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8. What area in your life needs a dose of Bartimaeus' unstoppable faith? What's stopping you from asking God for that quality of faith right now? I need renewing of my faith so that I may be a shining light for the Lord. That I may be there for the sick and dying; that I may be a friend to the friendless; and that I may be of help to the needy and lost. That I may best serve Him, and not to live only for myself, but that I may also be a blessing to others. To thank Him and praise Him for His faithfulness and loving kindness. This is my prayer.

7. What was the blind man's response after being healed? In what ways is this a good model for us? His persistent faith had resulted in his physical healing as well as his spiritual healing. He immediately was grateful and became a devoted follower of Jesus - one of His disciples, glorifying God. We should never forget to show our gratitude by greatly thanking our Lord. What we may learn from this incident is that we should dare to believe God for the impossible. And that great faith greatly honours our Heavenly Father. In the same way our Lord Jesus, can give eyes to the spiritually blind, that they may know Him; feet, that they may follow Him; a tongue, that they may praise Him; and a heart, that they may love Him!

6. In what sense did the blind man's own faith heal him? If he had faith, why hadn't he been healed before? I think that when Jesus said to the blind beggar, “Your faith has healed you," He was stressing the fact that it was His personal response to the beggar’s faith in Him that healed him. The beggar’s own faith, though not the basic cause of his healing, had been the channel through which the cure had been effected. It had been the means by which the love and power of Jesus was used to bring about this healing. Ultimately, healing is not dependent upon the quality of one’s faith, but upon the Healer. Faith is only the means, not the power itself. These miracle healings were done by Jesus for all to see that He is the Messiah who has come. Bartimaeus healing depends on what plan God has for the beggars life, does He want to heal the man in this life, or does He have another plan to show His glory through weakness? But, we know that someday all sickness and death will be eradicated (Rev 21:4).

5. In what ways is the question, "What do you want Jesus to do for you?" a good question for disciples today to ask? We might assume we know what a person wants from Jesus. But this is not always so obvious. Besides healing they might be asking perhaps a prayer or a blessing. We never know until we ask. Often the person might be supported by some kind helper or be receiving a grant of some kind, and once healed these benefits might fall away, leaving the person in a position of not being able to support themselves. So, it is best to determine exactly what the need is.

4. Why did Jesus ask the blind man, "What do you want Me to do for you?" What was Jesus' purpose in asking the question? Jesus asked this question with the full knowledge that this man was blind. He knew what he needed and what he wanted, but God still wants us to tell Him our needs as a constant expression of our trust and reliance on Him. The blind man submitted to Jesus, calling Him “Lord” and asked to receive his sight. Jesus connected the man’s healing with the man’s faith, and granted the man’s request and healed him of blindness. We may learn from this incident that we should dare to believe God for the impossible. Great faith greatly honours Him.

3. What were the political and spiritual implications of the phrase "Son of David"? Jesus had ordered His disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Messiah (Matt 16:20), in this case the “Son of David”. Because of Israel's unbelief, no good could come from such a disclosure; there would be political implications hampering His ministry. He might be seen as a potential Deliverer from the Roman yoke, which might bring His public ministry to an untimely end. They had not yet fully understood the kind of Messiah He had come to be - not a military commander but a suffering servant. His disciples had to first come to a fuller understanding of His mission before they could proclaim it to others in a way that would not cause a rebellion. As a result of Jesus' miracle, the feeding of the 5000, the people wanted to make Him King by force (John 6:15). No good could come from a popular movement to crown Him King; such an ill-timed move would be ruthlessly crushed by the Romans. The perfect time will come when Jesus Himself will make the announcement of who He is (Matt 26:63-64). His death, followed by His Resurrection and by His Ascension, will shed light on who our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is – the Messiah, the Son of David. "Therefore, let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah" (Act 2:36). Ironically, the religious leaders who had seen all the miracles Jesus had performed were blinded to His identity and refused to recognise Him as the Messiah. Yet, here we have a blind beggar who immediately knew that Jesus was the “Son of David” – the Messiah.

2. What can we learn about Bartimaeus' faith by the evidence of his actions and his words? He called out to Jesus, calling Him the “Son of David”, a title for the Messiah (Isa 11:1-3). Even after they attempted to silence him he was adamant to be heard and started shouting louder, and kept on shouting louder and louder, for Jesus to have mercy on him, that is to restore his sight. This showed great faith in Jesus, great faith in that he knew who Jesus was, great faith in asking Jesus what he wanted, great faith in calling Jesus Lord, and great faith in knowing what he deserved from Jesus. We see this also in the way he answered Jesus. Without hesitation his prayer was short, specific, and full of faith.

1. What motivates Blind Bartimaeus to call out to Jesus? What motivates the bystanders to try to stop him? He must have realised that if he was to receive any help in restoring his sight it would be from Jesus, the Son of David, the Messiah. He has total faith in Christ to restore his sight. This was his one and only chance. He was told that "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by" (18:37), meaning that soon this opportunity will be gone. Urgent action was needed; he had to do something and he had to do it very quickly. Those that tried to stop him possibly did not want Jesus’ teaching to be interrupted; it was not dignified to be shouting at Jesus this way; they, especially the religious leaders, did not agree with Him being called the “Son of David”; and/or His journey to Jerusalem was being delayed/interrupted.

Q4. (Acts 10:38) Since Jesus is God, why is He dependent upon the Spirit's anointing? Are we dependent upon the Spirit's empowerment in a similar way, or is it different for us? Jesus had emptied Himself “made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Philippians 2:7). Without ceasing to be God, He became a human being. Jesus limited His power and knowledge, in obedience to His Father, making Himself subject to place, time, and other human limitations. But His humanity was uniquely different in that He was free from sin. Therefore, as a human He was dependent, like us, upon the Spirit’s anointing. At Jesus' baptism, He received the Holy Spirit. God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power (Isa 61:1; Luke 4:18). Does this mean that we as believers likewise receive the Spirit at baptism, so that the act of anointing is equivalent to baptism? Yes, maybe, but our reference to anointing is broader. God anoints His people with the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:20; 2:27). This occurs at the time of regeneration (John 3:5), at special occasions (4:31), and when believers receive spiritual gifts (1 Cor 12:7-11).

Q3. (Acts 10:9-16) Why does God have to bring this noon-time vision to Peter? What prejudices did Peter have against Gentiles? How did his religion prevent him from reaching out to Gentiles? What specifically did God tell him about "common and unclean"? How does this revelation affect his attitude towards Jewish dietary laws? Initially God had told the Jews to separate themselves from the Gentiles by eating ritually prepared kosher food. Jewish people would not think of entering the home of a Gentile and eating or drinking with them (11:3). So, when God tells Peter in a vision of the clean and unclean animals, to eat he is shocked. As a Jew, Peter had always looked upon the Gentiles as common, as unclean, as aliens, as strangers, as far off, as godless. But it is clear that the vision had deeper significance than the mere matter of eating foods, clean and unclean. Peter was being taught that God has removed the barriers He once erected to separate His people from the surrounding nations. The real significance of the vision was that God was about to open the door of faith to the Gentiles, and that the dietary regulations were no longer in effect. Earlier we read that the barrier between the Jewish Christian and the Samaritan Christian had been removed, now it was time to accept Gentile believers in the Christian church. One of the great truths of the gospel is that all believers are one in Christ Jesus, and that race or national differences do not affect fellowship. There was an incident, a few years later, when Peter stopped having fellowship with the Gentiles, fearing that the news of his behavior would get back to the legalist faction in Jerusalem. Paul had to rebuke him. (Gal 2:11-14).

Q2. (Acts 10:4) Why do you think your prayers and your obedient life are like incense that gives God pleasure? Do you think you can actually bring pleasure to God? I know that both my prayers and my obedient life are like incense that gives God pleasure. God’s Word tells me that the prayers of God’s people are like incense, and are pleasing to God (Rev 5:8). David used the smoke and smell of incense as a representation of his prayer to God (Psalm 141:2). Therefore, my prayers rise to heaven even as the smoke of incense rises upward, and these prayers please God even as incense has a pleasing fragrance. Jesus Christ died for me: “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my heart, my life, my all” (When I Survey The Wondrous Cross, Isaac Watts 1674-1748). As a believer I do not come to God with sacrifices of slain animals, but present my body as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God (Rom 12:1). I now live a life in obedience to Him, and offer Him my service, my praise, and my possessions. The secret to pleasing God is faith, obedience, and service, which to God will be a sweet-smelling aroma. Therefore, I know I can actually bring pleasure to God. I can’t think of a higher approval one could enjoy than to know that what I’m doing is pleasing to God. We are to delight in honouring Him, and should have a passion to please God. But we are locked in combat with the world, the flesh, and Satan; resulting in our battle between what pleases us and what pleases God.

Q1. (Acts 10:2, 22) What do we learn about Cornelius' character? Why do you think God chose to reveal Himself to Cornelius, rather than the average pagan? Is he more worthy of salvation? Devout. God-fearing. Generous. Prays regularly. Righteous. Respected by the Jewish people. I think Cornelius, must have been brought up as a typical Roman believing in the gods of Jupiter, Augustus, Venus, Mars, etc. Yet he was a Gentile who loved the God of Israel, regularly praying to Him. He was one of the Gentiles who were sympathetic to and supportive of the Jewish faith, but stopped short of becoming a full Jew in lifestyle and in circumcision. I don’t think he was the average pagan; he already had a real relationship with God, and that is why our Lord chose to reveal Himself to Cornelius. No, He does not consider Cornelius to be more worthy of salvation, for with God there is no favouritism. He loves us all irrespective of race or ethnic group. As Peter was to learn “but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right” (10:34-35).

4. How do Jesus' sacrifices to follow the Father's will parallel our own sacrifices to follow Jesus? What are the points of comparison? What are the points of contrast? (18:31-34) In following the Father’s will, Jesus specifically mentioned some of the sacrifices He had to suffer – they would mock Him, insult Him, spit on Him, flog Him, and kill Him (18:32). We, as believers, can know for sure that if they so despised and persecuted the Lord, we can expect similar treatment (John 15:20). Jesus Himself said: “They will treat you this way because of My Name, for they do not know the One who sent Me” (John 15:21). The ungodly do not like their wickedness to be exposed, so they seek to destroy those that show them up for what they really are. In the same way by following Jesus, we could endure sacrifices of deliberate insult, humiliation and shame, degradation, being mocked, disloyalty of friends, injustice, maybe physical pain or even death. These scars are the price which every believer pays for their loyalty to Christ. Taken together, this can be a picture of great suffering, and can easily become even greater when we boldly defend the faith against every attack. However, on the third day He rose in resurrected glory! Amen. The difference is that Jesus endured all this suffering and death on our behalf, for all our sins both past, present, and future. His sacrifice was once for all, He did this out of love for each one of us (Hebrews 7:27). No High Priest is needed to offer sacrifices daily; Jesus was the perfect sacrifice as He is absolutely sinless. It is because of our Lord Jesus Christ’s sacrifice that we can have absolute peace with God, and are no longer subject to His wrath. Instead, we have been adopted into His family. What mercy, what grace!

3. Are the rewards Jesus promises in 18:29-30 literal or figurative? Jesus promises us, as believers, the things we have given to follow Him will be repaid in this life as well as in the next. Meaning that a life of sacrifice will be literally rewarded in this life, and will be further literally rewarded in the eternal state. As believers we even now possess “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7); “inexpressible and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8); “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6); and the love God has poured “into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us” (Romans 5:5). Of course, in this life there will also be persecutions as part of the present reward, for we rejoice when we are found worthy to suffer for Jesus’ sake. In “the age to come” all these blessings that constitute life everlasting will become the believers' treasure in an even much fuller sense. We can trust Jesus’ promises fully. As a result of His resurrection the confused and fearful disciples were transformed into confident, bold witnesses, willing to give their very lives for the gospel. Eternal life is a gift, so we do not earn eternal life through giving up everything, but rather we will receive our rewards in heaven. We can trust Him for all His promises are true!

2. How is Peter's question in 18:28 similar to Jesus' direction in 18:22? In what sense must disciple give up everything to follow Jesus? How literally should we take this? Peter and the disciples had done exactly what Jesus had told the rich young ruler to do. They had left everything and followed Him; only to a lesser degree in that they owned little in comparison. Jesus is talking about everything that hinders our relationship with our Lord. Anything that has preference to Him must be given up. Jesus takes first place in everything, if not everything that hinders must be given up. In answer to Peter’s question - they will all have treasures in heaven. This is a promise for all true followers of the Lord, for all who have chosen Christ above all else, for all who have made the sacrifice “for the sake of the kingdom of God”. As loyal disciples of the Lord we are promised that we will be reimbursed many times over.

1. Why is impossible for rich people to enter the Kingdom of God? Is it really impossible? Is Jesus speaking in hyperbole in order to make a point? Why or why not? (18:24-27) It is impossible for a person to enter the kingdom of God as a rich person; as long as they make a god of their wealth. That is a rich person cannot, by their own efforts, enter the kingdom; this is true for both the rich and the poor alike. Jesus knows that wealth can be a great hinderance to Christian living. When referring to a camel going through the eye of a needle, Jesus was speaking in hyperbole in order to make a point. Confirming that salvation, getting into God’s Kingdom, by our own efforts, by human means is impossible, and is only possible through God. “The things impossible with men are possible with God” (18:27). We are saved by abandoning trust in our own righteousness, by turning from our sin, and trusting in Jesus as our Saviour. I like this comment by A.W. Pink: “These two are diametrically opposed, God and money. One commands you to walk by faith, the other to walk by sight; one to be humble, the other to be proud; one to set your affection on things above, the other to set them on the things that are on the earth; one to look at the things that are unseen and eternal, the other to look at the things that are seen and temporal; one to have your conversation in heaven, the other to cleave to the dust; one to be anxious for nothing, the other to be all anxiety; one to be content with such things as you have, the other enlarge your desires; one to be ready to distribute, the other to withhold; one to look at the things of others, the other to look at only one's own things; one to seek happiness in the Creator, the other to seek happiness in the creature. Is it not plain, "You can't serve two such masters." (From Pink's exposition Sermon on the Mount - Matthew 6:24).

Q4. (Acts 9:32-43) How did God use healing and raising from the dead in order to begin a mighty regional revival? If you recognize that you have a spiritual gift of healing, are you willing to be obedient and let God use you in ministry? The miracles of Aeneas in Lydda, and Dorcas in Joppa contributed to the glory of Jesus. When Aeneas was healed, the people who lived in Lydda and the Plain of Sharon saw and heard what had happened and put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ (9:35). When Dorcas was raised from the dead, this became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord (9:42). These miracles had a tremendous impact, and the result was that the church continued to increase greatly. In the early years of the Christian church, we see that not only apostles, but Stephen and Philip also received the ability to perform miracles of healing. Believers today lack this special gift; we pray in faith and wait for a divine answer. If the Lord does answer and we see a healing take place, we ought not to boast about possessing the gift of healing, but rather give God all the glory and honour for healing the sick. When there is no immediate answer, we should continue to pray and not stop asking for help in time of need (Heb 4:16). We acknowledge that God performs the miracle of healing the sick in answer to prayer, knowing that “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). If I ever received the spiritual gift of healing, I would be truly humbled and would feel privileged to use it to bring all honour and glory to my Heavenly Father.

Q3. (Acts 9:28-29) We are not to be quarrelsome we know (2 Timothy 2:24-26), but what is the role of debate and argument in evangelism? What is the value of studying the Scriptures and the arguments for the divinity of Jesus for leading people to Christ? Have you prepared yourself in this way? It is up to us, as believers, to defend the Christian faith. In the world today there are more and more people who don’t believe in our Lord, the God of the Bible. One could almost say they hate our Lord Jesus, and mock us for believing in Him. On top of this we have so many false teachings floating around. False teachers that promote false doctrines, leading people astray, either on purpose or through ignorance. The way to stand up for our Lord Jesus is by studying the Scriptures and understanding the most important doctrines of Redemption, of God, of Man, of Christ and the Holy Spirit, of …, and its practical value for living the Christian life. Being able to discern the truth from falsehood. We will be able to defend our faith in debates or arguments. “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). This should always be done in love with “gentleness and respect”, never involving any quarrelsome attitude or disrespect. Have I prepared myself in this way? I’m truly trying my best, but being a late starter, I have a long way still to go.

Q2. (Acts 9:9-19) God seemed to initiate Saul's conversion. How did God use Ananias in ministry to Saul? How important is listening and obedience in ministry - even when we don't understand? Are you prepared if God were to call you to minister to a high-profile person in His Kingdom? Yes, God had wonderful plans for Saul. He is to be the apostle to the Gentiles. We see God using Ananias, one of the ordinary believers in Damascus, to visit Saul. Ananias explains the purpose of his visit calling him “Brother Saul”. This was a touching display of Christian grace and love, expressing full fellowship with the new convert. He lays hands on Saul that he might receive his sight and that he might be filled with the Holy Spirit. God knows what He is doing! If we receive clear instructions and these don’t contradict the Word, then we are to trust the Lord, and proceed even if we don’t understand. And even if called to minister to a high-profile person in His Kingdom.

Q1. (Acts 9:4-5) Why is persecuting the Church the same as persecuting Jesus Himself? What is the bond between Jesus and His Church? Why must we show reverence toward Christ's Church and not disparage it? Saul had watched the growth of the Christian faith, and saw it as a threat to his own religion. So, he was on a mission to destroy this wicked sect. And when Jesus asks him the penetrating question: “Why do you persecute Me?” Saul realised that Jesus identifies Himself with the believers Saul is seeking to destroy. Jesus and His disciples are one (Mat 10:40; 25:45), for they are members of His body (Eph 5:30). In other words, persecuting the Church is the same as persecuting Jesus Himself. That is, what Saul has been doing to the Christians, he has perpetrated against Jesus. The Church is the body of Christ, of which He is the head. “God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the Church, which is His body, the fulness of Him who fills everything in every way” (Eph 1:22-23). The body of Christ is made up of all believers in Jesus Christ from the day of Pentecost until Christ’s return. For this reason, we are not to belittle, mock, or ridicule it.

6. Could the man have followed Jesus without divesting himself of what he held dear? Can you? Can anyone? Nothing is impossible with the help of the Holy Spirit. God can take any person and remove their love of riches/money/material wealth, and by divine grace substitute it with the love for Him. There have been many wealthy people mentioned in the Bible, who belonged to God, Abraham and Solomon are examples, and down the centuries there have also been rich people who were true Christians. So, the rich young ruler could land up following Jesus without divesting himself of his possessions. This is of course only possible if his riches do not come between himself and his commitment to God. This is the same for myself and anyone else. We all serve our Heavenly Father by using our money/wealth/riches/possessions to bring honour and glory to Him.

5. Why does Jesus tell him to sell all his possessions? Is this something Jesus requires of everyone? If not, why single out this man? The reason Jesus told the young man to sell all his possessions, was that He noticed it was the man’s possessions that were standing in the way of him attaining eternal life. Does Jesus require this of everyone? No, I don’t think so. This might be His will for some of us, but in general Jesus was saying we are to get rid of anything that has become more important to us than God. In the case of the young ruler, Jesus knew that the man’s possessions were the most important thing in his life, and that he was living a selfish life with no real love for others. This young man was possessed by the love of money and he would not let go. 6. Why did Jesus designate the poor to be the recipients of the man's wealth, do you think? Jesus knew the heart and mind of the young man, and found that there was no love for his neighbour in his heart. So, Jesus told him “You still lack one thing”, this even though outwardly he had everything - riches, an outwardly righteous life, respect, and prestige. The man had everything but knew that he did not have eternal life - so he really had nothing. If he had really kept these commandments he said he had, then he would have sold all his possessions and distributed them to the poor. He only lived for himself with no regard for his neighbour or any real love for others - he did not love his neighbour as himself. Jesus was proved right when He told the man to distribute his wealth to the poor, he became very sorrowful, because he was very rich. Jesus had challenged the man to love God more than money and possessions, but he failed hopelessly.

4. Why does Jesus tell him to sell all his possessions? Is this something Jesus requires of everyone? If not, why single out this man? The reason Jesus told the young man to sell all his possessions, was that He noticed it was the man’s possessions that were standing in the way of him attaining eternal life. Does Jesus require this of everyone? No, I don’t think so. This might be His will for some of us, but in general Jesus was saying we are to get rid of anything that has become more important to us than God. In the case of the young ruler, Jesus knew that the man’s possessions were the most important thing in his life, and that he was living a selfish life with no real love for others. This young man was possessed by the love of money and he would not let go.

3. Why does Jesus challenge the man's seemingly innocent form of address: "Good teacher"? What is Jesus' point? Why does Jesus interrupt answering the man's question to make a big thing about something so small? It was most unusual for a rabbi to be called “good”; they were usually called “teacher”. Jews reserved the word good for God. “Good and upright is the LORD” (Psalm 25:8); “Taste and see that the LORD is good” (Psalm 34:8); “You, Lord, are forgiving and good” (Psalm 86:5); “Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good” (Psalm 106:1). This is the reason why Jesus asked the young man what he meant, for if he really believed that Jesus was “good”, then he had to confess that Jesus was God. But we see from his behaviour that he did not believe that Jesus Christ was God. For in the presence of Almighty God, he would not have spoken about his character and the law, and then refuse to follow Jesus giving up all his possessions. He would also have known that God sees the heart and knows all things.

2. What do we learn about Jesus from this encounter? What does this account tell us about Him? On every occasion when an individual came to the Lord Jesus Christ, He showed interest in them. And here with the rich young ruler, Jesus shows the same constant love, patience and welcoming. He listened as the rich man asked about inheriting eternal life. We know that the only way to enter the kingdom of God is through Jesus (John 14:6), Jesus loves us and invites us to come to Him, to be saved; for this to occur we have to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4). “Not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Pet 3:9). So far in this gospel He taught us amongst many other things, that He is to be our first priority (9:59-60); that the cost of discipleship is high (14:27); that it requires our total surrender (14:33); and that we cannot serve both God and money (16:33). And so it is in this encounter, Jesus requires absolute trust, complete confidence, and total self-surrender to Him. He teaches us how to share the gospel with good people - those who believe in God and live decent lives. Warning us that wealth gives us a false sense of success and security, and when we are satisfied with ourselves, we feel no need for God. This is what He was telling the rich man, even adding “come, follow Me”. He will guide us and give us opportunities to respond, but He will not force us to come to Him. To follow Jesus demands radical surrender, and not the shallow levels of commitment we often come across today. And as we see, without this the rich man could not be expected to sell all he had and give the proceeds to the poor.