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Q3. (Titus 3:1-2) What should be a Christian's response to civil government, even government by those who do not share our values? How does an anti-government stance hurt the cause of Christ? How does gossip or backbiting hurt the cause of Christ? How does it hurt the unity of the church? A3. We are to obey ruling authority whether they are Christians on not. This should not mean that we should obey instructions that are against our faith. Daniel obeyed the king but was not ready to bow to the image of the Kind because this violated the Word of his God that stipulates that one should not worship an idol. Thus it is not right to just be unti-government based on political reasons for example, surely this violets the Biblical instruction that we should obey ruling authority.

Q2. (Titus 2:14) According to verse 14, what are the two purposes of Christ's redemption? Why do we need to purified so that we can do truly "good" works? A2. The purposes for which Christ redeemed us were to set us free from eternal death and secondly, to make us live wholesome lives so that non- believers will be attracted to Chris through the Holy Spirit in us.

Q1. (Titus 2:12-13) If we were convinced that Christ would soon return, what effect would that have on the way we conduct ourselves? Why is this hope "blessed"? In what way will Christ's return exhibit his glory? A1. Wisdom suggests that we should be ever ready given that we do not know the time Jesus would return. This hope is blessed hope because our hope for eternal life in heaven would become a reality at Jesus' return. Christ return would will exhibit his glory because he will be accompanied host of angels revealing his power and glory.

Q4. (Titus 2:11-12) How does a wrong understanding of God's grace seem to give us a license to be sloppy in our behavior? In what ways should God's grace motivate us to good behavior? A4. By grace we mean unmerited favor as demonstrated by God when He sent the Lord Jesus Christ to die on the cross so that we would be saved from the penalty of eternal death. This same grace should not be an excuse for anyone to then continue to sin so that grace may abound. On the contrary, grace shown to us should motivate us to commit ourselves to live lives that please God.

Q3. (Titus 2:2-8) What are the weaknesses are younger wives and husbands need to be careful of? How about employees? What positive qualities should substitute for these sins? Why is Titus's example so important in teaching good Christian behavior and morality? How does our behavior impact Christ's reputation? A3. Some of the weaknesses that younger wives and husbands needed to be careful of included among others, the tendency to go off without thinking things through and thus do or say things that are neither reasonable nor acceptable. The caution that was required by younger church husbands and wives was to ensure a disciplined church atmosphere. Timothy had to exhibit good example in everything he says and does so that others would copy him. Else, he would not be taken serious when he teaches or instructs anyone

Q2. (Titus 2:2-3) What seem to be the predominant sins of the older men and women in the churches of Crete? What specific behaviors does Paul urge in place of these sins? A2. I think the predominant sin of the older men and women in the Churches of Crete was drunkenness. This was a serious sin as it could lead to sins and misbehavior which could could tarnish the the name of the Church and the name of God and thus bring disrespect to the Church as well as to God . Paul urged that these men and women should be temperate, respectable, self-controlled etc. nk

Q1. (Titus 1:9) Why do pastors and elders hesitate to correct false doctrine today? What is the result of laxity? What is the result of gentle but firm discipline with regard to doctrine? A1. Pastors and Elders may hesitate to correct false doctrine today probably to just let the sleeping dog lie to avoid disputes that would lead to loosing members. However, to ensure righteousness in the church, correction must be made and where discipline is needed, it should be carried out but to be done in love.

Q5. (1 Timothy 6:20-21) How can we guard the faith without becoming narrow, backward-looking people who oppose all change, and complain about "what things are coming to"? How can guards be at the same time positive, loving, and pleasant to be around? A5. We can guard the faith without becoming narrow, backward-looking people by ensuring that we are wholly led only by the Holy Spirit of God. He would be the one to guide us towards making decisions on whatever is right and from God. We can be guards that watch over the things of the Lord’s Kingdom such as the truth of the Word, the principles and the way of the Lord and still be people that are Christ-like in loving but firm in his principles and truths.

Q4. (1 Timothy 6:17-19) What kinds of actions are the best antidote for the love of money? How can we cultivate generosity so that it remains healthy, rather than let it go overboard and hurt our families? A4. The best antidote for the love of money is to use our income to serve God and others in need. This can be done by paying our tithes, giving for the financial needs of the projects in the church. Furthermore, help those in need among us. In doing the above, we need to apply wisdom and the leadership of the Holy Spirit to guide us in what we should do, the extend we should do it and to who we should do it to.

Q3. (1 Timothy 6:7-10) How does love for money grow? How does it become a trap? How do you escape this deceptive trap? A3. I think love of money grows when we start gradually paying more and more attention to how to get money and allow ourselves to gradually start spending more time and resources on how to make more money at the expense of quality time and resources for our spiritual lives. To escape this spiritual downfall we need to pray for the grace to do only what builds us spiritually and while putting Kingdom activities first while economic endeavor follow by the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Q2. (1 Timothy 6:6) Why should we seek contentment? Doesn't contentment keep us from trying to get ahead so our families can have what they need? What's the balance between contentment and the quest for improvement? A2. We should seek contentment because the Word of God instructed us to. However, contentment does not means we cannot do better than where we are. We can expand our production for example, as long as what we do and how we do to be better financially would glorify the Lord. Such expansion that is Godly done can bring employment to the children of God and leads to higher offerings and tithes.

Q1. (1 Timothy 6:5) Why do you think people are so susceptible to distorted Bible teaching concerning financial gain? Admitting that there is some truth in popular teachings in our time, what are the distortions that you may have heard? How do they differ from the truth? A1. Generally we all need money to meet our needs. However, some teaching on how to make money is not Biblical as it gives the impression that as long as we are children of God, how we get the money does not really matter because it is God that is helping us to make money and “the end justifies the means”. False. The truth is that our means of getting money has to be that which will honor God. We cannot cheat or steal to enrich ourselves as this would dishonor the name of the Lord.

Q5. (1 Timothy 6:1-2) In what ways has the Gospel sown the seeds that will eventually destroy slavery? Why does Paul seem to condone slavery in this passage? What is Paul's motive? A5. The Gospel teaches love and equality in Christ. Consequently, this calls for us to treat one another as brother and sister and thus eliminate the tendency of treating others (especially slaves) as inferior. I don’t think Paul might have been condoning slavery. Rather, he tried to encourage Christ like relationship between slaves and their masters without having to advocate for separation of the existing relationship. Paul tried to balance the relationship between slaves and their masters by advocating peaceful and godly relation among Christian slaves and their masters. He also tried to encourage Christians slaves to show love to their non-Christian master as that could win their non-Christian masters to Christ.

Q4. (1 Timothy 5:22-25) Why does Paul say, "Don't be hasty in the laying on of hands"? What are the dangers in doing so? How can these dangers be lessened? A4. Laying of hands in this context means appointing new Elders into leadership positions. Paul advised young Timothy that he should not rush to appoint new leaders. Instead, he should take time to study and really establish if the person is really qualified and is of good conduct spiritually and socially. The danger for not observing this noble advice or instruction would be to rush to appoint an elder or any leader just to find out too late that the new appointee is a drunkard or a quarrelsome person or even a polygamous person etc. Thus to avoid such dangers, there would be need to have standard time frame of a least one year (my view) with any any member that would be considered for leadership in a church (he should be someone who has been active in all church activities)

A3. It was necessary to make formal accusation and try the accused false teacher so as to ensure fair and just trial that gives the accused the right to defend himself. It was also necessary to do that so that it would serve as a lesson to anyone else found wanting to expect similar trial. One of the reasons why it is difficult for some present day churches to exercise church discipline is partly due to the fear of losing members especially those who contribute much in funding the church through donations, fat tithes and offerings.

Q2. (1 Timothy 5:17-18) In what circumstances should elders be compensated financially? What is the Scriptural support for such a practice? A2. Elders especially those that preach and teach in the Church should be compensated: a) By being honoured And b) by financial compensation to them. · The Scriptural support especially for such compensation of Elders is found in the following texts: "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." (Deuteronomy 25:4). "The worker deserves his wages" cites Jesus' teaching on preacher compensation in Luke 10:7 and rests on the ground of a number of commands in the Old Testament not to defraud workers, but to pay them promptly for their work (Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy 24:14-15; James 5:4).

Q1. (1 Timothy 5:1-16) What responsibilities do we have to help aging family members? According to Paul, in what way is this our Christian responsibility? In what way is this a "repayment" of a debt? To what does Paul compare those who refuse this responsibility? A1. We are directed/instructed to take care of our parents especially the aged ones. Taking care of our aged parents is our Christian responsibility because when we do so, we would be repaying our parents for what they did for us as they took care of us when they raised us up and trained us. This also is equivalent of repaying our aged parents for their investment in our lives. Anyone who refuses to do this is described as being worse than an infidel.

Q4. (1 Timothy 4:12b) Rigid, unsmiling orthodoxy can teach right doctrine, but cannot produce godliness. Why not? Why is a strong example of godliness in church leaders essential to a healthy church? A4. For good result to be achieved from teaching by a leader, there is first the need for the leader to be filled and led by the Holy Spirit. There is also the need for a leader to lead by showing good example in godliness and other Christ-like virtues otherwise his teaching will not be fruitful.

Q3. (1 Timothy 4:7-8) How would you define "godliness"? What produces godliness in a person? How is godliness different from embracing a strict morality? A3. Godliness is living to love and please God by obeying his word. It also involves loving one another as our selves. This is tough but doable with the help of the Holy Spirit. And when we fall, we should humbly repent and move on again. This then is the difference with mere exhibition or legalistic observation of set of rules without regards to loving God and man- your “neighbour”

Q2. (1 Timothy 4:3-5) Why is performance of legalistic requirements so attractive to people? What fruit does it produce in a person's life? In what ways is this emphasis so different from the true gospel? A2. Performance of legalistic requirements is usually attractive because it makes one to be proud of his performance. It satisfies one’s ego as it emphasizes righteousness by works instead of righteousness by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Q1. (1 Timothy 4:1-2) Why does Paul remind Timothy (and the church) of predictions concerning widespread apostasy? What effect should this knowledge have on his ministry and the church's perception of the situation? A1 Paul reminded Timothy and the church of the predictions concerning widespread apostasy because the predictions were already happening as false teachers were already busy distorting the true gospel of Christ and leading innocent members astray hence the need to stop them quickly. There was thus the urgent need to educate as well as warn the church to be alert so as to stop the dangerous development.

. (1 Timothy 3) According to our text, do you see differences in qualifications between overseers/elders and deacons? What are they? A4. It seems to me that the general expectation from all groups of leader is for all leaders to faithfully serve the God and people without blemish and without distorting the message of the Lord. However, Elders are expected to be more mature and to be able to teach and rebuke false teachers from distorting the truth of the Gospel.

Q3. (1 Timothy 3) Why are tendencies to anger, intimidation, force, and pride so important to consider in selecting church officers? What happens when you don't consider these factors? A3. The above human attributes or traits in leaders of the Church could determine the peace and unity of the church. It was thus necessary for Paul to warn Timothy to ensure that those that would be leaders must be those with acceptable conduct.

Q2. (1 Timothy 3:6, 10) Why should leaders be observed carefully and tested before placing them in office? What should you be looking for during this period? A2. Would- be leaders need to be observed carefully and tested before being given leadership responsibility. This is to ensure that they would be people who would build and grow the church rather than those who would come in and only to destroy it. Thus, to pick leaders that would be builders of the body of Christ, we should look for those who are godly, trustworthy, above reproach, blameless, not recent convert etc.

Q1. (1 Timothy 3:2-12) What kind of leader do you believe Paul is indicating for us with the phrase "husband of one wife"? Why is a leader's family an important indicator of leadership potential or problems? A.1 By teaching that a leader should be a husband of one wife, Paul is saying that there should be no polygamy. Leaders should thus be faithful and restrict themselves to only one wife. It is given, that a family that is well managed and is peaceful and loving will produce good leadership ability in the church and in in the work place too.