Craig

Q1. (2 Peter 1:5-6) Which of these virtues so far has been the easiest for you to move into. Which has been the hardest for you? Why? Of these virtues the easiest for me has been adding knowledge to my faith. I love to learn and its easy to fall in love with studying God's Word. The hardest for me has been self-control. Primarily self-indulgence. The good news is I have come along way through the years regarding self-control. I have more self-control in my life than I ever have had before. Self-control is freeing. Anything that reigns over you makes you a slave. So, I am praising God that through the help of the Holy Spirit and a commitment on my part I have moved from caving in to any taste to exercising self-control to eliminate unholy behavior.

Q4. (2:24b) If Jesus died to set us free from sin's power, why does sin have such power over us still? According to 2:24b, how must we deal with sin? In practical terms, how can we "die to sin"? In everyday language, what does "live for righteousness" mean? Because we have not taken Jesus's death on the cross seriously and personally enough, sin still has such power over us. We are often still too comfortable with sin. We are to deal with sin by dying to sin and living for righteousness. In practical terms we can die to sin by picking up our cross daily and following Jesus. There is no easy way to die to sin. Sin consistently knocks at the door of the heart. To live for righteousness means to deny sin in our life; to permit God's Word to awaken in our hearts, and to walk away from the satanic world system. Part of suffering is combatting sin in our life.

Q3. (2:24a) This may seem like a simplistic question, but give it thought before you answer, and then answer thoughtfully. What is the significance to you personally that Jesus bore your sins in his own body on the cross? The significance to me personally that Jesus bore my sins in his own body on the cross is the salvation of my soul and the healing of a sick soul and forgiveness of my sin. I do not have the ability to change the past. I do not have the ability to heal my sick soul. I do not have the ability to make my self spiritually clean and pure before God. I do not have the ability to grant myself eternal life with God. I am at the mercy of God. I was born with a sinful nature alienated from God. Jesus was always with God and was sinless. The fact that He would go to the cross for me personally is overwhelming and I might not understand the full implication of this act until after the end of this age. It is easy to shallowly say we understand and appreciate everything about Jesus and what Jesus took on for us and what its significance is for us. However, no human being has ever been Jesus Christ and can understand Him and His feelings as He did. His experience on this planet is unlike our experience. Until I gave my life to Jesus, sin didn't really brother me. It was natural. Sin wasn't natural to Jesus. The human condition wasn't natural to Jesus. I have a lot yet to truly appreciate about Jesus and what He has done for me.

Q2. Why is Jesus' sinlessness important to understanding your salvation? In what way do you think Jesus suffered when your sins were poured into his soul? How could a sinless Man stand this kind of corruption? A sacrifice for the atonement/forgiveness of sin must be pure and sinless before God Scripture teaches that anything less is not acceptable for sacrifice for the atonement of sin. Jesus was pure and sinless, but took on the sin of the world on the cross for the atonement of human sin that we might have salvation through His spotless sacrifice on the cross. As an impure human being conditioned by this satanic world system and in all honesty, it is hard to image the spiritual suffering Jesus endured as human sin was poured into his soul. Jesus, the one and only Son of God, was pure and without sin and the perversion that goes with it must have been so foreign to Him. The feelings of shame, sorrow, impurity, dishonor, sickness, hopelessness, spiritual pollution, sadness, isolation, depravity, etc. must wrecked His spirit, soul, and body. Truly Jesus was a stranger in a strange land. As Isaiah said to God -- "your ways are not our ways." Humanity is a sick, depraved, and lost race and Jesus taking that spiritual perversion upon Himself must have been overwhelming. Only the love of God and the commitment and love for the Father and humanity (God's creation), could stand this kind of corruption.

Q1. (2:21) According to 2:21, in what sense did Jesus suffer for you personally? Jesus suffered for my salvation and as an example for me to follow.

Q4. (2:21-23) How does Christ's example speak to your situation? How is your behavior going to be different because of what you see in Jesus' character in this passage? In seriously living for the Lord, Jesus' situation vis-à-vis the satanic world system is the same situation all followers of Christ find themselves in. The world around us doesn't like Biblical living or views. Jesus set the example for His followers in these situations by not allowing Himself to be lured into a situation where He would react as the world acts and reacts. Diminishing Himself. In fact, being manipulated by Satan. In reality, this life is not the end all be all. So as Christians we should act like that. We should conform our actions to the way Kingdom Citizens should act as outlined in the Sermon on the Mount and allow God to deal the situation as He knows best and most effective. The days of this corrupt and wicked world are numbered. We must remember that when we act on anything. Peter highlights Jesus' Holy, pure, and self-controlled character in this passage. An example we must emulate for the glory of God.

Q3. (2:18-20) How does being an employee "conscious of God" affect the way we act and react to injustice in the workplace? Can a conscientious Christian be a complainer? Why or why not? How do you usually react to prolonged, unfair treatment at your work? God clearly teaches throughout the Bible to act justly in every situation. The way we act and react to injustice in the workplace to act justly. Paul taught the Philippians to "Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world," Phil. 2:14-15 (NKJV). Additionally, the book of Numbers clearly lays out the fact that God hates complaining. So, a conscientious Christian, cannot be a complainer. Complaining is an afford to God. In reacting to prolonged and/or unfair treatment I have either reacted in one of three ways: 1) endure it; 2) address it; 3) found a new job.

Q4. (1:5-8) What is the promise to claim in verse 5? What is the condition attached to this promise in verse 6? How do trials help us receive this wisdom? If we lack wisdom ask for it and God will generously give it to us. The condition attached to this promise is having no doubt that God can provide that wisdom or anything else for that matter. I know I don't have all the answers or wisdom there is to be had. Trials help me to focus on what I need and to go to God for the wisdom I haven't developed yet.

Q3. (1:5-8) How do trials help cure us of "doublemindedness"? How do trials help us grow in faith? Trials force us to make decisions. In making the right decision when dealing with a trial depends on what we believe. Ultimately that belief is based on who we believe. Do we believe the answer lies in God or the world? Really, that is the choice. Trials force us to determine who we believe and what counsel we are going to take. As a believer puts their faith and trust in God in dealing with any given situation and God sees them through that situation it builds a track record and confidence in God. This cures us of "doublemindedness." It all begins with believing God's Word which helps us grow in our faith.

Q2. (1:13-15) Why do people blame God for evil? Does God tempt us with evil? Does he tempt sinful people with evil? Why does he allow people to sin? Why does he allow evil to exist at all? The reality is people blame God for evil because they don't want to blame themselves. People don't want to accept responsibility for the evil in this world. Evil that has resulted from lawless ungodly decision making. It is easy to blame God and make Him the scapegoat. God never tempts anyone with evil nor is God evil or tempted by evil. Evil is a creature created condition brought about by free will.

Q1. (1:2-4) What value have trials had in your life? Have you let Satan destroy you with those trials? Or allowed God to refine you? How have you changed? The value of trials in my life to date have forced me to apply God's Word in various troublesome or challenging circumstances which has created a stronger and more in depth relationship with God. My confidence in God has grown remarkably. Trials have increased the level of wisdom in my decision making. Trials have forced me to decide whether I'm going handle or navigate a trial as a faithful Christian or as a carnal Christian. Trials have forced me to practice what I belief and preach/teach to others. Trials have taught me to overcome anything in Jesus Christ. Trials have taught to wait upon God. I have not let Satan destroy me to date with those trials.

Q2. (2:18) If we are to submit to our employers and respect them, what is that saying about God's expectation that we do a good job? In what sense do we dishonor God when we don't give our full effort to our jobs? God's expectation is that we do all to His glory. As Paul wrote: "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." I Cor. 10:31 (NKJ). God desires that the world would see Him in His people. Therefore glorying Him and leading others into a saving relationship with Him. We dishonor Him, at least in one major aspect, by disregarding His Word and standards for being a believer. Out of our love for Him we ought give everything our best.

Q1. (2:15-16) In what way is God's glory dependent upon us living submissive, obedient lives? How is God hurt when we get rebellious? The conduct and lives of God's people glorify Him. As we live according to the Word God, the inability of the world to slander or accuse Christians of being irresponsible, lazy, disobedient, etc. is silenced. When we are rebellious we diminish the glory of God in our lives and witness to the world around us.

Q4. (2 Peter 1:4) How can strong desires erode our faith and corrupt our lives? What strong desires can build our faith? What does a strong desire for God have to do with the "knowledge" of God, or "knowing" God? How are God's promises and evil desires at odds with each other? How does one build and the other erode our faith? Strong desires can erode our faith and corrupt our lives by taking our focus off God and onto those things we desire. A desire to be Christ-like and to participate in God's divine nature is healthy, life giving, and does build our faith. We cannot grown unless we are focused on God's Word. We need to be steadfast in the Lord. A strong desire for God motives a believer to study God's Word to find out more about God and to really get to know God as far as is possible. This endeavor strengthens, deepens, and enriches a believer's relationship with God. As we gain more knowledge about God, we gain more knowledge and insight about ourselves and what God expects from us. Through knowledge of God we learn what His will for our lives is. God's promises and evil desires are odds with each other because they come from different sources warring to influence our minds and allegiance. The Kingdom of God versus the satanic world system. When we walk away from the satanic world order and embrace Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God our faith is blessed and growth results. Remaining conformed to this world is erosion and death because it is governed and enslaved to Satan.

Q3. (2 Peter 1:3) What does it mean for you personally to be called "by his own glory and goodness"? How does God's glory and awesome Presence affect you? How does his goodness and moral excellence affect you? God has revealed the wonders of His person to each of us through His creation of which we are a part; through Jesus Christ, through His Word; and the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives. His glory and goodness is revealed in His love for us and all of creation; high standard of character; unchanging character; and His personal involvement in each of our lives If we permit it. So, what it means to me personally is that the God of creation is my creator and He loves me and I can have a relationship with Him as He desires. That desire is expressed clearly in John 3:16. All of God's glory and goodness affects me in that it permitted me access to Him and He has transformed my life and continues to transform my life from a clueless human to a Christ-like human-being -- from an incomplete human-being to a complete human-being in Jesus Christ.

Q4. (2:11) Read 1 Peter 2:11 carefully. The world tells us (1) to conform and (2) that sin won't hurt us. What does Peter tell us to combat these lies? How can this reminder help us? Sin kills our relationship with God and diminishes a believers Christianity and faith. Each Christian must walk away from the satanic world system as entered into by the pride of life, **** of the flesh, and the **** of the eyes. As Christians we must stop compromising with the world, with our old sin nature, and stop lying to ourselves over our compromising faith and truly be real followers of Christ with a passion to be holy as God is holy.

Q2. (2 Peter 1:3) Meditate on this verse for a few minutes. It is a verse about provision. What is the scope and extent and boundaries of "everything we need for life and godliness"? What does "knowledge" or "knowing God" have to do with this promise? The scope and extent and boundaries of "everything we need for life and godliness" encompass all dimensions of a person's life, the physical as well as the spiritual. The physical and the spiritual intertwine in the basic fabric of our lives. God provides through His Word all a person needs to know in order to live godly lives in the here and now as well as in eternity. Unless we engage God through the Word of God and prayer we do not have this knowledge and cannot know God. God provides His Word and access to Him through prayer that we might know Him, know His promises, know how to receive His blessings, etc. Additionally and most importantly, God has provided His Spirit to dwelt within us to help us with our relationship with Him and to be the Christ-like people we need to be. God's provision awaits our response.

Q1. (2 Peter 1:1) What does "received a faith as precious as ours" mean in this verse? How does our faith compare to St. Peter's faith? Is our faith equal to his? Why or why not? How do you explain the discrepancy? Peter is saying that anyone who has faith in Jesus has the same access to God as any other believer. All who are saved in/by Christ Jesus are saved by the grace of God and enjoy equal acceptance before Him, whether they are Jews or Gentiles, male or female, slave or free. Our faith compares to Peter's faith in that anyone who has faith in Jesus has the same access to God as any other be believer. Hebrew goes into this pretty thoroughly. Peter says in 1 Peter 1:8-9: "Though you have not seen him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him, and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."

Q5. (Galatians 6:16) Who comprises “the Israel of God” today? Who is excluded from this group? How is Romans 11:17-25 designed to temper Gentile pride? All those who have been transformed into a new creation/born again through faith in Jesus Christ. The Israel of God today are Holy Spirit filled believers in Jesus Christ. Those who are not Holy Spirit filled, born again human beings are excluded. In other words those reject Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Through the grace of God gentiles are grafted onto the spiritual roots or tree of Abraham. Whether you are a Jew or a gentile it is all about trusting in Jesus Christ.

Q4. (Galatians 6:15) What characterizes this “new creation” that Paul talks about? What does the “old creation” look like in contrast? What does the old creation lack that the new creation possesses? How does Jesus’ saying, “You must be born again” (John 3:3-8) relate to this concept of the new creation? The new creation is our transformation from the old sin inclined nature apart from God to a spirit-filled life. A life where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are central and are the driving influence.

Q3. (Galatians 6:9-10) Why do we tend to become weary living out our faith? What promise does Paul give us in 6:9 to forestall this weariness? Why should our “doing good” begin with our spiritual family, not with the non-Christians? The behavior of people can cause one to become weary in living out their faith. Paul encourages believers throughout the ages not to give up in doing what is good because if we continue we will in time reap God's blessings. Our brothers and sisters in Christ are those we are going to spend eternity with. Jesus said to His disciples to love one another and John instructions us to love the brethren. We have a tender affection for our fellow sojourners in Christ. We minister to world around us out of love for God and people and as a witness for Jesus Christ. We minister as Jesus taught by word and deed.

Q2. (Galatians 6:7-8) What does it mean to “sow to the flesh”? What does this look like? What synonyms does Paul use for “sow to the Spirit” in Galatians? (Hint: see 5:16, 18, 25). What does sowing to the Spirit look like in a congregation? What are the results in a congregation of sowing to the flesh? Sowing to the flesh means feeding those worldly desires in one's life that are contrary to God's standards. It looks like sexual immortality; lustful pleasure; hatred; discord, jealously; idolatry; drunkenness; quarreling; division; and sins like these. Paul refers to the end product of our actions (how we engage life), as fruit. Either we are flesh or Holy Spirit driven. Either will produce a certain kind of fruit. Sowing to the spirit looks like love; peace; joy; patience; kindness; goodness; faithfulness; gentleness; and self-control. These fruits bring a congregation together in Christ whereas a congregation that sows to the flesh brings about destruction.

Q1. (Galatians 6:1-5) What does Paul mean, “caught in a sin”? What would restoration of a such brother or sister look like in his or her life? Who should restore this person? In what spirit should it be done? What is the result of trying to restore a person without humility? Paul means when one is overcome by sin he "caught in a sin." The restoration process should be a gentle process facilitated by a spiritually mature Christian brother or sister. It should done in a spirit of humility. Without a spirit of humility the person being restored will probably be broken. There is no place for self-righteousness or arrogance in ministering spiritual healing or counseling to another person. It should be done in a spirit of empathy, trust, and love.

Q5. (2:12) How can the good deeds we commit by living openly as Christians increase God's praise. How does our "blending in" detract from God's praise? When the world sees the love and actions of authentic Christians as they live, serve God and others in this world it serves as a witness. A witness that is a light to the world of wisdom and power to change the hearts and lives of people. To give hope to the hopeless. When people encounter God they want to praise God. When we blend with the world we become a part of the world and the world cannot tell the difference between Christians and the world. So, there is no witness and the life of the carnal Christian does not draw anyone to Jesus Christ. That takes away from God.

Q4. (2:11) Read 1 Peter 2:11 carefully. The world tells us (1) to conform and (2) that sin won't hurt us. What does Peter tell us to combat these lies? How can this reminder help us? The satanic world system is diametrically opposed to the Kingdom of God and wants to dominate and use all people. Because the world isn't based on a God given value system and dishonors God, Peter encourages believers to walk away and just say no. The satanic world system destroys the body and soul of all those who engage it.