Commissioned

Q1. In what ways do Mary's and Joseph's consecration of Jesus set an example for us? The example that Mary and Joseph set for us is their obedience to God's laws. The obeyed the commandment of circumcision and giving to God the firs born.

Q6. Why was it important for Jesus -- and for us -- to grow "in favor with God and men" (2:52)? It was important for Jesus to grow "in favor with God and men" because "with God" he showed that he was in God's will and "with men" his ministry was pleasing to those who accepted him. How is our relationship with people vital to our spiritual growth? Our relationship with people is vital to our spiritual growth because it helps us apply the Word of God to our every day life.

Q5. What does it mean that "the grace of God was upon him"? (2:40) "the grace of God was upon him" means that God granted Him the divine enablement to complete His ministry. Why was this necessary for Jesus? "This was necessary for Jesus because while here on earth he experience the same temptations and other adversities that the normal human would. Why is it necessary for us? It is necessary for us because even as Satan tempted Jesus he tempts us today and much more; without God's grace we would fall.

Q4. Why did Jesus have to obey parents who were his spiritual inferiors? (2:51) Jesus had to obey parents who were his spiritual inferiors because it was God's will and to afford him the development that he needed. How can our inability to submit to authority be crucial in our spiritual relationship with God? Our inability to submit to authority can be crucial in our spiritual relationship with God because submission to authority shows humility; without humility your relationship with God is jeopardized, you cannot see the kingdom of God.

Q3. Why was Jesus so engrossed in the Temple? (2:46-49) Jesus was engrossed in the Temple because it isHis Father's House. How was this interaction with Jerusalem's top teachers important for his own development? The interaction with Jerusalem's top teachers was important to Jesus for his own development because it answered questions that he had and I believe this gave him an opportunity to know the level of spiritual intelligence or scriptural insight of the teachers. How did this represent something that was absolutely necessary for him to do? How did this relate to his calling? In order for Jesus to "grow" he needed to study and know the scriptures as this was the foundation of His calling.

Q2. How do you evaluate Jesus' carelessness in not going home with his parents when they left Jerusalem? (2:43-44) I cannot agree that Jesus was careless in not going home with his parents when they left Jerusalem because his explaination for not being with them and being in the Temple said it all. He was about doing a higher "calling." Was Jesus at fault or they? If any fault is to be placed, I would have to say the parents were at fault for not ensuring that their minor son was in their company when leaving Jerusalem. What is the difference between an error in judgment and sin, if any? The difference between an error in judgment and sin is that sin is breaking the commands of God whereas error in judgment is a failure to use wisdom in a situation that appears to be harmless and not considered to be sin.

Q1. Since Jesus was already the Son of God, why did he have to "grow" in understanding and wisdom? (2:40, 52) Even though Jesus was the Son of God he had to "grow" in understanding and wisdom because "He emptied Himself" of omniscience and became the likeness of man.

Q1. Why does the New Testament condemn Esau for selling his birthright? (Hebrews 12:16-17) Thr New Testament condemns Esau for selling his birthright because he treated it as something not to be taken seriously. What did selling the birthright represent? Selling his birthright represented him giving his place and inheritance in the family. What does this transaction say about Esau's character and values? The transaction between Jacob and Esau says that Esau is not a man who looks beyond the present. What does it reveal bout Jacob's character and values? The transaction between Jacob and Esau says that Jacob is a shrewd opportunist.

Q4. What does the call to the Great Banquet sound like when we extend the invitation to those around us? The call to the Great Banquet sound like the call to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb when we extend the invitation to those around us. In what sense are we the servants told to compel them to come in? The servants are told to compel them to come in because today is the day of repentence, tomorrow is not promised to anyone. In what sense are we those who have been called to the feast in the Kingdom of God? We those who have been called to the feast in the Kingdom of God because it has been prepared for the Believers.

Q3. (Luke 9:57-61) Why was Jesus so harsh with those who made excuses when called to follow him? Jesus was so harsh with those who made excuses when called to follow him because the followers of Christ must put spiritual things first before other worldly things. Why is the call so urgent? The call is urgent because Jesus is soon to come. We must spread the gospel to the far and near reaches in the earth. Why do our excuses seem so trivial when offered to Jesus? Our excuses are trivial when offered to Jesus because all that we need for life and godliness He has given to us. Those excuses are an insult to Jesus.

Q2. (Luke 14:15-24) In what way is the Parable of the Great Banquet about grace? The Parable of the Great Banquet about grace because the host goes out of his way to continue inviting guest until the last seat was taken and the banquet hall was full. God will send Jesus to collect His Bride, the Church, when the last invitee accepts the invitation to salvation and his place at the Great Banquet. In what way is it about judgment? It is about judgement because those who refused to attend will not have that opportunity again; the banquet proceeded without their presence. In what way is it about evangelism? It is about evangelism because the call to those in the wide as well as the narrow street mirrors the gospel being preached in every nook and cranny to reach people everywhere. To what End Time event does the great banquet point? The Great Banquet points to the Marriage Feast of the Lamb.

Q1. (Luke 14:15-24) In the Parable of the Great Banquet, who do the original guests represent? The original guests refer to the Jews. Who do the later invited guests represent? The later invited guests represent the Gentiles. What does it mean to

Q4. (Revelation 22:4) When you meditate on "seeing his face," what thoughts come to mind? I think I'd be in a state of awe for several years in absolute worship. The thoughts that come now, MARANATHA!! Why should the Lord's Supper stimulate these thoughts every time we partake of it? The Lord's Supper should stimulate these thoughts every time we partake of it because the Great Banquet is a reality that soon will take place.

In what sense is the Lord's Supper point to the past? It points to the past as we remember the Lord's death. How does it point to the present? It points to the present as we come together in communion with other Christians. How does it point to the future? It points to the future as we look forward to being at the Great Banquet with our Lord's.

Q2. (Luke 22:16) In what sense does the Lord's Supper find its "fulfillment" in the Great Banquet at the end of the age? The Lord's Supper find its "fulfillment" in the Great Banquet at the end of the age because the very first time that Jesus will drink of wine and eat will be with those He as invited to the banquet and they have accepted. What should this do to our thoughts at the Lord's Table? We should look forward to the day when we will sit around the Great Banquet with the Lord as our Host.

Q1. Why are so many of Jesus' teachings oriented toward the future? Because our soujourn here on earth is only temporary. Our future is what wee have to look forward to. Jesus is preparing us for that great day. What kinds of associations come to mind as you think of the Great Banquet? On the most insignificant of association is the table at "Thanksgiving" with all the family at the table.

Q4. (Luke 13:18-20) According to these parables in this lesson, in what ways is the Kingdom small? According to these parables in this lesson, the Kingdom is small in that it is ever expanding. In what ways does the Kingdom grow? The Kingdom grows as more and more people accept the free gift of salvation. In what ways is the Kingdom door narrow? The Kingdom door is narrow because it is time-critical. In what way is the Kingdom banquet, on the one hand, large and diverse, and on the other, selective? The Kingdom banquet, on the one hand, large and diverse, because people of all nations are invited; and on the other, selective because only those who are saved will be allowed to enjoy the feast.

Q3. (Luke 13:28-30) The great

Q2. (Luke 13:24-27) Why do you think Jesus characterizes the entrance to the Kingdom here as

Q1. (Luke 13:19-21) What is the point of the Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven? Jesus was illustrating the kingdom of God to the disciples through His parables. The parables were to explain the eventual rise to greatness of the kingdom of God. How would this be encouraging to Jesus

Q4. (Matthew 6:12, 14-15) How could praying the Lord

Q3. (Matthew 18:34-35) Why does Jesus frighten us with his statement:

Q2. (Matthew 18:23-35) In the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant, what is the purpose of contrasting the huge debt with the small one? In the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant, the purpose of contrasting the huge debt with the small one is to teach us that we are to be merciful to those who are indebted to us regardless the cost. If we were to put ourselves in the parable, which debt would we owe? If we were to put ourselves in the parable, the debt we would owe is the greater. Which debt might be owed us? As in the parable, the debt that might be owed to us would be the smaller debt. Why was the king insulted by the unmerciful servant

Q4. (John 3:16) Why is this verse so famous? What does it teach us about God? What does it teach us about salvation? Since

Q3. (John 3:5-7) What does it mean to be