Craig

Q2. (Romans 6:13) In what ways do you "offer the members of your body" to either sin or God multiple times in a day? Why is it that we can sin unconsciously? How can we begin to offer our members deliberately to God? What changes will it take in our daily life to do this? I offer the members of my body to sin or God by what I say or do throughout any given day. We sin unconsciously because we are so ingrained with the world and the way of the world. We can begin to change that by offering ourselves totally at the beginning of each day. The only change in the daily routine is to wake up in the morning and first thing offer myself to God.

Q1. (Romans 6:12) What does obedience have to do with the "reign" of sin? We can obey the sinful lusts, passions, and self-centered pursuits which reign in our lives before we are liberated by Jesus Christ. Then we begin to obey Kingdom principles presented in the Bible and taught by Jesus -- you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.

Q5. (Romans 6:11) What does it mean to "reckon, consider, count" in verse 11? Does this actually mean that we are convincing ourselves of something that isn't really true? What will be the effect in our lives if we actually do consider it to be true that we died with Christ's death with regard to sin? It means to calculate that if it is indeed true that Christ died and was buried once-for-all for sin, and if you have been united to him and to his death and burial by baptism, then you must now consider yourselves to be dead to sin in the same way. We are to believe and act on the truth: that we are dead to sin in the same way that Christ is now dead to sin. When we "reckon" Christ's victory to be the truth, then and only then can we move towards victory over sin in our own lives.

Q4. (Romans 6:6-7) In what way has our "body of sin," our "flesh," our old nature been made powerless because of our crucifixion with Christ? In what way have we been freed from slavery? What difference does this understanding make in our struggles against temptation? We become new creatures in Christ upon accepting Jesus as the Messiah. We are new people with a new perspective on life and reality. We are no longer enslaved to sin, i.e. we can overcome temptation through the power of the Holy Spirit and/or ask forgiveness to God for the sin we commit, per I Jn 1:9. The difference this understanding makes in my struggles with temptation is that no matter what, I can take it to God for forgiveness and/or thanksgiving for the victory. Either way, sin does not enslave me. It doesn't cripple me.

Q2. (Romans 6:3-4) In Paul's reference to baptism in 6:3-4, what does "buried" (6:4a) correspond to in the act of baptism? What does "Christ was raised from the dead" (6:4b) correspond to in baptism? Buried corresponds to Jesus being buried in the tomb for three days and the believer, during baptism, being submersed in water as an act of symbolic identification with Jesus' burial. The believer's sin nature or natural man is buried liked Jesus was buried. During baptism, as the believer is raised up out of the water, it identifies the believer with Jesus' resurrection on the third day. It identifies with being "born again." It also identifies with the moment in time and space when our physical bodies will be literally resurrected from the dead.

Q1. (Romans 6:3-5) In what sense does baptism bring about our union with Christ? In what sense does baptism symbolize our union with Christ? In being baptized we are proclaiming our salvation in Jesus Christ. We are joining with Him/identifying with Him in His death, burial, and resurrection by being baptized. We unite in Jesus Christ as our old sin nature or natural man dies, is buried, and we resurrected as new creatures/new people in Jesus Christ -- followers of Christ -- Christians. The process of baptism by immersion clearly identifies or joins the believer symbolicly with Jesus Christ, i.e. death, burial, and resurrection.

Q3. (Romans 5:15-19) By what right does Adam represent all humankind? By what right does Christ become head of all who become his disciples? If Christ is not our "representative" or "head," how can his death for sins be effective for us? By the right of being the first human being created by God. Thus, Adam set the precedence for humanity by the choices he made. Jesus Christ, by obedience to the will of His Father -- Yahwah -- went to the cross and shed His blood for the atonement of human sin. Was buried and rose from the dead on the third day. Jesus Christ was the supreme revelation of God the Father. Jesus said that He was the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes to the Father but through Him. Unless we invite Jesus Christ to be our representative or head, His death has no meaning or effectiveness in our lives. The choice is there. God doesn't force anything on us. We are not puppets -- we exercise free will.

Q4. (Romans 6:2-5) According to this passage, at what point do we move from being under the headship of Adam to the headship of Christ? Is there anything we must do to bring about this change in headship? What are the implications of us having died with Christ? Upon accepting Jesus as the Messiah, thus being made right with God -- then subsequently being baptized to identify with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are united with Jesus and Jesus takes the position of headship in our lives. Having died with Jesus, we are also raised with Jesus. Having died with Jesus on the cross, we are set free from being slaves to sin.

Q2. (Romans 5:13, 20) What is Paul saying in these verses? Can there be sin without law? In what sense does the "trespass increase" (5:20) when the law is present? Paul is saying in verse 13, that until God gave Moses the Law, sin was not imputed or charged to a person's account. Sin was present in the world from Adam to Moses, but God did not keep an account of sins before the giving of the Law of Moses. But humanity did sin before the Law, and the way we know this is that death reigned. They all died. The trespass increases when the Law is present because due to the Law humanity actually knows what sin is. The Law defines sin and what alienates us from God. So to do it on purpose increases the offense. We are openly sinning in God's face.

Q1. What kinds of circumstances in modern life can you think of where a single person acts for an entire group? In what ways are members of the group tied to this person? The following examples apply: Head of households; Head of States and certain other political leaders; Corporate CEO's; Judges; Military leaders; and certain religious leaders, i.e the Pope, etc. Members of each group willingly or unwillingly, depending upon the relationship and/or the circumstances, acknowledge and defer to the decisions of that single person.

Q4. (Romans 5:9-11) What does "reconciliation" mean? Why is reconciliation with God necessary? We understand our having been saved by Jesus' death (5:10a, past tense). In what sense are we being saved (5:10b, present tense) by his life? What is Jesus doing for us in the present? Reconciliation means a restoration of a relationship. In the context of our scripture passage, Jesus' action on the cross has reconciliated us with God. Reconciliation with God means life -- without it is death. We are being saved presently through the work of the Holy Spirit in transforming our lives into Christ-centered - Christ-like lives. Jesus Christ sits on the right hand side of God and makes intercession on our behalf.

Q3. (Romans 5:6, 8) Why is it so important to embrace the truth that "Christ died for the ungodly" (5:6), that "Christ died for sinners" (5:8)? According to 5:8, did Christ die for us at our best or at our worst? How does this give us assurance against the devil's lies about us being too bad to forgive? It is important to embrace this truth because it is the only hope for human salvation. As Paul wrote, "All have sinned and have come short of the Glory of God." Even the most religious are sinners. Jesus is the way, truth, and life ... for all humanity. Jesus died on the cross for us at our worst. If Jesus died for us at our worst, then there is no such thing as being too bad to be saved and forgiven. Rejection of this free gift from God is what prevents people from forgiveness, salvation and ultimately being separated from God in hell.

Q2. (Romans 5:2-5) According to this passage why should we rejoice in our sufferings and tribulations? One by one, what is the importance to our lives of perseverance, tried character, and hope? We should rejoice in our sufferings and tribulations because through them we will develop endurance and character. Additionally, despite all things, we have hope in the knowledge that Jesus Christ gives us eternal life with Him in Heaven. Perservering through problems will help the Christian grow. Problems we face will help develop our patience, which will strengthen our character, deepen our trust in God, and give us greater confidence about the future. It is all about our growth.

Q2. (Romans 5:2-5) According to this passage why should we rejoice in our sufferings and tribulations? One by one, what is the importance to our lives of perseverance, tried character, and hope? We should rejoice in our sufferings and tribulations because through them we will develop endurance and character. Additionally, despite all things, we have hope in the knowledge that Jesus Christ gives us eternal life with Him in Heaven. Perservering through problems will help the Christian grow. Problems we face will help develop our patience, which will strengthen our character, deepen our trust in God, and give us greater confidence about the future. It is all about our growth.

Q1. (Romans 5:1-2) According to verses 1-2, faith is a key to salvation. For Abraham (4:3), what was the relationship between faith and justification? For us (5:1-2), what is the relationship between faith and justification? In your own words, just what does it mean to be justified? For Abraham, the relationship between faith and justification was that Abraham believed God and responded to God in faith. Thus, the scripture says that God found Abraham to be righteous. For Christians today, we believe that Jesus Christ, the Messiah, went to the cross and died for the atonement of human/personal sin and that in doing so, we are made right with God or justified. Justified - condemnation has been removed from the believer because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. Our relationship with God has been made right through Jesus Christ. Like Abraham, we believe and trust God and respond to Him in faith. We claim Jesus Christ as the way, the truth, and the life in faith and are justified with God in doing so.

Q5. (Matthew 6:21, 24) The love of money can be a pretty subtle thing. Both the rich and the poor can love money. Can you describe a time in your life when you were deceived about this, and when the light in you was really darkness? According to Jesus, could desire for money **** a person (Luke 12:15-21)? For much of my younger years, I'm 53 now, I placed personal economic soundness above all else. Then one day God caused my house of cards to fall due to some bad tax advise given my CPA. God forced me to realize that truly there is way more to life than material possessions and life. There is Him, love, people, service, joy, freedom, and more. Ultimate value has nothing to do with wealth. Additionally, I was very judgmental regarding people who had financial problems. God opened my eyes to see that sometimes it is not your fault when crisesof any kind appear in your life. My and wife and I's financial crisis was not of our own making, it came about due to the advise of a trusted CPA. I became a more compassionate Christian human being.

Q4. (Matthew 6:24) Jesus seems to make it sound like you can't seek wealth and God simultaneously. Does he really mean this? Is this hyperbole? Figurative? Literal? Can wealthy people serve God in actual fact? Yes, Jesus really means it. Wealthy people can serve God when they place Him first. Most poor people don't serve God. Serving God is a matter of the individual's, regardless of economic status, desire to honor the Creator of the Universe, their Creator. I look at a guy like Joe Gibbs former Head Coach of the Washington Redskins and a NASCAR team owner. He is wealthy and loves the Lord Jesus Christ. He puts much of wealth into the Gospel Ministry. He is a strong witness for Jesus Christ.

Q3. (Matthew 6:19-21) According to the Bible, how does one "store up treasures in heaven"? What advantage does this have over accumulating earthly possessions? Why are we uncomfortable with the concept of rewards in heaven? We store up treasures by living out God's call in our lives. By taking on God's priorities and living them out in our lives. By presenting the gospel in word and deed and by ministering to others in need around us in the name of and for Jesus Christ. We are His followers. Our reward in heaven will be great. A greater reward than what I can amass for myself on this planet. Many don't believe Jesus. Many want their rewards now where they put their hands on it. We need to be like Abraham who lived in a tent but could see the foundations and promise of the future City of God. He believed God and lived like it.

Q2. (Matthew 6:19) Jesus says, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth...." Is he speaking figuratively? Hyperbolically? Generally? Specifically? Is this a new teaching, or an old one? Jesus is talking about priorities. There is nothing wrong with saving for emergencies, etc. However, when it comes to using worldly materialism as a form of security that negates my need for dependency upon, and gratitude toward the Lord God Almighty I am in left field. That is what Jesus is teaching. Material security doesn't replace God or the need for Him in our lives. Man's need for independence caused many to seek ways around acknowledging God and our need for Him. That's sad, because a relationship with God should joyous and delightful. This is an old teaching -- from Genesis to Revelation.

Q1. (Luke 12:15-21) Read the Parable of the Rich Fool. What did Jesus condemn him for? Storing his harvest? What is the key verse in this passage? What is the context of this parable? How does this relate to the Sermon on the Mount? Jesus condemns the man for his short-sightedness, arrogance, and his lack of understanding as to the true meaning of life. The key verse in this passage is verse 15: "... Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." The context of this verse is that a man wants Jesus to be an arbiter in an inheritance dispute between two brothers. This parable relates to the Sermon on the Mount in that it applies to "Blessed are the poor in spirit ... Blessed are meek ... Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteous ..." The focus of the Christian -- the follower of Jesus Christ is the Kingdom of God on this earth and the Kingdom of Heaven universally. As reflected in the Lord's Prayer, our focus should be on the will of God on this planet. If I am caught up in wealth, then I am not caught up in Kingdom Building and growing as a Christian.

Q5. Now that you're finished with the Faith of Abraham, what did you get out of this study of Abraham's life? How would you evaluate the study? What can be improved? Abraham's faith walk with God is an inspiration and an encouragement to me in my faith walk with God. I apply his approach to God to my approach to God. This study provided a great in-depth look at the process Abraham went through in developing an intimate relationship with God and how he responded and followed God's call in his life. The same principles and dynamics that worked in Abraham's life work in our lives today in 2008. This study was outstanding as it stands.

Q4. Which of Abraham's achievements inspires you the most? As you reflect on his life, what stands out for you? Abraham hears God's voice and talks to God personally inspires me greatly. Out of this element of Abraham's faith and relationship with God everything else flows and grows. Jesus said my sheep will hear my voice and follow me. Our relationship with God, if it is to grow intimately and powerful, begins with constant personal communication with God.

Q3 (24:12-14) What do you think of the servant's prayer and test of God? Did the servant find the right girl on the basis of his hasty prayer? If not, then how? The servant is trying to get a wife for his master's son. He trying to do the best he knows how. He goes to Almighty God and asks for help in obtaining this wife and accomplishing the mission. He is not testing God, he is trying to work out a way that he would know which girl is the one for Isaac. I don't believe this was a hasty prayer. The servant simply prayed to God for help in determining the future wife. He was partnering with God to get the right girl. God was going to provide for Isaac in accordance with promises He made to Abraham.

Q2 (23:3-20) What is the significance of Abraham's faith in God's promises at the same time as he pays dearly for this small property? What does this tell us about faith? Abraham trusted that God would provide the burial tomb in Hebron for him to bury Sarah in. Whether he paid for it or not is immaterial. The fact is, God moved the Hittites to sell him the tomb and land to go with it. They did not have to do that. Honor God and He will provide for us. God honors His promises.

Q1. Take some time to review Sarah's life and legacy. What were her strengths? Her weaknesses? Where did she show faith? Where did she lack faith? In my opinion Sarah's only real positive major strength was her submissive to Abraham. She was a strong and willful woman, by worldly standards, but she was cruel. Abraham walked with God and Sarah followed Abraham, to her credit, but I do not believe she had the faith of Abraham. Sarah showed faith in following her husband's lead, but lacked a high level of faith in God.