hanks

Q4. (1:6-7) Can you remember any instances in which God used difficult circumstances to refine and purify your faith? What did God accomplish in your life? How, exactly, does genuine, tested faith bring glory to Jesus? This happened many times when I was younger. However, I did not at that time, have a personal relationship with our Lord. I knew of Him and that was all. I would battle on my own; not knowing help was nearby

Q3. (1:5) According to 1 Peter 1:5, what is God's part in securing your salvation? What is your part? As believers in Christ we are eternally secure. God secures our salvation by shielding us by His power. Our part is to keep our faith; for it is through our faith that we are shielded or guarded.

Q3. How does Christ's death and resurrection provide an analogy for baptism according to Romans 6:3-5 and Colossians 2:12? According to Ephesians 2:4-6, while being "raised with Christ" is still spiritual, not physical, in what way does this union impart real spiritual power? Baptism symbolises the death and burial of our old way of life. As we come up out of the water this symbolises resurrection to a new life with Christ. We have been spiritually raised up with Christ to a new type of life; one in which like Jesus ours will be powerful and eternal. What Jesus did physically (died, arose, and took His seat in heaven) God has already done for us spiritually.

Q2. In what way does Christ's resurrection somehow validate that we are saved and forgiven by God? If we didn't believe Christ had been actually raised from the dead, how might we have doubts about our salvation? Jesus died on the cross for our sins. If Jesus was not who He said He was, and the resurrection did not occur, then we are lost and dead in our sins. But because of our personal relationship with Jesus, we know He lives and because of this we are saved!

Q2. (1:2) Why do forgiveness (sprinkling) and obedience come together as a package? Why is it deceptive to think you can have one without the other? Extra credit: If true faith requires obedience, how can we say that we are saved by grace rather than works? (Ephesians 2:8-10) It is impossible to believe in Jesus yet not obey His commands. Once we have been saved and have a personal relationship with our Saviour Jesus Christ, we will want to be obedient to God

Q1. (1:1) How would you describe the behavior of a Christian who identifies more with his present homeland than his heavenly one? Have you ever caught yourself doing this? What has to happen to get our spiritual priorities straight? Unfortunately many Christians cling on to fame and fortune. They seek to accumulate as much materialistically as possible. They are focused on worldly goods and thoughts, to the detriment of their relationship with our Lord. Yes, I have often found myself doing this. Thankfully that was in the past and the Holy Spirit has made me realize that my citizenship is in Heaven. As God

Q1. What kind of credibility would Jesus' ministry have had if he were not raised from the dead, especially when he predicted it ahead of time? In what way is the resurrection God's seal of approval on him? Everything about Jesus would be a lie. He would be a liar. He would not be God, but just a man. Our faith would be empty and powerless. We would remain in sin and completely lost. The resurrection is basic to our faith, and without it our church founded on Jesus Christ would disintegrate and eventually cease to exist. It would all have been a sham. God by raising Jesus from the dead authenticated everything about Jesus Christ. He is alive! He is our Lord and Saviour! Hallelujah!

Q4. Which of the various proofs for the resurrection seems the most compelling to you? Why? If you had a friend who wasn't sure about the resurrection, could you explain why you're sure that Jesus was raised from the dead? The empty tomb - this is a fact, His body was not there; therefore our Lord and Saviour had risen! All the theories put forward as reasons as to why the body was not there, can all be refuted. Besides the body not being there, there is the evidence of the linen wrappings. If someone had stolen the body, they would have either taken the body and left the wrappings scattered, but only the resurrection could account for the position of the linen wrappings with the body absent. As to the disciples not knowing where the tomb was located and therefore could not have found the empty grave; we read that Joseph of Arimathea took the body to his own private tomb, and prepared the body of Christ according to the burial customs of the Jews, and the women sat opposite the tomb and watched. Not only did Joseph of Arimathea and the women know where the tomb was, so did the Romans - they placed a guard there, as well as a Roman seal over the door. So, all that is left is to claim that the body was stolen. We have to ask the question

Q4. (Genesis 48:15) How did God act as a Shepherd to Jacob? How does God act as a Shepherd to you? Do you trust him or rebel against his shepherding? God guided and protected Jacob all his life. Communicating with Jacob and correcting him when necessary. If I had only done things my way, I would have made a mess of my life. It is only by surrendering completely to Jesus that I know He will lead and guide me and do what is best for me. I trust our Lord Jesus fully! Like the example Pastor Ralph mentions, I know Jesus walks before me, and I follow Him secure in His presence, protected from injury and harm. What a Mighty God we serve!

Q3. How does the disciples' psychological state after the crucifixion provide excellent support for belief in the resurrection? The psychological state of the disciples, after the resurrection, disproves the theft theory and supports belief in the resurrection. We find the disciples all perplexed, dejected and discouraged, disheartened, scattered, and even in hiding - huddled in hidden rooms. Two had even left town and were on their way to Emmaus. They never expected a resurrection, although Jesus had told them. They were in no state to get involved in any conspiracy. Then there was the remarkable change in all of them once they had realized the implication of the resurrection and had met the resurrected Jesus.

Q3. Why do we equate blessing with a lack of crisis in our lives? What are the effects of crises on our faith? How do they help us grow in our faith? Why do they sometimes destroy our faith? I associate blessing with God, through His love, grace, and mercy, conferring prosperity and happiness upon us. A crisis can have a detrimental effect on our lives. We lose faith and start blaming God for all our mishaps. But if we fully trust and obey God, it should have just the opposite effect and draw us closer to Him. We turn to God in our moment of crisis resulting in a much closer relationship with our Heavenly Father. If we are truly born again, we trust our Lord and have surrendered our lives to Him and any crisis should not destroy our faith. We have seen this throughout history, by some remarkable Christians, who have persevered under horrific trials.

Q2. On the theft theory, what motive might the disciples have to take Jesus' body? What motive might the Romans have? The Jews? Joseph of Arimathea? The disciples had no motive; they would not have taken the body because they were baffled and scattered, and would not have died for a false faith. We cannot imagine these disciples stealing the body while it was being guarded by highly disciplined and skilled Roman soldiers. Neither had the Romans any motive; they would not because they were there to guard it with their lives, and the tomb was sealed. The Jews also would not; they had requested a Roman guard to protect the tomb against theft. So the presence of Roman soldiers and the Roman seal made the possibility of the religious leaders

Q2. (Genesis 48) Why does Jacob cross his hands when blessing Ephraim and Manasseh? Why does Joseph try to stop him? In what sense are Jacob's blessings an actual prophecy from God? This unexpected crossing of Jacob

Q1. (Genesis 47:9) In what sense is life on earth like a "pilgrimage" or a journey with no permanent home? What happens to us when we settle down and get too comfortable with our lives? How do we retain a "journeying spirit" in our faith? This world is not our final home, we know that our stay here is only temporary; and so we long for our eternal home in Heaven. For this reason we are content to be strangers and pilgrims while here on earth. We cannot become too attached to our desires and possessions; living too comfortable lives here, knowing that we will soon pass on. We recognize that this present earth shall pass away, and,

Q1. What do you think motivates liberal Christian scholars to explain away the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ? Why would they claim that it is unhistorical more than some other event in the first century? The minds of these liberal Christian scholars are darkened because they have no personal relationship with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. There is no ability to understand Bible truth, so they are unable to comprehend Spiritual Truths. They would rather rely on their so called

Q5. What is the difference between Jesus' resurrection and his ascension? How do the two fit together? In what sense is the ascension the completion of the resurrection? Jesus resurrection is His body leaving the tomb and appearing to His disciples as well as numerous others. It refers to His victory over death. Jesus

Q4. (Genesis 46:2-4) Faith is what quiets our fears. What in God's word to Jacob at Beersheba quiets his fears? God had brought the same assurance to Jacob before (28:15; 31:3). Why do you think he had stopped believing it? What is the relationship between faith and God's words? God reassured Jacob by promising to go with him and take care of him. Although God had made the same promises to Jacob before, Jacob stopped believing when things started going wrong for him. With his bereavement he failed to trust God and lean on Him for comfort. No, he continued in self-pity and fear. It is only when we surrender all and trust our Heavenly Father fully that we can live experiencing His peace.

Q4. What do we know from the Gospels about the properties of Jesus' resurrection body? What was he capable of in this new body? The resurrection body of the Lord Jesus was a real, visible, and touchable body of flesh and bones. It was the same body which had been buried, yet it was changed in that it was no longer subject to death. The wounds were still visible and people recognized Jesus

Q4. Which of Abraham's achievements inspires you the most? As you reflect on his life, what stands out for you? I would be inclined to think that Abraham

Q3. (Genesis 45:4-8) Contrast Jacob and Joseph. Jacob has suffered great loss. Joseph has suffered great injustice. Why is Jacob's vision so bleak, but Joseph's so broad? What have been their differing responses to fear? What insight has kept Joseph from being bitter towards his brothers? I find Jacob was very self-centred, it was all about him. He was focused on his bereavement. In contrast Joseph reveals his Christ-likeness in forgiving his brothers, and his concern for his father. Joseph also saw the bigger picture. He realized that his brothers had wanted to get rid of him, but God used their evil actions to accomplish His ultimate plan. Joseph was sent to Egypt to prepare for the beginning of the nation of Israel.

Q3. (Luke 24:12; John 20:6-8) What about the grave clothes brought Peter and John to faith? What was so peculiar about them? Both Peter and John perceived that the missing body and the position of the grace clothes were not due to a robbery. That Jesus had risen from the dead and had gone through the grave clothes.

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? Abraham must have been praying while his servant was journeying to Mesopotamia. I would think that his servant must also have been praying during the journey, that he would find a wife for his master. The servant would have learned much about faith and God from his master. I should imagine he was very keen to perform his task well. God was in control of the situation and everything had gone exactly as our Lord had planned. He was keeping His promises to Abraham and Isaac by selecting a wife for Isaac from his own people. So the whole situation was not dependant on the servant

Q2. (Genesis 42:35-43:14) What is Jacob's state of mind after the first trip to Egypt? If you were a psychologist, how would you diagnose him? What factors have paralyzed Jacob mentally and spiritually? Why do you think Jacob changed his mind about going again to secure grain? Jacob must have been grief-stricken with all the losses he had to endure. First his mother, Rebekah; then his favourite wife, Rachel; also his beloved son, Joseph; and now they want his youngest son, Benjamin. He must have been paralyzed with depression and sorrow, not knowing what is happening to him. Being a psychologist I would write on the patient

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? Not wanting to be indebted to an unbeliever Abraham paid this exorbitant price, in a land where he was an alien. But Abraham was a man of faith; he knew God had promised his descendants this same land. He knew God would keep His promises.

Q2. What similarities do you find in the resurrection accounts? Based on the agreements between the accounts, what seems to have happened? We know for sure Jesus died and was buried. Jesus was raised from the dead and we read that none of the disciples expected this; they were in total disarray. On finding the tomb empty it was first thought the body had been stolen. What happened was that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, was raised on the third day, appeared first to Peter and later to the rest of the disciples.