Raph

Q5. (Galatians 2:20) In what sense have we been "crucified with Christ"? We have been "crucified with Christ" in our baptism. What does that mean? That means that, baptism is the symbol of our union with Christ, our being joined to Christ. What he experienced, we experienced with him. He was crucified; we were crucified. In what sense do "I no longer live"? "I no longer live" means that, I do not any more follow the legalistic stand. Whose life now motivates us? Is the life of Jesus that motivates us. How does this verse relate to Paul's closing comments about the "new creation" (Galatians 6:15)? This verse relates to Paul's closing commments about the "new creation" in that they both are dealing with the issue of "law" and "faith in Jesus". What does Galatians 2:20 teach about Christ's attitude toward us? About Christ's attitude toward us, Galatians 2:20 teaches us that, Jesus loves us to the extent that, he gave himself to die for us so that we can be saved.

Q4. (Galatians 2:15-21) What happens to the importance of Christ's death if circumcision is deemed necessary to salvation? If circumcision is deemed necessary to salvation, the importance of Christ's death is then has no any meaning. Why was this issue of the sufficiency of the Messiah's death so important in Paul's day? The issue of the sufficiency of the Messiah's death was so important in Paul's day because of the teachings brought by the "law bearers" who wanted to equate the adherence of laws to the death of Christ. Why was this issue important to Luther and the reformers? This issue was important to Luther and the reformers because of the salvation: to point out that people are served by faith and not by law. Why is it so important in our own day? It is so important in our days because there are still people who thinks that, they can be served by doing right things, by not breaking the laws but not following Jesus. How does it affect the relative legalism of our congregations? It affects the relative legalism of our congregations by bringing divisions and confrontation within the congregations.

Q3. Why is it so hard to take the gospel to different peoples without wrapping it in our own cultural practices? I think itis not hard to take the gospel to different peoples without wrapping it in our cultural practices. this is done without justifiable reason as regards the faith in Jesus Christ. And I think this wrapping has caused alot of troubles and "delays" in some peoples to accept Christ. Can you think of examples of this in Church history? Some examples include the degrading/neglecting of the core cultural beliefs of people to whom the gospel is taken. What is the danger? The danger is that people will resist to accept the gospel and confrontation will be created between those who will accept and those who refuse to accept. How can we avoid such cultural faux pas in our church's missionary enterprises? We can avoid this by not necessarily interferring with cultural beliefs which has nothing to do with faith.

Q2. (Galatians 2:14) Why do you think Paul confronted Peter publicly rather than privately? I think Paul confronted Peter publicly rather than privately because he knew it was not going to change Peter he feared the influence of the Jewish-circumcision party from Jerusalem and also was to confirm to the Gentiles the truth of what he, Paul, preached. Do you expect Paul had talked with Peter about this previously? It might be yes, and when he saw that, Paul was not changing, then he decided to go public. How did a public discussion of this benefit the Jewish Christians? This benefited the Jewish Christians in that, they saw Paul speaking without fear and by understanding that, what he was preaching wass revealed to him by Jesus himself, thus it was a clear indication that what they stood for about circumcision was wrong. How did it benefit the Gentile Christians? This also benefited the Gentile Christians by strengthening their faith without any fear of being uncircumcised. What kind of pressure do you think this put on Paul? Definitely Paul was on presssure: to stick to the truth as revealed to him and as he understood it or to follow the leaders from Jerusalem, who were very influential.

Q1. (Galatians 2:11-14) Why do you think Peter first embraced the Gentile believers in Antioch and later withdrew from them to eat only with Jews? Peter first embraced the entile believers in Antioch because he was convinced that was the right thing to do; but he later withdrew from them to eat only with Jews because he feared of his own reputation. What does this tell us about his character? This tells us of hypocrism in his character: saying this but doing otherwise. Why should he have known better? Peter should have known better because he was one of the pillars of the Jerusalem church; he had experienced a vision of God's acceptance of the Gentiles, he preached the gospel in the house of Cornelius in Caesarea and he defended to the church in Jerusalem his action to baptize the Gentiles on the grounds that the Holy Spirit had led him to do it. What does this tell us about Barnabas? About Barnabas this tells us that, he was not strong to stand on the correct principle but wass ready to diverge from the principle in order to please other people. What does it tell us about the political clout of the visitors from Jerusalem? This tells us that, the political clout of the visitors from Jerusalem was very influential as these visitors were regarded as zealous law-keepers and then they came from James, the brother of Jesus. Have you ever acted like a hypocrite to impress others? Yes. What should you do when you recover your senses? When I recover my senses, I should understand that what I did is wrong and try to change and do what is correct.

Q4. (Galatians 2:1-10) Why do you think Paul seems to distance himself from the leaders of the Jerusalem church (2:2, 6, 9)? Paul seems to distance himself from the leaders of the Jerusalem church in order to show his opponents in Galatia that his authority does not come from the leaders in Jerusalem as these opponents claim. He is trying to show them his independence. Why does he at the same time write of their approval of his ministry? At the same time writes of their approval of his ministry in order to show that they have approved his revelation and ministry to the Gentiles. How does this further his argument to the Galatians in this letter? This furthers his argument to the Galatians in this letter by telling them that, even respectable leaders who he does not follow have approed his ministry and his mission to the Gentiles.

Q3. (Galatians 2:1-3) Paul is arguing that the Jerusalem leaders support his position on circumcision, rather than that of the Judaizers. What is the significance of Paul's mention that Titus was not required to be circumcised? The significance of Paul's mention that even Titus was not required to be circumcised is that, the acceptance of Titus who was the uncircumcised Greek was the acceptance of Paul's teachings. Paul also mentions this to indicate that, the grace of the Lord does not depend on whether the person is circumcised or not.

Q2. (Galatians 1:13-16) What factors in Paul's background made him an ideal apostle to the Gentiles? The factors in Paul's background that made him an ideal apostle to the Gentiles are: - that as a young man he had been a student of Rabbi Gamaliel in Jerusalem (Acts 22:3); - he had thoroughly learned the traditional interpretation of Scriptures through this discipline; and - he was part of the early persecution of the church. How did God use his being different from others? God used his being differrent from others by preaching the Gospel as he knew the Scripture and was good in communicating. To ponder: How has your unique background fitted you for ministry? My unique background fitted me for the Ministry by strenghening my faith in the Lord and understanding the word of God more clearly. What uniqueness has God given you? The uniqueness that God has given me is the stable family whereby myfather was a good believer despite being in a community where the majority were non-believes. It is from this I found my foundation of being able to continue until now in believing the Lord. What will it take to see that uniqueness as a God-given strength rather than as an embarrassment? This uniqueness is not an embarrasment as I wa able to stand on my faith despite ridicules from my several friends.

Q1. (Galatians 1:11-12) What is the source of Paul's gospel? The source of Paul's gospel is his revelation from Jesus Christ. How do we know that it is a true revelation? We know it is a true reflection by being in line with the Scriptures - the Old Testament. How does it conform to our other foundational sources of Christian teaching? It conforms to our other foundational sources of Christian teaching in that, it based on the Old Testament and does not contradict anything that was taught by Jesus Himself and spread to the worls by His eleven Apostles. What is the danger of taking the teaching of contemporary leaders as our doctrinal basis without checking it with the Scripture? The danger of taking the teaching of contemporary leaders as our doctrinal basis without checking with the Scripture is finding ourselves believing on human beings and not on what God wants us to believe and follow.

Q2. Paul called the Judaizers' message as a "different gospel," a perversion of the true gospel. How is this dangerous to the Galatian believers? This was dangerous to the Galatian believers as they started leaving the true Gospel and believe what was being preached by the Judaizers. They were therefore risking to loose the inheritance of the Kingdom of God. How do twisted gospels (or an unbalanced interpretation of the gospel) affect Christians in our day? In our day, twisted gospels (or an unbalanced interpretation of the gospel) affect Christians by being moved from the truth and being trapped to follow teachings that will not make them inherit the Kingdom of God.

Q2. Paul called the Judaizers' message as a "different gospel," a perversion of the true gospel. How is this dangerous to the Galatian believers? This was dangerous to the Galatian believers as they started leaving the true Gospel and believe what was being preached by the Judaizers. They were therefore risking to loose the inheritance of the Kingdom of God. How do twisted gospels (or an unbalanced interpretation of the gospel) affect Christians in our day? In our day, twisted gospels (or an unbalanced interpretation of the gospel) affect Christians by being moved from the truth and being trapped to follow teachings that will not make them inherit the Kingdom of God.

Q1. (Galatians 1:4) According to verse 4, for what purpose did Jesus give himself? According to verse 4, the purpose of Jesus to give himself was to rescue people from their sins so that those who believe in Him can inherit the Kingdom of God. How does Jesus rescue people today? Jesus continues to rescue people today through the teaching of the Gospel. How does he keep people from falling back into their old ways? He keeps the people from falling back into their old ways by powering into them the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 13:12) What is the equivalent of a "holy kiss" in your congregation and culture? In my congregation and culture, equivalent to the "holy kiss" is the hug. Why is a warm familial greeting so important in a healthy congregation? A warm familial greeting is so important in a healthy congregation because it strengthens the bond between the members of the congregation. Why do people sometimes resist being greeted warmly? Sometimes people do resist being greeted warmly beacuse of certain beliefs or just failure to understand the meaning of fellowship.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 12:20) How do you "cure" a church of these kinds of behaviors and sins? You can "cure" a church of these kinds of behaviour and sins by speaking out openly and pray for the Lord's mercy to overcome these evils. How can a "love offensive" begin to change the spirit of a dysfunctional congregation? A "love offensive" can begin to change the spirit of a dysfunctional congreation by seeing the love of God in a person who is showing love to the people who wrong him. What is the role of church discipline in a dysfunctional congregation? The role of a church disciploine in a dysfunctional congregation is to remain steady; not be be broken by the rebelling members of the congregation and and also to continue convincing the congregation to leave the dysfunctional behaviour and return to the normal church discipline.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 12:10) What was the life-changing lesson that Paul learned from God when God denied his prayer? When God denied his prayer Paul learned from God to use the weaknesses to achieve more as it is in such weakness that a person becomes powerful. How does our self-sufficiency limit God's power through our lives? Our self-sufficiency limits God's power through our lives in that, wehen we are self sufficient we may tend to forget what God is capable to do for us. We then live as if we deserve it and forget that, it is God's grace. Can we become dependent upon God without having to experience some "thorn in the flesh" ourselves? I think we can.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 12:7) Why was this "thorn in the flesh" given to Paul? This "thorn in the flesh" was given to Paul to test his character. What purpose did God want to achieve through this in Paul's character? Through this God wanted to see how Paul will turn the thorn in his flesh to good use; to carry out his mission with commitment. How can something be both used by God and be caused by Satan's destructive work? God can use something caused by Satan's destructive work to test our commitments. How does this verse relate to Romans 8:28 and Genesis 50:20? The relation is in that, something is given by God and then something evil being given but it is used for good cause.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 11:23-28) How do Paul's sufferings help authenticate his claim to be an apostle? Paul's sufferings help authenticate his claim to be an apostle in that, despite the sufferings, he did not quit; he remained committed to accomplish his mission: to spread the Gospel to all. What do these sufferings tell us about Paul's commitment? These sufferings tell us that, Paul was real commitment and was not a pretender like other self-proclaimed "apostles"; otherwise he could have quitted. How does this account inspire you -- or convict you? This account inspires me to understand that, in spreading the Gospel there are barriers and someone has to remain commitmentted and not quit despite the barriers. How will you be different from having pondered it? After having pondered this, I am more energised and understanding what it takes when one is trully committed to doing something good.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 11:7-9) Why do you think Paul refused to require the Corinthians to support him? Paul reused to require the Corinthians to support him because he was receiving support from Phillippi and was supporting himself by working as a tent-maker. How did this help his ministry? This helped his ministry as Corinthians did not see him as a burden; he preached the gospel free of charge. How did it contribute to them taking him for granted? It contributed to them taking him for granted in that, he was seen as being not a real teacher as he lowered himself by working for his living. How can we honor Christian workers, clergy and lay, who give of their time sacrificially to minister for Christ? We can honor Christian workers, clergy and lay, who give their time sacrificially to minister for Christ by accepting the gospel and also by supporting them materially without strings. How will Christ honor them? Christ will honor them by letting them dwell in His Kingdom.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 11:1-5) What does it feel like when a congregation loses its pure devotion to Jesus Christ, and instead takes on other motivations for its religious observance? When a congregation loses its pure devotion to Jesus Christ, and instead takes on other motivations for its religious observance it feels bad; and it feels like a betrayal. In what ways is this like the church at Ephesus losing its "first love" (Revelation 2:4)? In both cases the purity of the church is destroyed. How can this purity of devotion be restored? This purity of devotion can be restored by telling the people the truth about the "fake pastors"; "pretenders" who are leading people astray.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6) Why does Paul liken his dealing with his opponents in Corinth with reducing a city wall by siege and then taking its citizens captive? Paul likens his dealing with his opponents in Corinth with reducing a city wall by siege and then taking its citizens captive because they are engulfed with an evil stronghold and there is a need to turn down the walls of that stroghold in order to set free the people who are trapped in that evil stronghold.By destroying the forces of Satan, the church will be free and will florish. Is Paul talking about a victory by the use of incisive logic or is there a spiritual stronghold here, one that derives its power from Satan's kingdom? Paul is not talking about a victory by the use of incisive logic but there is a spiritual stronghold here, one that derives its power from Satan's kingdom?

Q4. (2 Corinthians 9:12-15) Why should our giving prompt thanksgiving? Our giving should prompt thanksgiving because the people to whom we give see the Gospel in action and for that they give thanks to God. How is our giving a demonstration of God's grace? Our giving is a demonstration of God's grace in that in giving we show our love to the needy just as God showed love to us and sent His Son to die for us. Why is God's gift of Jesus termed "surpassing"? God's gift of Jesus is termed "surpassing" because there is no any other gift one can think of that exceeds God's gift of Jesus. Why is God's gift of Jesus termed "indescribable"? God's gift of Jesus is termed "indescribable" because of the incredible love to us that prompted it and also that nature of the gift: God's very and only Son to come and die for us sinners.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 9:10-11) According to these verses, what is the purpose of God increasing your "store of seed"? According to these verses, the purposse of God increasing my "store of seed" is to enable me to have sufficient for my use and also to give to the needy. How do greed and generosity differ from each other? Greed and generosity differ from each other in that, greed is a tendency of wanting to have more than your needs and at the same time not having a heart to give to the needy; while generosity is a tendency of wanting to have only sufficient for your use and being ready to share with others what you have. What is God's promise here to generous givers? The God's promise to generous givers is that, He will provide more to them if they give generously to the needy.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 9:7) Why do you think pastors or other church leaders use guilt to try to compel people to give more? I think Pastors or other church leaders use guilt to try to compel people to give more, for some is because of not understanding the scripture and the essence of giving and for others is because of their personal desire - they want more for their personal use. Can greed be behind their pressure? Yes, for some greed can be behind their pressure. Why is pressure incompatible with worship? Pressure is incompatible with worship because when a person does something under pressure it means he does it while he does not want to do it or he does not understand the meaning or importance of doing it. But worship is a personal inward commitment, without being forced by anybody or any circumstances. What does cheerfulness while giving say about the condition of a person's heart? About the condition of a person's heart, cheerfulness while giving says that, the person who is giving is under no any pressure but has freely decided to give. The person's heart is happy as he understands that, he is giving to God; for His work.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 9:6) Does the Scripture teach that material blessing results from giving generously to God's work? Yes. Why are we so careful to reinterpret this as referring mainly to spiritual blessing? We are so careful to reinterpret this as referring mainly to spiritual blessing because of our reluctance to give tithe to God's work. If you compared your own actual giving to God's work to a tithe (10%) of your income, would it look generous? No.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 8:21-22) What is the balance between living our lives wholly before God without being men-pleasers, and doing what is right in the sight of men? The balance between living our lives wholly before God without being men-pleasers and doing what is right in the sight of men is our actions. When we are required to follow the Gospel that we sholud live acording to what God wants and not men; we should understand that, our actions before men reflects on the Gospel. Ths we should also be associated with any wrong doings and strive not to make men have wrong perceptions of us; in this they will see the Gospel in us.