Patricia A

Q4. (19:30-38) Why did Lot's daughters turn to incest? What does this tell us about their values? About their faith? Why does Lot turn to intoxication? 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 has a pair of daughters who can see no other way to have children but by incestuous intercourse with their drunken father as there are no other men around. Their values are most immoral and they did not have faith that God would provide. Once Lot was part of Abraham's household and shared Abraham's faith in Yahweh. Now he is alone except for his daughters. At night he consoles himself with wine until he falls asleep -- a sad end for a man with such potential and such dreams of prosperity. His turning from the Lord has led to despondency. He did not have faith that following God would give him a better life and now he has lost hope and any valuable influence. His choice of residence put him and his family in the midst of sin. From Lot

Q4. (19:30-38) Why did Lot's daughters turn to incest? What does this tell us about their values? About their faith? Why does Lot turn to intoxication? 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 has a pair of daughters who can see no other way to have children but by incestuous intercourse with their drunken father as there are no other men around. Their values are most immoral and they did not have faith that God would provide. Once Lot was part of Abraham's household and shared Abraham's faith in Yahweh. Now he is alone except for his daughters. At night he consoles himself with wine until he falls asleep -- a sad end for a man with such potential and such dreams of prosperity. His turning from the Lord has led to despondency. He did not have faith that following God would give him a better life and now he has lost hope and any valuable influence. His choice of residence put him and his family in the midst of sin. From Lot

Q3. (19:26) After being nearly delivered, why did Lot's wife stop and gaze rather than escaping? What was in her heart? Have you ever struggled with this in your heart? What lesson does Jesus draw from Lot's wife in Luke 17:31-33? Lot wife stopped and looked back at the place of her birth which was being destroyed. Maybe she didn

Q3. (Hebrews 2:1) In what ways are we not immune to drifting away from the gospel? We must be aware at all times that if we do not take the Word to heart and respond daily by our actions we can easily drift away and let the things of the world control the way we live. We must remember James: Just hearing the word, without being doers of it (James 1:22) is a dangerous, deceptive position to be in. According to the author, how can we successfully resist the tendency to drift? We must take heed to the gospel

1.(19:15-16): Why did Lot and his family hesitate? Have you ever hesitated when you should be fleeing a danger? What is the lesson for us? I don

Q2. (Hebrews 1:2-3) What about the author's description of the Son makes you think that the Son described is himself divine? What role does the Son have in doing the Father's will according to these verses? I believe the Son to be divine because:

Q1. (Hebrews 1:2) In what way do you think the author of Hebrews is using the word "Son"? As a metaphor? As a biological relationship? How would a Son's words have more weight than a prophet's? The word "Son" is not a metaphor but us is used in a relationship such as God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son. The Son in our passage is used in the sense of Jesus the Son corresponding exactly to the Father and serving as his personal spokesman. Certainly the Son's words have more weight than a prophet's because a prophet speaks what God gives him to say. Jesus is God.

How can Christians keep balance on the issue of homosexuality in our day? Is it really possible to be loving and compassionate toward practicing homosexuals at the same time as you condemn the sin? Should the church be silent about homosexuality? If not, what should we be saying? Where should we be saying it? (Be gentle and loving as you discuss this subject -- please!) [/color][/font] This truly is a sensitive issue. We need to love every sinner just as Jesus loves us even though we are sinners. That does not mean we accept sin as being OK. We should treat this sin just as we would any other sin. Love the sinner but as we develop friendships help others know thru God's Word that practicing any sexual activity outside of marriage is sin. It may be true that one is born with this tendency just as one as born with a tendency to be self-centered. Each of us needs to ask God to help us develop the strength to stand against Satan. The church needs to speak out against homosexuality just as it speaks out against any other sin.

How can Christians keep balance on the issue of homosexuality in our day? Is it really possible to be loving and compassionate toward practicing homosexuals at the same time as you condemn the sin? Should the church be silent about homosexuality? If not, what should we be saying? Where should we be saying it? (Be gentle and loving as you discuss this subject -- please!) [/color][/size][/font] This truly is a sensitive issue. We need to love every sinner just as Jesus loves us even though we are sinners. That does not mean we accept sin as being OK. We should treat this sin just as we would any other sin. Love the sinner but as we develop friendships help others know thru God's Word that practicing any sexual activity outside of marriage is sin. It may be true that one is born with this tendency just as one as born with a tendency to be self-centered. Each of us needs to ask God to help us develop the strength to stand against Satan. The church needs to speak out against homosexuality just as it speaks out against any other sin.

Q4. On what ground does Abraham so boldly address God? Do you think God desires us to do the same? Why or why not? Why do you think Abraham's intercession pleased God? What will it take for us to please him in our prayers?[/size] I think God had set Abraham up for this very act of intercession by revealing to Abraham his intentions. Abraham was under no illusions. He knew how bad Sodom really was (13:13). He knew how truly wicked the city and its leaders were, evidenced by the way he had refused to accept anything from the king of Sodom (14:21-24). He knew that when the Lord observed the sins of the city, he would destroy it. And therefore Abraham felt an obligation to protect his own family from that destruction. I believe God will be pleased if we come to him in prayer lifting up truly what is in our hearts and wanting to glorfiy God in all we do.

Q4. On what ground does Abraham so boldly address God? Do you think God desires us to do the same? Why or why not? Why do you think Abraham's intercession pleased God? What will it take for us to please him in our prayers?[/size] I think God had set Abraham up for this very act of intercession by revealing to Abraham his intentions. Abraham was under no illusions. He knew how bad Sodom really was (13:13). He knew how truly wicked the city and its leaders were, evidenced by the way he had refused to accept anything from the king of Sodom (14:21-24). He knew that when the Lord observed the sins of the city, he would destroy it. And therefore Abraham felt an obligation to protect his own family from that destruction. I believe God will be pleased if we come to him in prayer lifting up truly what is in our hearts and wanting to glorfiy God in all we do.

Q3. (18:19) In your own words, describe what a lifestyle of "keeping the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just" looks like in the twenty-first century. In what ways is this difficult? In what ways is this easy? What are the special challenges?[/color] As Christians, we need to strive to lead a Godly life in which we show the love of Christ by how we treat His children in this world. Our action towards ALL people should be loving, caring and helping in any way we can. There are concerns of justice, poverty and abuse. We may have difficulty doing this at times as those who do not know Jesus may not be aware of the value of every human life and thus challenges may arise. However, we must remember that God will be our strength as we meet any challenge that may arise.

Q2. (18:16-19) How can fathers and husbands strike the right balance -- of being godly, caring leaders without being dictators? How can mothers and wives strike the right balance -- of being submissive and at the same time being open about their needs and desires? (I know of no Christian cookie-cutter answer to this. It must be contientiously worked out within the crucible of marriage.) Fathers and husbands can be godly, caring leader without being dictators by following the example of Jesus in His ministry. Jesus was loving, caring and kind but stood up for what is right and wasn't afraid to do this. If there is mutual love and respect as God would have it be in marriage, the sumissiveness and openess of needs coming from a wife can be done with joy. She know she is loved by her husband. If God is in the center of the marriage, working out the right balance is so much easier.

Q1. (18:14) How can we tell if we really believe in God's present willingness to do miracles in our day? Is there any indication in Scripture that God will stop doing miracles? Is there any indication that God continues to do miracles? How can we regain an active faith in the God of miracles? God's miracles are evident constantly. Sunrise and sunset is a miracle. Birth is a miracle. No, there is no indication in Scripture that God will stop doing miracles. Studying the Word and praying brings us closer to the Lord. The closer our relationship with the Lord the greater our faith in the God of miracles becomes. I know God can do anything and even that I am here on this Earth is a miracle.

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 died on the cross for our sins and his flesh was torn off which is likened to circumcisism. In baptism, we are buried and raised up with Christ and the Holy Spirit lives in our hearts which is circumcisism of the heart. Circumcism was for the Old Testament but Baptism seals the Covenant in the New Testament. In Romans, Paul tell us that salvation comes through faith not through works. If this is true then the covenant that we are living under is a covenant of Faith.

Q3. What does it mean to have your heart circumcised? Why is this a necessity for all true believers, both Jew and Christian? 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? [b]To have your heart circumcised means to devote your every thought and action to devoting one's life to glorifying and serving God. In order to keep our faith active, we must practice Christian disciplines regularly. This includes prayer and meditation, reading God's Word, bible study, Worship and striving to love all of God's children. This is a constant struggle but the Holy Spirit will strengthen us if we truly strive to keep our hearts right with God.[/b]

Q2. (17:11) What does circumcision signify for Abraham, his household, and his descendents? Why is some kind of definite act on Abraham's part important to confirming the covenant? What does Abraham's obedience the very same day signify? The meaning of circumcision for Abraham is very simply a sign that this person is a member of the covenant people. It was a sign of the covenant. When we respond with a definite act, it is a way of showing our sincereity in being obedient to God. Abraham's obedience the very same day signifies his following God's guidelines immediately and without hesitation and thus shows his faith.

Q4. What lesson is God teaching you out of Hagar's experience? Each time I read the scripture for this study on Hagar I feel I learn more about what God is teaching me. I have seen has God is always there and always faithful even in the most difficult and discouraging times just as He was for Hagar. At times, we must strive to submit to what God directs us to do but his plan is always best. Which situation that God is calling you to is most difficult for you to submit to? I need to constantly pray and ask for strength to remember to give God the glory for all that happens in my life and for all success and recogntion. Without God and His blessings in my life, there would be no success and accomplishments.

Hagar suddenly became aware of God's presence and personal care and thus named God El Roi. To be discouraged and one who is losing hope and then to be suddenly aware that God loves you and cares for you is the greatest source of joy. This is the ultimate joy and comfort to me personally.

God uses various ways to lead us to reflect on the actions we are taking. Asking these questions to Hagar causes her to think closely about her actions. Sending her back to Sarah gav Hage ar an opportunity to grow in faith and obedience through trials and hardship. So often in life, we grow the most when we undergo trials and difficulties in life. Yes, there have been many times when I have tried to go the way of least hardship and as I reflect, I see that my choices were not the best according to God's will. God in his mercy forgives and my desire is to learn from these mistakes.

Sarah does what many of us do and that is not to accept responsibility for our own actions but rather to blame other. She takes her anger out on Abraham because he fathered the baby Hager is carrying. Hagar is pregant by Sarah's husband and Hagar is accused to being prideful. She is trying to get rid of both Hagar and the baby. I don't believe Hagar's pride is Abraham's fault other than Abraham fathered the children (which was accepted in that period of history). Thankfully, I don't see much jealousy in my family.

God make a unilateral promise that He pledges to fulfill in the most solemn and binding way. We Christians know the end of the story, where God himself bears -- in the broken body of his innocent Son -- the penalty for man's breaking of the covenant. Abram believed in God as promising Christ. God has made to us the promise of eternal life with Him. All we need to do is accept it. Jesus was the lamb of God who was slain so that we may enjoy salvation and eternal life with God.