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Q8. (Matthew 1:18-25) What do these verses tell us about Joseph's character? His faith? A man righteous man who is faithful to obey the law, yet he would not want to disgrace Mary thus his decision to secretly divorce her. When he takes Mary home to be his wife, how does this affect his reputation in Nazareth as an upright Jew? His decision to obey God by taking Mary home exposed him to the public as an immoral man who deserves no respect again.

Q7. (Isaiah 9:6-7) Why is a never-ending Kingdom an anomaly in world history? Humans are unrighteous beings and who rule in unrighteousness, selfishness, greed and in serious competition with one another. The spirit of “me too” must rule has caused the rotation clause in the rules or constitution of each nation to allow continuous changes or rotation. Thus there cannot be a never ending kingdom. Why is a just and righteous government so rare? This is due to the human, selfish and ungodly factor in mankind. What justice will Jesus bring to you when he comes? Everlasting justice.

Q6. (Isaiah 9:6) Paraphrase in your own words the amazing titles given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6. How should knowledge of his titles affect our relationship to him? He is our God available to give useful advice in times of need, a Great Warrior to fight and win our battles and keep us at peace forever because he is our everlasting Father.

Q5. (Isaiah 9:1-2) Why do people choose to live in darkness when light is available? (John 3:19). Why do people seem to resist the Light of Jesus? They are evil men who do not want their evil ways to be exposed by light. Why do you sometimes hesitate to step into Jesus' full light? To avoid the truth of the light to expose ,my hidden dark deeds. How did Light transform the reputation of Galilee? By exposing their evil deeds and leading them to repentance How has light transformed your reputation in your circle of friends?

Q4. (Genesis 22:16-18; Galatians 3:16, 29) To whom are blessings promised through Abraham's descendant? To all nations, to all who put their faith in him -- Jesus, our Savior and soon-coming King In what way does Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac prefigure the Father's sacrifice of Jesus? Isaac sacrifice was to be by shedding of his blood. Jesus shed his blood on the cross at Calvary for the cleansing of all mankind, whoever believes and accepts him as Lord Saviour

Q3. (Genesis 49:10) What does the image of a lion tell us about Judah's descendant? It tells us that out of Judah will come someone with Authority and power. This was fulfilled through the Lord Jesus Christ. How does Jesus qualify for the promise of the ruling scepter? He qualified by his obedience to the Father to come and die for all mankind and rise to come back and rule over all creation. Why is obedience so hard for us? We as descendants of Adam, find it hard to obey totally. Why is it so important for us? But it is important for us to obey the king of kings for us to reign with him. We can do this only through full submission to the Holy Spirit to enable us obey.

Q2. (Luke 1:39-45) Why did the angel put Elizabeth and Mary together? To encourage one another How is Elizabeth a comfort to Mary? The words of prophesy spoken by the revelation of the Holy Spirit through Elizabeth confirmed the Angel’s message her. How is Mary an encouragement to Elizabeth? Mary also received from the Holy Spirit, words that encouraged Elizabeth. To whom has God sent you to give and receive comfort? I cannot recall any specific and significant case; I will prayerfully look forward to such an opportunity. So help me Lord.

Q1. (Luke 1:26-38) What honor did God bestow on Mary? The privilege to be the mother of the Son of God through the power of the Holy Spirit What would this honor cost her? She would be suspected and accused of adultery and even stoning to death What does her response to the angel indicate? Humility and submission to the will of God What discipleship lesson can you learn from Mary's response? As disciples, we should be willing to submit to God’s will and obey his instructions to us. So help me Lord. http://www.joy

1. Describe the ideal servants waiting up for their master. What qualities is this wealthy slave-owner looking for in his servants (12:35-36)? The ideal servant is the one who is fully dressed and alert and ready for his master’s arrival at any time. He must not be caught not ready to answer the door. 2. What kind of energy and investment does it require of the servants to be ready during the nighttime hours? The prepared and ready servant must invest in time to keep alert without sleeping and in money to keep his cloths clean and buy fuel for his lamp to remain ever with fuel. 3. The master in Jesus' parable is pretty strange (12:37). When he arrives home and is pleased with his servants, he fixes them dinner! What is the point of this part of the parable? He teaches of a Master that is willing to serve as an example for us his disciples be ready to serve those under us. He washed the disciples’ feet and usually break the bread and serve his disciples at several occasions. He wants us to copy him. 4. A second mini-parable involves a thief and a homeowner (12:39-40). What is the point of this parable? The parable teaches the need to be ever alert. Just as the house owner is alert so as to be able to stop the thieve breaking into his house, we should be alert so as to be ready whenever the Lord Jesus comes. 5. Let's get personal. What helps you keep your spiritual edge? I am involved in daily and weekly spiritual activities as follows: i. Personal a. daily morning (at 4-5am) meditations in the Bible and prayers; b. Bible study with Pastor Dr. Ralph for several years now ii. Family morning (6am) devotions; My family and I have daily morning devotion that includes prayers, praise and worship and reading a Bible passage iii. Church weekly mid-week prayers; Sunday morning and evening prayers iv. Weekly Men Fellowship programs. What kinds of things cause you to lose your spiritual alertness? Work load in the garden and involvement in various investment activities that require monitoring income performance and the serious challenges involved do slow me down spiritually. This generally causes anxiety and worrying. The previous lesson on Worrying and the current lesson have caused a kind of spiritual revival for me to stop worrying given that I have the promise of the Kingdome of God. Furthermore, I should not be too occupied on investment and miss being alert and ready for the return of the Lord.

1. Jesus gives five reasons in 12:22-30 why we shouldn't worry and strive over the material needs of life, food, clothing, shelter, and the like. What are they? (Read very carefully and then list the reasons) 1. Life is more than food 2. The body more than clothes 3. God feeds the birds, he will surely feed his children 4. Our worrying can’t change anything 5. He adorns the flowers that are today but dry and are burnt up. We are more important the flowers. He will surely cloth us in his glory. The pagans who do not have the promise of kingdom and worry about these things. Not us! 2. Extra Credit. God's care over sparrows is mentioned in 12:6-8. Ravens are mentioned in 12:24. What is similar about these statements? How does the raven differ from the sparrow, from a Jewish viewpoint? Sparrows are classified as clean birds and the Jewish law allows the Jews to eat them. They are forbidden to the ravins classified as unclean. 3. Jesus refers to our focus on material possessions in three negative ways. The first is "worry." What are the other two: 1. worry (12:22, 24, 25) 2. little faith(12:28b) 3. fear(12:32) In what sense is this sin? 4. What is the significance to you that the Father has given you the Kingdom (12:32-32). The significance to us is captured and listed by Pastor Ralph Wilson as follows: · The full inheritance that belongs to the King, · The full attention that is the right of the royal family, · The full privilege of reigning alongside the King, · The full provision of every need that we have, · The full pardon for all our sins against the King and his kingdom, · The full love and favor of the King himself, · and a whole lot more that we scarcely understand. How does it make you feel? Great and hope/ faith renewed What does it consist of? How is it effective in this life? How is it effective in the life to come? It consist of everything we need and reigning with the King in eternity and right here on earth through the Holy Spirit in us. 5. Why should you sell possessions and give to the poor (12:32). What sense does that make? Since we have been blessed with all the goodies of the kingdom, we can bless the poor with all what we have by selling and sharing our possessions with them. It does not mean we sell everything and give it out and stay hungry. Sharing is the answer. 6. Where is your treasure? Where is your heart? (12:34) How can you know? Our heavenly treasure is our investment in heaven through sharing with the poor and giving for God’s work here on earth. To be franc, my heart dwells more earthly investment but I earnestly pray that such will become an idol or mammoth.

Count the number of times you find the personal pronouns "I," "me," "my" in verses 13-21. What is the significance of this? I think there are about 9 (nine) times in all. 2. How would you define greed? What other areas of life besides material wealth can greed affect? Greed is excessive craving for money, material or anything for our personal use alone without considering that God blesses us to be stewards to him and to take care of the poor and needy. 3. Does concern for justice in financial matters always involve greed? (12:13) Not in every case. How can you tell if it does or not? When it is not selfish. 4. Is it more likely for a poor man or a rich man to be greedy? Both the poor man and the rich man have the possibility to be greedy. Why did you choose the answer you did? The average human being is generally selfish and self- centered and can always crave for more at the expense of others. The rich man seems like a wise agribusinessman. Where does Jesus fault him? What was the man's error? He was very self-centered - thinking only about his comfort without thinking of the need. Furthermore, he was not rich towards God 5. How does one become rich towards God? (12:21) He did not do what God said that he owns everything and that we should share our riches with the needy.

Jesus gives four arguments for remaining faithful to him in times of persecution in 12:4-12. What are these four arguments? a. Better to fear only God who can kill body and also throw soul into lake of fire than those who can only kill the body and do nothing else b. The sparrow is not as important as we are, yet God knows and cares about them. How much more of us, his children!. c. The Holy Spirit will help us to face our tormentors d. He knows the number of hears on our heads thus knows us very well and what we need- life hereafter, with him in heaven. 2. In the light of speaking and thinking positively, how should we evaluate Jesus' use of fear to motivate his disciples? How should this influence our own motivational methods? 3. How do you know that it is God, rather than Satan, spoken of in 12:5-6, who can both kill men and throw them into hell? Only God has the power to throw any one into hell and not satan. 4. How do thoughts of sparrows and hair counts assure Jesus' disciples? (12:6-7) It assures Jesus’ disciples by knowing that if God pays such attention knowing every sparrow and number of hairs on our head, he can certainly pay much more attention on our welfare! 5. It is not too difficult when a person is called before a persecutor or court of law to determine if that person has acknowledged or denied Christ. How much, if any, does Jesus' teaching apply to how we identify, or fail to identify ourselves as Christians, to those who come to know us? I beg your pardon Dr Ralph? To whom are we obligated to identify our faith as Christians? To everyone around us and especially to those who persecute us by our confession, walk and works as a testimony/ evangelism etc 6. Extra Credit: Christians in countries under Muslim and Hindu and Communist law have sometimes been executed for their faith. Is there a time to be a "secret" Christian, and what are the "rules" in those situations? We Westerners don't have to face this first hand, so we'll try not to speculate. Rather, in our e-mail discussion groups, let us hear from Christians who live in areas of active persecution. Please tell us what you have learned. We need your wisdom. I hear that some Muslims in Nigeria who are secretly Jesus’ disciples. I am not sure if that is right. I personally think that every disciple should show his identity whatever the consequences. 7. Do you have an example to share of how the Holy Spirit has given you the words to say in situations of persecution? NO 8. If God will forgive those who deny Christ, isn't it ultimately safer for believers to deny Christ now and then repent later? I don’t think so.

Q4. (Acts 12:6-17) Why do you think the Christians don't believe their own prayers for Peter's release? Though the Church was praying for Peter’s release from prison, their minds were on the physical, wondering how he could escape despite the heavy security around him- the church lack faith that God could demolish every strong hold that held Peter. Don't they believe in miracles any longer? No. From their action, it shows they were not thinking of a miracle to happen otherwise they would have jumped to their feet when the house girl announced that Peter was at the door knocking. Why don't we pray with greater faith to the God who can do anything? We are always overwhelmed by the awesomeness of the difficult situation that dwarfs our faith. I am not an exception. Lord Help us to have faith in you no matter how difficult the situation may be in Jesus Name. How can we grow our faith in God so we can pray better? By earnest prayer to God for him to lift our faith high and to study the word to see how he has done mighty miracles for people like David faced by Goliath and King Jehoshaphat against a coalition armies against him.

Q3. (Acts 11:29-30) In what way does the monetary gift from the Antioch believers to the Judean believers exemplify the most basic directive of Jesus (John 13:35)? Jesus directed that His followers should love for one another especially giving to the needy as this act would show that his followers are his disciples. This is what the church in Antioch. Why do you think that ministry to the poor and needy has become a hallmark of the Church down through the ages to our own day? It has become a hallmark because the church has committed to demonstrate love to the needy in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ teaching mainly as there are always the needy in the church. What happens when we deemphasize this? Some needy ones would suffer and the Lord would tell the church that he was hungry but no one attended to him.

Q2. (Acts 11:22-26) What qualifications did Barnabas have that made him an ideal missionary to the new Gentile believers in Antioch? He was full of the Holy Spirit and faith; called son of encouragement, as a Cypriot, he could relate well with his countrymen the Evangelist who had started the Gentile Church at Antioch etc. What qualifications did Saul of Tarsus have that caused Barnabas to seek him out and enlist him to help in Antioch? Trained as a Rabbi, Saul understood Greek culture and could speak it very well and could interact well and help in building the new church at Antioch. Why do you think it took so long for Saul to get into active ministry in Antioch? Probably just waiting for God’s time.

1. (Acts 11:19-21) Why do you think it took so long for the gospel to jump over from the Jewish "fishing pond" into the vast ocean of Gentiles who need Christ? What kind of preparation did God have to do among the Jewish Christians to get them ready for this? There was need to prepare the Jews that salvation is also available to the Gentiles as well as to Jews. God himself determines time for everything. This ripe time came when Peter was shown a vision of different animals and told to kill and eat. When he refused for reasons of uncleanness, he was told that whatever God has made clean should not be called unclean.

1. The scribes and Pharisees were caught in a rigid system of legalism to justify themselves before God. In what ways do our Christian religious cultures foster the same kind of self-justification and hypocrisy? In today’s church the expectation for members to live holy lives motivate the church leadership to come out with a set of does and don’ts that can turn members to behave appropriately in the church environment while outside, a different lifestyle is practiced. This can apply to some church leaders who will be hypocrites, acting as holy members in the church to impress the congregation while outside, they live unholy lifestyles. 2. What kinds of hypocrisy have you personally had to struggle with the most? I guess there are times I preach the need to be honest in tithing by testifying how I normally ensure I remove tithes first from my income before budgeting the balance. I guess I sometimes feel good that I am faithful in this practice, and this is hypocritic. 3. What is necessary for a Christian to do to escape the inaccurate "public" image of himself that he may have so carefully constructed for others (and perhaps himself) to see and believe? What is the antidote to hypocrisy? There is need for one to confess and repent once one finds himself being hypocritical and also to pray for God to help one to live a life of integrity. 4. How can we both live humbly in our churches and still foster high standards of behavior for ourselves and one another? By prayerfully asking God to help us live by the leadership of the Holy Spirit who will help us live by His Spirit and not by our might or power.

Q5. (Acts 10:44-48) Clearly tongues were a sign to Peter that Cornelius's household had been baptized with the Spirit. Does the Scripture support a doctrine that speaking in tongues is a "necessary sign" of the baptism of the Holy Spirit? If so, how? (Christians disagree on these matters, so be gentle as you share your thoughts with one another.) I am not aware of any scripture that says that tongues is a necessary sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Q4. (Acts 10:38) Since Jesus is God, why is he dependent upon the Spirit's anointing? Jesus is God but He emptied Himself to become man here on earth and thus had to depend on His Father and the Holy Spirit for power for His ministration here on earth then. Are we dependent upon the Spirit's empowerment in a similar way, or is it different for us? I always pray for and receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit power for my spiritual assignments.

Q3. (Acts 10:9-16) Why does God have to bring this noon-time vision to Peter? To show Peter that He was about to do new thing to integrate the Jews and the Gentiles with no more separate identities in terms of meals. What prejudices did Peter have against Gentiles? How did his religion prevent him from reaching out to Gentiles? Gentiles were unclean and eat everything unclean, untouchables, those who eat everything around them. This teaching received by the Jews right from childhood kept the Jews away from the Gentiles who were considered unclean. What specifically did God tell him about "common and unclean"? God told Peter never to call what God had made clean unclean again given His new way forward- unite the Jews and the Gentiles. How does this revelation affect his attitude towards Jewish dietary laws? This new development meant that going forward, he, Peter will dine and wine with the Gentiles without any prjudise again. http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/topic/2068-q3-clean/

Q2. (Acts 10:4) Why do you think your prayers and your obedient life are like incense that gives God pleasure? I represent God through my service in His vine yard and prayers for His creation. This pleases Hime. Do you think you can actually bring pleasure to God? Yes. So help Lord to bring you pleasure through my obedience and service to you.

Q1. (Acts 10:2, 22) What do we learn about Cornelius' character? Cornelius was a 1, Devoured man; Fears God; Gives generously to the poor; well respected by the Jewish people Why do you think God chose to reveal himself to Cornelius, rather than the average pagan? Given his popularity, high military and professional standing couple with a reputable character, his conversion would attract followers. All these may be the reason. Is he more worthy of salvation? More worthy of salvation? I believe everyone is worthy of salvation by GRACE and not just because of good works or character.

1. Why do you think Jesus and his disciples didn't follow the Pharisees' practice of ritual washing before meals? (11:38; see also Mark 7:14-23) Because their actions were mere immersion of their hands in water that did no clean them physically (as they did not really scrub their hands properly ) nor clean their hearts spiritually. 2. What modern-day examples can you think of that illustrate cleansing the outside of the vessel but leaving the inside unwashed? (11:39-40) Any action that seeks to attract human attention and praise but does seek to pleases the Lord God Almighty. Such can be giving anything just to attract human attension. 3. How could giving food to the poor bring about spiritual cleansing, as implied by 11:41? This can be done with the right motive of meeting the need of the poor in line with the will of God especially if the action is brought about by having a repentant heart that is now obedient to the will of God. God thus forgives the repentant giver and this thus leads to cleansing of the giver’s pharisaic heart. 4. Did Jesus fault the Pharisees on their scrupulous tithing or compliment them? Where did he find fault with them? (11:42) Jesus did not fault them for their scrupulous tithing but He rather faulted their wrong attitude of trying give every kind of tithe but ignore the needy among them. 5. What is wrong with seeking to be seen and approved of by others? (11:43) What in us might tempt us to seek acclaim? What is wrong is seeking self-attention and is motivated by pride that makes people feel great and important. 6. Did Jesus go out of his way to insult the Pharisees with 11:44? What purpose did his comment serve, if any? Some of their self- imposed laws and actions can and lead others to sin as per the picture Jesus gave of unmarked tombs that people unknowing step on them and become ceremonially unclean. 7. In what ways do you see Pharisaical attitudes in yourself? My wife calls me a Pharisee because I always want to do everything the Bible says. For example I remove my tithes first before spending the balance. I also round up the figures of my tithe and will not round it down to avoid under paying the exact amount. What are you doing to counter them? However, when I showed her the list of Pastor Ralph’s list of what a modern Pharisee is/ does; she then changed her mind and said that I was not a Pharisee then! I give the Lord God Almighty the glory. Please see below: Modern-Day Pharisees We face Jesus' sharp rebuke today, too, when we: · Are more concerned with how we look to other people than how we look to God, · Fail to show mercy to the poor, · Fail to tithe, · Fail to do justice, · Have hearts motivated by greed, or · Seek positions where we will be acclaimed.

Q4. (Acts 9:32-43) How did God use healing and raising from the dead in order to begin a mighty regional revival? The Lord caused Aeneas, a cripple to be healed and made whole brought Dorcas up from dead by Peter. The two incidences cause many to believe in the Lord and brought about their salvation. If you recognize that you have a spiritual gift of healing, are you willing to be obedient and let God use you in ministry? Surely I will be delighted and very willing to obey the Lord God to use the gift of healing to minister salvation to people if I find out that I have such a gift.

Q3. (Acts 9:28-29) We are not to be quarrelsome we know (2 Timothy 2:24-26), but what is the role of debate and argument in evangelism? There are times debate may be needful to argue a point to enable the hearer to understand and see the other side of the coin. Jesus and Paul debated with the Jews in different occasions. What is the value of studying the Scriptures and the arguments for the divinity of Jesus for leading people to Christ? Studying the scriptures enlightens/ educates/ equips us with knowledge and facts to use in times of need especially when one meets those who are ignorant of the message of salvation. Have you prepared yourself in this way? Yes I am preparing myself particularly through the various studies with Dr. Pastor Ralph. Thank you Sir.