Raph

Q3. (2 Corinthians 3:4-6) What is the balance between the need for training in ministry (either in the local church or in schools) and personal submission to the Spirit of God? While it is clear that, what is more important is the person's personal submission to the Spirit of God, training in the ministry is also important as it helps those under training to be able to interpret scripture and to think critically, to ask the important questions. Such training in the local church under the mentoring of a wise pastor is also very important as it is here in the local church where character formation happens along with leadership development and experience with evangelism and growth. Are you able to "listen to the Spirit's voice" in your own life? Yes, I strive to "listen to the Spirit's voice" in my own life. Why would this ability be so important in being a competent minister? This ability is so important in being a competent minister as it makes the minister real, effective and able to produce fruits that will last.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 3:2-3) In what sense are we "living letters" ? We are living letters in the sense that, what the people see in us speaks more than something on paper. Thus, our christian life, deeds, can have greater influence to people and make them turn to Christ than just writting a letter to them asking to to turn to Christ or just preaching to them while our deeds are different from what we preach. In what way can people "read us" ? People can "read us" by seeing what we do;do we do what we preach? If not then we cannot win them; but if we do what we preach, we can win them. Why is it so important to be authentic, not phony, in our lives? It is so important to be authentic, not phony, in our lives in order to convince others, especially those who do not believe in Christ, how christian life is, thus the importance to turn to Christ. What happens when people "read" something in you that they admire and mention it to you? How might you respond appropriately? When people "read" something in me that they admire and mention it to me, I must feel proud and know that, as a "living letter", I have succeeded to convey the message to change people to turn to Christ. I must them continue to encourage them to do that what they admire in me, telling them that, what they admire is not my creation but that is how God wants all of us to be.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 2:14-16a) In what sense is knowing God fragrant to people who are open to God? Knowing God is fragrant to people who are open to God in the sense that, when a person spreads the gospel and acts according to that gospel, the people to whom the gospel is being spread will easily become converted and follow what the gospel provides. In what way is this fragrance repugnant to people who are closed to God? This fragrance is repugnant to people who are closed to God in a way that, such people do see the gospel as restricting on their earthly ungodly doings; such people are doomed to end in eternal hell. Have you suppressed your "fragrance" because some people are allergic to Christian perfume? If so, how can you regain the fragrance of Christ's gospel? I try with my level best not to suppress my 'fragrance" because some people are allergic to Christian perfume. I try to spread the perfume. However, knowing that, I am a human being and can fall; I always pray to the Lord to keep me steady and when I fall, to forgive me and give me courage to stand and be back on track.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 2:10-11) How does Satan take advantage of our unforgiveness? Satan takes advantage of our unforgiveness by making us his place for his evil things to flourish. What are the symptoms in our own heart of unforgiveness? The symptoms in our own heart of unforgiveness are anger, bitterness, resentment. According to Matthew 6:14-15, how does holding unforgiveness hurt our spiritual lives? We make ourself vunerable to Satan as he will use our unforgiveness to defeat us. What would you have to do to really let go of your resentment and give it to God? We should pray to God with open heart and real desire to forgive and let the resentment go.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 2:9) How does obedience to servant leaders help the church of Jesus Christ? Obedience to servant leaders helps the church of Jesus Christ by making the congregation to listen and follow what the leaders are teaching them. Thus, the church grows in number and also in following what Jesus wants us to do as the servant leaders are telling us. How does obedience to self-serving leaders hurt the church? Obedience to self-serving leaders hurts the church by giving the congregation wrong information, information not about God, but individuals. Self-serving leaders are there for their individual, personal gains and not for the spreading of the gospel. Are you obedient to those whom God has placed over you in the Lord? Why or why not? Yes, I am obedient to those whom God has placed over me in the Lord because this is the wish of the Lord that there should be leaders and the congregation has to obey them. What is the relationship between obedience and church unity? The relation between obedience and church unity is in that, when there are leaders who are accepted and obeyed the people under them will be together and fulfill what the leaders are telling them.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 1:24) What does it mean to “lord it over” someone? To "lord it over" someone means to control that person; to make that person do what you want, no matter what. What is the balance between (1) good, strong leadership, (2) micromanaging, and (3) a complete laissez-faire approach to leadership? To be a successful leader you should be firm but fair; thus a good and strong one. Such type of leadership may include micromanaging as micromanging alone will not lead to sucess as such a leader will concetrate on minor, simple issues and leave the important, challenging ones. it is however not good at all to be a laissez-faire leader as this will lead to being a "controlled leader"; leading to please surbodinates even if in a wrong way. What are the dangers of an authoritative leadership style? The dangers of an authoritative leadership style are that, sometimes can lead you in imposing issues upon those who you are leading and consequently they will not show support wholeheartedly and this can lead to failure in achieving your goals. What are the dangers of a weak leadership style? The dangers of a weak leadership style are that, the ones you are leading will control you and you will not be able to control them when they are going astray. This will lead to total failure in achieving your goals as a leader.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 1:21b-22) According to this verse, what does the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives signify? The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives signies that we are firmly founded in Christ and are annointed to do his service. How does the Spirit unite us with God? The Spirit unites us with God by being a marker to identify us as God's property. What is the promise of future blessing inherent in the Spirit’s presence? The promise of future blessing inherent in the Spirit's presence is eternal life.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 1:10-11) Why does Paul ask people to pray for him? I think the idea was to make people understand the problems he was encountering and together ask the Lord to resolve them. How do the prayers of others have an effect? They help to bring unity and comfort as I will know the people are with me; are sharing the tribulations I am encountering. What happened in your life that has helped you enter into a ministry of intercessory prayer? My understanding of the scripture has helpedd me to enter into a ministry of intercessory prayer.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 1:9-10) How does facing a harrowing crisis help us grow in the Lord? Facing a harrowing crisis helps us grow in the Lord by undstanding that, He will deliver us from every difficult situation. How has a crisis helped your spiritual life? By dwelling more in prayers and believing that God will deliver me from the crisis. And He does. What is the value of learning not to rely on ourselves? The value is understanding the mighty of the Lord. Experience indicates that, we cannot achieve anything if we rely on ourselfves and forgetting God. What does this do to our pride? This shows that, we should not rely on our pride as it might lead us astray from God. How does this improve our effectiveness as God’s servants? We will preach more on the Lord and convince others of His mighty.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 1:9-10) How does facing a harrowing crisis help us grow in the Lord? Facing a harrowing crisis helps us grow in the Lord by undstanding that, He will deliver us from every difficult situation. How has a crisis helped your spiritual life? By dwelling more in prayers and believing that God will deliver me from the crisis. And He does. What is the value of learning not to rely on ourselves? The value is understanding the mighty of the Lord. Experience indicates that, we cannot achieve anything if we rely on ourselfves and forgetting God. What does this do to our pride? This shows that, we should not rely on our pride as it might lead us astray from God. How does this improve our effectiveness as God’s servants? We will preach more on the Lord and convince others of His mighty.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 1:3-7) What kind of comfort do you receive from your faith in God? From my faith in God I receive comfort of all kinds without any exception. From your personal daily relationship with God? From my personal daily relationship with God I receive redeeming comfort from troubles. How might you share the blessing of this kind of comfort with a friend or relative who is currently suffering? I can share by telling them my experiences as to how God comforted me and also to tell them what the scripture says about comforting. “It is no secret what God can do! What he’s done for others, he can do for you....” What words of comfort can you bring to others? These are words of comfort: “It is no secret what God can do! What he’s done for others, he can do for you....” “6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.” (1:6-7)

Q4. What does the call to the Great Banquet sound like when we extend the invitation to those around us? When we extend the invitation to those around us, the call to the Great Banquet sounds urgent and serious that cannot be put for a later time; the decision to attend should be made now. In what sense are we the servants told to "compel them to come in"? We are servants told to "compel them to come in" in the sense that, as we are waiting for the Great Feast, we should preach evangelism; we should spread the good new to all people around us. 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 the feast in the Kingdom of God in the sense that, we have accepted His invitation; we have received the good news and acepted Jesus as our Saviour. We are only waiting to be called to sit around the table.

Q3. (Luke 9:57-61) Why was Jesus so harsh with those who made excuses when called to follow him? Jesus was jarsh with those who made excuses because they were neglecting his call to follow Him putting other responsibilities before following Him. Jesus is saying in the strongest possible terms that following him must come before every responsibility we have - even those which we hold sacred. Why is the call so urgent? The call to follow Him is urgent because there are so many people require to hear His word; thus the urgency to have servants to be sent to spread the good news about the Kingdom of God. Why do our excuses seem so trivial when offered to Jesus? Our excuses are trivial because they are self centred,they are centred on our personal needs and not on the needs of spreading the good news about the Kingdom of God.

Q2. (Luke 14:15-24) In what way is the Parable of the Great Banquet about grace? The Parable of the Great Banquet is about grace in that, the invitation is extended to all even those who are seen not to be deserving to be at that banquet. In what way is it about judgment? The Parable is about judgment in that, those who reject or neglect the invitation to the banquet, will never sit at the Lord's table in His Kingdom. In what way is it about evangelism? The Parable is about evangelism in that, as the master's servants were sent to call all to the great banquet, we are also, as servants of God, are sent to spread the good news whenever we go inviting people to accept Jesus, ask for the forgiveness of their sins and repent. To what End Time event does the great banquet point? The great banquet points to the time when the Lord will come to pick those who lived according to his word,, it is pointing on the Judgment Day.

Q1. (Luke 14:15-24) In the Parable of the Great Banquet, who do the original guests represent? The original guets represent the Pharisees and Jewish religious establishment. Who do the later invited guests represent? The later guests represent the common people, who were considered unclean by the Pharisees. These are jews and the gentiles. What does it mean to

Q4. How do you think Jesus will hold you personally accountable on Judgment Day for using your "talents"? I think he will test me to see how I used the "talents" he has given me. If you begin to be more faithful from now on, how do you think that may affect his accounting on that Day? This may positively his acounting on that day as we will be justified by our faith.

Q3. When we are successful, to whom does the fruit of our labors belong? The fruit of labour belongs to God who makes us to succeed. In what sense are we independent entrepreneurs? I think only in the sense that, in order to succeed, we have the choice on how we use the talents/gifts we are given by God. In what sense are we stewards of the gifts and "talents" given us? In the sense that, the gifts and talents which contribute to our success we receive them from God. How does the attitude of a self-made person differ from the attitude of a steward? Differs in that, the self-made person sees the fruit of his/her success as his/hers to enjoy and wants to take glory to him/herself; but the steward understands that everythong belongs to God and when there is success, glory should be given to God.

Q2. (Matthew 25:15, 21, 23) What are the factors that make up a person's "ability to carry out something"? 1.Raw talent 2.Drive 3.Faithfulness 4.Moral character 5.Willingness to focus time to the task What percentage of this is raw talent, in your opinion? I think 50%. Why are some who succeed not necessarily the most talented? Because success does not only depend on being talented; it also involves faithfulness, moral character, drive and willingenes to focus time on the task. What factors are keeping you from carrying out what God has entrusted you to do? Less drive; less courage.

Q1. (Matthew 25:14-30) What do you think the "talents" represent? The "talents" represent all the gifts, abilities, knowledge we have received from God. If you were to take an inventory of your "talents," what would they be? My "talents" are: my family, respect to others, good job, my cars,friends,education. What spiritual gifts have you been given? Love, knowledge of God,commitment. What abilities do you have? Singing, preaching, What Bible knowledge do you have? I have good bible knowledge to the extent that I can explain it to others. Where has God placed you in your community? I am one of the leaders in my communnity. In society? I am a members of various groups which render services in the Church and in the society. In your profession or industry? At my work place, I am a leader of a directorate relating to my proffesion. In what sense do these "belong" to God rather than to you? In the sense that, these are all gifts from God; I could not managed to have them on my own without the "authorisation" from God.

Q4. (Luke 13:18-20) According to these parables in this lesson, in what ways is the Kingdom small? The Kingdom is small as many people still do not want to repent and change; they are still involved in the earthly pleasure. In what ways does the Kingdom grow? The kingdom grows by hearing the call of Jesus and repenting. In what ways is the Kingdom door narrow? In the sense that, few will manage to enter; only thos who repent and change. In what way is the Kingdom banquet, on the one hand, large and diverse, and on the other, selective? All are invited to the banquet but only those who have repented and changed will be allowed to enter into the banquet house" the Kingdom".

Q3. (Luke 13:28-30) The great "feast in the kingdom of God" has guests from all over the world. Who are they? These are all the people. Who will be the ones "thrown out" of the feast? Sinners will be thrown out. Why will they be excluded? Because they did not repent and respod to the call of Jesus.

Q2. (Luke 13:24-27) Why do you think Jesus characterizes the entrance to the Kingdom here as "narrow"? I think Jesus characterises the entrance to the Kingdom as "narrow" to show that, only few people will enter the Kingdom of God. Why will many people "try to enter and will not be able to"? Many people will try to enter but will not be able to because of the "cost" involved in order to enter. Many people are not ready to trully repent and change; they are not ready to leave the earthly obedience and allegiance.. Why would people delay entering until it is too late? People would delay entering until it is too late because they do not listen to the word of the Lord; they are deeply concerned with eathly matters.

Q1. (Luke 13:19-21) What is the point of the Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven? The point of the two Parables is to show us that, the small beginnings we encounteer should not discourage us in seeking the Kingdom of God as by its influence we will come to great endings. Just because the Kingdom didn't seem very great as yet, Jesus is saying in these parables, doesn't mean that it will stay small. The Kingdom of God begins as small and insignificant, but grows to become large and powerful. How would this be encouraging to Jesus' disciples who had expected an instant Messianic Kingdom? The disciples could have been feeling hopeless and discouraged by the slow pace the Kingdom was growing, but by these Parables,they were assured that the Kingdom will become big; thus they should continue the preaching. How might it be encouraging to people experiencing smallness or poverty in their lives? This is encouraging as the Parables also indicate to us that, we should not be discouraged by the problems we are currently encountering.We should not quit, but continue with the same faith.

Q4. (Matthew 6:12, 14-15) How could praying the Lord's Prayer become a curse upon a person? It becomes a curse a curse upon a person when such person asks God to forgive him/her "as" he/she forgives others while at the same time he/she forgives others partially; thus he/she is implying that, God should forgive him/her partially also. Is forgiving in order to be forgiven a kind of "righteousness by works"? Why or why not? No. It is not a kind of "righteousness by works". It is just important to forgive in order to be free and get out of bondage of sin.

Q3. (Matthew 18:34-35) Why does Jesus frighten us with his statement: "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you..."? Is he serious? He wants us to forgive each other as His Father does forgive us. He is not joking, He is serious. Is forgiveness (1) a learned grace, or (2) a foundational principle of the Kingdom? Frogiveness is a foundational principle of the Kingdom. That is why Jesus is giving it as a command and not a request that we should learn to forgive each other.