Commissioned

Q2. (22:42) Why did Jesus pray that the Father take the cup from him? The cup that Jesus was about to drink was that of bearing the sin of the world. Bearing the sin of the world would separate Him from the Father. And Jesus prayed in this manner because He knew that this would bring great grief to the Father. According to Mark and Matthew, Jesus repeated this prayer three times. Why was he so intense about it? He was so intense about this prayer because he wanted more than anything that the Father's will be done. What did this mean? It means that when we pray we ought to submit ourselves to the Father's will. Why was Jesus resisting the Father's will? Or was he? Jesus knew the purpose of his journey here on earth and gave himself willingly.

Q1. (22:40-41, 45-46) Why did he ask his disciples to pray? Jesus ask his disciples to pray that they do not fall into temptation. What temptation did Jesus know they would be facing? Jesus knew that soon they would face the temptation to deny Him as their Master. What was the content of their prayer to be? They are to pray that they won't "enter into" or give into the temptation. Did they actually pray this prayer diligently? No. They fell asleep. How does the Lord's Prayer word this kind of prayer? "Lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil." Why do you think Jesus wanted to be alone during his own prayer? I think Jesus wanted to be alone in the presence of His Father. Its the same place we ougth to yearn to be.

Q4. (2:4) What danger is Nehemiah in? Nehemiah is in danger of affronting the King and being dismissed or killing for being so open about his true feelings. Especially since his feelings were caused by the state of affairs of his hometown, Jerusalem, and that it was a direct result of this king's own policy. Why does he pray quickly and silently before he answers the king? Nehemiah prayed quickly and silently before he answered the king because he wanted God to give him favor with the king. How does this quick "arrow prayer" relate to the four months of prayer he has just finished? Having prayed for four month, this "arrow prayer" is a continuance of the months of prayers when he agonized over the state of Jerusalem.

Q3. (1:11) In what way does Nehemiah's situation compared to Esther's? In both cases God had someone strategically placed for His plan, in the case to deliver Israel, to be fulfilled. Why does God place his people in strategic positions today in the community, in business, in the military, in government? He places them in strategic positions so that His Will would be done. God works through his people. What responsibilities do we have to God that can cause danger to our positions and our lives? We have a responsibility to be available for God to use us and work through us. When we are not in place to hear from God we might be heading for danger that could have been avoided. Has this ever happened to you? How do you pray in situations like this? Yes it has and I repented and asked God's forgiveness and to help me to be more in tune with His voice.

Q2. (1:7-11) What is the basis of Nehemiah's appeal? Nehemiah's appeal was on the basis that God promised to gather the children of Israel and bring them to the place He has chosen as a dwelling place for His Name; if they returned to Him and obeyed His commandments. "Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses, saying, 'If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the nations, but if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.'" (1:8-9) How does he argue his case before God? He argues his case by reminding God of His words to Moses. What do we learn from this about intercession? We must study God's Word, meditate on it and as Nehemiah did, recall God's Words in prayer.

Q1. (1:1-6) Why does Nehemiah pray day and night for four months? Nehemiah prayed day and night for four months because he was burdened as he confessed the sins of Israel. Why does he fast and weep? Nehemiah fasted because the petition was great. And he wept because he was genuinely sorry for his and the nation's sinning, and was in deep repentance. Isn't that excessive? No. When we intercede we ought to identify with those we are praying for and then be prepared to go before God in prayer until we hear from Him.

Q4. (9:15-19) What was Daniel's essential prayer? Daniel's prayer is urgent and impassioned. Daniel interceded for his people that God would have mercy on a nation who had disobeyed his commands and had worshipped other gods. What are the various grounds of Daniel's appeal? Daniel's appeal was based on the following: God's Precedent - God had delivered Israel from Egypt which provides a precedent for Him delivering them from Babylon. God's Glory - As God received the glory when He delivered them from Egypt, so will the deliverance from Babylon bring him glory. God's Righteousness - Deliverance of God's people shows God's righteousness as an act of mercy. God's Personal Identification with Jerusalem - God has identified himself with Jerusalem, the city that "bears your Name." While Israel's sins have brought scorn to Jerusalem and Israel -- and to God, by association -- deliverance will erase that scorn. Worship in God's Temple - With the deliverance of Israel, once again the temple will be filled with worshippers. God's Mercy - On the basis of God's known character of mercy. How did God answer the prayer (see Daniel 9:20-23)? God answered Daniel's prayer -- both by the personal messenger of the Angel Gabriel and historical events that unfolded.

Q3. (9:5) Since Daniel is such a righteous man in his generation, why does he identify himself with the sins of his people? He didn't commit them. As Daniel prayed, he identified himself with the sins of his people so that he can intercede for them. He felt the grief and the burden. This allowed him to intercede for the nation with a heavy heart. How does this compare to how Jesus sought forgiveness for his people? Jesus also bore the sin of the world upon himself when he went to the cross.

Q2. (9:3-4a) What is Daniel's demeanor as he prays? As he prayed, Daniel was intensely serious and prayed in complete humility. How does he prepare? Daniel fasted, and was clothed in sackcloth and ashes. Why is this so important in this case? Daniel knew that only God had the answer for his people and that if he prayed, in earnest, God would deliver his people to their homeland. In what ways might you and I prepare for intercession? When going into intercession, if time permits, we should prepare ourselves by fasting and pulling away from the everyday affairs that will distract and draw your attention. Pull away and get alone with God.

Q1. (9:1-3) What encourages Daniel to seek God for the forgiveness and restoration of Israel to its homeland? Daniel was encouraged to seek God for the forgiveness and restoration of Israel to its homeland as he realized the seventy years of captivity was nearing an end. The prophecy of Jeremiah, the prophet, is just about to be fulfilled. And Daniel, believing the promises of God, prayed for Israel that God would forgive their sin and enable them to return to their homeland. What trait on Daniel's part brings this encouragement to pass? Daniel was an intercessor, he believe that God answers prayers and therefore in times of concern he took the petition and presented it to God.

Q4. How do confession and repentance fit with self-examination? Self-examination reveals the character of the individual, if there is sin in his life then he needs to confess them and repent so that he may grow spiritually healthy and live victoriously . What is the result of self-examination without confession and repentance? Self-examination without confession and repentance is a futile exercise. The individual continues in the state as before, pretty soon his spiritual life will become stagnant and if this condition persist he might eventually backslide, fall away from the faith. How do confession and repentance serve to bring spiritual health and character change? As you confess and repent the Holy Spirit will help you to live a righteouse life and as you walk in obedience to God your character will change and you will begin to look like Jesus.

Q3. (1 Corinthians 11:28, 31) Introspection by a neurotic person can foster guilt and self-loathing. Where is the balance? How can we conduct self-examination and self-judgment so that it has a healthy rather than an unhealthy result in us? In order for us to have a healthy result when we conduct self-examination and self-judgment we must use the Word of God as the standard for righteous living and allow the Word to transform us. This is also where you find the balance, seeing yourself as Our Merciful God sees you and allowing the Holy Spirit to help you correct the flaws that you have found.

Q2. (1 Corinthians 11:29-32) Why has God brought judgment to the offending parties at Corinth? God brought judgment to the offending parties at Corinth because they had sinned and His judgment upon them was a corrective punishment. Isn't sickness and death rather harsh? In God's corrective punishment the results could be sickness and death, but as is stated in Proverbs, God only punishes those He love and has accepted as sons; and that's a great place to be. "My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth." How does God's discipline actually work for our good in the light of Hebrews 12:5-7? We are admonished to: "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?" (Hebrews 12:5-7) When we are disciplined it is for our benefit that we might grow as sons of God.

Q1. (11:29) Why does "not discerning the body" at the Lord's Supper constitute such a grave sin? "Not discerning the body" at the Lord's Supper constitute such a grave sin because the communicant while obeying one of Jesus's commands: "And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me." 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 (KJV) On the other hand is disobeying another thus partaking unworthily. "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." 1 John 3:14-18 (KJV) We must seek God's guidance and ask for wisdom in discerning the needs of our brothers and sisters. Aren't there worse things a church could have done? No. All sin makes you unworthy of partaking of the "body" and "blood" of Our Lord. "Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body." 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 (KJV)

Q4. How does "eating the Bread of Life" (to use Jesus' metaphor in John 6) nourish our faith? "Eating the Bread of Life" nourishes our faith as we utterly believe Jesus' words and completely trust in him as the source and sustainer of our life. We are strengthen daily and we walk in obedience. How does partaking of the Lord's Supper build and nourish our faith? Jesus commanded us to regularly partake of the Lord's Supper. As we do this we remember that He died for our sins and that we have eternal life through his death. We also reflect on His resurrection which also strengthens us spiritually as we are believing that we also will be raised from the dead on the Last Day, just as Jesus was raised. What does the main point of the Bread of Life discourse (John 6:25-69) have in common with "Do this in remembrance of me," in Jesus' Words of Institution (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)? In both the disciple is called upon to exercise faith in the Words of Christ; to trust, believe and obey as indeed this will bring everlasting life.

Q3. (John 6:53-71) If to eat Jesus' flesh and drink his blood is a strong expression for "to believe," why does Jesus emphasize this so strongly? Jesus emphasized the eating of His flesh and the drinking of his blood so strongly because of the importance to his disciples. Jesus wanted to make it clear to them that "to believe" and "to eat Jesus' flesh and drink Jesus' blood" are synonymous. In Jesus' earlier teaching the disciples were taught "he who believes has everlasting life." Now, He reiterates this teaching with the emphasis on partaking of the "flesh" and "blood" of Jesus which they will do not many days hence and will continue to do because they "believe." What was the difference between the Twelve and the crowd of "disciples" that turned away from Jesus? The difference between the Twelve and the crowd of "disciples" that turned away from Jesus is the fact that they took Jesus' teaching of "to eat Jesus' flesh and drink Jesus' blood" literally, whereas the Twelve took the teaching figuratively. What is the mark of true disciples according to John 8:31-32? The mark of a true disciples according to John is one who continue to hold to the teachings of Jesus, i.e. they continue to obey the words of Christ.

Q2. (John 6:51b) What is Jesus referring to when he says, "This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world"? Jesus was refering to his death on the cross, where upon, He gave his life for the sin of the world. Jesus' gift of his body is for "the life of the world," that is eternal life. What similarities do you see with Jesus' teaching at the Last Supper in Luke 22:19b? Jesus commanded his disciples to commemorate his gift to the world by partaking in the Lord's Supper.

Q1. (John 6:35-51) What does the metaphor of "eating the Bread of Life" mean in practical terms? In practical terms the metaphor "eating the Bread of Life," for believers in Jesus Christ, is to eat the living bread. We do this when we partake of the Lord's Supper. The Bread of Life brings eternal life to those who eat it. "This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." John 6:50-51 (KJV) To extend the same metaphor, what do you think might be the difference between nibbling and actually making a meal of it? One nibbles when one comes to the table of the Lord and not allow the full spiritual meaning of the Institution to take permanance in their life. Nibblers lives are not fully impacted by the power that the "Bread" imparts. Those that make a meal of it allow that power to impact their every day living as they look forward to that day when Christ returns.

Q4. (Revelation 22:4) When you meditate on "seeing his face," what thoughts come to mind? I would like to believe that Jesus is looking down on me with a smiling face, while thoughts of my failings might come to mind He will welcome me in His ever loving arms. Why should the Lord's Supper stimulate these thoughts every time we partake of it? It was for those failings that He died for me. Thank You Jesus!

Q3. In what sense does the Lord's Supper point to the past? The Lord's Supper points to the past as it directs our thoughts to the death of Christ for our sins. How does it point to the present? The Lord's Supper points to the present as we partake with believers of like faith in a communion with the living Christ. How does it point to the future? The Lord's Supper points to the future, our promise of eternal life in the presence of God.

Q2. (Luke 22:16) In what sense does the Lord's Supper find its "fulfillment" in the Great Banquet at the end of the age? The Lord's Supper finds its "fulfillment" in the Great Banquet at the end of the age as Jesus Himself will fulfill the prophecy: "I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom." (Matthew 26:29 || Mark 14:25) What should this do to our thoughts at the Lord's Table? As we partake of the Lord's Supper our thoughts should be focus on Jesus Christ and to that great day when we will share in the Great Banquet with Him and all the other Saints. Maranatha!

Q1. Why are so many of Jesus' teachings oriented toward the future? So many of Jesus' teachings are oriented toward the future because he prepares us for what will be when we enter eternity. It gives us a taste of that blessed and glorious future when we will be in the presence of the Lord. It is a reminder that this present world is only a byway to our future rest. What kinds of associations come to mind as you think of the Great Banquet? Oh, the half has never been told! It is baffling to think what that Great Banquet will be like. I think that God will present to each one of us a Great Banquet that will suit our personality. For some of us He has given opportunities here on earth to enjoy varying degrees of abundance, while there are those who live in varying degree of poverty; then there are some who relish in languishing besides a crystal blue sea and there are those who would rather climb to the top of a mountain. Our Omnipotent God will present a Great Banquet that is beyond anything that we can think of as the ultimate pleasure today.

Q4. (1 Corinthians 10:17) How does Paul's teaching on the One Loaf affect our relationships and love for those of other Christian denominations and traditions? We ought to be tolerant and allow for differences in other denominations. Paul's One Loaf teaching should cause us to see ourselves as united in Christ. How does blanket judgmentalism towards the faith of other Christian groups sometimes seem to excuse us from Jesus' command to love one another? In many instances we do judge other denominations and the faith of other Christian groups and allow our pettiness to get in the way of us being obedient and loving them as we love those in our congregation. Jesus prayed that we would love each other and it is encumbrant on us to love each other as He love them. If God could love them then surely we can.

Q3. In what ways do the divisions in Corinth sound familiar in our own congregations? In every congregation you'd find some sought of a division, even as it was in Corinth. Don't pick on another congregation; how about your own? My congregration is no different than that of Corinth or any other today. There are those who cause division and there are those who always see the wrong someone else is doing except there own wrong. We must all examine our individual self before we look over in our neighbour's faults. How serious was the need for unity? Can bickering congregations partake of the Lord's Supper without sin? In a congregation unity is very important, one should not partake of the Lord's Supper when there is unforgiven sin.

Q2. Read Mark 11:25 and Matthew 5:23-24. How do these relate to Paul's teaching on the One Loaf (1 Corinthians 10:17)? Both passages Mark 11:25 and Matthew 5:23-24 speak to reconciling with a brother that you have an issue with; Paul's teaching on the One Loaf teaches that when we are out of fellowship with a brother we are actually out of fellowship with ourselves since we are one in Christ. What must we personally do to achieve unity to prepare ourselves to partake of the Lord's Supper righteously? To prepare ourselves to partake of the Lord's Supper righteously we must personally examine our relationship with others and if there be a wrong go and make it right prior to partaking of the Lord's Supper.