Craig

Q1. (2 Corinthians 5:16-17) What does verse 17 teach us about the nature of a new believer? What changes in a person when he puts his faith in Christ? Why don’t old habits disappear immediately if everything has become new? Verse 17 teaches us that anyone who has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and belongs to Him is a new creation/person. The old life is gone a new life has begun. The believer's perspective of life and worldview changes. The central change is that the Holy Spirit begins to work in the life of the individual who belongs to Jesus. Moving the believer to become Christ-like and honoring God with his/her life. The new perspective opens one's mind to whole new way of viewing of life from an other worldly view. Accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and repenting of sin begins the process of growing, developing spiritually into a mature Christ-like human-being. This is a process. As long as we are in this world, walking in this existence we still have to battle and overcome sin, temptation, and the old nature. And there is learning to submit our will to the will of God. However, as Christians filled with and open to the work of the Holy Spirit in our life, our nature begins to change and develop into a more Christ-like human-being. The desires of our heart are quick to change when Jesus comes into our life. Actions are sometimes slower. But change does come with intention and desire to please God coupled with a willingness to allow the Holy Spirit to work in out life. The Christian is work in process.

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"? It is significant that Abraham is calling upon the name of Yahweh, not another god. The culture all around him was religious, calling on various supposed deities. But Abraham is now a believer in the One God -- Yahweh. He has cast his lot with him and now seeks him continually, openly, and boldly. Like Abraham and because I desire/seek a personal relationship with God, I continually, openly, and boldly call upon the name of Yahweh because he is the One God and he has my loyalty and devotion. This means daily Bible study, prayer, praise and worship, and service.

Q3. (12:1 with Hebrews 11:8-10) Why does it take special faith to begin to do something in obedience to God before we see how it will turn out? Have you had any of these "opportunities"? Are you in the midst of this adventure now? Most people want some kind of control in their lives. In fact, they want control of their lives. They want certainty and to be in the know. So setting out on a mission project in obedience to God without all the details goes against the grain of human instinct and does require a special trust in God. In reality faith/trust in God should not be special, but the norm in a Christian's life. I have been called by God to ministries that were adventures into the unknown. I am not currently in one of these adventures. On the other hand life itself is this sort of adventure.

Q2. (12:2-3) In what ways was Abraham blessed. How have all the peoples of the earth been blessed? In what way does Abraham continue bless people through your life? Abraham was made into a great nation; was made famous; was/is a blessing to others; and all the families on earth have been blessed through Abraham. All the peoples of the earth have been and continue to be blessed by Abraham through Israel, founded by His descendants, through their preparation for the Messiah; the preservation of God's Holy recorded Word; and the arrival of the Messiah in Israel via the line of King David. In other words, through Abraham we have the daily blessings of God's recorded Word and Jesus the Christ. Through Abraham we have the opportunity for salvation and a relationship with God for eternity.

Q3. (Isaiah 22) Why is Judah faulted for making necessary military preparations in the face of the Assyrian armies? What should they have done at the same time (verses 11-12)? What seems to be the sin of Shebna, steward of the palace (verses 15-19)? Have you ever been guilty of selfishness instead of doing your duty to Christ? The military preparations excluded God. Judah never God for his help. The sin of Shebna seems to that of arrogance, self-reliance, self-glorification, self-centeredness, and the exclusion of God from the affairs of Jerusalem. At times I am selfish, but it is not my life style. I strive to carry out my duties to Jesus Christ on a daily basis.

Q2. (Isaiah 20) Why did God command Isaiah to go naked for three years? What was its meaning? What effect did this acted prophecy have on Judah’s foreign policy? If you were Isaiah, would you have obeyed God? It was a sign or symbol for the terrible troubles God was going to bring on Egypt in the future. This acted prophecy, given about 711 BC, was designed to keep Judah from aligning itself with Egypt against Assyria. Isaiah's nakedness is to be a constant reminder to Judah not to rely on Egypt, that Assyria will attack Egypt and carry off captives, who were often stripped just as Isaiah was. And that's just what happened. In the long run Judah didn't heed Isaiah's prophecy, they would eventually join the rebellion against Assyria and Assyria would conquer all of Judah except Jerusalem. If I was Isaiah I would have obeyed God. God prepared Isaiah for his period of prophecy. I believe after God permitted Isaiah to see His throne room and cleansed him from sin, he was totally in awe of God and would have done anything for God. Isaiah had seen the truth and reality of God.

Q1. (Isaiah 14) What was the attitude of heart in the ruler described in Isaiah 14:12-17? What is the scriptural evidence that this indeed refers to Satan? Have you ever exalted your opinion and will over God’s will and God’s word? How does this differ from the ruler in 14:12-17? What is the best way to humble oneself before the Lord? The heart of this ruler was arrogant and he proclaimed himself to be like the Most High -- God like. So, in actually, he conducted himself like his perception of God. He was mighty, powerful, and controlled the lives of many. Everything was about him and his glory. The glorification of self. The lack of acknowledgment of the One True God. Some Bible scholars link Luke 10:18 where Jesus said the following: "...I saw Satan fall from heaven like lighting!" with Isaiah 14:12-17and Ezekiel 28:12-19 in describing the fall of satan from heaven at some point in space and time. Yes. When I exercise my will and sometime selfishness I exalt my will over Gods. However, I do not proclaim myself above God or like God or God as the ruler in this passage of scripture does. The best way to humble yourself before the Lord is to daily study scripture, pray, exalt God in praise and worship, and to serve Him. Repenting of sins and submitting our wills to the will God also humbles us before God.

Q1. (11:32) Have you ever begun something in response to God's urging and then stopped? Did God want you to stop? Is it time now to renew your obedience and begin again? (Don't take this question lightly. Sometimes circumstances prevent us from doing what we once felt God wanted us to do. However, he is able to redirect you into his will for you now. Seek him diligently to learn his will.) Throughout periods of my life God had/has urged me to engage in various missions or assignments. Throughout the years, I stopped various ministries for one reason or another. Sometimes at God's urging when my role was finished or the project was done. Sometimes I exercised my own will or judgment regarding a ministry because I was tired, disgusted, or disillusioned. When I have exercised my own will concerning a particular ministry God has always persistently urged me to pick that ministry up again and I do.

Q4. (2 Corinthians 5:10-11a) How does Paul’s mention of the Judgment Seat of Christ fit the context here? How should our belief that we Christians will appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ to be judged for our works affect (1) our desire to please him? (2) Our motivation to persuade people to receive Christ? The Judgment Seat of Christ fits into this context because Paul is talking about pleasing God and at some point in space and time all believers will stand before Jesus Christ to evaluate their walk with Him. See the parables of the Ten Servants in Luke 19:11-27 and The Parable of the Three Servants in Matthew 25:14-30. As per these parables, Christians will be judged/evaluated and rewarded according what they did for Jesus over and against what they could have done for Jesus. With this in mind Christians should be looking for opportunities to serve Jesus Christ. When we serve him and others we please the Lord. If our relationship with Jesus Christ is real and has made a life changing difference in our life and we know it to be the truth then we should be excited about sharing Jesus with others. It shouldn't be a twisting of the arm type of thing.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 5:7) What does it mean to walk by faith, not by sight? Why can’t nonbelievers understand this kind of living? What aspects of your life are guided by your senses rather than by your faith? How can you bring a faith perspective into these areas? It means that we walk in this life by spiritual sight, seeing things through the Spirit with an eternal perspective. So we fix our eyes on things not seen vice things that are seen. The Christian lives their life based on the things hoped, unseen for right now. I base my life on faith.

Q2. (2 Corinthians 5:6-8) How do Paul’s words comfort you when you consider your death? What do Christians believe happens when we die? What will happen to us if we die before Christ returns? What will happen to us when Christ returns? It's exciting to know that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. I see death in Christ as the next great adventure. Christians believe that when we die we exist in the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ in paradise before He returns. If the believer is still living upon Jesus' second coming, he will gather them to himself in the sky.

Q1. (2 Corinthians 5:1-5) In what sense are our bodies like tents? If we were to truly look forward to our “house not made with hands,” how would it affect our daily lives here? If we were to truly look forward to our house not made with hands we would be intentionally focused in preparing for our new home and encouraging others to do the same. Our lives would reflect the effort. We would be more focused more on heavenly things and less on the world.

Q7. (Luke 23:46) What does Jesus mean when he says, �Father, into your hands I commit my spirit�? Why does this saying comfort us so much? Jesus is giving himself to his Father. It is comforting to know we can do the same thing. Commit our spirits to the loving care of God the Father Almighty.

Q7. (Isaiah 11:10-16) What does it mean that “the nations” will rally to the Messiah when he appears? Who are these “nations”? Who else will be “gathered” at this time? How does this prophecy relate to Jesus’ and Paul’s teaching about the Rapture (Mark 13:26-27; 2 Thessalonians 2:1)? When will this prophecy be fulfilled? It means that Jesus Christ upon his second advent will gather his people from the four corners of this world to him. These nations include both Jews and gentiles -- all the nations and peoples of the world. All nations will bow at the name Jesus Christ upon his return. This passage speaks to Jesus and Paul's teaching in Mark 13:26-27 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1. Again, this prophecy will be fulfilled on the second coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus will gather all of the living and dead in Christ to him in the sky on that day.

Q7. (Isaiah 11:10-16) What does it mean that “the nations” will rally to the Messiah when he appears? Who are these “nations”? Who else will be “gathered” at this time? How does this prophecy relate to Jesus’ and Paul’s teaching about the Rapture (Mark 13:26-27; 2 Thessalonians 2:1)? When will this prophecy be fulfilled? It means that Jesus Christ upon his second advent will gather his people from the four corners of this world to him. These nations include both Jews and gentiles -- all the nations and peoples of the world. All nations will bow at the name Jesus Christ upon his return. This passage speaks to Jesus and Paul's teaching in Mark 13:26-27 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1. Again, this prophecy will be fulfilled on the second coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus will gather all of the living and dead in Christ to him in the sky on that day.

Q6. (Isaiah 11:6-9) The passage speaks in figurative language. What kind of peace does it describe? How far will this peace extend? According to Isaiah 11:9b, why will there be peace? What does “the knowledge of the Lord” mean? How widespread will this “knowledge” be? It describes a universal peace where all are at peace with each other and God. There is no warfare and violence. Nobody has enemies. The world is at peace where no one will get hurt. This peace extends throughout the natural world. There will be peace because the world is filled with people who know and delight in God. The knowledge of the Lord means having a loving personal relationship with Him. This type of knowledge will exist throughout the world as it was originally intended to be before the fall of Adam and Eve.

Q5. (Isaiah 11:1-5) Who was Jesse? How does his name indicate that this passage speaks of the Messiah? What attributes will he have due to the Spirit of God upon him? What do we learn about this Messiah from verses 4-5? Who seem to be the victims of injustice and oppression here? When the Messiah comes, what will happen to all who involve themselves in injustice? Jesse was the father of David. The Messiah will come out of the line of Jesse who was the father of the royal line of Israel. Jesus Christ is the Lion of Judah. The Messiah will have the following attributes: he will be full of divine wisdom and understanding; divine counsel and might; divine knowledge and fear of the Lord. The Messiah will delight in obeying the Lord. He will be a perfect judge, not judging by appearance and hearsay. He will provide justice to the poor, weak, and exploited. He will be righteous and truthful. Peace will prevail throughout His kingdom. All of the natural will coexist in peace. The wicked will be destroyed.

Q4. (Isaiah 10:1-2) Why do we humans tend to pass laws that oppress the weak and poor? What can we as Christians do to prevent this? What can we do to help the poor and weak in our communities? We humans tend to pass laws that oppress the weak and poor for some kind of personal gain. The strong oppress the weak and poor to maintain their power position within society. We as Christians can aggressively defend and help eliminate the conditions that oppress the weak and poor within our society. From supporting the right laws to helping the weak and poor on the field level. Christians must be involved with removing the pressures and stress placed upon the weak and the poor. This way is taught from Genesis through Revelation. Jesus emphasized this in the Sermon on the Mount. We are to take care of one another - to love your neighbor as yourself. We can help the poor and weak in our communities by providing various services to them i.e., food, clothes, transportation assistance, and providing care in so many different areas. Most importantly, they need to know they are loved and are valuable. As Christians, we must provide grace to the poor and weak as God as provided grace to us in Jesus Christ. Respond when the Spirit moves you help another or get involved in a Christian service organization. There are all kinds of Christian service organizations and people in our neighborhood we can get involved with to live out our faith in both word and deed as Jesus taught.

Q3. (Isaiah 9:6-7) What in the text convinces us that the Child/Son is the Messiah himself? What do you learn about the Messiah from the four word pairs describing him? Which of these saving attributes do you need most in your life right now? The titles describing the child -- Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace all infer a divine being. Isaiah states that the child will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of David for all eternity and that his government and its peace will never end. This can only be the Messiah -- Jesus the Christ. This passage of scripture describes no other person in human history. Only Jesus fits this prophecy. There is no human-being capable of ruling with fairness and justice for all eternity. That is God's realm. The four word pairs reveal that the Messiah is all wise, is God, and is peace loving. He will rule with fairness and justice to all. God is fair and just to all. I need wisdom and an everlasting Father in my life to be like my father in heaven.

Q2. (Isaiah 8:14-15) In what sense is Yahweh (and his Messiah Jesus) a “stumbling stone” and “a trap and a snare”? In what way are people broken in this stumbling? Why do you think people stumble over a God who is almighty and righteous and must be obeyed? Either we surrender our will to God and trust in Him or we end up stumbling over Him. When I disregard God's direction for my life and things don't work out the way I thought they would it creates an awareness in me that I need God. I need His direction and counsel. So, stumbling can cause an awareness in a person that they need God's involvement in their life. I think there a basic awareness in people that they need God. However, there is the battle between self-will and God's will for our lives. God might be almighty and righteous, but he loves his creation. So, many people want God in their lives, but also want to live the way they want to live. So this causes tension within a person. There is also the conviction of the Holy Spirit to do things according to God's direction or way. When we resist this conviction it causes unrest and stumbling over God. We were created to have a relationship with God. God is interested in us. God is trying to get our attention. There is a battle with satan over the minds of men and women. The battle for influence. God is a mighty force because He is creator. No one can really ignore God. A person can resist, deny, and run, but it will always cause unrest in the human soul and cause people to stumble over God. Because God is here.

Q1. (Isaiah 7-8) What was the gist of Isaiah’s prophetic instruction to Ahaz? Why do you think Ahaz chose to disregard it? What did Ahaz do instead? What was the consequence of this disobedience? Why do we sometimes seem to think that we’re smarter than God? Why is it sometimes so hard to do what God tells us to do? Ahaz was not to fear Israel or Syria because God would not permit them to touch Judah. Ahaz was to trust in God. Ahaz chose not to regard Isaiah's words because he did not regard or trust in God. Instead Ahaz made an alliance with Assyria and deferred to the Assyrian Ruler including modifying the temple and religious practice to reflect Assyrian worship. The consequences would be the fall of Judah to the Assyrians. It's not that we think we are smarter than God, it's the fact that we don't regard God's word or take Him seriously. It's hard to do what God wants us to do because we want to do what we want to do. We want to be God or like God. That's the way its been since Adam and Eve disobeyed God and they were removed from the garden. We want to exercise our own will. .

Q6. (John 19:30) What had Jesus �finished�? What can we learn for our own lives from this Sixth Word: �It is finished�? In this verse Jesus stated that he finished what purpose God the Father had given him to do. See John 1:29; Luke 19:10; Mark 10:45; I Timothy 1:15; 1 John 3:5; and 1 John 3:8. Likewise, this SIxth Word of Jesus from the cross should inspire and teach us, Christians, that what is essential and most important for us to find our purpose from God; focus on that purpose; be obedient to God; and be willing to suffer to achieve God's purpose. Jesus is The Way, The Truth, and the Life. He modeled for the world what it means to be a complete human-being. He modeled the ideal relationship with God and with other human-beings. We should be Christ-like and follow Jesus' model. Our life should be a God purpose driven life.

Q5. (John 19:28) What do you learn from Jesus� Fifth Word: �I thirst�? What does this tell us about Jesus? What does this tell us about his experience on the cross? One expression of Jesus' humanity while hanging on the cross after tremendous physical torture, beating, and pain was that he was thirsty and he expressed that reality. The fact that Jesus was divinity does not negate the fact that he was walking in this world in a human body subject to human biology and its needs. Both good and bad. Jesus' experience on the cross was painful and sorrowful. Both physically and spiritually.

Q4. (Mark 15:34) What does Jesus� Fourth Word from the cross teach us about faith? About commitment? About love? What effect should this understanding have on our lives? Jesus willingly accepted God the Father's will in taking on human sin and dying on the cross for the forgiveness of that sin so all humanity could have the opportunity for reconciliation with God. Jesus trusted His Father's plan that all would work out according to that plan. The Father and the Son are One and the Son, Jesus, was committed to the Father's will submitting His own will for the greater plan -- God's plan. We should have the same commitment to God as Jesus did, trusting that God is in control and knows what He is doing.

Q3. (John 19:26-27) Why does Jesus make St. John responsible for his mother Mary? What does this tell us about Jesus? How should we apply this in our own lives? In addition to loving Mary and caring about her future, Jesus, as oldest child, had a legal and moral responsibility for the care of His mother. We should love our family and make it a primary to take care of them spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Our family is our responsibility.