Patricia A

Q2. (Psalms 42-43) [*]What is the psalmist feeling during this spiritual struggle? [*]How does he combat his spiritual depression? [*]Have you ever felt this way? [*]How did you reach out to God at this time?

Praying Psalm 8 Heavenly Father, it is a joy just to say your name. You are my personal God and it

3. (Psalm 139). In what way does the wonder of creation in the Psalm seem to affect the psalmist? The psalmist surrender to the Great Creator and the Searcher. He asks God to search him and cleanse his heart. He also asks that he be led back to the path that he might experience God's everlasting life. In his concluding prayer in verses 23-24, what does he ask God to do? In the psalmist concluding prayer, he asks God to investigate his life and find out everything about him. He also asks God to guide him on the road to eternal life.

2. The psalmist has been relating how God speaks wordlessly through creation in verses 1-6. Now in verses 7-13, he shifts to how Yahweh speaks through his written Word. In what way does the psalmist seem to bask in God's Word? Each time someone looks up at the heavens -- day and night -- they receive a wordless but powerful message of God's greatness and glory. Look at the benefits of meditation on the Word: the inner life of the soul is revived, the ignorant are made wise, the heart is gladdened, one's spiritual eyes are enlightened, reverence for God is extended forever, and their righteousness is readily apparent. Have you ever felt that way? Many times. Right now, as I am meditating on this Psalm from God

Q1. (Psalm 8). What does this psalm teach about God? Only God has true glory. He has it because he is so good. God's glory shines from inside him. God shines brighter than the sun. God has many powerful enemies. The most powerful is Satan or the Devil. He may be the avenger in the psalm. But God will win. God is more powerful than all his enemies What does it teach about human beings? God made man for a special purpose. Man is not doing it. Only Jesus is doing it. One day Christians will be with Jesus. What does it teach us about Christ? The idea that God would look to this earth and love us as an individual is almost beyond our comprehension. Why does God love us so much that He sent His Son to save us? We could give a thousand answers, such as we are His creation, we are made in His image, or any other reason, but it does not seem to be enough reason. What does it teach about our responsibilities? We are to oversee and take care of his creation.

Q5. (Hebrews 13:16, 20-21) Hebrews 13:16 16Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:20-21 <H5 style="MARGIN: auto 0in">Benediction</H5> 20Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, 21 equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. What are the actual requests being made of God in this great benediction? Do good; share what you have What "pleases" God according to verses 16 and 20? For us to do good and to share what we have; that we will do his will Why should we "make it our aim to please him" ? (2 Corinthians 5:9, NRSV) So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.

Q4. (Hebrews 13:15-16) "15Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise -- the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." (13:15-16) [/font] Though the sacrifice for atonement have been completed in Christ, what kinds of sacrifices or offerings are Christians called upon to make? "15Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise -- the fruit of lips that confess his name. 16And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." (13:15-16) Our praise37 can be considered a sacrifice. Not in the English language sense of "giving up something" but in the Old Testament sense of "offering up" to God. Our sacrifices to God don't just stop with words. They are fleshed out in actions -- "to do good39 and share40 with others." By our lives we can bring glory to God. What effect do these offerings have on God? When we offer praise with our lips and with our lives we delight God.

Q3. (Hebrews 13:8) "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever." What is the significance of this verse for the original readers?For you? Where people trust him today, he is still active with the same power that was seen in the first century. He is the same. He does not change. For understanding just who Jesus is? "Because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them." (7:24-25) For believing in the power of God for today? Jesus who forgave and saved men and women in the first century does so today.

Q2. (Hebrews 13:5-6) 5Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 6So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" How can we recognize greed in ourselves? What will be the signs?

<H5 style="MARGIN: auto 0in">Q1. (Hebrews 13:1-3) Sacrifices Pleasing to God</H5> 1Let brotherly love continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 3 Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. How do hospitality to strangers and visiting prisoners relate to brotherly love (philadelphia)? Hospitality is a way of showing care, love and concern to others and this is what brotherly love is all about. When we love someone we do what we can to show our concern, consideration and want to make them comfortable and want to do the best for them. Where are you strong in brotherly love? Where are you weak? With God

Q5. (Hebrews 12:25-29) 25See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. 26At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." 27This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of things that are shaken

Q4. (Hebrews 12:14-17) (The Message) 14-17Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you'll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God's generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God's lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God's blessing

'Pastor Ralph' date='Apr 18 2007 Q3. (Hebrews 12:5-7) 5And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." 7It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I've sometimes heard, "God never punishes anyone." Is that true according to these verses? If so, how does punishment fit into the larger overall concept of discipline and child-rearing? Nowhere does it say that the persecutions and hardships we face are punishment, only that we should view them as God's way of training us to be his sons. Good parents train their children to live a holy and fruitful life and discipline is a necessary part of training. What is the purpose of God's discipline? God doesn't punish his children vindictively, but so they will learn and grow up to maturity. He loves you. Never forget that. His discipline and training are out of love, not anger

Pastor Ralph' post='25836' date='Apr 18 2007, 10:37 PM']Q2. Hebrews 12:5-11) How does it help when you to look at your struggles and hardships as the Father's discipline and training? Don't see the hardships of the Christian life as a burden that you must escape, but as the "discipline of the Lord," the training course intended to prepare you to live and conduct yourselves as sons and daughters of the Living God. We are heirs in training. What are the benefits of such discipline to the Christian? Here are the benefits of the Father's discipline. Eternal life (12:9b). "How much more should we submit16 to the Father of our spirits and live (zaō)!" The author is not proposing a works-salvation, here, only reminding us that at the end of hardship is eternal life. The experience of sharing in his holiness (12:10b). This is an astounding statement. Holiness (hagiotēs) here is "positive holiness of life"17 rather than sanctification brought about by sacrifice (9:13; 10:10, 14, 29). This is the process of sanctification whereby we "are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another" (NRSV, 2 Corinthians 3:18). We don't develop personal holiness overnight; it is only completed when we enter Christ's presence at the end of our lives. Growing in this holiness is painful, however. As Paul said, "We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). But in the process we become sharers or partakers (metalambanō18) in the divine character. A peaceful harvest of righteousness (12:11b). "Peaceful" (NRSV, eirēnikos) means "pertaining to being conducive to a harmonious relationship, peaceable, peaceful."19

[/size]

[quote name=Pastor Ralph' date='Apr 18 2007, 10:26 PM' post='25834] Q5. (Hebrews 12:1-2) Who are the "great cloud of witnesses" mentioned in 12:1? What analogy to the life of faith is offered in 12:1? One running a life is used as an analogy. In what way is Jesus the "author" or "pioneer" of our faith? 33 He has run this race before us and we can learn from his example. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end of faith. How did he live by faith? In what way is he the "finisher" or "perfecter" of our faith? He looked beyond his current struggle to the goal, the end, the joy of completion, when he would sit down at his Father's right hand -- mission accomplished. It was that forward look that enabled him to "endure" (hupomenō) the cross

Q4. (Hebrews 11:8-31) What was the powerful motivating factor behind the actions taken by the people mentioned in these verses? The powerful motivating factor behind the actions taken by the people mentioned in these verses was their faith in an all-powerful God. What was this faith based on? This faith was based on evidence that God was faithful. At the Red Sea, how did the Israelites' faith differ from that of the Egyptian army? The Israelites believed in an all-powerful God while the Egyptian army put their trust in a human leader. Did Rahab have real faith or was she a shrewd opportunist -- or is there a difference? Rahab had real faith and was also a shrewd opportunist. We are shrewd (wise) opportunitist if we trust God and are assured of eternal life with Him.

Moses believed so strongly that he could see past the present suffering because he knew of future rewards. This created a vision for Moses of the joy of a future that was so wonderful that present suffering was insignificant in comparison. This same kind of faith creates for us a vision of joy in a country with God which will be our eternal home.

AS FOLLOWERS OF CHRIST, THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE ARE LIVING HERE ON THE EARTH WITH THE JOY OF KNOWING THIS IS NOT OUR FINAL HOME BUT ONLY A TEMPORARY HOME AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO ETERNAL LIFE WITH THE LORD. WE DO HAVE BLESSINGS AND PLEASURES HERE BUT WE MUST ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT THINGS HERE ARE TEMPORARY AND NOT REALLY THAT IMPORTANT UNLESS THEY HAVE AN INPACT ON OUR ETERNAL LIFE. WE CAN ENJOY GOD'S BLESSINGS HERE BUT WE MUST NEVER LET THEM GET IN THE WAY OF WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.THANK YOU, LORD, FOR HELPING US SEE WHAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT AS WE LIVE IN THE WORLD BUT NOT OF THE WORLD.

Q1. (Hebrews 11:8-19) Abraham was on a faith-quest, looking for a city (verse 10) and a country (verses 14-16). How does his faith-journey encourage yours? ABRAHAM TRUSTED GOD BY FAITH NOT KNOWING ANYTHING ABOUT THE COUNTRY TO WHICH HE WAS GOING. ABRAHAM'S FAITH IS A BLESSING TO ME AS IT MAKES ME MORE AWARE THAT GOD IS FAITHFUL. WE DON'T ALWAYS UNDERSTAND THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN OUR LIVES BUT WE KNOW GOD CAN BE TRUSTED TO BE FAITHFUL. In Scriptural typology, what is the final "city" which we shall see? (12:22) What is the final country of which we are citizens? (12:28)[/u/ The final City which God has prepared for us to see is the New Jerusalem THE FINAL COUNTRY OF WHICH WE ARE CITIZEN IS HEAVEN A PLACE OF ETERNAL JOY AND PEACE WHERE WE WILL LIVE WITH GOD FOREVER.

Q4. (Hebrews 11:11). Which part of faith is related to (1) the depth of Abraham's confidence in God? Abraham obeyed God by going to a new country to live and by preparing to sacrifice his son. Abraham was assured of Abraham's faithfulness in these circumstances. Which part of faith is related to (2) the real existence and power of such a God? God is real and all powerful and this was apparent to Abraham and his faith grew as he lived trusting in God. How would you describe a faith that lacks either element? These elements are so intertwined so as to be viewed as one element and as such, both are important. Based on verse 11 (not on verses 1-2), formulate in your own words a definition of faith. Faith is knowing God and knowing that God is trustworthy in all his promises.

Q3. Every religion has its own kind of faith. What is the content of the Judeo-Christian type of faith that sets it apart from any other? 1. Believe that he exists.19 This in itself is not faith, but a precursor to faith. James says, "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that -- and shudder" (James 2:19). Nevertheless, it is a first step. 2. Believe that he rewards those who seek after him. That is, he will reward or recompense20 people who seek him out. What is the basis of Noah's faith (11:7)?By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith." (11:4-7) What is the basis of our faith? How does faith grow (see Romans 10:17)But how should any call on the Lord Jesus, the Divine Saviour, who had not heard of him? And what is the life of a Christian but a life of prayer? It shows that we feel our dependence on him, and are ready to give up ourselves to him, and have a believing expectation of our all from him. It was necessary that the gospel should be preached to the Gentiles.

[]Q2. (Hebrews 11:6) The first element of faith is belief in God's existence. Why is the second element just as essential to true faith?"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." (Matthew 7:7-8)"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33) What does it mean to "seek" God? It means to make a real effort to learn about Him. What difference does it make whether or not you believe God will reward seekers?If one truly believe God will reward seekers with eternal life with Him, seeking Him will be a true joy.[/color][/size][/font] [/b]