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1. Does the clause, "Peter followed at a distance," reflect positively or negatively upon his character? Why is he there at all? It reflects negatively. Peter is just like many of us. The spirit is willing but the flesh controlled by fear draws Peter behind- following but at a distance. 2. Who is seated around the fire in the courtyard? (To whom does "they" refer in verse 55?) Was Peter's danger real or imagined? What evidence do you have to support your answer? Peter is seated with some people who had built a fire to warm themselves. His danger was real because he was a disciple of the arrested Master and had even drawn a sword against one of the men that had gone to arrest Jesus. 3. Why do you think Peter's courage melts so quickly? Peter’s courage melted because he was just as human as anyone of us with emotions including fear. 4. What does Peter's denial consist of? Why is it so serious? In what ways do modern-day Christians deny Christ in similar way? I think Peter’s denial was turning his back to his master he had earlier vowed that he would not abandon. This is serious and is the same as when we violate any covenant or commandment from the bible. 5. What effect does it have on Peter when Jesus turns and establishes eye contact with him? What do you think is communicated in that look? When Jesus turned to look at Peter, the eye contact caused Peter to recall his earlier boasting that he would never abandon his master. Thus he felt bad for his failure and left crying. 6. Why does Peter weep bitterly? Please see part of my answer to question 5. 7. Only a few stories are told in all four Gospels. Why do you think Peter's denial is one of these? Why do you think Christians can relate so easily to this story? Peter's denial has found place in the Gospel because it demonstrate what the average follower of Jesus does in one form of denial or the other. We all therefore have to be watchful and prayerful so that we would fall into temptation and sin against the Lord.

Q19. (1 Kings 21:22) How responsible are kings, politicians, leaders, and parents for leading those under them into sin? Can you think of any examples? How serious is this? Is it appropriate for leaders to be held to a higher moral standard than others? Kings…etc who commit sin before those under them are guilty of influencing or teaching them to commit such sin. This is so serious that Jesus said it would be better if such leaders are drowned with a millstone around their necks.

Q18. (1 Kings 21:20) What is the danger of giving ourselves over to sin? How does that make us a slave to sin? What kind of opening does that give the devil? The danger of giving ourselves to sin is that we should be ready to bear the consequences or penalty. This makes people slaves to sin because we become bound or in bondage to sin as we yield to its dictates. The act of yielding to sin is already enabling to satan to have access to manipulate and rule us.

Q17. (1 Kings 21:4-16) Do you think Ahab is actually depressed? How does Jezebel fix his depression? Why does she do so? Is Ahab responsible for Jezebel's corrupt actions to obtain Naboth's vineyard? Are the elders responsible for suborning perjury? I think Ahab was actually depressed. Jezebel fixed his depression by promising him that she would fix his problem and she did. Ahab is surely responsible for Jezebel’s action- murder, because he knew the plan and endorsed it. Similarly, the elders are responsible for the crime committed because they knowingly endorsed an evil plan .

Q16. (1 Kings 21:1-3) Why does Ahab want Naboth's vineyard? Is there anything wrong with his proposal to Naboth? Why does Naboth refuse his offer? According to Ahab, he wanted to grow vegetables. There doesn’t seem to be anything wrong on the surface. But Naboth refusal is based on his knowledge that the land was for the family to be passed from one generation to another. He is right.

1. Why is Judas' kiss so hideous? (Luke 22:47-48) Have you been the victim of such a betrayal by those who are outwardly sweet? Have you ever been party to such a betrayal? Judas kiss is hideous because a kiss is usually a demonstration of love but his was with an objective to betray Jesus. I can’t remember being a victim of betrayal and have not been a party of betrayal. 2. Why is loyalty so important a quality in disciples? In leaders? Loyalty is so important a quality in disciples and leaders because it demonstrates Christlikeness and maturity. Jesus was loyal to his father. 3. The disciples begin to defend Jesus with their swords (Luke 22:49-50). In what way is this courageous? In what way is this foolish? How does their sword defense display their spiritual dullness? The disciples action of trying to defend Jesus with their swords was more of an impulsive act and foolish than an act of courage. This was confirmed by their flight- took to their heels as soon as Jesus was arrested. 4. Why does Jesus heal the severed ear of his enemy? (Luke 22:51) How is this a rebuke to his disciples? How do you think it affects his enemies? Jesus healed the severed ear of his enemy to put in practice what he had taught his disciples earlier- to love their enemy. Some of his enemies might have been surprised and probably learnt a lesson from this while the majority might have not been impressed as they were so concerned in getting him out of their way. 5. Jesus intends double meanings when he uses the word "darkness" in 22:53. What are the two meanings? One of the obvious meaning of darkness as used by Jesus was to the acts of evil by satanic agents who were bent on silencing him forever. 6. What are pastors and leaders to learn from Judas' betrayal of Jesus? What are followers to learn? Pastors and leaders are to be aware that some of those working with them may betray them and thus the need be ever be prepared as Jesus was through prayers for God to empower them to stand firm. While followers should learn from Judas and be strong in the Lord so that satan will not lead astray to be agents of betrayal.

1. What is the "cup" that Jesus prays about? Why does he pray that it may be removed? (Luke 22:42) The cup is that of carrying the sin of the world and paying the penalty- death on the cross. He prayed that the cup be removed as he did not could not imagine having to bear such filth upon himself given his divine origin though in human form then. 2. Is Jesus' prayer to have the "cup" removed an indication of his weakness? Yes or no? Explain your answer. No. His prayer to have the “cup” removed was not an indication of weakness but as I explain in question 1. 3. Extra credit. In what way is this "cup" costly to the Father and to the unity of the Father and Son? The “cup” is costly to the Father too because he could not bear the pain seeing what his beloved son was going through: such agony and shame of carrying the sin of the world and the momentary separation from him. 4. How can it be inauthentic to pray "your will be done" prayers without petitioning the Father for what our will is? We can pray “your will be done” without really meaning it in our hearts. In this case, our prayer is not authentic. 5. Why do we avoid seeking what the Father's will actually is? We avoid seeking the Father’s will because we are selfish and set our minds on what we want irrespective of whether it pleases our Father or not. 6. Have you ever been "exhausted from sorrow"? What was it like? What is its spiritual equivalent. (Luke 22:45) I cannot recall such experience. 7. In what ways does alert prayer keep us from temptation? (Luke 22:46) Such prayers hook us on to the center of power, the presence of the Lord where the power to overcome is available for us.

Q15. (1 Kings 20:23-30) Why do you think God seems to enjoy helping the Israelites in impossible situations? To still prove that He is Yahweh, the Omnipotent God. Why do you think God whittled Gideon's army down to 300 men? (Judges 7:1-8). So that the army would not think that it was their huge number that enabled the victory. What impossible situations are you facing in your life that need God's intervention? For our church to repossess the two church lands that were carelessly abandoned but the church new leadership is trying to repossess despite the huge hurdles on the way. Pray along with me please.

Q14. (1 Kings 20:13-14) Why would God send his prophet to instruct a corrupt king and an apostate people so they might win a battle against the Syrians? “Mercy” quoting Pastor Ralph in his commentary. What purpose is stated in verse 13? So that king Ahab (and Israel) would know that God is the Lord. What is Ahab's reaction? What does that tell you about his religious piety or faith? He believed and obeyed indicating that he still has some amount of faith in the God of Israel.

Q13. (1 Kings 19:18) Why is a parent's rebuke difficult for a child to listen to? Why is God's rebuke difficult for us to listen to? How does a loving but sharp rebuke help our children? How does God's rebuke help us? What would it take for you to embrace God's rebuke like Solomon's "wise man" (Proverbs 9:8). A parent’s rebuke is difficult for a child to listen to because children and even adults detest being rebuked and may be hostile and rebellious. God’s rebuke may be difficult for us to listen because we would rather be left alone as the truth is usually bitter. A loving but sharp rebuke can help children because they will listen to the parents and even change towards doing the right thing.

Q12. (1 Kings 19:17-19) Why do you think the author contrasts the "still small voice" to the wind, earthquake, and fire? How does God's voice comfort and renew Elijah? Why is it easy to miss God when his voice is gentle and quiet? We are taught that God can speak to us in a small still voice and not always in loud voice or scenes. This then shows the need for us to be still in case he comes is such still voice or else we will miss his message.

Q11. (1 Kings 19:14) In what ways does self-pity prevent us from discerning the Lord's voice? What is the relationship of self-pity to pride? To entitlement? How does a sense of entitlement stand in the way of true discipleship? I think we may be so engrossed in self-pity that we may not be sensitive to the voice of God. It may be due to our high estimate of our worth that we may conclude that given our mighty worth, God should not allow us to face trials. A disciple is to be like Jesus who abandoned his entitlements, lowered himself from being God to being a human so as to be a sacrifice for my sin and that of humanity. As disciples, we should not allow our entitlements to deter us from our discipleship.

Q10. (1 Kings 19:3-5) How might Elijah be "at fault" for being depressed? Is "fault" the right question? Does God chide him for "lack of faith"? How does God minister to him? How do you minister to a friend who has isolated himself or herself in deep depression? I don’t think Elijah was “at fault” for being depressed and afraid by the threat from Ahab. Most of us may react in the same way due to the Adamic nature in us. God did not chide Elijah because he understood his short comings and thus provided a meal of baked bread and water to strengthen him as we will see in the next section

Q9. (1 Kings 18:40) When we repent before the Lord, why is it important to put away the things that facilitate and tempt us back into our old life of sin? When we repent before the Lord, it is very important to crucify every idol [whatever causes us to sin] so that we would not go back into the same sin over and over again. Yes, we want to avoid extremism. But what is the value of a clear break with evil? What is the danger of not making a clear break with evil? There is need to have a clear break with evil because light can not coexist with darkness just as satan cannot coexist with Christ. The danger of not making a clear brake with evil is that the evil one will eventually lure one to be completely on the side of evil.

Q8. (1 Kings 18:37; Malachi 4:5-6) In what way does Elijah have a ministry of "turning hearts back again," of calling for true repentance? How was this fulfilled in Elijah's successor John the Baptist? (Mark 1:4-6). Why is this an important ministry for pastors and evangelists? Elijah had the ministry of turning the hearts of the Israelites back again by convincing them that there was only one living and miracle working God as against dead, deaf and dumb gods by the display of Gods power demonstrated at contest here.

Q7. (1 Kings 18:30-32a) What is the significance of Elijah "rebuilding" the altar of Yahweh? What rebuilding needs to be done in your own worship practices? Your church's? What has caused your "altar" or practice of worshipping and living before the Lord to be broken down? How will you repair it? Elijah rebuilt the altar to remind the Israelites the genuine and right processes of sacrifice and worship of the living God of Israel whom they have forsaken. We need rebuild our relationships with the true living God and ensure we worship only him.

Q6. (1 Kings 18:21) What is the danger of syncretism? What currently competes with your allegiance to Jesus in terms of time, focus, commitment, etc.? Why is there competition, do you think? How long will you go limping between two opinions? The danger of syncretism is that one ends of being without the true God because one cannot serve two masters. What currently competes with my allegiance to Jesus is time taken for secular tasks and business endeavors. There is need for me to give priority to Jesus and I am trying to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness first as all other needs can then be met by my Lord. So help me my Lord and my God

Q5. (1 Kings 18:3-16) What do we learn about Obadiah from this passage? What do we know of his faith? Of his courage? Of his fears? If you were in Obadiah's situation, how much courage would you have shown? Obadiah served and worshiped the Lord God, Yahweh. He was very courageous as evidenced in preserving the lives of 100 prophets from Jezebel/Ahab death penalty; and being brave enough to go and tell Ahab that he had seen prophet Elijah. I probably would not have been as courageous as Obadiah

1. What lesson was Jesus seeking to teach his disciples when he sent them out without purse, bag, or sandals? (Luke 22:35) Jesus was teaching them to depend on God instead of man for their needs. God would use people- friends of the kingdom to supply their needs. 2. Why now does he tell them to take a purse and a bag? (Luke 22:36a) He asked them to carry purse and bag because at this time, due to the increased hatred and persecution against him, they would be persecuted too and would have to fend for themselves. 3. Why does he tell them to sell their overcoat, if they need to, in order to obtain a sword? What is the main point of mentioning the sword? (Luke 22:36b) The sword would give them more courage in the increasingly unsafe environment they were and in their long treacherous journeys. 4. Extra Credit: Is his command to obtain a sword meant literally or figuratively? What difference will your decision on the interpretation of 22:36b make in terms of your actions? I think Jesus meant it literally when he told the disciples to buy a sword because he knew that this would boost their shaky faith as they moved in an increasingly hostile environment. 5. Why does Jesus' quotation about being "numbered with the transgressors" have to do with the context of this passage? (Luke 22:37) Jesus was not a criminal but was crucified with criminals. He told the disciples that message to prepare them to face such unfair treatment, as they would soon find themselves accused along with some criminals. 6. How was being "numbered" with the transgressors fulfilled in Jesus' life? According to the passage quoted in Isaiah 53, what did he do for the transgressors by means of his death? See the a-part of my answer to question 5 please. He took away the transgression of transgressors and nailed it on the cross. This gave everyone the opportunity to put his faith in him and be saved from the transgression.

1. Why would you sift grains of wheat? (Luke 22:31) What kind of experience does "sifting wheat" convey? One will sift grains of wheat or any grain to get rid the chaff. 2. Extra credit: Why is Satan able to attack us? (Luke 22:31) What are the chief weapons he has at his disposal? Satan is aware of areas of our weaknesses and thus targets them to get at us. 3. How could Peter be so unrealistic about the level of his own strength and faith? (Luke 22:33-34) Why is he so out of touch? How does a person get in touch with their own spiritual strength? Peter thought that he was not vulnerable but was wrong. Most, if not all of us have our weaknesses and should thus rather boast in the Lord's strength rather than our own. 4. How can a believer's faith possibly become extinguished? How does Jesus' prayer affect Peter's faith? What are the limits of the power of prayer for another person's faith? Can we "believe them" back to God? Believer’s faith can become extinguished when they are tempted through diverse trials and are not well rooted in the Lord through prayers and the study of the word. 5. Is Peter stronger or weaker after his "fatal flaw" had been revealed? Why does God allow temptation to come to us at all? Peter was still weak even after Jesus had told him that Satan had wanted to sift him out. He still denied the Lord and only become stronger after Jesus restored him after his fall. 6. In what ways do you think Peter strengthened his brothers after Jesus' resurrection? In what ways can we strengthen our brothers and our sisters? After his fall and resuscitation Peter, upon the Pentecost experience was so full of power that he virtually became the leader the rest of the disciples.

Q4. (1 Kings 17:8-16) Why does God send Elijah to a poor widow rather than a rich man? God sent Elijah to a poor widow to show that He has the power to cause the impossibility or difficult situation to happen. If God sent someone to you to provide for, how would you respond? I probably will look him up to size him up to see if at all he is able. But what I should do is to have faith in God and accept the person and his gift. Lord God Almighty increase my faith in you.

Q3. (Proverbs 1:1-7) What is the appropriate role of common sense in our lives? Does that supplement or contradict faith in God's ability to work miracles outside the natural order? We need to think and act on what makes sense but to ensure that the word of God guides us on our final position. Our decision based on common sense should not contradict the word of God or our faith in God.

Q2. (1 Kings 17:2-6) What does God feeding Elijah by ravens tell us about God? What does eating food sent by ravens tell us about Elijah? What do we learn about God's provision for us when we obey him? feeding Elijah by ravens shows that God can do that which is humanly unthinkable or impossible. Eating food served by raven shows Elijah’s faith in God and thus his willingness to obey Him. When we obey God he can go to any length to do for us what may be humanly impossible.

Q1. (1 Kings 17:1) What kind of courage does it take for Elijah to go before King Ahab with a message of drought? What dangers does this bring to Elijah? Why is "speaking truth to power" so difficult when the power structures are corrupt? Great courage and faith in God’s ability to deliver and protect him was required for Elijah to be able deliver such a powerful and confrontational massage to the King. This challenging message has the potential of putting Elijah's life at the risk of death.

1. (Luke 22:24) Why does pride so easily dominate the life of leaders? Why do proud men and women seek out leadership roles? Why are we tempted to "lord it over" others -- at work? in our families? in our churches? We are tempted to load it on others especially if we are in a higher position because of the common mentality that a leader is to be served. 2. (Luke 22:25) Why are we eager for titles? Reverend, Doctor, Chairperson, President, Director, Minister. What do titles do for us? What do titles do to us? We are eager for titles because of pride as titles puff us up. More so, titles make people respect us more and reserve good seats for such title holders. 3. (Luke 22:26-27) How does a servant leader contrast with a self-absorbed leader? Whom should leaders serve? Their followers? or Christ? Can you cite any examples when who we should serve isn't clear? A servant leader sees himself as one out there to serve. A self-absorbed person on the other hand sees himself as the one to be served. Leaders should serve Christ as well serve the followers. 4. (Luke 22:28-30) What are the four promises Jesus offers his disciples in verses 29-30? Jesus: i. Acknowledged and appreciated his disciples for being for him during his ministry ii. He conferred them with kingdoms iii. Promised to dine and feast with them at the marriage supper. iv. Will appoint them as judges of the twelve tribes of Israel.