Commissioned

Q2. (Psalm 15) The Wisdom Psalms are meant to instruct us. How would you use this psalm in your family to instruct your children? What topics of right living does it cover? If I had children, using this Psalm I would instruct them on the characteristics of right living, highlighting areas of a righteous person who is careful in walking up rightly, having chaste conversation, being a person of integrity, a person who can be relied upon to stand by his word. I would teach them that as a Christian they are to love their neighbor and love them as they love themself, speaking kind words of them, rendering assistance wherever they can. They will also be taught to dispise evil but love all man.

Q1. (Psalm 1). This short psalm seems to reaffirm what we already know: the righteous will succeed and the wicked will perish. Why do we need to be reminded of this? As long as we are on this side of Heaven Satan will bring temptations our way. God has given us His Word to remind us that success lie ahead if we would stay faithful. From an emotional standpoint, what lines in this psalm stand out to you. Why do you think you like them? The line that stand out to me and is a part of my prayer is, "nor standeth in the way of sinners." It is my earnest desire not to be a stumbling block to anyone coming to know Christ as Saviour and Lord.

Q4. (21:33) How does the realization that God is El-Olam, the Eternal God, effect you? The realization that God is El-Olam, the Eternal God, gives me assurance that He is every where present. How does it alter the way you live your life? I can live my life knowing that the sam God who has brought me to this point in my life will be here to take me through eternity. Praise God! Hallelujah!

Q3. In what ways has God blessed Abraham in this difficult chapter 21? Abraham is blessed because as his son Ishmael will also be blessed even though he had to send him away. Given what we know about Ishmael's character (16:12; 25:18), how has Abraham been blessed that he sent him away? Abraham was blessed having sent Ishmael away because it was foretold that he would be a wild man, a terror to those around him. How has Isaac been blessed? Isaac was blessed having the pleasure of being respected as the sole heir. What might have happened if Ishmael hadn't been sent away? I believe that if Ishmael had stayed he would have made life for Isaac one of torture, always provoking him. And there could have been a fight for inheritance of their father's property. Have you ever been rejected or sent away? Were is God in all of this? No, I have never been rejected or sent away. In all situations, God is right there.

Q2. (21:8-10) What motivates Sarah to demand Ishmael's expulsion from Abraham's family encampment? Sarah was probably protecting her son Isaac from Ishmael's poking fun at him and the fact that if he stays around he might inherit part of Abraham's property. Is she righteous in this? No, she was not right, but she did it for her son. Have you ever tried to force your spouse to act against his or her principles? Can't say that I have. Have you ever been forced yourself? Yes, and I regretted it, but now thank God that He brought me out of darkness into this marvelous light.

Q1. (21:5-7) The name Isaac means "he laughs." What is Sarah's laughter like now compared to her laughter in 18:12-15 and Abraham's laughter in 17:17? Back in 17:17 both their laughter was one of "can't wait to see that happen," and in 18:12-15 their laughter is that of joy of finally having a son. What does this tell you about God's sense of humor? God is a God of impossibilities and was probably amused at their laughter earlier and after the birth join in with their joy.

Q4. (19:30-38) Why did Lot's daughters turn to incest? Lot's daughters wanted to preserve the lineage of their father. What does this tell us about their values? Lot's daughters were looking out for themselves, they had no morals. They were now in a position of poverty, without dowery they would have no husbands and thus no children so they took matters in their own hands. About their faith? They had no faith. If they did thy would have leave it up to God to provide for them. Why does Lot turn to intoxication? Lot was destitute and failed to trust God, so he turned to wine. What does this incident tell us about his faith? His hope? His influence? His choice of residence? What lessons should we learn from this story? Lot gave up on trusting God. I suspect being in Sodom for so long he forgot how God is a provider and that He is faithful. Living in Sodom, Lot held no influnce over the people of Sodom including his sons-in-law. I can't imagine why he stayed there so long, the city ruined his life and destroyed all that he had. A lesson to be learned here is to flee all unrighteousness without hesitation.

Q3. (19:26) After nearly being delivered, why did Lot's wife stop and gaze rather than escaping? Lot's wife was probably regretting having to leave the plac of her birth and all those whom she knew there. What was in her heart? Her heart was probably struggling knowing that she couldn't be with her old aquaintance and th destruction that is on the way to destroy them. Have you ever struggled with this in your heart? It is always a struggle when you have to walk away from people who are refusing the way of the cross and walking into damnation. What lesson does Jesus draw from Lot's wife in Luke 17:31-33? Jesus concluded by saying, "...Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it." In order for us to live we must lay it down and take up the cross and follow Him.

Q2. (19:15-16) Why did Lot and his family hesitate? Lot and his family hesitated because they feared leaving behind their material possessions. Have you ever hesitated when you should have been fleeing a danger? Yes, I can readily think of a situation where I hesitated when I should have fled the danger and God was there to bring me out safely. What is the lesson for us? God is truly, always, protecting us from ourselves. We ought to obey Him, He's looking out for our good.

Q1. (19:4-11) How can Christians keep balance on the issue of homosexuality in our day? Homosexuality is a sin and Christians should always remember that we are to love the sinner but hate the sin. Is it really possible to be loving and compassionate toward practicing homosexuals at the same time as you condemn the sin? Yes, it is possibile to be loving and compassionate toward practicing homosexuals at the same time as you condemn the sin. You cannot expect to be a witness of Jesus Christ without demonstrating true Christian love. It is demonstrated love that will open the door to present Christ to them. Once they have accepted Christ as Savior and Lord then it is the work of the Holy Spirit to teach the Homosexual how to apply the Word to live a righteous life. Should the church be silent about homosexuality? If not, what should we be saying? Where should we be saying it? The church should not be silient about homosexuality. The church is called to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and to teach the truths of th Bible. We are to preach the unadulterated Word of God, meaning that we do not compromise, but we preach against all sin. Wherever there's a platform open and available to us, the full Word should be spoken.

Q3. (Psalm 63) Why is recognition that God loves you the basis of all faith? What does this realization bring about in your life? Recognition that God loves you is the basis of all faith. Assurance of God's love is life changing. When you have this assurance all the other things that He said and the promises made to you you will accept and rest in him. It gives you the basis for eternal hope that comes with faith in God.

Q2. (Psalms 42-43). What is the psalmist feeling during this spiritual struggle? The psalmist is feeling alone and that his protection has been taken away, he no longer feels that God is near and is afraid of being overtaken by his enemies. How does he combat his spiritual depression? He combats his spiritual depression by praising God in spite of the condition of his spirit. Have you ever felt this way? How did you reach out to God at this time? I have been in situations where I found myself out of God's will and experience a state of depression. Repentance and praise brought me out in such times.

Q1. (Psalm 27) What does it mean that David desires to "dwell in the house of the Lord"? David desire to "dwell in the house of the Lord" meant that he longed to draw near to God in a place of safety, a place where there is always rejoicing. What does it mean to "seek his face"? To "seek his face" means to earnestly seek to hear from God. How does David provide hope at the end of this Psalm? David provides hope by saying that he is assured that, no matter what, God will come through and he will see God's goodness prevailing. He admonishes that we wait patiently for God to move on our behalf.

Q4. On what ground does Abraham so boldly address God? Abraham was bold in addressing God on behalf of his nephew bcause he knew that God was just. Do you think God desires us to do the same? Why or why not? Yes, it is God's desire for us to approach Him as a just God, who can be trusted to do whats right. God wants us to come to Him in every circumstances. Why do you think Abraham's intercession pleased God? Abraham's intercession pleased God, firstly because Abraham showed that he knew the character of God. Secondly, Abraham approached God boldly and with persistence and thirdly, because his prayer was a plea for others. What will it take for us to please him in our prayers? When we approach him with trust, sincerity, persistency and boldness.

Q3. (18:19) In your own words, describe what a lifestyle of Keeping the way of the Lord consists "doing what is right and just." looks like in the twenty-first century. In what ways is this difficult? In the twenty-first century, Keeping the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just," involves living uprightly, being a person of integrity and being led by the Spirit of God so that God's will would be done. In what ways is this easy? This becomes easy as we intentionally set ourselves to constant communion with God. What are the special challenges? The special challenges are being sidetracked by the burden of life and the distractors that can pull us out of daily communion with God and cause us to risk not hearing his voice leading us in the right path.

Q2. (18:16-19) How can fathers and husbands strike the right balance -- of being godly, caring leaders without being dictators? Fathers and husbands must follow the leading of the Holy Spirit, seek God daily and bring the family up to love honor and obey God. Once they point others to Christ and away from themselves then the tendency to want to be a dictator is diffused. How can mothers and wives strike the right balance -- of being submissive and at the same time being open about their needs and desires? Mothers and wives likewise must see themselves as God sees them, and take on the role of mother and wife as God ordained; remembering that we are all created for a specific purpose and it is that purpose that we should seek to perfect.

Q1. (18:14) How can we tell if we really believe in God's present willingness to do miracles in our day? We can tell if we really believe in God's present willingness to do miracles in our day by the prayers we pray. If our prayers ask Him for miracles and we continue in expectation making no provisions for an alternative then we believe and will receive. Is there any indication in Scripture that God will stop doing miracles? There is no indication in Scripture that God will stop doing miracles. Jesus, specifically told us: Matthew 7:7-11 (KJV) "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" The Word of God stands until Jesus Christ returns for the Church. Is there any indication that God continues to do miracles? Every second of every day miracles are happening, those seen in crusade services and those experienced in the backyard. How can we regain an active faith in the God of miracles? Never stop expecting. Ask for them, then continue on, but expect what you ask for.

Q4. In your own words, how would you explain why circumcision is now obsolete for Christians and that baptism is now sign of the covenant? Jesus came and brought a new covenant, that covenant require that we need no longer perform the ritual of the old circumcision which was a cutting of the flesh, but now require that we follow Christ in baptism as we identify with His crucifixion, burial, and resurrection and our hearts are circumcised or purified.

Q3. What does it mean to have your heart circumcised? To have your heart circumcised is to have your heart cleansed from all unrighteousness and to walk uprightly before God. Why is this a necessity for all true believers, both Jew and Christian? Circumcision of the heart is necessary for all true believers because it is a mark of spiritual purity. It is the pure in heart that will see God. Matthew 5:8 (KJV) Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. How can we keep our faith active as an inward expression of love rather than become only an external religion? Have you ever struggled with this? We can keep our faith active as an inward expression of love rather than become only an external religion by seeking daily to keep your heart pure, to be humble and live according to the commandments and promises of God, then we can keep our faith active as an inward expression of love.

Q2. (17:11) What does circumcision signify for Abraham, his household, and his descendents? Circumcision signified that Abraham, his household, and his descendents were members of the covenant people. It was a sign of the covenant. Why is some kind of definite act on Abraham's part important to confirming the covenant? The definite act that was important on Abraham's part to confirm the convenant was for him and the generations to follow to observe and guard their part of the covenant so that the covenant would be fulfilled. What does Abraham's obedience the very same day signify? Abraham's obedience the very same day signify his total commitment to give heed to the covenant.

Q1. (17:1-2) When God tells Abraham, "Walk before me and be blameless," is he requiring moral perfection? What kind of blamelessness does he require of Abraham? When God tells Abraham, "Walk before me and be blameless," He was not requiring moral perfection. The kind of blamelessness that was required of Abraham was to give complete faith and trust in God Almighty, to live in total obedience and to live by God's commandments. Does he expect more (or less) of Christians under the new covenant? God expects the same from Christians under the new covenant. Our walk should reflect Jesus. The unsaved should see Jesus in us.

Q3. (Psalm 139). In what way does the wonder of creation in the psalm seem to affect the psalmist? The Psalmist realizes that along with his intricate, intimate formation, as a creation of God, it means that God knows his whole life from its very beginning to its very end. The Creator is both omnipotent (all-powerful), but also omniscient (all-knowing). God has full knowledge of every fact of his life. In his concluding prayer in verses 23-24, what does he ask God to do? Therefore, in his concluding prayer, David beseeches God to search his heart and cleanse him of any offensive way so that he can live and be lead by God forever.

Q2. (Psalm 19) Verses 1 to 6 seem very different from verses 7 to 13, but there is a common thread that relates the first part to the second part. What is it? The common thread that relates verses 1 to 6 with verses 7 to 13 is the Word of God being revealed. In verses 1 to 6 it is revealed in creation and in verses 7 to 10 the Word of God is revealed in written form. In what way does the psalmist seem to bask in God's Word? Have you ever felt that way? The Psalmist basks in the Word of God through meditation and receives benefits to revive his soul; he receives wisdom, joy, enlightement and finds the Word of God to be completely pure and righteous. These are the benefits that we all receive when we take the time to meditate on the Word of God. How does the psalmist's wonder in creation seem to affect him in this psalm? When faced with the glory of God in the creation and the awesome requirement of God in his Word, the psalmist is suddenly conscious of his own sins. In the classic prayer of verse 14, what is David asking God to do? David is asking God to be pleased with the words that he speaks and those which he meditates upon.

Q1. (Psalm 8). What does this psalm teach about God? The Psalm teaches that God, compared to His humongous creation is greater, but yet He is ever concerned about His creation. What does it teach about human beings? The Psalm teaches that we are weak and minute in comparison to God's majesty as shown in His creation that is humongous. What does it teach us about Christ? The Psalm teaches that Jesus came in the form of man. He made Himself lower than the angles in order that the plan and purpose of God may be fulfill. What does it teach about our responsibilities? That our chief purpose is to serve God and to rule responsibly over His creation, the work of his hands. Our rule is never independent of God, but in submission to God.

Q4. What lesson is God teaching you out of Hagar's experience? Which situation that God is calling you to is most difficult for you to submit to? The lesson taught here is that regardless of your status in society, the Body of Christ or in the home; God has a plan for your life and if you submit to His leading you will be rewarded in this life and in the next. Submission and obedience are watch words for the child of God. Many times we may be faced with opposition but if we remember that God sees and is in charged we can trust Him to bring us through the trying circumstances of life and to bring us to His desired end.