Commissioned

Q3. (Matthew 7:9-11). What do these verses teach us about God's relationship to us? It teaches that God is our Father. What do they teach about God's characteristic response toward us? As the earthly father response to his children with good gifts, so God responses to His children. How does this differ from a cynical view of God? In a cynical view of God one sees God as being overbearing and not a wise and just God who knows how to give good gifts to His children. Why is a positive understanding of God important to be able to pray with faith? A positive understanding of God is important when we pray so that we have the assurance that when we ask in faith believeing He is just and will answer wisely with what is good for you.

Q2. (Matthew 7:7-8) Which lesson is taught in both the Parables of the Friend at Midnight (Luke 11:5-10) and the Widow and the Unjust Judge (Luke 18:1-6)? How do these relate to the commands in Matthew 7:7-8? In the Parables of the Friend at Midnight (Luke 11:5-10) the lesson tautht here is persistence, in the Widow and the Unjust Judge (Luke 18:1-6) again the lesson conveyed persistence, as in Matthew 7:7-8. The point is to continue to pray, and not to give up. Ask! Seek! Knock!

Q1. (Matthew 7:1-2) What do the words "ask," "seek," and "knock" have in common? They convey a desire to acquire something. What distinguishes them from each other? The gradual intensity each conveys. Does one word convey more intensity than another? Yes, "seek" seemingly conveys more intensity than "ask," and "seek" seemingly conveys more intensity than "knock." What is the significance of the present, continuous, imperative tense of these verbs? The significance of the present, continuous, imperative tense of these verbs carry the idea of continuous and habitual action, and therefore stress persistency.

Q4. (Matthew 7:6) In Jesus' day, what did dogs and pigs have in common? They were both considered unclean animals. What would holy food and pearls have in common? Both are considered to be precious to be cherished. Read Matthew 10:14; Acts 13:44-51; 18:5-6; and 28:17-28. In what kinds of circumstances did believers turn away from a continued sharing of the gospel? Believers turn away from a continued sharing of the gospel to those who reject the gospel outright. To what kinds of people did they continue their witness? In those days they continued to witness to the Gentiles.

Q3. (Matthew 7:3-5) What about this parable is humorous? Visualizing a plank or beam protruding out of a person's eye, if it were not thought of as being painful, one might see humor in it. Why do you think Jesus compares a speck of sawdust with a plank or beam? The comparison is to show that magnitude in size of the plank or beam to the speck of dust. What does the speck represent? The speck represents a fault in someone. What does the plank represent? The plank or beam represents the fault within you, that you should be able to see and dealt with. According to this parable, when is it okay to remove a speck? According to the parable it is okay to remove a speck only when after careful self-examination and surrender to God, repent of your own sins. Then in humility you allow youself to be used of God to bring healing to others. When is it not okay? It is not okay when you sourself have sin in your life that you have not dealt with.

Q2. (Matthew 7:1-2) Read a similar passage in Luke 6:37-38. According to Matthew's account, what is our fate if we measure out big heaps of judgment with a critical spirit? According to Matthew's account whatever measure we use, in this case big heaps of judgement with a critical spirit, we will receive the same. This is because we have not cleansed our heart to be able to receive the full measure of God's forgiveness, hence there will be that measure of judgment that awaits us. Matthew says, "With the measure you use, it will be measured to you [by God]" (7:2). According to Luke's account, how can measuring be both positive and negative? According to Luke's account this measuring can be both positive and negative, because the manner in which you deal with others is the manner in which you will be dealt with. "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. (Luke 6:36-37 KJV) What should we measure out instead of judgmentalism? As Christians we are called upon to measure out love. All of our endeavors should be laced with love, so that even when we have to criticize our brothers and sisters it will be constructive and they will benefit greatly.

Q1. (Matthew 7:1) Have you ever caught yourself severely criticizing others Christians behind their backs -- or to their faces? Yes, I have criticized other Christians behind their backs, for which I've repented. What is the attitude that underlies censoriousness? The attitude that underlies "censoriousness," is basically pride. The person has set him/herself up above the other person and finds fault in the worst way, not to be constructive but to condemn. How can the psychological concept of "projection" motivate harsh judgment? The psychological concept of "projection" motivates harsh judgment as one sees his faults in others and n so doing he is affirming self-condemnation and self-loathing. Why must Christians show love in the face of a brother's or sister's failing? As Christians we must show a failing brother or sister love because it in in these times that they need to be shown love. When they are shown love they are apt to be receptive of what God has given us to say to them which can lead to their repentance and restoration.

Q5. (Matthew 6:34) Is there humor intended in verse 34? Jesus may have smiled when He said to His disciples, "for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself." What is the point of Jesus' joke here? The point of the joke here is that we have no idea and no way of knowing what tomorrow holds, unless the Father reveals them to us. Therefore why worry about something that you have no control over. What is the command in this verse? The command here is to take no thought for the morrow.

Q4. (Matthew 6:33) What is the command in this verse? The command in this verse is "seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;" How must our seeking God differ from our seeking of food and clothing, according to this verse? Our seeking need not be about the temporal things of life but we are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. We are to have God and His reign as priority in all things. What is the promise found in this verse? The promise here is that all the other temporal things He will supply.

Q3. (Matthew 6:31-32) Why does Jesus mention the "pagans" or "Gentiles" in verse 32? What point is he making? In verse 32 Jesus mentions the "pagans" or "Gentile" as He illustrates the unbelievers are the one who run after these things not trusting that God is able to supply their every need. How should a Christian differ from a Gentile, according to Jesus' teaching in this passage? Christians should differ from a Gentile in his dependence on God to supply his needs and to take care of him completely. What emotional and faith effect does the phrase, "your heavenly Father knows that you need them," have in your life? Knowing that my Heavenly Father knows of my needs I can trust that He will supply them and I have no need to fret, worry or be anxious about anything.

Q2. (Matthew 6:25-34) How many times in this passage does the phrase "do not worry," "do not be anxious," or "take no thought" occur? In what way does excessive worry border on sin? Are worry and trust exact opposites? The phrase "do not worry," "do not be anxious," or "take no thought" occur three times. First, Jesus tell the disciples "take no thought" for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Second, He tells them, "take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?" And finally, He told them, "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself." Excessive worry borders on sin because it defiles the teaching of our Lord. Yes, worry and trust are exact opposites. When you fully trust in God there is no need to worry, and yet when you worry you show thatv you do not fully trust God.

Q1. (Matthew 6:26-30) What point does Jesus make with his twin Parables of the Birds of the Air and of the Flowers of the Field? Is the point trivial or is it valid? Not because its Jesus, but I do not consider anything that He did as trival. The point that Jesus was making with His twin Parables of the Birds of the Air and of the Flowers of the Field enters around the God the Father caring for His children. He tells us thatv just as God cares for the birds and the flowers, so He cares for us. We are much more important to Him than the flowers and the birds.

Q5. (Matthew 6:21, 24) The love of money can be a pretty subtle thing. Both the rich and the poor can love money. Can you describe a time in your life when you were deceived about this, and when the light in you was really darkness? According to Jesus, could desire for money **** a person (Luke 12:15-21)? I worked in a secular job for twenty plus years. During this time I spent many nights and weekends working. Time spent there was not time spent doing what God had called me to do. I agree that there were times of personal witnessing but it robbed me of the time that I should have spent in doing that which God as called me to do. I knew that I need to quit the job but continued because there were projects I wanted to complete, which called for money. The day came when the light of His love over flooded my heart and I walked away from it all to pursue my calling. Today I am fulfilled, in doing the work of my Lord. Those who refuse to heed the tender call of the Holy Spirit of God and pursue wealth could find themselves ****, condemned for all eternity.

Q4. (Matthew 6:24) Jesus seems to make it sound like you can't seek wealth and God simultaneously. Does he really mean this? Is this hyperbole? Figurative? Literal? Can wealthy people serve God in actual fact? Jesus is not against people being rich. He is demonstrating that when people pursue wealth they are drawn away from the priority of serving God. There can be only one priority, and that must be serving God. Wealthy people can serve God, and God has wealthy people who are carrying out the work of ministry with their resources. These abundant resources are helping to bring people to Christ and maintain the efforts of ministries in bring the gospel to the poor and needy.

Q3. (Matthew 6:19-21) According to the Bible, how does one "store up treasures in heaven"? What advantage does this have over accumulating earthly possessions? Why are we uncomfortable with the concept of rewards in heaven? According to the Bible, one "store up treasures in Heaven" as he does good works here on earth the rewards are stored in Heaven. This is advantageous over accumulating earthly possession as the earthoy possessions have no value to a person after death. Only what is done for Christ will last through eternity. We are comfortable with the rewards in Heaven because there the Father will say to us "Well done."

Q2. (Matthew 6:19) Jesus says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth...." Is he speaking figuratively? Hyperbolically? Generally? Specifically? Is this a new teaching, or an old one? In His teaching, Jesus is speaking against greed, against man's drive to acquire the material leaving out the seeking of the spiritual. He is telling us that the acquisition of material aside from God will not bring you to a place in God in Heaven. This is not a new teaching, as He also say that where you pile your treasures, there will your heart be also.

Q1. (Luke 12:15-21) Read the Parable of the Rich Fool. What did Jesus condemn him for? Storing his harvest? Jesus condemned him for not ascribing his abundance to God, not for the storing of the harvest. What is the key verse in this passage? What is the context of this parable? How does this relate to the Sermon on the Mount? The key verse in this passage is verse 15, inparticular Jesus' saying "beware of covetousness: a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth." In His sermon on the Mount Jesus instructs us that we are to be generous in that which God has blessed us with for the care of others.

Q4. (Matthew 6:12, 14-15) Why should we continually ask forgiveness? We should continually ask forgiveness because it is in our forgiving others that we can receive forgiveness in kind from Father. How can unforgiveness on our part block God's blessing? It is blocked because in His prayer Jesus teaches that as we forgive we are forgiven. How can unforgiveness block God's forgiveness? Unforgiveness blocks God's forgiveness because the one who choses not to forgive holds malice in his heart and his heart can only become pure when he forgives and receives forgiveness.

Q3. (Matthew 6:11) Why do we seek to be independent of asking anyone for help? We seek to be independent of asking anyone for help because of the need to keep private the family's shortcomings. We do not want others to know that we do not have it all together. Why do we seek to be independent of God? We seek to be independent of God because we are healthy and in a position to earn a living and the family's needs are met. Why should we ask God to "give" us daily bread so long as we can earn a living for ourselves? We should ask God to "give" us daily bread, as Jesus' instructed us to rely of the Father for everything. Even if we are earning a living for ourselves, still we must remember that it is God who gives us this ability.

Q2. (Matthew 6:10) In what sense are we asking that the Father's kingdom should come? When we pray asking that the Father's kingdom should com we are asking God to manifest the power and glory of his kingdom in us, and throughout our world. We are praying that Christ might reign over all. We are also asking the Father to hasten the return of Jesus Christ to this earth. Why are we asking for the Father's will to be done here on earth? We are asking for the Father's will to be done here on earth because in His will we have the riches of heaven and a taste of eternal life here on earth. How should this prayer affect our living? We should be praying for the Father's will and living according to His will.

Q1. (Matthew 6:9) What about our lives and words "hallows" the name of our Father? The Father is holy, His name is holy and He is set apart from sin. As sinners we can approach the holy Father because of the work of Jesus at the cross, His atonement to reconcile us back to the Father. What desecrates and besmirches it? The Holy Father's name is desecrated and besmirched when used in a profane and common way. How should we "hallow" the Father when we begin to pray? When we begin to pray, we "hallow" the Father by addressing Him as the God who is holy and above all. Though He is called Father, we respect His position of authority and greatness.

Q4. (Matthew 6:8) If God knows what you need before you ask him, why should you ask him at all? What sense does prayer really make? Are we mainly to talk for our own edification and encouragement? Why or why not? Prayer is communicating with God and when we pray we exercise our faith. We ask Jesus in prayer because He told us to do so. Prayer is for our personal edification and encouragement, as the Holy Spirit intercedes with us. Because He told us to pray in His name we do so in obedience, expecting that He will honor His word and grant us the request.

Q3. (Matthew 6:5-7) Why does Jesus tell us to pray in secret? Though public prayer in church gatherings is commanded in scripture (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 1 Timothy 2:1), in which circumstances might public prayer in a church service be contrary to the spirit of Jesus' instructions in these verses? How do flowery prayers hinder the development of disciples? Jesus tells us to pray in secret because in His day people prayed in public to be seen by others and it was offensive. In today's church settings praying very loud, that draws attention to you over and above all others, is caused by pride. This should not be. Jesus said that when we pray we are to pray to the Father. When we pray tothe Father we can do so from the heart. Flowery prayers are sometimes done out of pride and this will hinder the development of the disciples.

Q2. (Matthew 5:42 and 6:1-4) How does Jesus' teaching here and in 5:42 on giving to the needy influence you and your attitudes towards the poor? What will you do differently as a result? What keeps us from giving more to the poor? Is that a good enough reason? In this teaching I can see that Jesus expects that we should be generous with what He has blessed us with and giving to the poor is an act of unselfishness. Now I can give knowing that this is the Will of God. Pride and selfishness prevents us from giving to the poor. There is no good reasons not to give to the poor.

Q1. (Matthew 6:1-18) How do the commands in this section relate to "performing for the audience of One"? Our giving, praying and fasting need not be done to impress others but rather these should be done out of love for our Lord. What is the antidote for the chief sin that is addressed here? The chief sin here is "pride." The antidote for this sin is genuine love for others. In what ways do churches and non-profit organizations use this sin to motivate people to give? Some churches motivate their people to give by offering them rewards for giving.