Commissioned

Q4. Which part of the meaning of the Lord's Supper is most valuable for you at this point in your spiritual journey when you partake of and meditate on the Lord's Supper? At this point in my spiritual journey when I partake of and meditate on the Lord's Supper the part of the meaning of the Lord's Supper that is most valuable for me is the focus on Christ's death. I am forever grateful for Christ sacrifice on the cross so that I may have eternal life. Thank you Jesus!

Q3. Which action words used to describe the elements of the Lord's Supper, teach us that we are to be thinking of Jesus' sacrifice of atonement, when we partake of the Lord's Supper? The action words used to describe the elements of the Lord's Supper that teach us that we are to be thinking of Jesus' sacrifice of atonement, when we take the Lord's Supper are "broken for," "given for" and "poured out." The words "broken for" represents Jesus' body that is "given for" the believer in a sacrificial sense. The words "poured out" used of the wine represents Jesus' blood that was "poured out" or "shed" for the forgiveness of our sins.

Q2. How can an extreme symbolic interpretation cause a person to have too little respect for the Lord's Supper and its elements? An extreme symbolic interpretation may cause a person to have too little respect for the Lord's Supper and its elements because it denies the Lord's intention for the ordinance and the opportunity for the Spirit of God to manifest the power of God in us as we partake of the bread and the wine. Where is the balance, do you think? The balance comes when we submit to the Lord's command to "do this in rememberance of me." Do it, just because he said so, nothing more. Even though the ritual may be shrouded in mystery; allow God to be glorified in your obedience.

Q1. How does your particular understanding of the bread and the wine (literal or figurative) help you grow closer to Christ when partaking of the Lord's Supper? When partaking of the bread and the wine I am drawn closer to Christ knowing that as I take the the bread the manifestation of the stripes that Jesus bore on his body was for my healing and I eat it to the healing of my body. Also, when I take the wine I am reminded that the blood that Jesus shed was for my cleansing and the forgiveness of my sins; and I drink it to the continued cleansing of my mind, body and spirit. As I partake the Lord's Supper I am reminded of his imminent return. Maranatha!

Praise the Lord!

Q4. (20:3) What is the basis on which Hezekiah asks for healing? Hezekiah asked for healing on the basis of God's mercy and power to heal. Why is personal righteousness and holiness important in getting your prayers answered? God desires obedience. When we can go before God with a pure heart and speak of our righteousness and holiness in obedience to His command we humbly make a plea for His favor upon us. How can unrighteousness prevent answered prayer if all gifts from God are by grace anyway? Though gifts from God are by His grace, unrighteousness can prevent answers to prayers. God may or may not answer the prayers of the unrighteous, if it is an unselfish prayer,a prayer of necessity, a prayer for a just God to act on behalf of the weak and downtrodden; I think that God will answer.

Q3. Why is Hezekiah's healing important for his nation? At the time there was no successor and the nation was still being threathen. How did it relate to God's promises to David? God had promised David an unbroken lineage to sit upon the throne.

Q2. (19:15) How do the first two sentences of Hezekiah's prayer (verse 15) correspond to the first sentence of the Lord's Prayer? Hezekiah begins his prayer with an awesome vision of who God really is. In the Lord's prayer, God is envisioned also, as holy and in heaven. How are they important to faith? This vision of God drives our own faith in Yahweh's power even as it did Hezekiah. How are they important to God answering the prayer? We have placed Him above all and recognize His power and authority.

Q1. (19:14) What is the significance of Hezekiah spreading out the enemy's message before the Lord? Hezekiah relinquished his authority in the battle and submitted to Jehovah. He laid out the problem before the Lord and asked for God to deliver them out of the hands of the enemy. What is the underlying principle illustrated here? If we allow Him, God will fight our battles. How can we apply this principle to our own lives? In all of life's struggles and battles we are to rest in the Lord, knowing that it is the Lord who will bring us to victory. What happens when we don't apply this principle? We go into battles and are bruised, or maimed needlessly.

Q4. Why is a person's attitude with regard to giving related to that person's attitude towards praise? A person who gives freely will offer praise and worship to God in abundance. Because they are grateful to God they will show it in their giving and praise to him. Why does an attitude of possessiveness with regards to giving get in the way of worship? It retards our willingness and freedom to give praise to God. In what sense do all your possessions belong to God? God is the source of all that we have. It all comes from Him and belongs to Him. What then should be your relationship to your possessions? How will these truths re-energize your giving? Your praise? We should regard our possessions as a resource that God has placed in our hands to help others and in so doing bring glory and honor to Him. We shoul be grateful and offer thanks and praise for that he has given to us.

Q3. Verses 11 and 12 both attribute various characteristics to God, such as glory, honor, and might. How might you begin to mention God's greatness in your own prayers? My prayers would ascribe holiness and power to our righteous God. Addressing Him as the only one worthy of honor, glory and praise. Let praise and worship be unto Him forever and ever. Where is this kind of praise found by example in the Lord's Prayer? The beginning of the Prayer declares God's holiness and His Lordship. What are your favorite songs that point to God's greatness? Great Are You Lord How Great Thou Art Holy, Holy, Holy.

Q2. In what way does praise exalt God? Praise exalts God because it lifts Him up as King and head over all. Why should we exalt God? We should exalt God because of Him being our God. He is worthy of exaltation and we recognize and give honor to His Sovereignty. What does this exaltation do in us? Our exaltation of our God humbles us and at the same time it strengthens us in our faith and our devotion to God. What does it say about us? It says that we are His and that we submit to His Lordship and Sovereignty.

Q1. In what way do our prayers of praise "bless" God? Our prayers of praise

Q4. What does it mean to have a broken heart and spirit? A broken heart and spirit describes the condition of genuine sorrow for the sin committed. Why is this essential in the prayer for pardon? When our hearts break with sorrow at our sin, then we are ready for forgiveness. In what sense is this a "sacrifice"? As David puts it, the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken heart and spirit. "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." (Psalm 51:17) Why do we tend to resist a "broken and contrite heart" in ourselves? Pride. Subjecting ourselve to the **** of the flesh. Its the old Adam that still fights to survive the "blotting out", the "cleansing" that was applied to the heart. But thank God and by the power of the Holy Spirit our resistance will be against the devil and he will flee; then we will have a "broken and contrite heart."

Q3. Is it possible to have a pure heart? Yes, it is possible to have a pure heart, though alone in ourself we cannot make it pure. We need the power of God to give us a pure heart. How does God bring about a pure heart? He cleanses and makes it pure. When one accepts Christ as Savior, God creates in them a pure heart. He puts "truth" in the heart which "blots out," the old sinful nature. What is our part in this? We must be willing to accept the work of God in us and allow the Holy Spirit to be our Guide.

Q2. In his prayer does David seek to minimize his sins? To maximize them? No, David does not seek to minimize his sin. He owns up to it fully before God. Why does an authentic prayer for pardon require clear, unvarnished acknowledgement of sin to be effective? If we are to receive pardon for our sins then our prayer for pardon must be authentic and clear. There must be acknowledgment that we have sinned and that we are repenting of that sin. We must come before God with a broken and a contrite heart.

Q1. In what way does a prayer for pardon require faith? Prayer for pardon requires the person to have faith that God will pardon them for the sin committed. What is that faith based on? That Faith is based on belief and trust in God; knowing that it is His nature to be compassionate and merciful. How does a person gain the faith to pray this prayer in confidence? The person gains the faith to pray this kind of prayer in confidence as they develop an abiding relationship with the Lord. This relationship is solidified as one prays, read the Bible and obeys His Word.

Q4. In what way does Abraham show persistence? He didn't stop after the first plea, he pleaded and pleaded until he was certain that the Lord would save the righteous in Sodom. Why is persistence necessary in prayer? Jesus gave us two parables where he showed the rewards for persistency. Also, the Apostle James tells us that we are to be fervent in our praying: "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16b (KJV) Have you ever experienced "praying through"? What was it like? Yes, the first time that I really needed to "pray through," though it seemed like the answer was long in coming when it came it brought a lifetime of joy, peace, and the anointing.

Q3. Do you think Abraham's boldness pleased God? Why or why not? God was very pleased with Abraham's boldness. Because He allowed Abraham to persist in his pleadings showing that he knew that God would hear him and act on his request. God wants us to be fervent in our prayers. It show how much trust we have in Him. What might cause God to take delight in your prayers to him? God takes a delight in our persistency. He delights in our call to Him and longs to answer our petitions. As Jesus taught us to say, "Abba, Father," when we pray; the Father is waiting to hear from His children and wants to move on their behalf.

Q2. How did Abraham demonstrate his humility before God? Abraham demonstrated his humility, before God as he presented his petition, by seeking the Lord's permission each time he made his request. He continually acknowledge the Lord's supremacy and his humble position. Why must boldness be tempered with humility? If we are to receive anything from God, even when we come boldly before His throne, we must come to him humble as a child. One of the promises God gave to Solomon tells us that God is looking for a people who will come to him humbly. "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)

Q1. What is the basis of Abraham's argument that God should spare Sodom? Abraham said that a just God would not destroy the righteous with the wicked. How does it relate to God's character? God's very nature is justice.

Q4. How can prayer change God's mind without conflicting with the doctrine of the Immutability of God? Can God answer a prayer for something outside of the scope of his will? Prayer can change God's mind without changing His immutability because God respond to changed conditions. God will never answer a prayer for something outside the scope of His will.

Q3. How can a wrong understanding of determinism and predestination keep us from the kind of gutsy prayer that Moses prayed? What do you call a belief that our prayers make no difference to God's response? A wrong understanding of determinism and predestination can keep us from the kind of gusty prayer that Moses prayed if we believe that all things are predetermined and our prayers cannot effect a change. This however, is not true as we have been taught in this lesson. For those of us who consistently pray thy will be done, we can now pray with boldness and fervency and see God move in answer to our prayers.

Q2. What aspects of Moses' prayer of intercession should we emulate in our own prayers? Moses stated his case before God, reminding Him of his promises and acknowledging His sovereignty. His prayer was to see God's will be done. Upon what logical grounds does Moses offer this bold appeal to God? God had promised that he would fill the earth with the descendents of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; and Moses reminded Him of this in making his bold appeal. What do you think it means to "pray the promises of God"? God has given us numerous promises in the scriptures. We ought to meditate on these promises and in our prayers repeat them to God. How does knowing the Bible help you get your prayers answered? How does this help our prayers be within God's will? In order to pray the promises of God back to Him and to know His will and pray according to His will we must know the Bible.

Q1. Read Exodus 32:1-14. What had the people done that was so bad? They fashioned a molten calf and worshipped it. How can a loving God be angry? God is angry at sin. His nature is opposed to sin. Is God's sentence to destroy Israel and raise up a new nation through Moses justified? Yes. The Israelites knew that it was a sin against God, the monarch, to worship idols. Destruction was a judgment that they brought upon themselves. God told Moses that he will destroy the nation of Israel, and reconstruct the nation from Moses' own offspring.