Commissioned

Q3. (Romans 8:31-32) What is the significance of the statement: "If God is for us, who can be against us?" The significance of the statement: "If God is for us, who can be against us?" is that if gives security for the Believer. God is is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient; He who is working everything out of our good gives us the confidence that we need fear nothing because the greater One is on our side. Who might our enemies be? The enemy of the Believer is evil. What is the evidence presented that God is for us? The evidence presented that God is for us is that He did not spare His own Son, but He gave Him up for securing our salvation. How does this statement make you feel? This statement give me an assurance that I need not fear losing salvation, God has procured it for me. How does it affect hope? My hope is a security of eternal life with God the Father, and Jesus Christ His Son. How does it allow you to act? I can live every day looking forward to the loving protection of Father toward me. What might: "...graciously give us all things" refer to? "...graciously give us all things" refer to the abundant life here on earth and eternal life beyond.

Q2. (Romans 8:29) What does it mean to "be conformed to the likeness of his Son"? To "be conformed to the likeness of his Son" means to be changed into the character of Jesus Christ. Having His attitude towards God and man. In practical terms, what does that involve in our lives? It involves us giving up the old man, renunciating the old man, the deeds of the flesh, and taking on righteousness; becoming more like Jesus every day. Why does Paul support this statement with ideas of our destiny? Paul supports this statement with ideas of our destiny because our likeness of the Son is not instantaneous, rather .we conform day by day, moment by moment becoming like Him more and more until we are ruling with Him in the new Jerusalem. Why does he support this with ideas of brotherhood with Jesus? Paul supports this with ideas of brotherhood with Jesus so that we can know that we are indeed brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ Himself.

Q1. (Romans 8:28) What is the actual promise contained in verse 28? The actual promise contained in verse 28 is for those who love God and who have responded to his call,they can be certain that God will cause everything to work out for their good. What does this promise mean? Put it in your own words. This promise mean that regardless of the circumstances God has me covered. Everything will work out for my benefit. What are the two qualifications to the recipients of this promise? The two qualifications to the receipients of this promise are that they love God and that they respond to His call for their lives. How does verse 28 give you hope? I have hope because I love God and I am responding to His call for my life.

Q5. (Romans 8:18-25) In what sense do we expect to experience God's glory when Christ comes? As we reign with Christ we also will experience the glory Christ has with God before He came to earth. "And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began." (John 17:5) How will the suffering creation experience God's glory? The suffering creation experience God's glory as a time of peace, a new heaven and a new earth. How will our mortal bodies experience God's glory? Our mortal bodies will experience God's glory in resurrected bodies. In what way will our spirits experience God's glory? Our spirits will experience God's glory as God's glory will extend toward us and fill us!

Q4. (Romans 8:24-25) What are the characteristics of a person who has lost hope? A person who has lost hope lives without confidence in any expectation in the future. How does this person typically conduct his life? Typically a person conducts his life based on the knowledge he has; confidence of what is ahead. How does this differ from a person who holds an eager expectation of a better future? A person who holds an eager expectation of a better future live with the expectation of what is to come What is the "Christian hope"? The "Christian's hope" is the return of Christ and reigning with him forevermore. How should it motivate us and affect our lives now? We shoul be motivated and live knowing that eternity is just around the corner. Not long now!

Q3. (Romans 8:26-27) How does the Holy Spirit act as a Helper or Mediator or Intercessor in verses 26-27? The Holy Spirit come to our defense before God. Thank God when we are struggling, weak and ignorant; He comes along side and takes us through. What similarities do you see between the Holy Spirit's ministry here with Jesus' teaching of the Spirit's ministry as Counselor/Comforter/Paraclete in John 14:16 and 15:26)? The Holy Spirit's role here is the same, it's interwined. Why do you think we tend to take the Holy Spirit for granted or fail to understand His ministry to and through us? We take the Holy Spirit for granted when we fail to appreciate His role in our life and accept the sufferings, the lack of, being less than God wants us to be. In many cases it is pure ignorance, lack of knowledge. So we are destroyed in so many areas where we should be standing strong.

Q2. (Romans 8:17-22) In what ways was suffering Jesus' lot in life? Suffering was Jesus' lot in life because He came to be a sacrificial lamb for the redemption of mankind. Why do we suffer? We suffer because of the fall of man (Adam and Eve). Suffering is part of the curse that came as a result of the sin. Why does all creation seem to be suffering? Death and decay also came to the animals because of man's sin. And further suffering of creation is due to man's errors. What will signal the end of that downward cycle of suffering, decay, and death? The end of the downward cycle of suffering, decay and death will be the return of Jesus Christ. Is there anything good to look forward to in this present life? In this present life the only good thing that we have to look forward to is the return of Christ for the Church.

Q1. In Romans 8:14-21, 28, how many times is the idea of being sons and daughters of God alluded to? Eight times the idea of being sons and daughters of God is alluded to in this passage. What are the promises made to these sons and daughters? We are promised to become heirs of God. We will inherit the same as Christ. What do we learn about our future and our role in the future of all creation? In the future we shall come into our full inheritance.

Q6. (Romans 8:15-16) How does the Holy Spirit inspire us to pray 'Abba, Father'? The Holy Spirit inspire us to pray 'Abba, Father' by infilling and empowering us as we cry out 'Abba, Father.' What is the significance of us referring to God as our Dad When we refer to God as our Dad we promote intimacy in our relationship. What happens in our lives if we don't have some kind of personal assurance of our salvation? When we don't have some kind of personal assurance of our salvation in our lives we live in fear of damnation. How do we receive this kind of personal assurance? We receive this kind of personal assurance when we truly repent and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. It is at this time that the Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit giving us the assurance that God has given us salvation.

Q5. (Romans 8:13-14) What does it mean to "mortify" or "put to death" the deeds of the body by the Spirit? It means that we stop doing the things that are sinful as the Spirit reveal them to us. What would it look like to watch a person do this? To watch a person do this you'd see them pursuing righteousness; no longer would they allow the former ways of sin to rule over them but instead they allow the Spirit of God to led them. What does it mean to be "led" by the Spirit? To be "led" by the Spirit means allowing Him to direct us in everything that we do. What does this look like in actual practice? Releasing the desires for the things of the flesh; those things that once held us in habitual sin, and submitting to the Holy Spirit to follow God's word and way for righteous living. How do "putting to death" and being "led" by the Spirit fit together? They fit together because when you are being led by the Spirit you put to death the sinful nature. How much of this is the Spirit and how much is us? We must relinquish our will to God and then the Holy Spirit is free to do His will in us.

Q4. (Romans 8:12) Do we have to sin? Are we compelled to sin? We do not have to sin. We are not compelled to sin. We no longer have to sin. We have been set free by Christ from slavery to sin, or the compulsion of sin. Jesus came to show us the way to eternal life and the road is not a roar where sin abides. Is it possible to live for two hours of wakefulness without sinning? Four hours? One day? Two days? It is possible for us to live for two hours and more of wakefulness without sinning. Paul reminds us,"For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death." (Rom. 8:2) Where do we Christians get such a defeatist attitude towards sin? From Scripture? We get this defeatist attitude toward sin fron the influences of the enemy, he would like for us to believe that it is not possible to live without sinning so that when we fall to sin we feel that we've only done what was inevitable. We have been set free from sin. Let's live that way!

Q3. (Romans 8:9) Is it possible to be a Christian without the Holy Spirit residing in us? No, it is not possible. The Holy Spirit come to take up abode in us the moment of our repentance and the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. What is the difference (if any) between the <i>indwelling</i> of the Spirit and the <i>fullness</i> of the Spirit? The indwelling of the Holy Spirit belongs to every believer. The believer who is actively bearing the fruit of the Spirit in his personal relationship and in ministry in the community and beyond displays the fullness of the Spirit. How do we remain "full" of the Spirit? By aggressively seeking and abiding in a relationship with God.

Q2. (Romans 8:5-6) Exactly what does it mean to set your mind on the things of the Spirit? It means to have our minds filled with the things of God, on those things which are pure in the sight of God. Paul tells us in Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." [/indent The things of the Spirit comes from the heart of God. These are the things we ought to meditate on. How do you do this? We do this by listening to the Spirit as He speaks to us. How can you recognize when the things you're setting your mind on relate to your sinful nature? You can recognize when the things you're setting your mind on relate to your sinful nature when it is against the will of God. Paul says the mind becomes hostile to God. How much of this is deliberate? It is totally deliberate when the mind is not under the control of the Spirit but is being led by the flesh. How much is habit? In both cases it is a habit that was developed. What part does the Holy Spirit have it this? The Holy Spirit is always there to lead us in the right direction. Or is this primarily right living by force of will? It is always our will that determines whether we will be guided by the Holy Spirit or by the flesh.

Q3. (Philemon 18-19) Paul vouches for Onesimus and puts up his money (at least in theory) to cover Onesimus

Q2. (Philemon 14) Why doesn

Q1. (Philemon 12) Why does Paul send Onesimus back to Philemon where he can lose his freedom again? In Paul's words he says that Onesimus had become useful to both Philemon and Paul. This usefulness will guarantee his freedom. Why is it necessary for Paul to do this? It was necessary for Paul to do this because as a slave, Onesimus rightful place was to be in the employ of his master, Philemon. Paul wanted all parties to dowhat was the Christian thing to do. Why is it necessary for Onesimus to do this? As a Christian, going back and submitting to his master was in keeping with Christian virtues.

Q4. (Colossians 4:17) Why do you think Archippus was singled out in verse 17? Archippus was singled out in verse 17 because now he was to take the role as leader in the church. He was to see to it that the instructions given by Paul was being carried out. If you could invent a story of his role in the Colossian church, how would you describe Archippus? I would describe Archippus as a pastor, who preaches the Word of God giving instructions for daily living. In what ways does he remind you of yourself? I have accepted God's call to preach His Word, sharing God's instruction for daily living.

Q3. (Colossians 4:5-6) What instructions does Paul give us in sharing our faith with non-believers? Paul tells use to let our witness to non-believers be full of grace and of love. Why, do you think, we sometimes let opportunities slip by? We sometimes let opportunities slip by when we are concerned too much on earthly things and not focused on kingdom living. When we begin to see everyone as God sees them then we will seize every opportunity to witness. How will our conversation being “full of grace” help us represent Christ well? When our conversation is “full of grace” we will display the love of Christ. They will see love coming from us and when we tell them that God loves them we can say with confidence that what thwy see in us is only a smidge of the love that God has for them. Then they can believe.

Q2. (Colossians 4:3-4) What prayer request does Paul ask of the Colossian believers? Paul requested prayers be made that God will provide opportunities for him and the other men with him could speak the Word of God and that God will help them proclaim the Word with clarity. What does it mean to pray for an open door. The phrase "open door" is opportunities to preach the gospel. Why does he ask for prayer in communicating the gospel? Isn't he an old hand at this? Why does he need help? Paul ask for prayer in communicating the gospel because it is the Spirit of God working in him and in the hearer that the words would be effective.

Q1. (Colossians 4:2) What guidelines does Paul give us to C? In forming our praying habits Paul tells us to devote ourselves to prayer, to be persistent, to be watchful and to be thankful. If you put these into practice fully, how would they affect your prayer life? If I put these into practice fully my communication with God would be extended as I pursue watchfulness I would increase my time of intercession. What problems would they help correct? Paul's advice on prayer would correct selfish prayers; those that only cover "me, my four and no more."

Q4. (Colossians 3:25-4:1) What instructions does Paul give masters

Q3. (Colossians 3:22-24) If you apply Paul

Q2. (Colossians 3:20-21) In what way does obedience prepare a child for everyday life in the future? Obedience prepare a child for everyday life in the future because he/she will have respect for authority. For spiritual life in the future? Obedience prepare a child for spiritual life in the future because he/she will submit to spiritual fathers and mothers and most of all to the Word of God. What can fathers do to keep from discouraging their children? Fathers can see opportunities as teachable moments as oppose to moments when they speak negatively to their children.

Q1. (Colossians 3:18-19) Why do you think Paul chose these directions to give to wives and husbands

Q4. (Colossians 3:12-14) Why are Christian virtues so important to Christ? Christian virtues so important to Christ because as God's people we are to portray his image. In doing so we honor our Savior. Why are they so important to the church? Christian virtues so important to the Church because we represent Jesus to the world. As we witness for Christ they see the goodness of God working in and through us. Why are they so important to non-Christians? Christian virtues so important to non-Christians because it make the community a better place to live. Why are they so important in our homes? Christian virtues so important in our homes because our children are influenced by it and they demonstrate the same Christian virtues in their lives and it perpetrates into succeeding generations.