DebChats

Q2. (2:6) In your own words, what does it mean that Christ didn't cling to his equality with God? It means that Jesus was never in any danger of losing His divinity or the title of God. How specifically does this passage teach that Jesus is divine? The only way to be equal with God is to be God Himself.

Q3. (2:7-8) Was Jesus really a human being or only pretending to be one? Jesus was truly a human being in human form. The word flesh when used in conjunction with Jesus coming in the flesh, is the flesh that embodies our spirit and soul. The flesh that the bible speaks of that is evil or selfish and such, is a way of thinking or habitual and unthinking behavior (the why behind the what). What do these verses teach? That though Jesus was divine in every way, He humbled Himself (became obedient to the Word of God) throughout all His human lifetime. Even when His lifetime was coming to a brutal and painful end. What difference does it really make whether or not Jesus was human? Because, to be on this earth legally and demonstrate power and authority (Gen. 1:26) and have dominion, one must have a birth license. God gave dominion, power and authority over this earth to man. Born of flesh .. born of a woman. Jesus had to take the power and authority from Adam (that Adam gave to Satan when he disobeyed God) legitimately or God would have overrode His own Word.

Q4. (1:23) What do Philippians 1:23 and 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 teach about the state of Christians immediately after death? That after death, our bodies go to be with Jesus in Heaven. How does this comfort you? Not so sure I am comforted .. I believe I am with Jesus now. How does this energize you? I am energized by the Word of God .. period.

Q3. (1:20-21) How can fear keep us from being a bold witness? Being afraid of what people might think of us can keep us from witnessing for Christ. The biggest problem ( I believe) comes when we know how others perceive us, as we were once the perceivers of those witnessing to us at a time before our spiritual understanding. Why does fear of people bind our tongues? We know how they think. How does "losing our life" for Christ's sake actually give us an abundant life? We are no longer bound by this world and it's worries. We are free to be whom we were created to be. What fear is keeping your from clear witness? Fear of what others might think or say where the things of the kingdom of God are concerned .. e.g. salvation, healing, prosperity, etc.

Q2. (1:18b-19) Why is our ability to rejoice so dependent upon our faith that God is in control, working even in the midst of difficulty? It really is just good sense to rejoice. We can only rejoice when we KNOW that God is in control of any given situation, no matter how out of hand it might seem. To keep our thinking in line with what the Word says, will always result in rejoicing. What must you believe in order to be able to rejoice in the midst of problems? That God is a good God and a God of His Word and cares about what we are in the midst of, at all times. What is your basis for believing that? I would honestly be insane right now if not for God... Probably spending the rest of my life in some mental institution. I know that I know that I know .. God is a God of His Word and He saves in every way.

Q1. (1:12-14) From the standpoint of witness to others, you are much more credible when you are undergoing personal struggles, stress, and problems. Why is this so? Not so sure I agree that we are much more credible due to personal struggles, stress, and/or problems, but it can assure another Christian person that they are not alone in their troubles and that Christ doesn't leave us just because we feel He has left. There is always something to be learned in Christian life and about Christian life. Why was Paul's witness so powerful? I believe Paul was a powerful witness regardless of his surroundings. Prison or no prison, I believe Paul had a very persuasive personality. What personal struggle are you going through that could enhance your testimony if you handled it right? Believing the Word of God over what I feel. I suffer depression off and on and though there are times I feel like God has abandoned me, if I hang in there and confess His Word and stay in the Word, then I come back around to realizing He never has and never will leave me .. just as His Word says. It has been a very productive way (this depression) to teach me to not look at how I feel, but to look at the Word of God.

Q4. (1:9-11) Why does Paul ask God to give the Philippian Christians discernment? So that they might be better able to carry out the will of God, both in their lives and in the earth. What will be the result of discernment in their lives? God's perfect will is carried out. How does selfishness cloud discernment? It is too easy to confuse what seems good with what is truly good. How is the good the enemy of the best in our lives? When we settle for good and never seek best, we will not attain the perfect will of God.

Q3. (1:6) What does Paul expect God to do for the Philippian believers? To finish out the work of perfection that God has begun in them .. (perfection=maturation) Why does he expect God to do this? It is not something we can do of ourselves. The desire must be there, but the actual changing begins and ends with God. What is the basis of Paul's confidence? Paul's confidence is in God. That God keeps His Word. On what basis can we expect God to do this for us? It is God's own desire that we grow into perfection as His children.

Q2. (1:6) When we become financial "partners" with a Christian missionary, minister, ministry, or church, what do we receive out of the partnership? We receive the blessings that are bestowed upon that missionary or minister or church. We also receive a sense of continuing in the faith. It takes money for anything on this earth to grow. What other kinds of support might we offer beyond financial? We can offer our time. Encouragement. Whatever we can do offer another that we might be able to free that person to spread the gospel more effectively.

Q1. (1:1) What is the basic idea of "slave"? A slave is one who belongs to another. They are committed to and obedient to the one who owns them. What is the root idea of "saint"? A saint is one who is set apart or sanctified for the purpose of belonging to another. We become slaves to Jesus of our own free will. We are not sanctified by our own will, but by the will of God. In what way are these words saying the same thing about a Christian's relationship to God? It denotes both where we belong as well as to whom we belong. They say the same in that they both declare belonging.

Q5. Now that you're finished with James: Practical Christianity, what did you get out of this study? To remember over and over, that faith is the key to our Christianity. To keep a check on my own faith. How would you evaluate the study? A wonderful and marvellous look into the letter of James. A letter that can seem so harsh, yet truly has a gentle and loving message. What can be improved? My own faith.

Q4. (5:19-20) In the light of James' emphasis on active faith vs. dead faith (2:17), why is the role of finding and bringing back the wandering sheep so important? It is important to both the person that is lost and to God. Imagine losing something that once belonged to you .. something you loved and cherished. Imagine being lost to God and His ways and His mercy. Hmmm..

Q3. (5:14-16) In the healing prayer, what is the role of oil? Oil is used as something that God can use to impart His power upon us. What is the role of the prayer of faith? Prayer assures us God knows we are needful of Him and His power. What is the role of faith? Faith is the action by which we receive from and transmit to God. What is the role of confession of sins? Confession is a letting go .. so to speak.

Q2. (5:14) What is the elders' role in prayer for the sick? (Oops, I misunderstood the last question .. question 1 .. the initiator is the sick person.) The elders (mature believer's) role is lift up the faith of the one that is sick. I can sometimes feel my faith falling away, or shrinking .. to be around others that are strong in faith can cause me to become strong again in my own faith. What must be their spiritual qualifications for this ministry of prayer? To be bold prayermen. To go boldly before the throne of God and ask what must be asked. To KNOW God hears and has provided accordingly.

Q1. (5:13-14) According to verse 14, who is to initiate prayer for healing? According to verse 14, the elders of the church. Why might this be important? Someone who is sick, may be wavering in faith. Getting someone to pray for you that you know has the faith, could be a builder to your own faith. Jesus mentions many times that our faith is what brings us healing. Though, He is the healer, faith is the carrier of that healing. Faith is measured in the New Testament. Some have little faith, some have great faith, some have weak faith and some have strong faith. Matt. 6:30 & 8:10 & 9:22,29 & 15:28 & 17:20 ... Mark 4:40 are a few verses about faith.