Commissioned

Q2. (John 3:3-5) What does entering the Kingdom have to do with being born anew? Which do you think is the best translation here: born again, born anew, or born from above. Defend your reasoning. When one is "born anew" simulteneously one enters into the Kingdom of God. The best translation is "born from above." To be "born from above" is to be "born anew," being born not in the likeness of the old Adam but of the Spirit, in Christ Jesus.

Q1. (John 3:3, 5) What does Jesus teach here about the nature of the Kingdom of God? Do you think Nicodemus understands him? Why or why not? Jesus is teaching here that the nature of the Kingdom of God is Spiritual. Nicodemus does not understand what Jesus is saying because he has not been born again. Nicodemus will not understand the nature of the Kingdom of God untill he accepts Jesus Christ as Messiah, the Son of God and Savior of the world; then and only then will his eyes be opened to enter the Kingdom of God.

Q4. What does Jesus teach us about the value and worth of the Kingdom? Why are we tempted to value it so little? What helps us to appreciate its true value? How might your testimony help a seeking friend to value the Kingdom more? Jesus teach us that the value and worth of the Kingdom is a gift of God'd grace to everyone who believes in Jesus Christ God's Son. We are tempted to value it so little because the cost comes without monetary value. We appreciate its true value when we accept Jesus gift of salvation and walk in faith and obedience to God's laws. Our testimony of salvation, God's love for us, and His gift of eternal life to those who believe.

Q3. (Mark 10:22) Why is poverty and self-sacrifice an inadequate religion? Why does Jesus ask the man to follow him? In what senses was this a great privilege that the man was offered? Why did he reject the offer? Poverty and self-sacrifice is an inadequate religion because the only true religion come when Jesus is accepted as Lord and Savior. Jesus asks the man to follow Him so that he could become a disciple. This invitation was a great privilege because if offered the man a place to be taught be Jesus Himself, to walk with Him, to talk with Him, to be one of His disciples. The rich young ruler rejected Jesus' invitation because he did not want to give up what he loved so much, the things, the prestige,the lifestyle that he lived to become a disciple, a follower of Christ.

Q2. (Mark 10:21) Why do you think Jesus requires the rich young ruler to divest himself of his fortune? Why does this trouble us so much? If there was no other way for the man to be saved, what does that say about the spiritual dangers of wealth? Jesus required the rich young ruler to divest himself of his fortune so that he can truly surrender all to God, putting his trust in God to provide for his needs and not depend upon his riches. This troubles us because we too cling to the things that we have. Like the rich young ruler we cannot enter the kingdom of God unless we give up everything that we have to be a follower of Christ. There is no other way for man to be saved and the spiritual dangers of wealth is allowing riches to take possession to the point of not surrendering completely to Jesus and His commands.

Q1. (Matthew 13:44-46) What do the Parables of the Hidden Treasure and Pearl of Great Price have in common? What is the main point of these parables? How should it affect our values? Our lives? Both parables have a valuable treasure in common. The main point of these parables is the value of one has of salvation. We should cherish our salvation to the point of giving up everything for the Kingdom of God. There is nothing as valuable compared to the joy, eternal joy that we have in the Kingdom of God.

Q4. (Luke 17:33-36) What does our passage teach about the separation and judgment that will occur when the Kingdom comes? How should this affect our lives? Our testimony? Our love for our neighbors? The passage teaches that there will be a separation, some with be taken to be with the Son of Man and those that are left will be left to experience destruction and punishment. Our lives should be affected by this by being in a state of preparedness. Our testimony should speak of our conversion and preparation for eternal life as we invite others to join us on this journey to everlasting life. When we truly show love for our neighbors we would share with them our testimony and the gospel of the Kingdom, so that they too would be prepared for Christ

Q3. (Luke 17:24-32) What indications does Jesus give in this passage that he will suddenly come in his Kingdom without further warning? What are the implications of this for our attitude? For our lives? The indications Jesus gave in this passage that he will suddenly come in his Kingdom without further warning are the fact the men will be going about their routine chores and not mindful of Christ

Q2. (Luke 17:22-24) What do Jesus

Q1. (Luke 17:21) In what sense was the Kingdom of God present in the Person and ministry of Jesus? In what sense is the Kingdom of God present today? The Kingdom of God was present in the Person and ministry of Jesus in the sense that the Kingdom is His domain and where He is there is the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God is present today in the sense that Jesus by the Spirit of God dwells within us.

Q4. (Matthew 11:12; Luke 16:16) Admittedly, this is a hard passage to interpret. However, if you take the

Q3. (Matthew 7:7-8) Why is continual asking, seeking, and knocking so essential to our looking forward to the Kingdom? Why do we give up so easily? How do we gain boldness and persistence in prayer? Our continual asking, seeking, and knocking is so essential to our looking forward to the Kingdom because it show a constant active quest to gaining the promise given. We give us easily when we break trust in the promises of God. We gain boldness and persistence in prayer as we open ourselves completely knowing that God already knows our thoughts, in fact he knows the intent of our hearts and He wants us to present everything to Him in prayer.

Q2. (Matthew 6:33) What does it mean in verse 33 to

Q1. (Matthew 6:24) Jesus seems to make it sound like you cant seek wealth and God simultaneously. Does he really mean this? Is this hyperbole? Figurative? Literal? Can wealthy people serve God in actual fact? The point that Jesus was making is that wealth causes many to put more trust in money that in God. It is not hyperbole this is reality; there are nations where the peoples trust in God is seen to wane when progressive medicine and technological advances is introduced. Wealthy people can serve God and in fact there are those who do, and see money only as a means to accomplish Gods will.

Q4. What did Jesus intend the Parable of the Soils to teach us about the

Q3. (Matthew 13:23) Even good soil can have factors that hinder growth in various parts of the field, or make some areas grow taller and fuller wheat. What factors make a disciple especially good soil for the growth of the word or message of the Kingdom? Factors that make a disciple especially good soil for the growth of the word or message of the kingdom are a life of study and meditation on the Word of God, praying , keeping a close relationship with God and living a life of witness and service to those who God may send your way. What might be the reasons for 30-fold, 60-fold, and 100-fold growth? It is possible that the reasons for the 30-fold, 60-fold and 100-fold are the many lives that will be touched when the fruit of the Spirit is manifested in and through God

Q2. (Matthew 13:22; Luke 8:14) Which of the thorns that Jesus mentions do you think is the most dangerous: Riches, worries/cares, or pleasures? The thorn that Jesus mentions that I think is most dangerous is the

Q1. (Matthew 13:20-21) Why, according to Jesus

Q2. (Matthew 13:22; Luke 8:14) Which of the thorns that Jesus mentions do you think is the most dangerous: Riches, worries/cares, or pleasures? As Pastor Ralph has outlined the various thorns I think the most dangerous of all is "Pleasures." Jesus says that the pleasure principle will choke out His life in us and make our lives spiritually fruitless and barren. This is not a place we want to be. Our lives should be about bringing pleasure to God, doing His will; not seeking to do our own will as we seek the pleasures of the world. Why do you think so? Any thing that separates us from fellowship with God and causes to break His laws is most dangerous.

Q1. (Matthew 13:20-21) Why, according to Jesus

Why is repentance so central to the Kingdom of God? Repentance so central to the Kingdom of God because the person who comes says by repenting, "I have forsaken all, left is behind to follow Christ. Now I am submitting to the ownership and control of God and Him alone." Why is baptism important to converts to the King? Baptism is important to the King because it is God's desire for all who will accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior to be immersed in baptism. Can Christ reign in an unrepentant heart? Christ cannot reign in an unrepentant heart. Unrepentance leaves one in a state of darkness, still under the power and reign of Christ's enemy, the devil.

(Matthew 3:11) What is the point of comparison between John

Matthew 3:5-10; Luke 7:30) How would John

What happens when people adopt the Christian faith without repenting of their known sins? When people adopt the Christian faith without repenting of their known sins they chose not to change their way of living, they do not recognize that their sinful nature has to be born again. Why do people avoid repentance? People avoid repentance because they want to continue in the same thinking and behaviors as before adopting the Christian faith. What percentage of Christians today do you think are unrepentant, unprepared in heart? I think the percentage of Christians today unrepentant, unprepared in heart is high. A lot of people think that it is alright to continue in sin, until they yield to the Spirit of God's conviction, then they repent and receive forgiveness.

Q4. (Romans 8:35-36) What kinds of perils were the early Roman Christians likely exposed to? The kinds of perils that the early Roman Christians were likely exposed to were the same we are exposed to today. What kinds of perils are Christians exposed to today? The kinds of perils are Christians exposed to today are tribulations, hardships, persecution, famine, nakedness, perils, and sword (violent death). How does this passage reassure us? The perils of life cannot separate us from God and His love for us. In what sense do we Christians "overwhelmingly conquer" (NASB) despite the obstacles we face? We Christians "overwhelmingly conquer" (NASB) despite the obstacles we face in the sense that regardless of the perils of life we still have the love of God.