Craig

Q2. (Luke 23:39-43) Why is the thief�s faith so astounding in this situation? What did the thief receive that day? What do you think this meant to Jesus? The thief's faith in Christ is so astounding in this situation because Jesus is dying on the cross. Because of his acknowledgment, faith, and trust in Jesus the thief received eternal life with Jesus in Paradise that day. I think this was a great encouragement and blessing to Jesus at that moment.

Q1. (Luke 23:34) Who was most responsible for killing Jesus? What responsibility do you and I bear in this? In what sense was Jesus praying for us? We place the blame for killing Jesus on the key players: High Priests; the Roman Governor; the religious council; Roman soldiers; Jewish leadership; Judas, the crowd, etc. However, humanity send Jesus to the cross and killed Him. Our sin was poured into Him and out of love He died for human atonement and reconciliation with God. He died for our sin. As Jesus was dying He asked His Father to forgive them for they didn't know what they were doing. Human blindness, ignorance, and darkness prevented humanity from knowing what they were truly doing. The God of this world, Satan, blinds humanity from acknowledging and recognizing God. However, humanity permits it to happen -- see Romans 1. All the players on the scene that day were just the face of all humanity. Today, this generation is just as responsible before God for the death of Jesus Christ as they were in first century Palestine. However, Jesus raise from the dead on the third day to show humanity that the grave cannot hold God and to give humanity the hope of salvation and eternal life with God.

Q5. (2 Corinthians 4:15-18) In what way do problems and physical deterioration help us toward “an eternal weight of glory”? Why is it so easy to focus on temporal matters to the exclusion of eternal things? Why is a focus on eternal things so important to our spiritual growth? What can we do to help shift our focus? For the Christian who is permitting the Holy Spirit to work in their life through the sanctification process, problems and physical deterioration are only a part of this world and should inspire the Christian to develop their eternal spiritual lives. Our focus should be on the spiritual because it is eternal. This material world is passing away and should be used as a tool for our spiritual growth. Most people are consumed and totally focused on the things of this satanic world order and the temporal to the exclusion of the spiritual and eternal. Natural man focuses on only what he can see. Only the visible. Again, Satan blinds human-beings as to what is important and this is first and foremost the acknowledgment of God and the acceptance of Jesus Christ as Messiah - Lord and Savior and the consequences of that acknowledgment. Eternity spend with or without God. Heaven or hell. A focus on spiritual growth should get us all excited about eternity. Our spiritual development should be like packing suitcases for a long awaited vacation to our favorite place.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 4:8-12) How does it encourage you to know that Paul went through tremendous stress and pressure? What effect did these sufferings have on the way people could see Christ in Paul? Why is pain necessary to spiritual growth? How does our pain allow others to assess our authenticity as Christians? Paul inspires me to keep on keeping on in the Gospel ministry despite stress and pressure from forces opposed to the message. You cannot be an involved pastor of a church and ministries without encountering stress and pressure when dealing with people and satanic push back. Despite stress, pressure, troubles, being hunted, being knocked down, etc., Paul never backed off from preaching and teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God empowered Paul to endure and glorify Him. What a witness to all around him for Jesus Christ. What an encourage to me as a pastor. Pain requires endurance; trust; and faith in what you believe. It tests the reality of your faith and trust in God. In order to understand pain for the faith, it requires one to regularly talk intimately with God. Pain brings us closer to God and develops our trust and faith in what God is assigning us to do for Him. When others see you suffer for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, without backing off or complaining, it serves a witness to the power of God in a person's life. It validates the Gospel message in that a person is willing place his life in the hands of God for truth's sake and the salvation of souls. This is authentic faith in God.

Q6. (Isaiah 6:9-10) How do you make sense out of these verses? Is Isaiah called to an impossible mission? Why will Isaiah’s prophecy make the task worse? In which parable did Jesus quote this passage (Matthew 13:1-23)? In Jesus’ parable, is there any frustration in preaching the gospel? Is there any hope? It is irony. The people of Judah and Jerusalem will not hear and understand what Isaiah is saying because of their hard hearts. The task will be made worst because Isaiah knows they will not respond. Jesus quoted this passage of scripture in the Parable of the Farmer Scattering Seed. Many hear the gospel and just don't understand or don't want to understand. Many don't permit the gospel to take root in their lives for a myriad of reasons. Mostly because the cares and the things of the satanic world order are more important. However, there are some who grasp and treasure the gospel and integrate it into their lives and bear fruit for the Kingdom of God.

Q5. (Isaiah 6:5-8) What is Isaiah’s reaction to the vision? How does God deal with Isaiah’s fear? What question follows Isaiah’s cleansing? What is Isaiah’s response to God’s question? What is your response when you sense God calling you? After seeing the vision Isaiah's reaction was one of fear for his life. He confessed being a sinful man with filthy lips who lives among people with filthy lips. Otherwise he was a sinful man who lives among sinful people not worthy to be in the presence of God. However, God forgives him of his sin and guilt and cleanses him from that sin and guilt. After this takes place Isaiah hears God asking the question: "Whom shall I send as messenger to the people? Who will go for us." Isaiah's response was "Here I am. Send me." When I sense God calling me I say send me.

Q4. (Isaiah 6:1-4) Why do you think Yahweh revealed himself in this way to Isaiah? In what ways does this vision reveal God’s majesty? What do we learn about Yahweh from the serphaim’s chant? I believe God revealed himself in this way to Isaiah because he was going to use Isaiah in a extraordinary way in prophesying to Judah and Jerusalem and to generations down through the ages until the present. God was permitting Isaiah a glimpse of himself in a most personal way. Creating a most personal bond before a great mission started. This vision revealed the grandeur, the power, the other worldliness, and holiness of God. We learn that God, the Lord of the Armies of Heaven, is holy and the whole earth is filled with his glory.

Q3. (Isaiah 5:1-6) What was the vintner’s vision for the vineyard? What did he do to accomplish his vision? What happened when the crop came in? What did the vintner say he would do with the vineyard? What does this parable mean? The vintner's vision for the vineyard was to produce sweet grapes. In order to accomplish his goal he plowed the land; cleared stones; and planted the best vines. He built a watchtower in the center of his vineyard and built a protective wall around it. The vineyard was planted on a rich and fertile hill. However, when the crops came in it was bitter not sweet. As a result, the vintner said that he would destroy the vineyard and leave it open to the animals and let it go wild. God was the vintner and Israel was the vineyard. Instead of responding to God's loving care and becoming a sweet grape, Israel became a bitter, foul smelling grape. Israel did not respond to God's attention and care. So, like the vineyard in this parable, God would destroy Judah just as the vintner destroyed the vineyard.

Q2. (Isaiah 2:1-5) What does this prophecy of the future Jerusalem tell us about God’s plan for the Gentiles? About God’s plan for the Jews? About spiritual hunger? About peace? God's plan for the Gentiles is to acknowledge and recognize Him universally. To have a relationship with Him. People from all over the world will come to Jerusalem to worship God. All nations worshipping God together including the Jews. God will teach all the world His ways in order to walk in His paths. He will settle international disputes and there will be no more fighting and war among the nations of the world. The peoples of the world will live in peace with each other and God.

Q1. (Isaiah 1:2-20) In what way is Judah confused about its identity, according to verses 2-4? What are the consequences when Christians today suffer from such identity confusion? What injustices does God accuse his people of in verses 15-17? In verses 18-20 God argues that their behavior is “unreasonable.” Why is it unreasonable? What does God offer as an alternative? Judah no longer recognizes the One who formed and brought them together as a people and nation. They have turned their backs on God, the Holy One of Israel. They have become corrupt and evil in their ways and in their religion. In addition, they were loaded down by guilt because they knew better and knew what they were doing. Like the people of Judah, Christians suffer guilt, depression, and dysfunction when they lose their identity with Jesus Christ and turn their back on Him. They lose their way and the peace that goes with The Way, The Truth, and The Life. The fact, Christians who turn their backs on God know what they are doing too. God accuses his people of practicing meaningless, sinful, and false religion. Their religion was false because it was not true and genuine based and rooted in a love for God. It was just religious ritual. Sinful and unclean people going through the motions of religious ritual. It meant nothing to God. In fact, it made Him sick. Phoniness is never reasonable. However, God told them if they repented and turned from their evil ways He would forgive them, make them clean, and restore their relationship from Him.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 4:7) What truth is Paul seeking to communicate by this analogy of a treasure in a pottery jar? What does the clay jar represent? What does the treasure represent? What’s the paradox here? Like a treasure in a fragile pottery jar, God fills the believer with the light and glory of the Gospel message and his Holy Spirit. We are like a pottery jar in that we are vessels for the light and glory of God (treasure), to the rest of humanity. We are effective for the Kingdom of God because the Holy Spirit enables us to be effective. We are not gods but earthen vessels filed with the glory of God. So, while we minister to others, we must remember it is not us or about us, but about God Almighty the Make of Heaven and Earth.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 4:3-4) Since Satan has blinded people’s eyes to the truth, is there any hope for them? What strategies must we use to overcome spiritual blindness? How many people are likely to find Christ without intercessory prayer? Since God's desire is that all people be saved, I believe that there is hope for the blind. Fervent prayer, daily Bible study, praise and worship, and service to the Lord are key strategies to use in overcoming spiritual blindness. Fervent prayer for the lost is a key strategy for opening their eyes to truth. I don't believe many find Jesus without intercessory prayer.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 4:1-2) How do questionable ethics and ministry practices hurt the work of Christ? What is Paul’s alternative in verse 2b? Fraud and deceit are not of God. When people perceive misdirection and phoniness they don't see God's work but human trickery. This doesn't glorify God; present a genuine witness, or lead people into a saving relationship with God in Jesus. People are turned off by more phonies looking for easy money and gain. Christians are to minister and spread the gospel through truth and the love of Jesus Christ. Through honest means not worldly means.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 4:1-2) How do questionable ethics and ministry practices hurt the work of Christ? What is Paul’s alternative in verse 2b? Fraud and deceit are not of God. When people perceive misdirection and phoniness they don't see God's work but human trickery. This doesn't glorify God; present a genuine witness, or lead people into a saving relationship with God in Jesus. People are turned off by more phonies looking for easy money and gain. Christians are to minister and spread the gospel through truth and the love of Jesus Christ. Through honest means not worldly means.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 3:18) Why is character change directly related to time deliberately spent in God’s presence? What is the theological word for the process of maturing in Christ? Have you noticed a change in the “degree of glory” you’re experiencing now compared to a few years ago? Why or why not? The more time spent deliberately in God's presence is more time that God has our undivided attention. The reality is, that more time spend with God will change a person's character. The theological word for the process of maturing in Christ is called sanctification. Over the years I have grown or matured in Christ because I have spent time with God and I have permitted the Holy Spirit to work in my life. I will continue to do so for as long as I live.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 3:18) Moses glowed by spending time with God on Mt. Sinai, in his tent of meeting, and in the Tabernacle. How can we get a similar glow of the Spirit in our lives? In what way is meditating on Scripture beholding God? Is the low plane of Christianity in our day related to the time we spend in communion with the Lord? What is God leading you to do to increase your glow? We get a similar glow by spending time with God in prayer and Bible study and praise and worship. Mediating on Scripture is spending time with God in that we are spending time with His word. Thus spending time with God. I believe the lack of time spend with God, as discussed above, contributes to watered down Christianity because there is no intimate relationship with God. God is leading me to spend more time in meditation and prayer.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 3:16-17) Why is the Holy Spirit essential to help people see truth clearly and be able to grasp it? What enables people to come to Christ at all? What kind of freedom does the Spirit give us when we become Christians? The Holy Spirit enlightens the mind and removes and frees the mind from the blindness the satanic world order fosters within human-beings. Where the Holy Spirit is there is freedom. The Holy Spirit frees, opens, and enlightens the human mind to receive Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior. On becoming Christians, the Holy Spirit frees us from the slavery of the law and sin. The Holy Spirit works within our lives to make us Christ-like human beings. Christians reflect the glory of God in their lives.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 3:7-11) Why did Moses’ face glow? Why did he cover it when he was out with the people? Why didn’t more people’s face glow in Moses’ time? What’s the difference between the spread of God’s glory in Moses’ time when compared to our own time? Moses' face glowed from being in the physical presence of God. The radiance of Moses' face scared the people so Moses' veiled his face while not in the physical presence of God. The people were afraid of God and appointed Moses as their representative. The were unwilling to draw close to God. God's glory in Moses' time was placed on a person in the direct presence of God. It was at a certain physical location. In our time the glory is spread by the Holy Spirit through believers in the Messiah Jesus throughout the world. However, like Moses, it still takes a personal relationship and willingness to drew close to God in order to receive the glory of God.

Q4. (5:10-11) Which promises in verses 10 and 11 are most meaningful to you at this point in your life? Why? The promise of eternal life and being placed on a firm foundation are the most meaningful to me at this point in my life. At age 58 I am wavering less and am firmer in my Christian walk than I have ever been. It is wonderful to experience solid Christian growth and consistency in my life. I thank God for His kindness and mercy in working with me through the years, despite my own personal willfulness. For the most part I have a clear and clean conscience before God and I have a real intention and determination to honor and please Him with my life.

Q3. (5:8-9) What instructions does Peter give us to guide us in spiritual warfare? Extra credit: How are these instructions similar or different than Paul's instructions in Ephesians 6:10-17? First Peter teaches us to be alert and aware of our great enemy Satan. Second, stand firm against him and be strong in our faith. Third, endure and have patience through suffering. By daily prayer, Bible study, praise and worship, and service we will stay alert in our defense against Satan. Likewise, Paul taught us to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. We are to stay firm in God's truth and righteousness; our strong faith in God serves as a shield again Satan's attacks; rest in the peace of the Gospel; accept Jesus as our salvation; and know and speak the Word of God into our lives. These things will create a defense against satanic influence and attacks. Both Peter and Paul teach the same strategies to stand firm against the devil.

Q2. (5:8) What is it important to be aware of Satan's existence? What does this verse teach us about the devil? Why is this teaching important? It is important to be aware of Satan's existence because he is a real force and threat to Christians as well as humanity as a whole. This verse teaches us that Satan is a destroyer and he devours people. This verse is important because it informs us to be alert and to stay close to God because Satan will destroy us if given the opportunity. We must limit the opportunities.

Q5. Now that you're finished with James: Practical Christianity, what did you get out of this study? How would you evaluate the study? What can be improved? This study reinforced for me what it means to be a practical follower of Christ -- live out my faith in reality and not just keep in my head. This study is an excellent comprehensible study of what it means to be a Christian. The study questions were challenging and thought-provoking. They served as a great stimulus for self-evaluation. Nothing needs to be improved. This study served its purpose well.

Q4. (5:19-20) In the light of James' emphasis on active faith vs. dead faith (2:17), why is the role of finding and bringing back the wandering sheep so important? Because the salvation of the wandering sheep is in question.

Q3. (5:14-16) In the healing prayer, what is the role of oil? What is the role of the prayer of faith? What is the role of faith? What is the role of confession of sins? Oil represents the healing power of God and serves as a stimulus to faith. The role of the prayer of faith is to ask God for healing and/or forgiveness of sin. Prayer is pointless without faith. The Bible teaches that God doesn't answer the prayer of those who don't believe He can or will. So, faith is critical to prayer. Sins block prayer. Sin must be confessed regularly to maintain a relationship to God.

Q2. (5:14) What is the elders' role in prayer for the sick? What must be their spiritual qualifications for this ministry of prayer? The role of the elder in praying for the sick is to anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord and to pray for their healing. Their only spiritual qualification is to have a strong and mature faith and belief that God answers prayer.