Commissioned

Q2. (1 John 2:28; 3:2-3) In what way does our expectation of Christ's Second Coming motivate us to purify ourselves from sin? We are motivated to purify ourselves from sin because we do not know when He will return. Jesus will judge the world of righteousness and unrighteousness. As children of God we want to be purified from sin so that when Jesus returns we can appear with Him as He is with the same nature. How does purifying ourselves from sin relate to God's grace? God has graciously given us the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide us into those things which are holy. We are called to be holy even as Christ is holy.

Q1. (1 John 2:29-3:2) In what sense are we "children of God"? We are not children of God in some kind of general sense. But very specifically, we are children of God because God sent his Spirit into our hearts to bring new life. The Apostle Paul tells us of the gracious presence of God's Spirit in us when he says: "You received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father.' The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children." (Romans 8:15b-16). What does the Holy Spirit have to do with this "new birth"? The Holy Spirit is our conveyor to new birth in Christ. Jesus to Nicodemus that no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again,and He went on to say that, "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, You must be born again" (John 3:6-7). How does the new birth change us? The new birth is a spiritual rather than natural birth. The Spirit gives birth to the spirit in man and the spirit of man is born again unto the spiritual things of God. No longer should there be desires for the control of the flesh but that of the Spirit and in continuous communion with the Holy Spirit, our Guide and Teacher.

Q5. (1 John 2:26-27) If we have the Holy Spirit, why do we need teachers in the church? In Ephesians 4:12, the Apostle Paul tells us that we need teachers in the church: "For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." How does the role of the anointing differ from the Holy Spirit's spiritual gift of teaching? The role of the anointing differ from the Holy Spirit's spiritual gift of teaching in that the anointing has been given to all believers but the gift of teaching is given only to those whom the Holy Spirit desires to give.

Q4. (1 John 2:24-28) What does it mean to abide/remain/continue in Jesus? To abide/remain/continue in Jesus means to continually live by His word; allowing the teaching of Christ to be our daily guide for living. Give an example of what a Christian might be doing who is "abiding" in Jesus. Jesus told us, "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you" (John 15:7, NRSV). The Christian who is abiding in Him will go to Him daily making all requests known to Him. What are symptoms in a Christian who is not "abiding" in Jesus? When we are not abiding in Jesus, we take on situations in the flesh believing that we can respond without consulting Him. Then when we find ourselves in greater problems we are left feeling that He has left us, when in fact He was there all along.

Q3. (1 John 2:20, 27) In what ways is the Holy Spirit an internal Guide for us? The Holy Spirit is an internal Guide for us because as Jesus indicated, when the Spirit is come He will guide us in all truth, "when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come" (John 16:13, KJV). Further, Jesus said that the Holy Spirit will, "reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:" John 16:8 (KJV). The Holy Spirit is the believer's conscious, internal Guide. In what ways does he teach us? The Holy Spirit teaches us. Jesus said that His time remaining with the disciples is drawing nigh and other things He had to teach them will come to them by the Holy Spirit: "I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (John 16:12-14, KJV). In what ways does he point us to Jesus' teaching? The Holy Spirit teaches us as He brings back to our memory all that Jesus has taught: "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. In John 15:26 Jesus said that the Holy Spirit will testify not of Himself but He will testify of Jesus.

Q2. (1 John 2:20-21) What is the "anointing" that John is talking about? The "anointing" that John is talking about is the endowment of the Holy Spirit. In what way is anointing connected to the Holy Spirit in the Bible? The anointing is connected to the Holy Spirit as is quoted by Jesus Himself when He said, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor" (Luke 4:18). This same anointing has been passed on to the believers. Jesus prepared His disciples for the coming Holy Spirit. He told them, "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me" (John 15:26). Jesus went on to say in John 16:7, "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." Do you think that each Christian has received this anointing? In the body of Christ each believer has received this anointing, it is a promise of Jesus to every believer. This is how John can confidently say, "As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit -- just as it has taught you, remain in him." (1 John 2:26-27)

Q1. (1 Timothy 3:2-12) What kind of leader do you believe Paul is indicating for us with the phrase "husband of one wife"? With the phrase "husband of one wife," Paul is indicating that the leader must be a person of respectable reputation; one who is not a womanizer and is the husband of one wife. Why is a leader's family an important indicator of leadership potential or problems? As a leader the candidate's family is important as it is an indicator of their leadership style. A leader who invests time with the family and take care to instill godly values in their children will maintain godly discipline in their own life. The leader's spouse must also possess a reputable image.

Q1. (1 John 2:18) What is this antichrist that John expects to come? The antichrist that John expects to come is the antichrist as described by the prophet Daniel and spoken of by Jesus. This antichrist will set up in the temple "an abomination that causes desolation" (Daniel 9:27); and causes the unbelievers to worship him (Rev. 13:8). What is the difference between the antichrist and antichrists in the church John is writing to? Both are adversaries of Christ and will lead people astray to worship Satan. The antichrist that they were experiencing was teaching false doctrine and promoting lawlessness even though the man of lawlessness was yet to be revealed his work already influenced the church. In what ways do we see the spirit of antichrist at work in our day? We see the spirit of antichrist in the world through the persistence of false doctrine that denied that Jesus is God and came to this world in the flesh and we see the temptation and yielding of believers to immoral behavior unbecoming of Christians.

Q4. (1 John 2:15-17) What kinds of sins are covered by the three examples of worldliness that John gives? The sins that are covered by the examples of worldliness that John gives are: 1) “the desires of the flesh” – man’s desire to satisfy the flesh by things that are forbidden. 2) “the desires of the eyes” – refers to man finding pleasure in those thing which the eye beholds and leads one into temptation and sin. 3) And finally, “the pride of life,” – man’s boasting of what he has and does. Why are these sometimes so difficult for us to discern in ourselves? These are sometimes difficult for us to discern in ourselves because of the pleasure we allow ourselves to enjoy when falling into the temptation and sin. Why is worldliness so harmful to our future? Worldliness is so harmful to our future because it will soon pass away. It has no value in the world to come. Only what we do for Christ has any lasting value.

Q3. (1 John 2:15-16) What is "the world" in verses 15-16? By "worldly" and "worldliness" John is describing the devil-may-care rejection of godly values and of devotion to the Lord that abounds in secular society today. What kind of love of "the world" keeps us from loving the Father? Love of "the world" that keeps us from loving the Father is worldly desires that consume us so much that we reject godly values and cater to secular ideals.

Q2. (1 John 2:12-14) John encourages "children," "young men," and "fathers." Why do you think he takes time to encourage them? John encourages "children," "young men," and "fathers" by assuring them of their status in Christ against the false claims of his opponents. This is an attitude the Body of Christ should perpetuate. We shoud always encourage our brothers and sisters in their walk with Christ. In what ways does he encourage them? Paul encourages the "children," those considered "babes in Christ," by reassuring them that when they sin they can confess them and be forgiven. He tells them, "Your sins have been forgiven on account of his name" (2:12). In the Name of Jesus their sins are forgiven. Paul tells them for little children to know their father's love is a wonderful, precious, and health-producing relationship, for when children know their father, they begin to know who they are in relation to him. A wonderful reminder that we can give to newcomers to the faith. To the "young men," Paul assures them that becaus they are overcomers and as young men they have the strength of Christ and need not fear. Finally to the "fathers," Paul tells them that the one they're serving is of old from eternity and that they can rest in the knowledge that their faith is grounded and solid in the Lord.

Q1. (1 John 2:7-11) How does hate and unforgiveness blind us spiritually? Hate and unforgiveness blind us spiritually becuase it inhibits our ability to step into the light. Hate and unforgiveness keeps us in darkness. If we have been darkened by hurt and hate, how do we come into the light? If we have been darken by hurt and hate, we come into the light by loving and forgiving those who caused the pain.

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? I believe that Paul's instructions about women teaching and leading in the church should be taken and applied on the basis of the gifting of the Holy Spirit. Yes, a women could be academically illiterate and deemed unfit to teach; but when you look at Paul himself, he was taken and taught by the Holy Spirit. The Word of God says that God is not a respecter of man, what He does for one He certainly can do for another. God can use whosoever He will to get His word out. Scripture showed that he used a donkey when necessary to get a prophet's attention. The Holy Spirit gives gifts according to his will and He does so on the basis of the mind and will of God.

Q4. (1 Timothy 2:9-10) How did women dressing in fancy clothes threaten to compromise the church's witness in Ephesus? These women by their style of inappropriate dress brought disrepute to the church as such dressings were attributed to prostitutes and women who wanted to flaunt their riches. The church in Ephesus, as all other churches, promotes the gospel of Jesus Christ which demands decency. How do we apply the principle of Paul's directive in twenty-first century churches without instituting a new legalism? Paul's directive in to the church in Ephesus can be applied today without instituting legalism. If the body directs attention to the Will of God and not to themselves they would dress themselves as Paul suggested.

Q4. (1 Timothy 1:18-19) Why does Paul need to remind Timothy about the prophecies spoken over him? Timothy must have found work in the ministry to be overwhelming and the feelings of inadequacy crept in. Paul reminded Timothy about the prophecies spoken over him so that he would be encouraged to continue in ministry knowing that he was called by God into service. In practical terms, what does "fight the good fight" really mean? It really means to labor in the Christian vineyard, preaching the gospel and bringing in the harvest. Why does Paul tell Timothy to "hold on to faith and a good conscience"? Paul encourages Timothy not to give up, but to keep focus as he continue in ministry with good conscience knowing that God who called him to the work will strengthen him. What temptation is Paul trying to counter in his prot

Q3. (1 Timothy 1:17) What do we learn about God from this doxology? We learn that God is eternal, He is immortal, He is invisible and He is the only God. What do we learn about praise? Praise gives honor to God. The focus of the praise is exclusively for God. Praise describes God's unique attributes and ascribes due glory to His name. Have you ever tried speaking out a doxology in your personal prayer or praise time? Yes, I've tried speaking out a doxology in my personal prayer and praise time. What effect does a doxology have on the speaker? When doing so I am completely enrapt in the moment and the feeling of God's presence is experienced.

Q2. (1 Timothy 1:12-14) Why does Paul comment on his own life after a paragraph on the law (1:8-11)? In his instructions to Timothy, Paul comments on his own life not denying who he was before Christ called him into the ministry. Why does he share this with Timothy and the church that will read the letter? Paul's admonishment to Timothy and to those who will read the letter was instruction on the value of the law versus the gospel which he now preaches. How might sharing this help get the church back on center? Paul tells them that even though he was a student of the law, the gospel that he now preaches supersedes the law that he followed prior to conversion. He was telling them this to combat the false teachers that were teaching against the gospel.

Q5. (1 John 2:3-6) How can we be serious about obeying Christ without become legalistic and judgmental, with a self-righteous attitude like the Pharisees had? Yes we can, but only through love. When we truly love God we would obey His commandments and love for our neighbor would keep us from being self-righteous and judgmental. How do love and legalism differ? Love come from the heart. We obey God's rules because we love Him. Legalism, follows rules irregardless of devotion to God. How can we be serious about obedience and make love our center? By drawing close to God daily, through time spent with Him in quietness, in His Word and in prayer.

Q4. (1 John 2:1-2) What assurance does John give us if we do sin? If we do sin, John tells us that we have an advocate, Jesus Christ, He will mediate on our behalf. Jesus appears as a spokesmen before the Father for the sinners. How does this comfort us? We are comforted in knowing that Christ who has already paid the price for our redemption also secures our forgiveness. How does it make us want to avoid sin? When we say we love God we want to do what He says and diligently endeavour to resist the temptation to sin.

Q3. (1 John 1:9) How would you define "confession"? "Confession" is agreeing with God truth about sin, an act that was committed. Why is confessing our sins so important? It is important to confess our sins so that fellowship with God is restored. What happens to us if we stop confessing our sins? Sin unconfessed will continue and soon break the relationship with you and Father. What are the promises given to us if we do confess our sins? If we confess our sins God will forgive us of our sins and He will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.[/b] How is forgiveness of sins different from cleansing? With forgiveness we are pardoned for the sin committed, and His cleansing declare that we are clean again.

Q2. (1 John 1:5-7) What is the result when a Christian walks in darkness, that is, continues willfully to do what he or she knows to be wrong? When a Christian persist to walk in darkness, continuing to willfully sin, he is denying the power of the Holy Spirit to keep that which is committed to Him. As Christians we have the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth and when we chose not to allow the Holy Spirit to do His work in us we deny the power of God in our life. The power of God helps us to resist temptation to sin. How does this involve self-deception? What is the result, according to verse 7, when we walk in the light? How do we get back into the light if we sin? We deceive ourself when we fail to walk in the light. We are cleansed from our sins when we are walking in the light. When we sin all we have to do is to confess our sins and God in His faithfulness will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Praise the Lord!!

Q1. (1 John 1:3-4, 6-7) Why is our fellowship with fellow Christians so often just on a surface level? How can we have fellowship at a deeper level in Christ? What would it take in your Christian group or your relationships with other believers to deepen your level of fellowship so it is authentically Christian? Our fellowship with fellow Christians is so often on a surface level because we neglect to spend that quality time with them which will foster a deeper understanding of the individual, their needs whether it is spiritual or temporal. Once we have gain such knowledge we are obligated to share of ourself to help that person. Our help could be in the form of adding them to your prayer list or assisting in other ways be it financial or maybe just giving of our time. We can have fellowship at a deeper level in Christ when we spend more and more time with Him in the study of His Word, in prayer and in meditation. In our Christian group to deepen a level of fellowship so that it can be authentically Christian requires spending more quality time together; time in the study of the word and in social fellowship.

Q1. (1 Timothy 2:1-4) Why does Paul emphasize salvation of all mankind in this letter? Paul emphasized salvation of all mankind in this letter because the false teachers were propagating a teaching in so focused on Jewish genealogies that the lost sight of God’s desire which is salvation for all men; not the Jews only but that all men might be saved. What does this suggest about the practice of evangelism in the Ephesus church? Today, as we go about in evangelism we must be careful to reach all people with the message of salvation. Jesus, God’s son came into this world and died that all men might be saved. This is our message in the familiar Sunday School memory verse, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” That’s salvation for all men.

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? The problem among the men of the congregation that Paul is referring to in this verse stemmed from the strife caused by those who were teaching false doctrines. God is pure and those that worship Him must come to Him with pure hearts and clean hands.

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? Paul emphasized the role of Mediator and Ransom in the context of the salvation of all because he wanted to show that it was Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, and not any other who secured salvation for mankind. As 'mediator,' Jesus stands between God and man to reconcile man to God. His death on the cross was a substitution act, a 'ransom' for man. He took our place on the cross. He died so that we will live.