hanks

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 by going into a strange country knowing all the inherent dangers they showed faith and trusted God for their safety. The half-truth they told was only an extra precautionary measure and was not ethically or morally wrong; they still relied on God for their safety. The fact that they emerged wealthier proves that God was with them and that God kept His promise of blessing them (12:3). The lesson I learn from all of this is that God is faithful to keep His promises!

Q4. (Matthew 1:23) How did the prophetic concept of the virgin conception and the name "Immanuel" find their fullness in the birth of Jesus to Mary? Here we have prophetic foreshadowing; Isaiah 7:14, had an early fulfilment (in the days of Ahaz) and later, complete fulfilment (in the birth of Christ). This verse points to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ - the Son of the virgin whose name indicates that He is Immanuel, God-with-us. If it was not a virgin birth, Jesus would have inherited Adam

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 views adultery as a sin punishable by death. It is the seventh commandment,

Q3. (Matthew 1:21) What is the significance of the name Jesus? Why do you think the angel gave the name to both Mary (Luke 1:31) and Joseph independently? Jesus is not just any name, but as explained by the angel it means

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? They were being punished for Pharaoh

Q2. (Matthew 1:19) What were Mary's options being pregnant and carrying a baby not her husband's? What kind of character did Joseph exhibit by deciding to divorce Mary quietly and leniently? Her only options seemed to become a prostitute in a large city, or perhaps if fortunate enough obtain work as a housekeeper in a wealthy home. Joseph was an honourable man, a man of principle, a man who with his whole heart wanted to live in accordance with the will of God. However, his love for Mary and desire for justice led him to decide to break the betrothal by a quiet divorce. He wished to avoid the public disgrace which normally accompanied such an action.

Q1. What would Jesus have learned as the son of a carpenter? What experiences would this have exposed him to? As a human Jesus would learn the trade of a carpenter, and other life skills necessary for survival on their small plot, from His father. He would have been exposed to a humble lifestyle that His parents lived.

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"?Being strangers in a foreign country, Abraham and his family were very vulnerable to attacks and exploitation by the locals. In my country we have many foreigners living and working who are periodically attacked by the locals for taking their employment. Also, they are exploited by employers who know they are illegal immigrants and pay them a much lower wage than the locals. Periodically we see these aliens are attacked and many have been killed. Why did they come

Q5. (Luke 1:42-43) In what sense are the titles "Blessed Virgin Mary" and "Mother of God" appropriate for Mary? Why are we sometimes hesitant to exalt her as "blessed among women"? What a blessing and privilege to be the mother of our Lord and Saviour Jesus!

Q4. (Luke 1:38) What is the essence of Mary's positive response to the angel? What can we learn from her response for our own lives? In what sense was Mary's response an "informed consent"? When we respond to God, what do we consent to? Mary is eager to be a servant of the Lord; ready to do His will and to be used for carrying out His purpose. She knew that becoming pregnant at this particular time, before her marriage to Joseph had taken place, would expose her to criticism and ridicule; she could even have been stoned to death (see Deut 22:23 f.). Yet she completely surrendered to our Lord. She placed herself, body and soul, at the disposal of the God who loved her and who, by means of this promised pregnancy and childbirth, was bestowing upon her an inestimable blessing. So it is with us; we should completely surrender to God; let His will prevail in our lives. We should joyfully serve Him, and live a life obedient to Him, knowing that He is faithful to do what is best for us.

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"? When Abram

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? I

Q3. (Luke 1:35) What does the virgin conception teach us about Jesus' nature? How central is the doctrine of the virgin conception to the Christian message? Jesus will be born sinless and holy. Being born of a woman He was a human being, but He is also the Son of God, and therefore without sin. He is both human and fully divine. As stated He is God in the flesh, God incarnate! This had to be so, as in God

Q2. (Luke 1:34) In what way does Mary's "How?" question (1:34) to the angel's declaration differ from Zechariah's "How?" question (1:18)? Why was Mary rewarded and Zechariah disciplined? Mary did not doubt Gods ability but asked the question to try and understand how this could happen - it was not a question of doubt. Zechariah on the other hand doubted Gods ability and was subsequently punished. He was struck by the sheer impossibility of the promise.

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 blessed when God made a covenant with him that included the following promises: a land - the land of Canaan; a great nation - the Jewish people; material and spiritual prosperity for Abram and his seed; a great name for Abram and his descendants; they would be a channel of blessing to others; friends of Israel would be blessed and those who curse Abraham would be cursed; all the peoples of the earth would be blessed in Abram, pointing forward to the Lord Jesus Christ, who would be a descendant of Abram.

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.) I have had ideas to start certain things, but on reflection have not been sure if it was God that was urging me on. Otherwise I have done and am doing things that I feel God wants me involved in. It would always be better if I could be even more involved, but as you say I have to diligently seek His will.

Q1. (Luke 1:31-34) What did the angel's announcement say about who Mary's Child was and who he was to become? Mary

Q4. (3 John 9-10) What character flaws does Diotrephes exhibit? Can a person be a strong pastoral leader without developing these traits? If you have tendencies in yourself towards pride and a controlling spirit, how can you fight against them? Unfortunately Diotrephes had an exaggerated view of his own importance. He forgot that Jesus is the Head of the church and the Holy Spirit is the representative of our Lord Jesus in the church. He was doing untold harm to the congregation and to the truth. We can most definitely have a strong church leader who is not a Diotrephes; he would lead with humility and love, acknowledging our Lord as the true leader. I think most of us battle with pride now and then, I certainly do. But then I ask myself what I have received from God. Answering this question is a great antidote to arrogance and a great help to humility. The answer is of course everything! The list is endless

Q3. (3 John 5-8) What are the reasons given in these verses for supporting Christian workers in their ministry? What reward comes with becoming a "co-worker," by assisting Christian workers? How effective can Christian workers be without those who support them? We have a special obligation to these servants of the Lord. They go out in faith trusting our Lord to support them. We are to become fellow workers and give them all the assistance they need. Besides financial support we can uphold them with prayer and encourage them in our emails. Our Heavenly Father will pay back all good deeds

Q2. (2 John 10-11) Why does the Apostle John tell his readers to refuse hospitality to the false teachers? What would refusing hospitality mean for a congregation (as opposed to an individual)? What is the border between tolerance and stupidity, when it comes to false teachers? Do the divisions of denominationalism find justification in this verse? Why or why not? We have to be most careful not to be contaminated with false doctrines. We are not to allow them to get a foot-hold in our homes or churches; all they will do is spread lies and side with the antichrist. Their aim is to lead us away from our Lord and Saviour. If other denominations teach us the truth about Jesus; that is they believe in the absolute deity and humanity of the Lord Jesus; then there is no problem, they are to be welcomed as believers.

Q1. (2 John 9) What is the danger of "running ahead" of Christ's teachings to "deeper truths"? What is the danger of "running ahead" of Christ's guidance for our lives? What does it mean to "abide" or "continue" in Christ and his teachings? Why is this so important? We have to be careful not to transgress beyond the allowed bounds

Q4. (1 John 5:21) Why does John exhort his "children" to "keep yourselves from idols"? What idols distract us from the true God? What idols compete with God for attention in your life? John is warning us to abstain from any form of worship that draws us away from Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ must be central in our lives; knowing Jesus Christ is God. Any other thought is idolatry. So we are to be aware of all false teachings. An idol is a substitute or false god taking the place of the true. Here an idol is not so much a material thing as a false teaching. Praise the Lord; I must say that I do try my utmost to stay focussed on the Word. Perhaps I spend too much time on the computer; otherwise I

Q3. (1 John 5:14-15) What are the two conditions to answered prayer in 1 John? (See also 3:22.) How do we determine God's will so that we can pray boldly, confidently? How often will our prayers be answered when our main motive is to achieve our will? The two conditions to answered prayer are that we obey His commands and pray according to His will. Obeying God is never done under compulsion or for the purpose of receiving rewards. Our obedience is done with a cheerful heart that expresses gratitude. God

Q2. (1 John 5:11-12) What is the difference between saying "this life is in the Christian Church" and "this life is in his Son"? What should we be doing differently so that we teach a faith relationship rather than a religion? What is the difference between "faith" and "faith in Jesus"? Eternal life is only found in Jesus Christ personally and not in any church. All the doctrines we learn, all the good deeds we do, count for nothing if we do not have a personal relationship with our Lord and Saviour. We should be emphasising this point. Eternal life is not found in education or philosophy or science or good works or religion or the church. To have life, one must have the Son of God. It is all about

Q1. (1 John 5:4-5) How does a defeatist mentality differ from a belief that in Christ we have overcome the world? What part does faith have in this overcoming? What part does unbelief have in a defeatist mentality? As believers we have overcome the world and we can now already claim victory. We know that Jesus said,