Summertime7

Q4. What does the call to the Great Banquet sound like when we extend the invitation to those around us? The sound is all about how we present the gospel to those not in the Kingdom. People can always tell when someone is sincerely enthusiastic about what they believe in. I think more important than what we say is how we live our lives before them. We have to be yielded to the guidance and instruction of the Holy Spirit, and it with His power and anointing that we can present the sound of the Kingdom effectively. In what sense are we the servants told to "compel them to come in"? We are encouraged and even commanded to share the good news with those that are still in darkness. In fact it is our obligation/duty/responsibility to do so, because the Father is not willing that any should perish. In what sense are we those who have been called to the feast in the Kingdom of God? We are those who have been called to feast in the Kingdom of God in the sense that we once was blind, lame, and maimed, but Thank God for His mercy and grace

Q3. (Luke 9:57-61) Why was Jesus so harsh with those who made excuses when called to follow him? Jesus was harsh, I can imagine for several reasons: 1) Excuses were/are another way of rejecting Jesus' invitation 2) He used harsh examples to express the seriousness and urgency of the invitation 3) Timing was very significant, it was important to accept the invitation because it was or is possible you may not get a second chance. Why is the call so urgent? The call is urgent, because again time and the invitation to come to the Master will not always be available. Why do our excuses seem so trivial when offered to Jesus? Our excuses are nothing or meaningless in comparison to what Christ has done for us/the entire world.

Q2. (Luke 14:15-24) In what way is the Parable of the Great Banquet about grace? It's about grace, because there are is a group of people being invited to this very exclusive dinner, and yet by the standards of the Master they wouldn't normally qualify or meet His standards to be invited into the Masters home, much less to a banquet. In what way is it about judgment? Judgment is based upon the responses/rejection of those originally invited as guests. Because of their excuses/rejection of the Masters invitation, they will not be allowed to come in the Masters Kingdom, not because He doesn't want them there, but because of their own decision/choice. In what way is it about evangelism? Because the original guests have rejected the invitation, the gates of the Kingdom are now open to everyone. Those who are blind, lame, maimed, and poor. Although, these are physical characteristics, I believe they are symbolic spiritually. We were blind and couldn't see the truth, and the Father has now opened our eyes that we may see. To what End Time event does the great banquet point?? I believe this banquet points to Jesus' return, many are/have been called but few accept the invitation.

Q1. (Luke 14:15-24) In the Parable of the Great Banquet, who do the original guests represent? The original guests were the elitist for that time/era, they were considered to be as the host, wealthy prominent figures Jewish leaders. Who do the later invited guests represent? The invitation extended to the last minute guests, represent the poor, lame, the blind, and maimed, which is symbolic of gentiles. Although, they were not originally invited they later became guests through rejection. What does it mean to "compel them to come in" (KJV)? He means convince, persuade, talk them into why they should come. Share with them the beauty and opportunity to sit at the Master's table. How might this sense of urgency apply today? As it was urgent to persuade the lame, blind, maimed to come back then, it is just as important and urgent to continue to invite them into the Master's Kingdom. The Master is always opening His doors for more to come in and sup with Him. There is no maximum amount for guests to arrive, in fact the Master sends the servant on several trips to convince the less fortunate to come, which is symbolic of what Holy Spirit does for His people, the church. We should always continue to provoke one another to love and good works, it never ceases - until the day of Jesus Christ.

Q4. How do you think Jesus will hold you personally accountable on Judgment Day for using your "talents"? Jesus will hold me accountable for the use of the talents He gave me, based upon my stewardship. I believe He is not necessarily looking to see if I completed the task, which of course is "VERY" important, but I believe more than anything, He is watching to see how I managed what He gave me, and did I take it seriously. Also did I watch over it, nuture it, care for it by developing it. I think when develop and show good stewardship, He is well pleased. This is apparent in the in this parable about the talents. More than anything, I believe He (the Master) was upset with the slave who had the one talent because the slave didn't even make an effort to develop the one talent that was given him. I believe our Heavenly Father is always more pleased with quality than quantity, while quantity is important, quality is even better. If you begin to be more faithful from now on, how do you think that may affect his accounting on that Day? I can only pray that my stewardship will continue to increase and grow for the remainder of the time on this earth. That said, it is my prayer, along with everyone else (I'm sure), that I will hear those wonderful words on the day of my personal judgement, "well done, they good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord." That's everyone ever talks about is hearing those resounding words. We all have to continue to work while it is day!!!!

Q3. When we are successful, to whom does the fruit of our labors belong? The fruit of our labors belong to our Heavenly Father for without Him we would not be equipped nor able to complete or do anything successful. In what sense are we independent entrepreneurs? We are entrepreneurs because we should be using the talents and gifts to increase and build upon what our Heavenly Father has already placed inside of us. In what sense are we stewards of the gifts and "talents" given us? We are stewards because we should be responsible caretakers of God's gifts bestowed upon us. How does the attitude of a self-made person differ from the attitude of a steward? A self made person would most likely have a more prideful attitude than a person who is a steward. The steward understands that he has been given temporary responsibility and must return what has been given to him - if possible in better shape than was loaned to him. The self-made has the attitude that is their hardword and labor that their riches were made and they don't have to return or share any of their successes with anyone, except whom they willfully choose to do so.

Q2. (Matthew 25:15, 21, 23) What are the factors that make up a person's "ability to carry out something"? Some of the factors that make up a person's ability to carry out something is knowledge, understanding, wisdom, diligence, discipline and definitely faithfulness. What percentage of this is raw talent, in your opinion? Can't put a number or percentage rate of someone's raw talent to accomplish a task. Some people are so gifted and talented that they can take on just about any task and make it their own....how much of that is talent - DON'T KNOW! Why are some who succeed not necessarily the most talented? Again some people are so disciplined and smart, that they know how to accomplish just about any task that is set before them What factors are keeping you from carrying out what God has entrusted you to do? I think the biggest factors for me is not really understanding what my true talents are, lack of resources, and though praying haven't really gotten any guidance from the Holy Spirit as to what direction to head in. With all this in mind, I believe it is best to continue to seek the face of God knowing that He is faithful to answer in His perfect timing.

Q1. (Matthew 25:14-30) What do you think the "talents" represent? The talents in this story represent the servants abilities to use their gifts and skills. If you were to take an inventory of your "talents," what would they be? Honestly, wouldn't even know how to take inventory of my talents as I don't know what talents I have. What spiritual gifts have you been given? I'am confident that the following spiritual gifts have been given to me: Prophecy, Teaching, Exhortation, Giving, Leading, and Showing mercy (compassion). What abilities do you have? I definitely have the ability to lead and minister encouragement to others as well as teach others. What Bible knowledge do you have? Not sure how to answer this question as your knowledge is only based upon what or how much time one has devoted itself to meditating and studying the word of God. I've been a Christian for many years and still don't believe there is always more to learn more room to grow. Where has God placed you in your community? In society? In your profession or industry? In what sense do these "belong" to God rather than to you? As a Christian, I've offered my love for serving my community by signing up to volunteer at a local hospital, I'am also a regular church attendee in terms of my role within society. As for profession or industry, I would love to be in an industry whereby I believe that I'am a making a meaningful contribution to society. All of our gifts belong to God, because He is the one that has bestowed them upon us.

Q4. (Luke 13:18-20) According to these parables in this lesson, in what ways is the Kingdom small? The Kingdom is small because very few by their own choice will enter in. Secondly, the stipulation to gain entrance would appear to be narrow to those on the outside, however the gain is so much greater than we could ever imagine in our own human intellect. In what ways does the Kingdom grow? The Kingdom of God grows, I believe first and foremost inside of us as individuals as we begin to feast and meditate upon the word. As the seed of the word inside of us is watered, then we can begin to share the word of God with others and nuture the seed as well....as a result, fruit will begin to grow and the Kindgom of God continues to grow like wild fire as it did in the book of Acts. In what ways is the Kingdom door narrow? The Kindgom is narrow because there is only one way to gain access, and that is through Jesus Christ of Nazareth, our Lord and Savior. In what way is the Kingdom banquet, on the one hand, large and diverse, and on the other, selective? The Kingdom banquet is open to all, which permits and allows diversity. However, there is a selection process of who qualifies to enter into the Kingdom banquet and who doesn't. For example, there are stipulations to gain entry, and the first is repentance. The second is accepting Christ as Lord and Savior.

Q3. (Luke 13:28-30) The great "feast in the kingdom of God" has guests from all over the world. Who are they? The guests from all over the world are literally just that, people from every nation, tribe and tongue, including Jews and Gentiles alike. Who will be the ones "thrown out" of the feast? The ones not allowed into the feast will be those who procrastinated and took their walk with Christ for granted, always putting off spending time with Him today for tomorrow. It will also be the ones who walked in hypocrisy during their time on earth. Why will they be excluded? They will be excluded because in essence they rejected Christ!

Q2. (Luke 13:24-27) Why do you think Jesus characterizes the entrance to the Kingdom here as

Q1. (Luke 13:19-21) What is the point of the Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven? How would this be encouraging to Jesus' disciples who had expected an instant Messianic Kingdom? Jesus is offering hope to the disciples to not give up, which is even applicable to our current day. Though it may appear that our prayer, fasting and study of the word seems insignificant, yet it will and shall bear much fruit. These scripture verses really, really encouraged me today. Though things may look one way today in essence they are nothing in comparison to what they will become in the future. As Saints of the Most High God, we are VICTORIOUS!!! How might it be encouraging to people experiencing smallness or poverty in their lives? Again these verses offer hope and definitely or should increase our faith - knowing that what we do for the Lord today is going to manifest in the natural. Also God is able to take the little and make it into something so great, awesome and powerful......that is very encouraging.

Q4. (Matthew 6:12, 14-15) How could praying the Lord's Prayer become a curse upon a person? Praying the Lord

Q3. (Matthew 18:34-35) Why does Jesus frighten us with his statement: "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you..."? My take away from these scripture verses is that Jesus really wanted us as believers to understand the importance and seriousness of forgiving one another

Q2. (Matthew 18:23-35) In the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant, what is the purpose of contrasting the huge debt with the small one? Contrasting the huge debt with the small one is synonymous with a debt we as human being could never pay ~ no matter how many good deeds we do. Also our debt to the Father is much greater than the debts we owe to one another. If we were to put ourselves in the parable, which debt would we owe? I would say there is no size to the debt that we would owe per say. To measure our sin debt would mean we could compare our sins against one another or even on a personal level, thus measuring or deciding our punishment, which in the end we don