Craig

Q1. (16:1-6) Why does Sarah take her anger out on Abraham? Why does she take her anger out on Hagar? Is she trying to get rid of Hagar or the baby? In what sense is Hagar's pride Abraham's fault? In what sense is Hagar's affliction Abraham's fault? What situation in your family does this reminds you of? Her jealousy of Hagar's pregnancy turns into anger which she takes out on both Abraham and Hagar. She is the odd person out and feels that Hagar is disrespecting her and flaunting her pregnancy at Sarah's experience. Hagar's pride and affliction is partly Abraham's fault because he does nothing to correct it. He doesn't exercise any leadership over Hagar. He tries to ignore the situation and hopes it will go away. However, his non-involvement in this situation allows the dysfunction, tension, and toxic environment to continue culminating in near disaster. This account reminds me of the lack of attention, at times, by me to finances in our family that has lead from simple solutions to unnecessarily severe financial solutions. Ignoring things only makes matters worse

Q4 (15:17-18a) Why did God go through the covenant ritual with Abraham, with the divided carcasses? Why does God bind himself to a solemn promise? How does Abraham respond to God's promises (15:6)? What promises has God made to us that affect our futures? What significance does blood sacrifice have in those promises? God used a traditional human covenant ritual, of the times, to make a covenant with Abram. God binds himself to a solemn promise to Abram because through Abram and his descendants the Messiah, Savior of Jews and Gentiles, will arrive on this planet. This is God's initiative and His promise to keep. He binds himself to His promise. In doing so, He reveals to humanity throughout the ages that He is a keeper of promises. Abram believed and trusted God. He believed that God would keep His promises. God has promised us that in Jesus Christ we are forgiven our sin and are reconciled to Him and will spend eternity with Him. This promise is based upon our acceptance, trust, and belief in Jesus Christ, God's only begotten Son who died for the salvation of the world. While we, those who trust in God, are on this planet and desire a relationship with Him, He will walk with us, commune with us, and place His hand upon us by way of blessings. God will bless our lives if we honor and serve Him. Blood sacrifice emphasizes the seriousness and solemnity of those promises. A curse upon those who would brake a covenant made in such a way.

Q3. (15:16) Have you ever been frustrated with God for not fulfilling his promise to you immediately? Why does God sometimes delay the fulfillment of his promises to a future time? God answers prayer at the most appropriate and opportune time. Meanwhile I walk my walk with Him giving Him praise and thanksgiving along the way. My frustration at times is not about God but about own selfishness or self-will. The Scripture teaches us to rest and wait upon the Lord and that is what we should do. It takes away frustration. As an afterthought, we should we live our lives in a way that doesn't bring about frustration. Wait upon the Lord God.

Q1. (15:1) What does it mean to you personally to call God your "Shield"? What does it mean to you that he promises to you (as heir of the promises to Abraham) "an exceedingly great reward"? What does it mean to you to call God your Suzerain or Sovereign? It means to me that my trust in God is real. I cast away anxiety and fear and trust in God. It means that the Lord is my Shepherd and I shall not want or be afraid. I came to a realization a long time ago that just about everything of any importance I cannot really control and there is no point getting depressed, anxious, stressed, fearful, etc., but to place my trust in God and let God be God in my life. It has made the quality of my Christian walk and life in general much better. If Christians would allow God to exercise His promises in their lives Christianity overall would have a different face. If Christians would allow God to be God in the lives what a different world we would live in.

Q4. (14:21-24) Why does Abraham refuse to take the spoils of war that the King of Sodom offers him? What does this tell us about Abraham's character? What is the lesson here for us to learn? Abraham refuses to take the spoils of war that the King of Sodom offers him because his loyalty is to El Elyon and all credit goes to him. Abraham didn't the king's offer because he didn't want the King of Sodom to take any credit for Abraham's blessings and wealth. That belongs to the One True God -- The Most High God Maker of Heaven and Earth. Abraham wanted his loyalties to known and clear. He was the servant to the Most High God. He doesn't compromise his relationship with God for material gain from the satanic world order. The lesson for us to trust in and give our loyalties to God. Christians must not make compromises with the satanic world order for material gain.

Q6. (Isaiah 27:12-13) When Isaiah prophesies the gathering of all his people at the sound of a great trumpet call, to what New Testament event does this correspond? This corresponds to the Seconding of Jesus Christ. See Matthew 24 and 25.

Q5. (Isaiah 26:19) Does this passage actually teach a bodily resurrection? What does it teach us about resurrection? When will this resurrection take place, according to the New Testament? Yes this passage actually teaches a bodily resurrection. Jesus Christ was the first fruit of the resurrected and will we have bodies like Him at the end of this age at Jesus' second coming.

Q4. (Isaiah 26:3-4) According to this verse, what is the key to perfect peace? What happens when we get distracted from trusting in the Lord? Why is the Lord called the “Rock eternal”? Trusting in God is the key to perfect peace. When we get distracted from trusting in the Lord oftentimes the spirit of gloom, doom, and angst possesses us. The Lord is called the Rock eternal because He never changes and His ways are always right, true and life-giving. You can built your house on the Rock eternal because it always stands firm despite the myriad conditions around it.

Q3. (Isaiah 25:7) Why does the promise that “he will swallow up death forever” provide such comfort to us when we grieve the death of loved ones? When we contemplate our own death? What will we experience instead of death when Christ comes? There is much hope and comfort knowing that despite biological breakdown and physical death of our earthly bodies that in Jesus Christ there is resurrection and eternal life with God and with others we love that acknowledge Jesus as their Messiah and claim his promises. As I contemplate my own death I have no fear knowing that in Jesus Christ I will live. I claim Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. In Him I have life everlasting. I pray that my love ones do the same and have the same comfort and hope. If Jesus comes before we die we will experience a transformation from the corruptible to the glorified body.

Q2. (Isaiah 25:6-8) Obviously this “feast of rich food for all peoples” is a symbol of something more than just good food. What does this theme represent in Isaiah and the New Testament? What does it promise about the Last Days? This theme represents the fellowship with the Lord and other believers from throughout the ages at the end of the age upon Jesus' Second Advent. It is a time of reunion, happiness, joy, relief, grace, love and I go on and on with this. The overcomers have made it home and what a day of rejoicing that will be in the presence of the Living God -- Yawheh.

Q1. (Isaiah 24) What is the reason that Yahweh will devastate the earth (24:5-6)? Why do we feel so threatened by this kind of prophecy? Why is this kind of prophecy important to forming faithful disciples who “fear the Lord”? In what way does the glitter and glory of man (1 John 2:15-17) contradict this kind of prophecy? The reason that Yahweh will devastate the earth is because it suffers for the sins of humanity. People feel threatened by this kind of prophecy because this is their world and their way of life. This kind of prophecy threatens many church attenders because they are not sojourners on this planet. This world is their all and all and their life styles are shaped by their personal religious worldview not by God's Word. Many say this is "a wonderful world and I am not leaving until I have to." Faithful disciples will proclaim the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the Gospel of Reconciliation through Jesus with God to those around them. The faithful will remain watchful and will witness to the world around them, proclaiming God's Word and providing light in a dark, fallen world. The faithful are ambassadors for Jesus Christ and warn the world around them, in love, to be prepared for what's coming ahead and that is a new kingdom is coming and this world is going to end as we know it. Man dismisses this kind of prophecy because despite what scripture informs us about the passing nature of human existence, man sees it as lasting and as everything.

Q3. (14:20) What is the significance of Abraham giving one tenth of the spoils of war to Melchizedek? Does tithing today represent the same kind of worship? Why should we tithe to God first (like Abraham did) before dividing up our paychecks to pay our bills? After Melchizedek blessed Abraham, as a priest of the God Most High, Abraham as an act of worship and thanksgiving gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered. Tithing today serves the same purpose and is the same kind of worship. Tithing up front gives God the first fruit not what is left over.

Q2. (14:13-16) What does Abraham's military expedition to rescue Lot from the Mesopotamian kings tell us about his character? About his abilities? About the way he deals with neighbors? What is here for us to emulate? Abraham honored his commitment to his dead brother to take care of his nephew Lot. He honored commitments. Abraham was a well-rounded, skilled person. He was equipped for the day and age he lived in. Abraham was well balanced spiritually, cognitively, and physically. Abraham deals fairly and honestly with his neighbors. He walked with God in his circumstances. We should emulate Abraham in living a well balanced life with God in our day and age and circumstances.

Q1. (13:2) Does Abraham's material wealth reflect God's blessing on him? Does material wealth always reflect God's blessing? Does physical poverty always reflect God's curse? Abraham's material wealth does reflect God's blessing on him. I believe God specifically blessed Abraham spiritually and physically to carry out the covenant he created with Abraham (See Gen 12). Abraham trusted and obeyed God and thus God provided and equipped him to lay the foundation for the future in accordance with that covenant. Material wealth does not always reflect God's direct blessing on a person(s). Remember it rains on the just and unjust alike. I think there is a point and purpose behind God blessing believer's with wealth and that is to further the Kingdom of God. Not everyone can handle wealth. Wealth does something that changes most people. Wealth often times creates in people a sense of self-sufficiency and a false security that distances them from God. Often times wealth gets in the way of a relationship with God. Having what we need is a good thing. The best thing. It keeps us close in our walk with God. Physical poverty happens for a myriad of reasons not just reflecting a curse from God. Throughout the ages until present, standing up for God has cost people their lives, wealth, and property. The most important aspect of wealth is spiritual wealth. The kind of wealth that endures death and is realized in eternity with God. The kind of wealth that does not corrupt.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 7:5) What are the distinctions between fear, faith, and courage? Why is being honest about our fears better than pretending we don’t have any fears? How did Paul deal with his fears? Fear is the built-in, God created ability for people to sense danger and respond to it. It is a survival mechanism. However, as Christians when we encounter or sense danger we should take to God for guidance as to how to deal with it. We trust Him to protect us. This takes courage because we are placing our lives into the hands of another in the face of danger or what we perceive to be danger. Being honest about our fears is a genuine testimony to our human frailty and our trust in God as our Shepherd to watch over and protect us. Being honest about our fears encourages others regarding their fears. Everyone has fears whether they will admit or not. Honesty is a witness to our honesty and makes our testimony relatable and effective in reaching others for Jesus Christ or encouraging others in their walk with Christ. Paul placed his trust in God to overcome fear.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1) What kind of separation is Paul calling the Corinthians to? How can they strike a balance between separating themselves from sinful practices that mess up their spiritual lives while at the same time maintaining friendships with pagan neighbors and co-workers? Paul is encouraging the Corinthians to separate themselves from idol worship and sexual immorality and those who would encourage them to engage in those practices. Friendships and associations can be maintained and enjoyed with as long they are not engaged in sin. We must separate ourselves from those who would lead us back into the sin and degradation of our former lives.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) What are the reasons Paul gives us – both in his letter and by quoting Old Testament scriptures – that we should live holy lives? What kinds of temptations did the Corinthians face in their notorious city. Paul reasons in the following way with the Corinthians to live holy lives and to walk in a single fellowship with God: What relationship does light have darkness? There is none. What relationship does righteousness with wickedness? There is none. What relationship does Christ have with Satan? There is none. What relationship does a believer have with an unbeliever? There is none. As the Temple of God, the Holy Spirit resides in each born again Christian, what business do we have with idols? None. Throughout time God has called his people, those who believe in and acknowledge Him and seek to honor Him, from out of the world. The satanic world order corrupts and turns human beings from God. You cannot be submerged in the world and walk as a follower of Christ. You cannot have two masters. You cannot have two fellowships and be true to either. The temptations the Corinthians faced were idol worship and sexual immorality. We face the same today in various forms.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 6:3-13) Why do you think Paul shares so much about his various struggles with the Corinthians? How does this help them accept his apostleship as authentic? Have you ever complained about what you’ve had to put up with in your ministry? How does it compare to what Paul faced? Paul shares his struggles in the gospel ministry with the Corinthians to prove to them that he is a true minister and will endure whatever hardships to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to them (out of love for them and Jesus as well as others). His hardships indicate his willingness and commitment to suffer in Christ for them. Paul does this despite the hostility, discomfort, deprivation, and danger his cutting edge ministry encountered. Paul was the true deal. The insincere, fakes cannot handle hardship and persecution and remain faithful to Christ or the people they are ministering to because they are in the ministry for some kind of personal gain or personal glory. Sell books, book speaking tours, count the cash to the bank -- that kind of ministry. I'm the greatest kind of ministry. These kinds of people aren't equipped to handle demonic opposition. Yes, I have complained at times, about what I have had to put up with in the ministry in dealing with some people's behavior. Particularly within the Church. However, it does not compare with what Paul faced and it won't stop me from being a minister of the gospel.

Q5. (12:2-3) What relationship does God's promise to Abraham in 12:2-3 have to do with the incident of Sarah's abduction in 20:10-20? God said that Abraham would be the father of a great nation and through this nation all the families of the earth would be blessed. So through Abraham and Sarah's marriage and prospective family all the world would be blessed. So, if this was to happen with Sarah as wife and mother to Abraham and their children, Sarah could not remain in the house of anyone else. She could not be a part of some ruler's harem. God had plans for her. God did not permit Sarah to be separated from Abraham despite their decision making. God is always faithful to his promises despite our imperfect decision making. So God intervened with the rulers to make sure Sarah was released back to Abraham to fulfill their purpose and God's covenant with them fulfilled.

Q4. What do you think about Abraham's and Sarah's ethics and faith? Are they ethically and morally wrong? Does the Scripture intend to show that their actions as a lack of faith? What lessons should we disciples learn from these stories? I think Abraham and Sarah just did what they felt they had to do under circumstances that they understood. I think they compromised their ethics and morality in seeking to survive. The scriptures do not criticize them for lack of faith in either of these circumstances. Lessons that we disciples can learn from these stories are that God keeps his promises and that we should always trust in God.

Q3. (20:3-6) What does this story teach us about God's view of adultery? Can God forgive a person who has committed adultery? God takes adultery extremely seriously and even views the sin of adultery punishable by death. Yes, one can be forgiven of committing adultery. John wrote "But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." 1 John 1:9

Q2. (12:17-20) Why did Pharaoh and his household get sick? What effect did this have? What was God seeking to accomplish through this affliction? Did it have the desired effect? Pharaoh and his household got sick because Pharaoh had taken Sarai into his house as one of his wives. This had the effect of Pharaoh enquiring into what was truly causing the sickness within his household. Upon finding out that Sarai was really Abram's wife Pharaoh give Sarai back to Abram and told him to keep what Pharaoh had given him and leave. God has seeking the release of Sarai from Pharaoh's household and it did have the desired effect.

Q1. (12:10) What dangers faced Abraham and his family as aliens and sojourners in Egypt and elsewhere? Who might oppress them? What "aliens and sojourners" live in your community? Why did they come? How are they being oppressed or discriminated against by employers and others in the community? What can you and your church do to "love those who are aliens"? They had no family, legal rights, or ties to the lands they sojourned through. They were strangers in strange lands and cultures. They were at the mercy and graciousness of the host peoples. They could be oppressed by anyone or any group within the those lands. Many aliens and sojourners come into my community of Live Oak, Fl and the surrounding country from Mexico and Central America looking for a better of way of life. They work primarily in Agriculture and are invaluable to this community on many levels. The oppression they receive is discrimination or racism by individuals. The church can love their neighbors as themselves and make a big difference in the lives of everyone.

Q4. (12:9) What was the significance of Abraham "calling on the name of Yahweh"? What does it mean for you to "call on the name of the Lord"? The significance of Abraham calling on the name of Yahweh is that is was calling upon the One True God and His is personal name is Yahweh. When I pray, worship, and call upon the name of Yahweh I am calling on the One True God.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 5:18-20) How have we humans been reconciled to God? What did God do so that reconciliation could take place? In what sense are you an Ambassador of the Kingdom of God? In what sense are you a Minister of Reconciliation for Jesus Christ? God has given humanity the opportunity for reconciliation with Him through Jesus Christ. God's only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, was nailed, shed His blood, and died on the cross for the universal atonement of human sin. See John 3:16 as well as the entire 3rd chapter of the Gospel of John. Believers are Ambassadors of the Kingdom of God in that we are called to share the Gospel message with the world around us. Through sharing the Gospel message in word and deed with others around me I am a minister of Reconciliation for Jesus Christ.