hanks

Q3. (2:9-11) Why does James refer to the Great Commandment as the "Royal Law"? How is it more "royal" than the Mosaic Law? How does showing favouritism toward a rich person break the "Royal Law" towards that rich person? How does it break the "Royal Law" in regard to a poor person? It is called the royal law because it belongs to the King of kings and because it is the king of all laws. When comparing it to the Law of Moses we note that both required us to love our neighbour, but only the Royal Law gave us the power to do it, and did not condemn us if we failed. It is only under grace, that we are given the power to love our neighbour and are rewarded when we do it. We don't do it in order to be saved but because we are saved. We do it, not through fear of punishment, but through love for our Lord Jesus who died for us and rose again. If we really loved our neighbours as ourselves, we would treat them all the way we would want to be treated. We would not want to be despised simply because we were poor, or to be shown favouritism simply because we were rich. It is because we are self-centred, that we cater to the rich because of the hope of reward, either socially or materially. At the same time we neglect the poor because there is little prospect of their benefiting us in any way. The royal law forbids such selfish exploitation of others, and teaches us to love our neighbour as ourselves.

Q3. (2 Timothy 3:5) Why is it so easy to become a hypocrite? It is so easy to give an outwardly appearance of being religious. By our ungodly behaviour we show the world that we are living a lie, and there is no evidence of the power of God in our lives. But as Christians we have no difficulty in identifying the works of the flesh. We read about it in Gal 5:19-21:

Q2. (2:4) In what way does favouritism make one a judge? How does favouritism make one a judge with "evil thoughts"? Instead of accepting persons on the basis of faith in Christ, we are showing favouritism based on appearance and status. We don

Q2. (2 Timothy 2:24-25) In your own words, explain the various characteristics that enable a Christian teacher to correct opponents. How does the lack of any of these hinder the task? As Christians we are to resemble our Lord and Saviour, who was kind and gentle, humble and meek, lowly, and restful. We, as our Lord's servant, then, must be gentle, easy to speak to, approachable in our behaviour; not irritable, intolerant, sarcastic, or scornful, not even toward those who err. It is with this attitude that we must try to win them over to the truth. We must note however, that this gentleness will not always be reciprocated or even appreciated. At times we will meet with ridicule and abuse, even with insult and injury. When this happens, we must show even more patience and tolerance; remembering to correct the opponents with mildness. We are not to succumb to evil.

Q1. (2 Timothy 2:20-22). When do you put your good plates and silverware on the table? When do you use your everyday tableware? What point is Paul making with this example? In practical terms, how do we "cleanse ourselves" so that we might be useful and ready for the Lord's use? In any large house there are all kinds of utensils, not only gold and silver, which are articles to be kept and displayed, and used on special occasions; but also wooden and earthen vessels, which are used on a daily basis and got rid of when they have served their purpose. Similarly a church contains true believers (the gold and silver vessels) and hypocrites (the wooden and earthen vessels). The genuine members are destined for honour, the others, for dishonour. I think Paul is saying that if we will effectively cleanse ourselves, we will become a utensil for honour. Now, the way to cleanse ourselves is to become detached from that which is evil and attached to that which is good. God can only use clean vessels in holy service.

Q1. (2:1-3) What kind of person or what kind of sinner do you tend to discriminate against? Not that I consider myself better than anyone, but I can honestly say I do not discriminate against other people. I tend to shy away from those that flaunt their wealth being much more comfortable with the

Q4. (1:26-27) Why does James make taming the tongue and caring for the poor the prime tests of pure religion? Why not the quality of our quiet time or worship? James is writing about practical Christianity and warns us not to deceive ourselves with a counterfeit religion that is nothing more than a charade. He mentions keeping our tongue in check and getting our hands dirty helping people in need, as examples of practical religion. We have to be careful not to consider ourselves religious because we have quality quiet times and worship regularly. This might merely be an outward show

Q4. (2 Timothy 2:15) Exactly what is the analogy with a skilled workman that forms the basis for Paul's instruction to Timothy? The word of truth must be rightly handled, like a skilled workman. The man who treats the Word properly, does not change, pervert, mutilate, or distort it, neither does he use it with a wrong purpose in mind. How does this apply to our teaching of scripture today? This is how we should lovingly handle the Word, doing it for the glory of God, the conversion of sinners, and for the edification of believers.

Q3. (1:25) What is this "perfect law" that James mentions? How would you define it? How does it relate to the "royal law" (2:8)? In what sense does it bring liberty? To me the Bible is the perfect law; as we obey it we are set free from worldly customs and traditions and also from carnal thinking. It is perfect because it is God

Q3. (2 Timothy 2:3-7) Paul calls Timothy to endure hardship for the sake of the goal. What in the experience of a soldier, an athlete, and a farmer illustrate this well? Which of these examples speaks most strongly to you? Paul gives three illustrations of Christian service and urges us to consider them and to meditate on them. We will then realize that the Christian ministry resembles warfare, athletics, and farming; and that each of these occupations has its own responsibilities, and each brings its own reward. We have the soldier who on duty keeps himself in readiness for orders from headquarters. His desire is to please the one who enlisted him. The believer, of course, has been enlisted by the Lord, and our love for Him should cause us to maintain a light hold on the things of this world. We then have the athlete; here in order to receive the reward, he must obey the rules of the game. This is how it is in Christian service. I would think that some of these rules are: we must practice self-discipline (1Cor 9:27); we must not fight with carnal weapons, but with spiritual ones (2Cor 10:4); we must keep ourselves pure; and we must not strive, but be patient. Unfortunately many of us fall out before we reach the finish line, disqualified because we did not maintain an unquestioning obedience to the word of God! Finally we have the farmer. As a hard-working farmer he must be first to partake of the crops - the one who labours to bring forth the crops has a prior right to participate in them. This would serve as an encouragement to us, should we ever become discouraged in our labour for the Lord, knowing that such toil will not go unrewarded. I can see a bit of all three in myself; but I think I can associate myself more with the hard-working farmer. Someone has said:

Q2. Why do you think our churches tend not to declare the call to endurance and suffering? Why did Timothy tend to shy away from it? What is the result of a willingness to suffer for the gospel? Some of our churches tend to preach only what they perceive the congregation want to hear. Mostly prosperity teaching and then they focus on success and the good life. They tend to avoid anything about the trials and tribulations that we all must endure to produce a Jesus Christ like character. Timothy was a young and inexperienced leader. Nothing is achieved in this life without discipline and endurance, perhaps even suffering.

Q2. (1:22) Why are we so easily fooled into thinking that listening to Bible teaching means that we are living out righteous lives? What is the nature of the self-deception? Perhaps we can become too complacent

Q1. (2 Timothy 2:2) Why is it important for pastors and church leaders to execute a strategy of mentoring teachers and elders in a congregation? How much time should be devoted to this teaching of future leaders vs. the time spent in administration and programs? I would think it is vital. The integrity of the Word must be protected and spread throughout the congregation and further. It takes time to mentor future teachers and elders, so priority must be given to this task, above any other administrative functions.

Q1. (1:18) In what sense are we given spiritual birth by the "word of truth"? What does spiritual life have to do with the Word?

Q4. (1:5-8) What is the promise to claim in verse 5? What is the condition attached to this promise in verse 6? How do trials help us receive this wisdom? We are promised that we can obtain wisdom to endure trials joyfully. We all lack wisdom during these times but we do not always see our need to ask God. We can ask how to understand this trial from God

Q4. (Matthew 7:24-27) Does Jesus require obedience of his disciples? (John 15:14). Yes, He requires absolute obedience. Is there a kind of true Christian who believes, but does not obey? No, Jesus says this person is like a

According to verse 12, what is the source of Paul's fearlessness? What does he trust God to guard for him? The source of Paul

Q3. (1:5-8) How do trials help cure us of "double-mindedness"? How do trials help us grow in faith? We have to approach God in faith; there cannot be any doubting. If we begin to doubt His power or goodness, we will have no stability in times of trouble. He must be our anchor during these times. From His promises we know He loves and cares for us, and that nothing is impossible with Him. By studying His Word we learn general principles that we can apply to any daily problems that may arise in this world. Trials help us to turn to His Word and to prayer. It is during our prayers that we ask for wisdom to solve our problems or trials, this will be given liberally, but here it is crucial that we ask in faith and without doubting. Spiritual wisdom is the practical application of our Lord's teachings to everyday situations.

Q3. (2 Timothy 1:8-10) Paul is writing to encourage timid Timothy. How is Paul's focus on Christ and the gospel designed to encourage Timothy? How is this an antidote for shame? Paul is encouraging Timothy to be zealous and courageous; explaining that this is the only reasonable attitude to take; it is found in God's wonderful dealings with us in grace. First of all, He saved us from the penalty of sin and has freed us from this evil world and from Satan. On top of this He bestowed us with spiritual blessings. We can read in Ephesians 1-3 that we are chosen, predestined, adopted as sons, accepted in the Beloved, redeemed through His blood, forgiven, and sealed with the Holy Spirit. Also if we remember that this salvation and calling are not according to our works, but that they were given to us by God's grace. This means that we did not deserve them, but rather deserved the very opposite. We could not earn them; neither did we seek them. But God freely bestowed them upon us without condition or price. It is when we ponder on these thoughts that we should be full of enthusiasm for the Lord and should never be ashamed to call His name out loud.

Q3. (Matthew 7:21-23) How is it possible to deceive yourself, so that you presume that you are "doing" when you are only "hearing"? (See James 1:22-25). Ideally we must have a deep desire to hear God

Q2. (2 Timothy 1:7-8, 12) Can you give examples of how cowardice and shame may have kept you from identifying yourself as a Christian on occasion? From testifying clearly about your faith? According to verse 12, what is the antidote for cowardice and shame? How then do we combat the cowardice and shame we might recognize in ourselves? While I was still a

Q2. (1:13-15) Why do people blame God for evil? We sometimes seek to avoid all personal blame when something evil befalls us, and lash out and blame God. We are not to blame God for evil; we are to resist evil and always blame ourselves or others who tempt us, but we must never blame God. Does God tempt us with evil? Does he tempt sinful people with evil? No, God does not tempt anyone. God hates evil and therefore does not lead anyone astray. We cannot blame God for the evil we do; for he will not do what he hates. Instead we must ask God to keep us from falling into temptation and doing evil deeds. We read in Scripture that Satan is the one who tempts us; he is called the tempter (Mat 4:3; 1Th 3:5). The tempter came to him and said, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread" Matt 4:3 (NIV). For this reason, when I could stand it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith. I was afraid that in some way the tempter might have tempted you and our efforts might have been useless 1 Thess 3:5 (NIV). We also notice that Satan is amazingly successful in leading man into temptation and sin. Why does he allow people to sin? God allows us free choice to sin or not to sin. This sin comes from within us, from our old, evil, fallen, and unregenerate nature. Jesus said: For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander Matt 15:19 (NIV). Why does he allow evil to exist at all? God did not create the world in its present state. Evil came as a result of the selfishness of man. God is a God of love, but genuine love cannot exist unless freely given

Q2. (Matthew 7:15-20) Jesus says that one's inner self will eventually become apparent (Matthew 12:34). What kinds of "fruit" might be clues to a false prophet? They generally talk vaguely, seldom telling us anything about the holiness, the righteousness, the justice, and the wrath of God. They will preach about the love of God, always preaching nice comforting messages - they try to be all things to all men. They don

Q1. (2 Timothy 1:6) What advice would you give to a person who has let use of a spiritual gift or ministry lapse? How can a gift or ministry be rekindled? What might be involved in reclaiming use of such a gift? I would remind the person, in love, that the Holy Spirit imparts spiritual gifts to every believer. We read this in various Scriptures, as well as in 1 Peter 4:10: Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV). We must be careful that our real interests are in our commitment to Jesus Christ, and not to the world. Also we must not be looking for commendation from people but only from Jesus. Then again, it will also help if we remember that because of our salvation we must/will want to serve. We all have spiritual gifts and we must persevere in serving our Lord Jesus.

Q1. (1:2-4) What value have trials had in your life? Have you let Satan destroy you with those trials? Or allowed God to refine you? How have you changed? I have been tested and although at the time they were very trying; it is later on reflection that I realized our Lord was strengthening my faith. I praise Him for the way he has guided me, every step of the way, through my life. I have never doubted His motives and I have most definitely changed for the better. But there is still much work to be done on me.