Commissioned

Q6. What do you think God intended animal sacrifice teach us about sin? About holiness? About God's nature? God intended animal sacrifice to teach us that sin does not go unpunished, it requires the sheding of blood. God is holy, just and merciful; He allowed these sacrifices to purge their sins, though not fully adequate the sacrifice atoned for sin until a better sacrifice came.

Q5. In what sense is God's provision of animal sacrifice for forgiveness of sins an expression of his mercy? God's provision of animal sacrifice for forgiveness of sins is an expression of His mercy in that the blood that was shed was not that of the sinner himself but of one a lesser "animal." Were animal sacrifices actually adequate to atone for human sin? No, the author of Hebrews tells us,"it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins" (Hebrews 10:4), for the "lesser" animal cannot really substitute for the "greater" human being. Man needs someone greater than himself to actually atone for and do away with sin.

Q4. What are the basic elements involved in a sacrifice for sin? (Leviticus 4:32-35; 5:5-6) The basic elements involved in a sacrifice for sin were: Confession of the sin by the sinner. Sacrificing an animal that has no defect. The priest collecting the blood of the sacrifice and putting it on the horns of the altar, and pouring some out at the base of the altar. The priest also receiving the fat portions, which were to be burned on the altar. In addition, he was to eat the meat in case of a sin offering. Which of these are still necessary for forgiveness of sins today? The only element that is still necessary for the forgiveness of sins today is confession of sin . Which are no longer necessary? Why? The sacrificing of animals is no longer necessary, and also the duties of the priest at the sacrifice are no longer necessary. These are no longer necessary because Jesus, our substitute Lamb, took the place of the sacrifice and atoned for the "sin of the world."

Q3. Why is animal sacrifice repulsive to modern people? How much of this has to do with a city vs. a farming way of life? Animal sacrifice is repulsive to modern people because we see the killing of animals as necessary only for human survival. For many who live in the city, away from the farm life, they may never see an animal's life being taken away. Those who live or work on a farm may have many ocassions to see, assist in or themselves slaughtering of animals for commercial sales. This later group may become so acustomed to animal slaughter, that they see and feel nothing out of the ordinary.

Q2. Why is anger an appropriate response to sin? Anger is an appropriate response to sin because it goes against the holiness and righteousness of God and is offensive to God. What is the difference between capricious or uncontrolled anger and anger that brings about justice? Actions as a result of capricious or uncontrolled anger may be directed toward the person as opposed to it being directed toward the sin itself. Anger that brings about justice is directed at the sin and teaches what is unacceptable behavior.

Q1. How do you know that John the Baptist's statement about the Lamb of God refers to sacrifice? (John 1:29). In those days lambs were commonly used by the Jews for sacrifices to obtain forgiveness for sins. How was the comprehensiveness of "sins of the world" so radical a concept? This was such a radical concept because of the implication that this "one Lamb sacrifice" would be sufficient to obtain the forgiveness for the "sin of the world." The world being inclusive of all peoples, from then, to the present and until Jesus the Lamb of God returns to take us home; everybody who ever sin. Outside of the knowledge of God and His sovereignty, it would be truly inconceivable.

What is God's answer to Gideon's self-image? (6:16) In the midst of Gideon's debasement of himself God told him that he was a "mighty warrior" and that he will deliver his people out of the hands of the Midianites. God also promised that He will be with him. Does this spiritual principle apply to our lives as Christians? Yes, this spiritual principle applies to our lives as Christians. God will be with us always when we face the battles of life. Can you recall any New Testament passages that teach the same principle? Jesus, Himself, encouraged his disciples and said: "I am with you always, until the end of the world" (Mt. 28:20) What is an appropriate prayer to pray in light of what God has taught you from this passage? Thank you God for always being with me.

How did God see Gideon? (6:12). God saw Gideon as "a mighty warrior." How did Gideon see himself? (6:15). Gideon saw himself as being the least among his family and his family as being the weakest in the Manasseh tribe. Whose self-perception is most accurate? God's image of Gideon was most accurate. He had the capacity to deliver his people out of the hands of the enemy with the power of God. How can our own self-perception prevent us from becoming what God has made us to be? When we fail to see ourselves as God sees us we do not function in the position that He has called us into and we hinder the work of the Lord here on earth.

According to the prophet in 6:7-10, what is the reason for Israel's oppressed state? They were in this oppressed state because they worshipped the gods of the Amorites. What commandment did they break? They broke the first commandment, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." In what way hadn't they "listened"? They allowed themselves to be influenced by the people in whose land they dwelled and did not obey God's law. They turned away from God and God punished them. How does this affect Christians today? Today, Christian too can allow the world to influence them and instead of turning to God they turn to the flesh. Yes, they too will find themselves crying out to God to "save" them out of the troubles that they brought upon themselves.

In what way does Gideon blame God for his troubles in 6:13? Gideon blames God for the troubles that they were facing because he is felt that God had abandoned them. He did not think that the Lord was with them seeing that they were having so much trouble from the Midianites. Is Gideon's assessment accurate? Gideon's assessment was far from accurate. It's the same assessment that we sometimes attach to situations we're facing and think that God has abandon us. Only to be told, as Gideon was told, that the answer to our trouble is in our hands. Why or why not? God told Gideon who he was, "a mighty warrior." And He gave him the directive to go in the strength that he has and save Israel out of the hands of the enemy. He had the answer to his troubles all along. He just needed to listen to his spirit, walk out of the negative and into the positive where the power of God can use him. Why do we blame God? We blame God because it's the easy way out. We are not allowing ourselves to be led by the Spirit and are walking in the flesh. So that, when the Spirit of God is directing us we have a deaf ear and thinks that He has abandoned us. What's the danger and how can we stop short of this in the future? If we rob ourselves of the benefits of a Spirit-Led life then we face the possibilities of facing the onslaught of the enemy in the flesh and cowering to find a defense. But, thank God, He has given to us the the Holy Spirit, who knows the mind of God concerning us and we can live victorious when we are led by the Spirit of God.

Q4. (Ephesians 6:20) Developing this analogy of an ambassador in a foreign land... What nation has sovereignty over the embassy and its property? The nation that is represented by the embassy. Who does the ambassador represent? The ambassador represents the nation that commissioned him to that post. What responsibilities does he or she have? The ambassador has responsibilities to represent the government of the nation that commissioned him. How do these relate to being an ambassador of Christ? Christians are ambassadors of the Kingdom of God and as such we are to represent Him wherever we go.

Q3. (Ephesians 6:19) Why would Paul request prayer for boldness? Why is boldness necessary in war? What is the opposite of boldness? What happens if this is our accustomed life-posture? Paul requested prayer for boldness because of the opposition to the Gospel that he faced. In war if the enemy sees that you are weak, he will defeat you even befor you can think of a way out. In the war against the devil we need boldness because he come at us with his entire armament. We must be prepared. When preaching the Word of God or witnessing for Christ there will be competition by the emeny, we must stand boldly and defend our faith. The opposite of boldness is weakness. A Christian is weak when he cannot stand up for his faith in the face of the enemy, the devil. He may have the desire to witness to a friend but finds himself unable to. If he allows this, weakness, to be a life-posture; he would find himself being led away by the enemy. Those who he would have witnessed to would soon drag him along into the path of unrighteouness.

Q2. (Ephesians 6:18b) Why is alertness in prayer vital to success in spiritual warfare? How is perseverance in prayer important to success? Why do we need this exhortation? Paul's admonishment to be alert in prayer is vital to our success in spiritual warfare. As we pray we are alert to the wiles of the enemy and we can be effective in our prayer concerning the opposition directly. Perseverance in prayer is also important to our success in spiritual warfare, as we continue trusting in God to answer our prayer. This exhortation is an encouragement to those who may falter and need to be lifted. We cannot faint, we must stand strong always. Praying strengthens us.

Q1. (Ephesians 6:18) Why is prayer vital to spiritual warfare? What does it mean to "pray in the Spirit"? Prayer is vital to spiritual warfare because as we pray to God who knows all things, we petition Him to fight that which is unknown to us but is working against us. When we pray in the Spirit the Spirit of God is in control and enables us to pray the Father's Will.

Q5. (Ephesians 6:15-17) Why is it important to have your "shield" up each day? It is important that we have our "shield" up each day because we never know when or how the enemy, Satan, will attack. If we're going to be ready for the onslaught of the enemy, then, we must be prepared and keep our "shield" in readiness. In all attacks of the enemy we must always trust God to deliver us out of the situation. And in it all bring glory to Him. In what way does the "helmet of salvation" protect you? The "helmet of salvation" protects you in those times when the enemy would try to make you doubt your faith. The enemy will try but the Apostle Paul left and admonishment: "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" 2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV) The "helmet of salvation" protects us against those imaginations and thoughts that are against the knowledge of God. Those thoughts that breeds lies, are all defeated when the "helmet of salvation" is in place. Is the "sword of the Spirit" an offensive or defensive weapon? How do you keep it sharp and ready for the battle? The "sword of the Spirit" is both offensive and defensive. We keep it sharp and ready for battle by daily study, meditation and committing it to memory, so when we are attacked we'll know how to respond. .

Q4. (Ephesians 6:15) What would be the characteristic of a person who didn't have his feet ready to run with the Gospel? Such a person will be weak when it come to knowing the Word od God. They would find themselves struggling and ill-equipped when it come to knowing God's Will which He has given to us in His Word. They will also struggle in their witness and will lack the necessary Word to encourage and lift someone who has fallen. How does heart preparation make you more ready to share the Good News with those around you? How does this help defeat the dominion of darkness? The Word of God prepares your heart to share the Good News. The more you study and meditate on the Word the more you become a student of the Word and ready to give an account for your faith. "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: " 1 Peter 3:15 (KJV) Knowing the Word of God will help defeat the dominion of darkness. The Word bring light in this world of darkness. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalms 119:105 (KJV)

Q3. (Ephesians 6:14) Why are such simple things as truth and personal holiness such powerful armament? Are they defensive or offensive weapons? The simple things as truth and personal holiness are powerful arament because they keep us walking in obedience to the Will of God and brings us God's blessings. "If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures." Job 36:11 (KJV) Truth and holiness is our defense against unrighteousness.

Q2. (Ephesians 6:13) What is difficult about standing our ground in today's world? In today's world, standing our ground is difficult when we are not don in the whole armour of God, then the enemy can come against us with evil forces and crush us. Dressed in the armor of God, when the evil spiritual forces comes against us, we will be able to stand our ground and be victorious. In what way can standing our ground be considered victory? Standing our groung can be considered victorious when we do not give in and we don't give up to the evil darts of the enemy; but instead we clothed ourselves in the full armour of God and stand firm on the Word of God. Then we will be victorious. Why are the saints in Revelation 12:11 considered victorious over the devil? They were washed in the blood of the Lamb, which meant that they were born again. Facing adversity they are able to used the blood of the Lamb, the Word of God and their testimony to protect them and bring them to victory. How did they stand their ground? The didn't give up. They were willing to die for their faith. They stood on the Word of God, knowing that God promise to us is that He will be with us to the end. "... I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world." Matt: 28:20b

Q1. (Ephesians 6:11-13) Why is it difficult to believe in the devil and demons in our day? It is differcult to believe in the devil and demons in our day because we grew up with the mindset that if you can't see it, then it can't be real. How does their existence help explain the struggle humans face on earth? However, we know that they exist. The struggles that we strive with on the face of the earth, bears witness to the existence of the devil and demons. With all their power, how do we stand a chance? There's one who is more powerful. And He is the One who fights our battles and brings us to the place of victory. Did "the devil make me do it"? No. The devil brings temptation our way, but we ourselves give in to the temptation and commit the sin. What kinds of things can't we blame on the demonic? Refusal to obey the Holy Spirit when He's talking to us or directing us. Nor can we blame the devil for times when we did not spend time with God in prayer or in the Word of God. There are many things the devil gets blamed for but not praying to God is not one of them. Why? Because it doesn't require anything other than talking to God. And it doesn't have to be vocal, it can be a silent prayer.

Q4. (Ephesians 6:9) How should Christian employers conduct themselves towards their employees? Employers are to treat their employees with respect, faithfulness and the integrity that God expects of employees. How should church boards conduct themselves towards church employees? The church board should treat church employees with respect and give them a just reward in compensation. How do you determine a just wage -- not merely the one you think you can afford? Wages or compensations should be matched based on the employees worth to the organization not merely on what you can afford.

Q3. (Ephesians 6:5-8) What are the characteristics called for in a truly Christian employee, according to Ephesians 6:5-8? Christian employees are to be respectful, obedient, reverent, sincere and work enthusiastically according to Ephesians 6:5-8. How can these attitudes help us in difficult work situations? In difficult situations these attitudes will help us to work, indeed, as unto the Lord.

Q2. (Ephesians 6:4) What kind of behavior by fathers (or mothers, for that matter) can embitter or cause a child to lose heart? Treating the child with disrespect. Speaking to the child without allowing them to share their opinion in a matter. Discipling the child in anger and without love. Parents must always treat their children as a gift from God and beyond that we must remember that our children belong to the Lord and we are to treat them as His precious jewel. What do you think the "training and instruction of the Lord" involves? It involves the parents teaching the child from the Word of God. Parents are to teach their children how to live by the Word, obeying the commands of God, applying the word to situations they find themselves in. The best teacher that they will have is seeing their parents model what they are teaching.

Q1. (Ephesians 6:1-3) What kind of obedience and honor is appropriate for adult children to show towards their parents? When we become adults, our obedience to our parents should continue as we obey the Word of God. Regardless of the age, children are to obey their parents in the Lord. There are parents, of adult children, who feel that they must control their children even as adult. In such situations, without dishonoring the parents, children should respectfully let their parents know that they appreciate the concerns of the parent, take the advice into consideration but the final decision on the matter is up to the child. In all situations honor, respect and love should be shown to parents. What might be the exceptions? There are times when older parents may be mentally challenged, suffering from conditions that woul render their rationalization impaired. Under such conditions the adult child must not hurt the parent by being rash with them but must show love and honor them as their parents. How do respect and forgiveness figure in this relationship? As children, even adults, we may never understand the motives of a parent but we should always show them respect and if they cause us harm; find it in our heart to forgive them and show them love.

Q4. What kind of shalom will the Prince of Peace bring about in the New Heavens and the New Earth? The Prince of Peace, when he comes in all his glory, will bring true peace (shālōm) to his wounded and fall world. Animals that are ferocious will be at peace with each other, the fallen nature of man will be no more, all will be at peace. What do we have to look forward to? We can look forward to a brand new age, a time of peace, when all the troubles, and oppression that we face in this present life will be over. Praise the Lord! Maranatha!

Q3. Why did Gideon name the altar "the LORD Is Peace"? When Gideon realized that he had seen the face of the Lord he thought that he was going to die and was afraid. But the Lord assured him that he was not going to die by saying to him: "'Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.'" Happy that he was not going to die and having now seen this character in the Lord, Gideon built an altar to the LORD and called it "the LORD is Peace". In what sense did the Lord offer peace to Gideon? The Lord offered Gideon an assurance that all was well between him and the Lord.