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Q5. (1 Timothy 2:11-15) How should Paul's instructions about women teaching and leading in the church be applied in the twenty-first century? How do you support your view? A5. This issue of women working especially teaching and holding leadership positions in the church should be prayerfully handled to allow the Holy Spirit to guide in decisions on such sensitive issues. I however tend to lean towards agreeing that the gifts of the Holy Spirit are also available to women. I therefore think that women who are given the gifts of teaching or blessed with other gifts, should be allowed to use such gifts in the Church.

Q4. (1 Timothy 2:9-10) How did women dressing in fancy clothes threaten to compromise the church's witness in Ephesus? How do we apply the principle of Paul's directive in twenty-first century churches without instituting a new legalism? A4. Paul’s teaching to the women in Ephesus was to encourage them to appear decently as regards their clothing and hair dressing. They needed to be descent so as not to distract others or seduce the males among them. The principle should apply in today’s era.

Q3. (1 Timothy 2:8) What problem among the men of the congregation is Paul referring to in this verse? What is so serious about worshipping with the opposite of love in your heart? A3. Paul encouraged Timothy (and the Church) to raise holy hands in worship to God without quarreling among themselves as God would not answer their prayers. This became necessary because there were quarrels and disputes particular with the false prophets and God would not answer prayers offered to him in such state of the heart.

Q2. (1 Timothy 2:5-6) In the context of the salvation of all, why do you think Paul emphasizes the roles of Mediator and Ransom? In what way did Christ fulfill both these roles? A2. Paul emphasis on the role of Mediator and Ransom was to show how awesome the privilege of being saved and delivered from the penalty of sin by the sinless Lord Jesus Christ who surrender his own life in exchange of mine and others so that I and others may have eternal live. Hallelujah.

Q1. (1 Timothy 2:1-4) Why does Paul emphasize salvation of all mankind in this letter? What does this suggest about the practice of evangelism in the Ephesus church? A. Paul emphasized salvation for all mankind in his letter to Timothy to correct the teaching of false prophets whose preaching excluded the non- Jews but salvation is for all mankind, Jews and Gentiles.

Q4. (1 Timothy 1:18-19) Why does Paul need to remind Timothy about the prophecies spoken over him? In practical terms, what does "fight the good fight" really mean? Why does Paul tell Timothy to "hold on to faith and a good conscience"? What temptation is Paul trying to counter in his protégé? A4. Paul reminded Timothy about the prophesy about him so that he would be focused and work towards achieving those tasks set for him. Fighting the good fight means carrying out the tasks revealed to him by prophesy including evangelism, facing false prophets/ teachers and correcting them by the power of God with the determination of wining. Paul was aware that being a leader facing opposition and other challenges was not easy as there was the temptation to give up. Paul thus encouraged him to stand firm and have faith in God for victory.

Q3. (1 Timothy 1:17) What do we learn about God from this doxology? What do we learn about praise? Have you ever tried speaking out a doxology in your personal prayer or praise time? What effect does a doxology have on the speaker? A3., God is Eternal (no end), Immortal (leaves for ever), Invisible (can not be seen) the only True God etc, When we recall Gods outrageous grace, mercy and love to us despite our sinfulness, we should pour our hearts out in praise and worship, thanksgiving and much more, to God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Q2. (1 Timothy 1:12-14) Why does Paul comment on his own life after a paragraph on the law (1:8-11)? Why does he share this with Timothy and the church that will read the letter? How might sharing this help get the church back on center? A. Paul was a persecutor of the church and blasphemer but was shown grace and mercy by God. He would like Timothy and the Church to learn that and put their faith in Christ for salvation.

Q. (1 Timothy 1:3-7) What were some of the results of false doctrine in the church at Ephesus? How does doctrinal controversy hurt the spirit of a church? How does it prevent growth? How does it keep the church from its mission? A. False doctrine or false teaching leads to lifestyle that is not in line with the correct word of God (leads to sin) Doctrinal controversy leads to among other things, division and disunity. This can prevent growth as some that do not agree with false teaching can leave the church.

. (Matthew 13:51-52) What is the "old" that the householder brings out of his treasure box? What is the "new." In what way must we disciples be "cross-trained" as scribes of the Kingdom? A60. The “Old” refers to the teaching of the Old Testament where emphasis is in keeping the laws for righteousness. The “new” refers to teaching of new life obtained through the gospel of salvation by grace through faith in in Jesus Christ. We as disciples must know the teaching of the Old Testament as well as the new that teaches salvation through the Lord Jesus by faith alone.

Q59. (Matthew 5:13-14) Why is a sharp and tasty witness so important? What is a bland witness to Jesus? How do we stay "salty"? Why are people tempted to hide their "light" or witness? What does Jesus say about that? A59. I think a sharp and tasty witness is the one whose ways are visible and pleasing and delivers a clear message of hope and truth about Jesus in words that attract the attention of the lost and needy soul. A bland witness on the other hand is that person whose ugly way of life and his uncoordinated words about Christ do not attract listeners. No one will take him serious. Such a person with horrible lifestyle would rather hide himself knowing that his word about Christ would not be taken seriously.

Q58. (Matthew 9:37-38; John 4:35-38) Where in your region does the harvest seem most ripe, that is, where people are most receptive to the gospel? Do you see yourself mainly as a sower or a reaper? Why is there such a shortage of reapers? Would you be willing to be a reaper, if Jesus helps you? A58 From my observation, people are usually more sober and receptive to the Word at funeral service when everyone is more sober and reflects on the possibility that death could call at any time. I see my responsibility as both sower (sharing my faith) as well as a reaper that leads people to Christ. However, the fact is that I pray for more grace to enable me to be involved in sowing and reaping of souls as the opportunities arises.

. (Matthew 9:36) Why is Jesus' heartbroken over lost sheep? Who are the lost sheep of your community? Of the mission fields that you know about? What is your attitude toward them? A57. Jesus is heartbroken over the lost sheep because it would be a prey to predators- Satan who would make the Jews to miss salvation by rejecting Jesus Christ the Savior of the whole world. The lost sheep in my community are all those who believe in any other gods other than Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

Q56. (Matthew 9:13; Hosea 6:6) What does Jesus mean when he tells his disciples, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice"? What attitude did the Pharisees have towards sinners? What attitude did Jesus have toward sinners? What attitude do you have toward sinners? What is the role of a spiritual doctor? A56 Jesus clearly told his disciples (and the Pharisees/ all his followers) that his mission to the world was motivated by love and mercy that would lead to the salvation of souls from sin and not just to carry on rituals of sacrifices that take care of the physical body which the Pharisees were more inclined to doing. The Pharisees who considered themselves as righteous would not associate themselves with sinners. Their action was thus contrary to the mission of our Lord Jesus Christ who came to seek and save those who were lost in sin. My attitude should be like that of Jesus, to love and lead sinners to salvation.

A55. The Jews generally considered themselves as pious and important. They looked down on the Samaritans as unrighteous and not worthy of recognition for anything good. But Jesus told the parable of the good Samaritan to show that showing love that is driven by compassion and mercy to the needy is what qualifies one as a neigbour. Neither the Jewish priest nor the Levite could qualify as neighbor to the victim of the robbery because they merely walked pass the victim of robbery without stopping to help him. The parable is a powerful reminder to us (particularly me) that the needy individual we come across is the neighbor that we should render help to and not necessarily the individual that lives close to us who may not even be in need.

A54. Jesus gave the disciples the Parable of Talents and Minas to teach them (and teach us too) that we are all given responsibilities that require diligent action. Each one would be rewarded according to how faithful one executed such responsibility. Over the years I was told that I had a gift of teaching. I then got involved in teaching at the Sunday school and Bible study classes in my local church. I have tried to find out the other areas I could serve the Lord but I am more at home in teaching. I think some people tend to bury the talent they once had or the talents they current have due to laziness and carelessness. In addition to salvation, there could be crowns of service that would be given those who would have earned them while here on earth.

A53. Jesus washing the disciples’ feet is a powerful parable that teaches us humility and service to others especially those lower than us. His disciples were shocked to see him washed their feet because that was usually carried out by the lowest in society (servants) for those higher up in society. This was the peak of humility demonstrated and taught by Jesus to his disciples then. It is however a hard lesson for us in our generation to learn and practice.

A52. The similarity in both cases, - Jesus’s Parables of the Friend at Midnight and the Unjust Judge, - is persistence in seeking for what was needed by each person in the two cases. I have not been persistent when looking for solution to a need. In this study, I am being reminded to learn to persist and keep on seeking and asking both from God and from men, until the answer comes.

A51. Jesus teaches us that human parents give good gifts to their children despite their human imperfection and concludes that our righteous heavenly father would do a lot much more and exceedingly better. Jesus was teaching his listeners (and is also teaching us) that we should not hesitate to pray but rather, always pray and make our requests to him because he is faithful and would grant our requests at an appropriate time.

A50. It is amazing watching different types of beautiful birds singing and hoping around on trees and flowers I planted on a patch of land around my house. This happens on a daily basis and throughout the year. I see them going through the same routine- pecking their food and singing beautiful songs without any provision from me. They certainly don’t seem to worry about how and what the next day would be!!! So why should I, a child of God worry? If God has faithfully been providing for these birds, he would certainly provide for me, his own child. Yet, I find myself worrying about different needs. I therefore pray that the Lord God All Mighty who supplies the needs of the birds and flowers would help me to trust in him and to endeavor to seek do his will believing that he would ever take care of me. Amen.

A49. One area we may begin to serve Money rather than God is to be engaged in areas/ business that will give us money instead of serving God. One typical example in some parts of Nigeria is that Sundays have become market days and attract Christians to miss church service in favour of attending the Sunday markets. In another development, mostly women, do go to church on Sundays with some ‘things’ for sale. In this case, such people pay attention in locating and contacting friends and other potential customers instead of paying full attention to worshiping God. This clearly is an attempt to serve two masters- money and the Lord.

A48. Being wealthy is not a sin for a Christian. However, how we get our wealth and how we use it could lead us to sin. If we work hard and get genuine wealth, and appreciate God as the source of the wealth, remove the appropriate tithes and also share what we have particularly with the needy, God will be pleased with us. I have seen how greed led an Elder (leader) in the church to be pilfering church offering but was eventually caught red handedly. What a shame!!!

A47. I still struggle with the fact that Jesus described the dishonest steward as shrewd despite Pastor Ralph’s wonderful explanation. I believe that as disciples, we should be transparent, honest and be accountable for whatever we are entrusted with knowing that we will render account of our stewardship to the Lord God one day.

A46. False leaders and indeed every follower of Jesus Christ would be known by their fruits. If the conduct of a leader contributes to building up the body Christ then such a person is not a wolf in sheep clothing or false leader.

A45. To eat the flesh of the Son of Man mean is to believe in Jesus and to obey what he says.