Craig

Too many Christians conceal themselves behind a mask. They are afraid to become transparent. I tell my congregation to throw the mask away because we already know about each other in that as Paul wrote: "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." So there is nothing to hide. No body is flawless. Throw the mask away. We attain what we throw ourselves into. If I want true fellowship with other believers then I go for it with deliberation knowing that Jesus is with me.

Q1. (1 Timothy 4:1-2) Why does Paul remind Timothy (and the church) of predictions concerning widespread apostasy? What effect should this knowledge have on his ministry and the church's perception of the situation? Paul reminds Timothy of this so that he is not surprised or caught off guard. Instead Timothy will be prepared and watchful. Knowledge and preparation of this before hand prevents ministry from being thrown off and church members from becoming disillusioned. Foreknowledge should prepare the church to deal with this situation.

Q1. (1 Timothy 4:1-2) Why does Paul remind Timothy (and the church) of predictions concerning widespread apostasy? What effect should this knowledge have on his ministry and the church's perception of the situation? Widespread apostasy within the church (universal) perverts the message, doctrine, and purpose of the church. The should be sensitive to this but instead has produced the crusades, Cromwell; Calvin; Winthrop; the bloody wars within the church during the reformation; the Spanish church in the New World to name a few. All of these people and movements murdered people in the name of their perverted view of Christianity. Christians should be about following Jesus Christ and taking on the Mind of Christ. Being a follower of Christ is about love. God is love. Not claiming the market on Christianity and then murdering those that don't buy it. Jesus Christ didn't do that nor did He promote it. Part of the gospel is the unity of the body of Christ not division or sectionalism. That is satanic and a fruit of the flesh. Today denominations divide rather than unit. That is apostasy.

Q4. (1 Timothy 3) According to our text, do you see differences in qualifications between overseers/elders and deacons? What are they? There are minor differences on degrees. Like the consumption of wine. However, all three leadership positions have the same standards of doctrinal fidelity; self-control; and sobriety.

Q3. (1 Timothy 3) Why are tendencies to anger, intimidation, force, and pride so important to consider in selecting church officers? What happens when you don't consider these factors? All of the above traits are fruits of the flesh described by Paul in Galatians 5. They are not of the Holy Spirit and they do not reflect the mind of Christ. Love suffers when these traits prevail. Therefore they will be damaging to relationships within and outside the church. They will damage ministries and spreading the Gospel. These traits can cause division within a church. They do not nurture they destroy. People do not want to be around people who practice these traits -- they are satanic.

Q2. (1 Timothy 3:6, 10) Why should leaders be observed carefully and tested before placing them in office? What should you be looking for during this period? Leaders should be observed and tested prior to placing them in office so there are no surprises and to ensure that the candidate is ready for office. Areas of observation include: decision making; family leadership; church involvement; submission of will to the Lord; faithfulness to the tasks God has assigned the individual; personal holiness; sobriety; and application of scripture to life.

Q2. (1 Timothy 3:6, 10) Why should leaders be observed carefully and tested before placing them in office? What should you be looking for during this period? It helps to eliminate surprises. It reveals a person's spiritual maturity and how ready they are for advanced leadership within the church. During this period the areas for observation should include: consistency in church attendance; consistency in the person's call; general attitude of humbleness; willingness to serve; decision making and overall life style. Does life style reflect purity, holiness, wisdom and Christ likeness.

Q1. (1 Timothy 3:2-12) What kind of leader do you believe Paul is indicating for us with the phrase "husband of one wife"? Why is a leader's family an important indicator of leadership potential or problems? I believe Paul is speaking about one man married to one woman. The behavior of family members under the leadership of a potential church leader can indicate his/hers leadership and personal stability.

Q5. (1 Timothy 2:11-15) How should Paul's instructions about women teaching and leading in the church be applied in the twenty-first century? How do you support your view? I believe God gives men and women gifts as He deems fit for his purposes. Not the narrow view of some. I believe the record in I Timothy speaks to a situation of individual Church discipline. I believe the western church can be as legalistic as 1st century Jewish leadership. God can call anyone for His purposes. That is the Biblical record from Genesis to Revelation. All things are possible with God said Gabriel to Mary -- who is any man to say whether a woman has or has not been called to the gospel ministry. The works and fruit of person verify the call.

Q4. (1 Timothy 2:9-10) How did women dressing in fancy clothes threaten to compromise the church's witness in Ephesus? How do we apply the principle of Paul's directive in twenty-first century churches without instituting a new legalism? Dressing in name brand clothes and dripping in fine jewery can cause one to be unapproachable by the less fortunate in and out of church causing division. I want people of any social class to be able to relate to me in order that I might be a witness and minister for Jesus Christ. I will down play anything that would cause me to be unapproachable. How we dress can reveal where our priorities lie. I don't think it is an issue of a new legalism, but a love for people issue.

Q3. (1 Timothy 2:8). What problem among the men of the congregation is Paul referring to in this verse? What is so serious about worshipping with the opposite of love in your heart? The problem Paul is referring to is the in-fighting over false teachers and teachings which is creating division and anger among the congregation. When we worship God, it must come from a pure and loving heart or God doesn't hear it.

Q2. (1 Timothy 2:5-6) In the context of the salvation of all, why do you think Paul emphasizes the roles of Mediator and Ransom? In what way did Christ fulfill both these roles? Jesus substituted His life for ours. Human sin separated us from God. Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sins so that we could be reconciled to God our Father.

Q1. (1 Timothy 2:1-4) Why does Paul emphasize salvation of all mankind in this letter? What does this suggest about the practice of evangelism in the Ephesus church? Paul is stressing to Timothy that like God we should desire that all men be saved and that should be our business both in prayer and deed. This suggests that the Ephesus Church was focused on itself and not the Great Commission.

Q2. (1 Timothy 2:5-6) In the context of the salvation of all, why do you think Paul emphasizes the roles of Mediator and Ransom? In what way did Christ fulfill both these roles? The Book of Hebrews teaches that Jesus sits at the right hand of the Throne of God making intercession for the Saints. Jesus ransomed Himself for all humanity when He was sacrificed upon the cross for the atonement of human sin.

Q1. (1 Timothy 2:1-4) Why does Paul emphasize salvation of all mankind in this letter? What does this suggest about the practice of evangelism in the Ephesus church? Paul emphasizes the salvation of all mankind because factions within this church were focusing on Judaism as the criteria for salvation. This suggests that evangelism in the Ephesus church was distorted and leaning toward Judaism vice the Gospel. Thus, false doctrine.

Q1. (1 Timothy 1:3-7) What were some of the results of false doctrine in the church at Ephesus? How does doctrinal controversy hurt the spirit of a church? How does it prevent growth? How does it keep the church from its mission? The results of false doctrine within the church include: confusion; division; quarrels; people leaving the church; deception; sinful behavior; a focus other than the gospel message; non-effective kingdom building and a bad witness to the community at-large. Doctrinal controversy within a church causes division and prevents unity. A church divided cannot grow, mature and work together. The church cannot carry out the great commission if it is quarreling and divided.

Q1. (Romans 8:3-4) Why can't obedience to the law save us? What is the weak link? What then does it take to save us? The Law cannot make atonement for human sin. Obedience to the Law requires total obedience and the flesh, the weak link, cannot do it. It is not capable. It takes Jesus Christ to save us.

Q5. (Romans 7:14-25) Christians disagree about who is the "I" in Romans 7. Is Paul referring to himself or others? What is your opinion? (We won't all agree here, but we'll learn what the issues are by taking and arguing for a position -- lovingly). I think Paul is referring to himself. He is acknowledging the condition of all of humanity and the war that rages, even in the born again Christian, between the old nature and new man. I'm a born again Christian and I love and follow Jesus Christ, yet I still struggle with some elements of the world. Their are things I want to do in certain situations and don't for Christ and don't want to do, but do anyway. Paul was a great follower of Christ, but he wasn't Christ. He was an honest man who tells the truth about the struggle we all are engaged. The bottom line in Romans 7 is the truth Paul states in verses 24 and 25: "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God - through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

Q4. (Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 15:18-20; Romans 7:24) What is the doctrine of "total depravity"? Put it in your own words. Does it mean that none of God's original goodness shows through? Then what does it mean? Why does modern man tend to believe that man is basically good? How does this differ from what the Bible teaches? The doctrine of "total depravity" states in essence that man was born into sin and is sinful by nature. Humanity is a flawed race and what goodness he does, he does with a selfish motive. The goodness that man does display is a trace of the original goodness of man before the fall. Modern man doesn't want to deal with, or acknowledge sin and is in rebellion against God. The Bible teaches that humanity is sinful and is alienated from God because of that sin. Man needs a savior because he can not save himself. Jesus Christ is that saviour.

Q3. (Romans 7:12; 8:3) What does the law do well? What does it do poorly? Why is the law (knowing right and wrong) powerless to save us? What is the problem here? The Law informs well what sin is and what we should do to honor God. The Law, however, does not change hearts. Again, the Law informs and just informs. It wasn't meant to save us, but to point us to God. The Law informs, but God saves.

Q2. (Romans 7:7-8) The law reveals sin for what it is. Why wouldn't we be better off just not knowing that we should not covet, for example? Why does the flesh respond to being told "Do not covet" by coveting all the more? If I want to know how to have a relationship with God; eliminate from my life those things that displease God; and implement into my life those things that please God, I need to be informed -- whether it is painful or not. The flesh responds by coveting more because natural man is in rebellion against God.

Q1. (Romans 7:5) Paul uses the word "flesh" (or NIV "sinful nature") many times in chapters 7 and 8. In your own words, what does Paul mean by "flesh" in these verses? Flesh in this context is the desire within us that lures and motivates us to commit sin. To indulge in un-Godly worldly desires and activities.

Q1. (Romans 6:12) What does obedience have to do with the "reign" of sin? Victory over sin in my life is a refusal to let sin reign in my life. So instead of obeying sinful desires, I seek to obey Godly standards.

Q3. (Romans 6:15-18). What does obedience have to do with slavery? In what way does doing acts of righteousness demonstrate your slavery to God? In what ways does doing bad things demonstrate a slavery to sin? How is such a slavery or bondage broken? What part does obedience have in breaking this bondage? In what areas is God speaking to you about a fresh obedience in your life? People are slaves to the masters that they obey, i.e. ****, work, alcohol, sex, etc. -- anything that doesn't glorify God or contradicts Godly standards. Christians have changed masters or in who they obey or follow. Whereas they were formerly slaves to sin, becoming Christians they have now become slaves, willing servants, to righteousness. Intentionally and compulsively doing bad things is a reflection of our slavery to the world. Slavery to sin is broken by inviting Jesus Christ into one's life. A person is born again and becomes a new creature. The truth of Jesus Christ sets a person free. **** is an issue in my life that God is speaking to me about.

Q3. (Romans 6:15-18). What does obedience have to do with slavery? In what way does doing acts of righteousness demonstrate your slavery to God? In what ways does doing bad things demonstrate a slavery to sin? How is such a slavery or bondage broken? What part does obedience have in breaking this bondage? In what areas is God speaking to you about a fresh obedience in your life? A pattern of obedience is the distinctive mark of a slave -- to righteousness as well as to sin. God is all away freeing us from sin and death, so by obeying Him we are freeing ourselves from bondage to sin. God is speaking to me about the **** in my life.