4. (14:21-24) Why does Abraham refuse to take the spoils of war that the King of Sodom offers him? What does this tell us about Abraham's character? What is the lesson here for us to learn? Because Abraham did not want to associate himself with an evil leader. This tells us that Abraham was a man who walked in integrity. We learn just as the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 15:33 "evil communications corrupt good manners."

(14:20) What is the significance of Abraham giving one tenth of the spoils of war to Melchizedek? Does tithing today represent the same kind of worship? Why should we tithe to God first (like Abraham did) before dividing up our paychecks to pay our bills? By giving one tenth of the spoils to Melchizedek, Abraham was honoring and worshipping God. Yes, tithing today represents the same kind of worship. We should tithe to God first because we should give Him off the top, not in what is left over.

Q2. (14:13-16) What does Abraham's military expedition to rescue Lot from the Mesopotamian kings tell us about his character? About his abilities? About the way he deals with neighbors? What is here for us to emulate? Abraham's ability to rescue Lot showed us that he was willing to stand up for his blood relative. Abraham had at his disposal trained men who were born in his household. Apparently these men received training for war ahead of time, therefore, they were prepared. Abraham also had allies. We should stand up for those we are connected with, by blood, or spiritually. It also emulates that we should watch who we become friends with.

(13:2) Does Abraham's material wealth reflect God's blessing on him? Does material wealth always reflect God's blessing? Does physical poverty always reflect God's curse? Yes, Abraham's material wealth does reflect God's blessing on him. No, material wealth does not always reflect God's blessings because God has told us Matt. 19:23"Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven." No physical poverty does not reflect God's curse because Paul experienced times of abundance as well as times of scarcity.

(Revelation 5:10) What's the significance of Christians "reigning on the earth"? Of being "priests"? Do you think we are to "reign" now or later (or both)? We shall reign on the earth because we have also overcome the world, not because of our own ability, but because of He who lives in us. We shall reign now and later.

Q4. (5:13-14) What does it tell us about the status of the Lamb that he is worshipped alongside "him who sits on the throne"? He is God's Son.

Q3. (Revelation 5:5) What has the Lamb done to "triumph" and so become worthy to take the scroll and open its seals? (Hint: See the "for" or "because" clause in 5:9 for the answer.) The lamb overcame the world in obedience to God. He was the sacrificial lamb who died for the sins of the world. Therfore, He is worthy. He purchased men for God.

Q2. (Revelation 5:6) Decode (that is, identify) each of the following symbols that relate to the Lamb: The lamb itself represents .... Standing after being slain indicates ... Horns represent .... Eyes represent ... The number seven carries the idea of ... To summarize, then, the Lamb has the qualities of being of .... Lamb=Jesus Christ Standing after being slain=Jesus resurrection from the dead Horns=might and strength Eyes=the lamb is all powerful and all knowing the number seven = completeness or perfection The Lamb who is Jesus Christ has been resurrected from the dead. He has might and strength. He sees fully and completely and He is all knowing.

Q1. (Revelation 5:5) Why is the Lamb called "the Lion of the tribe of Judah" and "the Root of David"? What do these titles signify about him? The Lion of the tribe of Judah refers to Jacob's ancient prophecy over his son Judah (Genesis 49:8-12) picturing Judah as "a lion's cub" and a crouching lion, " from whose tribe, the Jews believed, would come the Messiah. The titles signify that the Lion is the Lamb which side by side shows His might and meekness.

(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 told Abraham that He would make him a blessing. After Abimelech restored Sarah to Abraham, Abimelech gave Abraham sheep, oxen, and male and female servants. Abimelech also told Abraham that he could dwell in the land wherever it pleases him. He also gave Abraham Silver. Abraham then prayed for Abimelech and God healed Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants. Then they were able to bear children. Therefore God blessed Abraham and made him a blessing. Ambemelech was also cursed until he made things right with Abraham.

Q4. What do you think about Abraham's and Sarah's ethics and faith? Are they ethically and morally wrong? Does the Scripture intend to show that their actions as a lack of faith? What lessons should we disciples learn from these stories? I think that Abraham and Sarahs's faith in God was still at a baby stage. They had not yet learned how to trust God with their total lives. Who am I to judge? Scripture does not intend to show their action as a lack of faith, but it does show us that God is in charge of every situation and that God Himself is our Avenger.

Q3. (20:3-6) What does this story teach us about God's view of adultery? Can God forgive a person who has committed adultery? God views adultery as a very serious offence. Yes, God forgives a person who has committed adultery.

. (12:17-20) Why did Pharaoh and his household get sick? What effect did this have? What was God seeking to accomplish through this affliction? Did it have the desired effect? Pharaoh and his household got sick because Pharaoh had taken sarah as his wife. God wanted Pharoah to know that Sarah was Abraham's wife. Yes, the affliction did have a desired effect. Sarah was returned to Abraham, after Pharaoh confronted Abraham about his deceit in not telling Pharaoh that Sarah was his wife.

Q1. (12:10) What dangers faced Abraham and his family as aliens and sojourners in Egypt and elsewhere? Who might oppress them? What "aliens and sojourners" live in your community? Why did they come? How are they being oppressed or discriminated against by employers and others in the community? What can you and your church do to "love those who are aliens"? As sojourners, Abraham and his family were strangers in the land and had no legal rights. They were subjected to the rules and regulations by the people who were citizens or countryman of the land. My community has a mixture of people. This particular area has probably been well inhabited by myself and others within the past seven years. Most of us are from somewhere else. Therefore most of us are aliens finding our way in this area There are those in the area who were established in this area years ago and the effects of how they ran the area previously effected most of us. I can see that in a lot of work places in the area, minorities are given menial, or no jobs at all. The church that I was attending in this area included all kind of people and I think as Christians, we just had that love for one another which we all needed. Love would be the way to win over people and situations .Of course with prayer and a daily practice of living in the Word.

What was the significance of Abraham "calling on the name of Yahweh"? What does it mean for you to "call on the name of the Lord"? Abraham called on the name of Yahweh in a new place. He recognized his need, his loneliness, the need for guidance and direction. Calling on the Name of The Lord to me means calling on my Helper. The only one who will guarantee bringing me out of a situation in peace, perfect peace.

Q3. (12:1 with Hebrews 11:8-10) Why does it take special faith to begin to do something in obedience to God before we see how it will turn out? Have you had any of these "opportunities"? Are you in the midst of this adventure now? It takes special faith to begin to do something in obedience to God. I have had this type of faith. God had me to do a special task in a church. He had me to go to this church and he kept urging me to go, finally something I would call it a yoke came over my back and I knew the only way that I could get it off was to go to this church. After I got there, one day while at home, I was lying down in my bed and God told me that he wanted me to get some little children and put them in the Sunday School, (I did not know a thing about that church's Sunday School), but I told the Lord that I did not know how to do it and He showed me that years earlier I had worked with a lady who had put a Sunday School together by going to get children from the housing projects. I knew then what to do, I went to so many people who I knew with children and while I did this, I had so much joy. I had no idea that the children were not attending Sunday School in this church but any way the children's ministry is one of the biggest in that particular area now and that was about 19 years ago. I know that it was God, because had it been me it would have never worked. Praise God!

Q2. (12:2-3) In what ways was Abraham blessed. How have all the peoples of the earth been blessed? In what way does Abraham continue bless people through your life? Abraham was blessed because he was blessed to be a great nation. His name was made great. He received personal blessings from God. God blessed those who blessed Abraham and cursed those who cursed him. All people on earth are blessed through him because of his legacy of faith. Abraham continues to bless people because of the life of faith that he lead.

Q1. (11:32) Have you ever begun something in response to God's urging and then stopped? Did God want you to stop? Is it time now to renew your obedience and begin again? (Don't take this question lightly. Sometimes circumstances prevent us from doing what we once felt God wanted us to do. However, he is able to redirect you into his will for you now. Seek him diligently to learn his will.) I have neglected to fufill my calling because of pride and fear of man. Since I now have neither and I know for myself that God can take me through anything I won't neglect my responsiblities in the future.

Hi, my name is Pearl and I live in Florida. I have five adult children and several grands. I am certainly enjoying being a part of the Joyful Heart Bible Study groups. I am learning a lot from others and I can see myself growing. This Bible Study is God sent and is truly a blessing for me. The lessons are very informative and give me a better understanding of the lessons that I have previously read.

What is the significance to us of drinking Jesus' blood and eating his flesh (John 6:53-56). Let's not argue whether this is meant literally or figuratively. Whichever it is, what does that act signify for us? Why was this such a radical idea for Jesus' disciples? (John 6:60, 66) In what way should it be a radical idea for us? This is significant for us because we do have a covenant with Him and we have to be willing to do the same things that Jesus did. This was a radical idea for Jesus Disciples because the Jews did not drink blood. Some even walked away from Him because they could not handle this saying. It is a radical idea for us because we know that we can do the same things that Jesus did because we are partakers of this same cup.

Q5. In what way does each celebration of the Lord's Supper anticipate a future Passover meal? (Matthew 26:29; Luke 13:28-29; 14:15; 22:30; Revelation 19:9; 1 Corinthians 11:26) Jesus has promised us that He will partake of this with us in heaven along with the old Patriachs. This will be excititng, to see Jacob, Abraham, Sarah,David, all who held to God's promises. This is "REAL" and one day we will see it and partake.

Why is it so important to forgive those who have offended us before partaking of the Lord's Supper? In what sense are the Lord's Supper and unforgiveness incompatible? (Consider Matthew 26:28; 1 Corinthians 11:27; Matthew 6:14-15; 5:23-24; James 5:16.) It is important to forgive those who have offended us before partaking of the Lord's supper because we cannot be forgiven if we don't forgive and we should not partake of the supper unworthily.

Q3. Why should the words, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (Matthew 26:28) fill us with sorrow? Why should they fill us with joy? This should fill us with sorrow because of the death that Jesus died to pay for our sins. This blood covenant should fill us with joy also because we now have a savior who has died in our stead. He has paid the ultimate price for our sins.

Q2. Compare the annual Jewish Passover celebration meal in Jesus' day with the Christian's celebration of the Lord's Supper. Where are the similarities? Where are the differences? In Jesus day, the Passover celebration consisted of an actual meal whereas today we symbolicly partake of this meal with our bread and wine. The Passover was held annually in Jesus day. Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice. He is the perfect lamb, therefore, there is no more sacrifice to be made for our sins.

In what way did the lambs on the first Passover protect the families of God's people? (Exodus 12) What is the primary point of comparison between the first Passover lambs and what Christ did for us as our Passover Lamb? The lamb from the first passover protected the families of God's people from the same destruction that was brought upon the Egyptians. The first passover lamb eliminated destruction of God's people just as Jesus Christ, our Passover Lamb has eliminated destruction from our lives.