hanks

Q1. (Luke 23:34) Who was most responsible for killing Jesus? What responsibility do you and I bear in this? In what sense was Jesus praying for us? We all bear responsibility for killing our Lord and Saviour Jesus. He died because of my sin, and our sin. With infinite love and mercy Jesus prayed to our Father for the forgiveness of our sin.

Q1. (Hebrews 1:2) In what way do you think the author of Hebrews is using the word "Son"? As a metaphor? As a biological relationship? How would a Son's words have more weight than a prophet's? Here we read that the Son is

Q1. (4:13-16) What danger is James warning us about in verses 13-16? We are warned about the danger of not consulting God in all our plans. We must realize that our destinies are in His control. Once our decisions are made, we should also determine if they are in compliance with His will. How can we be humble in our planning without being indecisive and wishy-washy? We should be very careful if we leave God out of our plans and start boasting about our plans for the future. We can sometimes act as if we are the masters of our own fate. We need to humble ourselves before God, acknowledging that He is control. We must also be careful in saying

Q4. (4:11-12) In what way does bad-mouthing a neighbour cause you to be a judge of the law? Why is it tempting to bad-mouth others, do you think? James echoes the teaching about judging others that Jesus gave in the Sermon on the Mount.

Q3. (4:6-10) Verses 7-10 contain 10 different commands. Why are these actions so vital? In what way do they go against our nature? Which of these commands is most difficult for you? We are to reject our wicked old nature and get nearer to God. This we can do by submitting ourselves to God; by obeying Him. When we pray

Q2. (4:4) Why does James refer to church members as "adulteresses"? What does the adultery consist of? Who is the aggrieved husband? What is wrong with friendship with the world? James is writing to Jewish Christians who are familiar with the term adulteress being applied to the marriage relationship of God as husband and Israel as the unfaithful wife. For example, God told the prophet Hosea:

Q1. (4:1-3) Is God against pleasure? What wrong in living to increase one's pleasure? No, I don

Q4. (3:17-18) With what tool do peacemakers sow peace? Why does this produce a ripening crop of righteousness? In whom does this crop grow? It is with heavenly wisdom, which is a free gift of a gracious God, that peacemakers sow peace. When we live peaceably together, actively concerned for harmony and unity, the result will be righteousness, because we are living in obedience to the will of God. Now when we live together in this righteous way, then our behaviour towards each other will be godly, and the result will be harmonious relationships.

Q4. (2 Timothy 4:21a) Why is it important to Paul for Timothy to come before winter? What happens if Timothy delays? Do you think Timothy dropped everything and came to Paul's side? Would you, if you were Timothy? The winter weather made travel very difficult or impossible. Paul needed Timothy

Q3. (3:13-16) In what ways are "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" (3:14) direct opposites of "humility" (3:13)? How does denial of "bitter envy" and "selfish ambition" prevent healing? How does boasting about these prevent healing? We have the worldly person who is only interested in advancing his own interests. It is whenever we find envy and selfish ambition that we also find confusion, disharmony and every other kind of evil. The worldly person is characterized by

Q3. (2 Timothy 4:9-12) Why is it so difficult when trusted friends desert us? Why is it so difficult when they move away or die? Is it better to trust no one? Who remains with Paul besides Luke? (Hint: see verse 17a). We as true Christians are in the minority in this world, and any loss of a fellow believer is a loss we feel personally. Yet we always have our Lord who, as in Paul

Q2. (3:7-8) Read Matthew 12:34 and 15:18. In light of these verses, why is the tongue untameable? What has to happen before it can be tamed? It is because of our evil hearts that our tongue is untameable as it expresses itself in blasphemy, bitterness and abuse. Before the tongue can be tamed our hearts need to be filled with goodness; then only will we speak words of grace and righteousness.

Q2. (2 Timothy 4:8) What does the "crown of righteousness" represent? To whom is it given? On what basis is it awarded? The crown of righteousness is the garland which will be rewarded to all believers who have exhibited righteousness in their service to our Lord; and it will be given to all those who look forward to Christ's appearing. If we really long with affection for the coming of Christ and we live in the light of that event, then our life will be righteous, and we will be rewarded accordingly.

Q1. (3:1-2) Why does James discourage people from aspiring to be teachers of the Word? Why is greater strictness appropriate? Should you set higher standards for your pastor than you do for yourself? I think this is a simple warning that the ministry of teaching should not be undertaken lightly. It is a great responsibility to teach the Bible and those who teach the Word of Truth will receive heavier judgment if they fail to practice what they teach. The teacher must be prepared to obey what he sees in the word. He can never hope to lead others beyond what he himself has practiced. The teacher has great influence on others and he will be judged harshly if he leads any into a life of ungodliness. I also think it is a great privilege to be given such a noble and distinguished task.

Q1. (2 Timothy 4:6-7) What does it mean to have "fought the good fight" or "run the good race"? Here Paul is speaking not about a life of chance, but about a planned race which he had run; and that this life of his, had been ruled by a personal faith which by God's grace he had kept to the very end. It had been a fight against Satan, against the law of sin and death operating within his own heart. But triumphantly Paul is able to say,

Q4. (2 Timothy 4:5) Why does Paul command Timothy to "discharge all the duties of your ministry"? What is the work of an evangelist that Timothy is to do? What does the command in verse 5 mean to you personally? Nothing must get in the way or try to stop Timothy from fulfilling his ministry to the full. He was to do the work of preaching the gospel to the best of his abilities, and not be distracted. I am to stand up for our Lord, not to get tired or discouraged, but always to be there for Him.

Q4. (2:20-26) How does James' point about the necessity of works jive with Paul's emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)? Pastor Ralph writes:

Q3. (2 Timothy 4:1-2) Why do you think Paul has to resort to the command in verses 1-2? Why does he have to talk about being ready when it's inconvenient and when it is convenient? What problem is Paul trying to overcome here? How do these verses speak to you in particular? I think Paul is trying to emphasize the urgency of preaching the Word. Time is running out and there are many to be saved; one should make use of every opportunity.

Q3. (2:18-19) What is the difference between the "belief" of a demon and the "belief" of a practicing Christian? The "belief" of a non-practicing Christian? It is essential to believe in the existence of God, but it is not sufficient. We read that even the demons believe in the existence of God and that they shudder at the thought of their eventual punishment by Him. The reaction of the Christian is exactly the opposite; we have peace with God, knowing that our future is secure in Him. This we see in Romans 5:1;

Q2. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) In what ways does Scripture equip a Christian for ministry? We are created to do good works, and we have been thoroughly equipped with all we need to perform these deeds.

Q2. (2:15-16) To what degree are we responsible for the poor and needy in the church community? How about our responsibility for those outside the church, in the community at large? I believe charity begins at home. We, however, have a responsibility to others in need. If we have enough resources, we should then extend our help to do good to our fellow Christians. This should also be extended outside our church to the community at large; but then only if we firstly do not harm our own family and secondly neglect our brothers and sisters.

Q1. (2:14-18) In what sense is faith dead if it is unaccompanied by action? In what sense might (if that were possible) it be alive? James is not saying that we are saved by faith plus works. I think he means that a faith without works is not real faith at all

Q1. (2 Timothy 3:16) What does inspiration of Scripture mean? What does the term "God-breathed" tell us about the source and authority of Scripture? Why is the doctrine of inspiration of Scripture important? In some miraculous way, God communicated His word to men and got them to write it down. What they wrote was the very words of God, inspired and infallible. Every word used was the words given to them by the Holy Spirit. Thus we read in 1Cor 2:13 :

Q4. (2:13b) In what way is showing regard towards the wealthy (2:2-3) a denial of mercy? Extra credit: Read Hosea 6:6; Matthew 5:7; and 9:13. In what way does mercy "triumph over" (NIV, RSV, and NASB) or "rejoice against" (KJV) judgment? What does this mean? The general idea seems to be that if we show mercy to others, the judgment which might otherwise fall on us will be replaced by mercy. We cater to the rich only because we hope to gain something either socially or materially, in other words with evil intentions; thereby denying the mercy our Lord might show us. God showed mercy in sparing us from the judgment which our sins deserved and in demonstrating kindness to us through the saving work of Christ. We imitate God when we show compassion to others.

Q4. (2 Timothy 3:10-12) How does a failure to accept the inevitability of persecution hinder our witness? Persecution is an integral part of a devout Christian life. When we are called upon to go through deep waters, we might be tempted to think that we have failed the Lord or that the Lord is displeased with us for some reason. However, we must remember that persecution is inevitable for all of us who desire to live in a godly manner. Our godly life exposes the wickedness of others, and instead of repenting of their ungodliness and turning to Christ, they seek to destroy the one who has shown them up for what they really are. For this reason we are often persecuted. Just what does it mean to "take up his cross daily" (Luke 9:23) and to "carry his cross" (Luke 14:27)? Is Jesus talking about persecution - or something else? To take up the cross means to deliberately choose the kind of life Jesus lived. We are to deny self and willingly recognize His lordship in every area of our life. Secondly, He taught that a true disciple must carry his own cross and follow Him. Here again this means that we must live the type of life which Christ lived when He was here on earth - a life of self-denial, humiliation, and persecution. We can expect some kind of satanic opposition.