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Q1. (Luke 13:19-21) What is the point of the Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven? To teach us that from small beginnings great things come about. How would this be encouraging to Jesus' disciples who had expected an instant Messianic Kingdom? Jesus, by His powerful teaching and also by the miracles He performed, had convinced these disciples that He was the Messiah. These two parables taught them that despite small and seemingly insignificant beginnings, and the overwhelming task ahead, the gospel will prevail. God

Q1. How were Old Testament sacrifices a way of God showing grace and mercy to his people? We all have sinned, and the wages of sin is death. We therefore all deserve to die in our sin. Today Jesus fulfils all the required sacrifices for sin. But in the Old Testament, instead of every one dying because of their sin, God through His grace and mercy, allowed animals to be sacrificed in their place.

Q1.(Ephesians 5:21-24) What does "submission" mean in regards to the Church's relationship to Christ? The church is to voluntarily subordinate itself to Christ. Jesus Christ is above all. What does your own submission to Christ mean in practical experience? I also voluntarily subordinate myself to Christ. It is through my reverence for Christ that I humble myself, willingly serve others. What would a congregation look like that actually took seriously submitting its corporate life to Christ? There would be complete submission and obedience to Christ. Only the Word, God

Q6. According to Ephesians 4:13-16, what is the purpose of constructing a healthy local congregation? To have eventual unity of purpose

Q5. (Judges 8:28-31) How does Gideon influence Israel during his life? In his victory over, and relentless pursuit of the Midianites he showed his obedience to God. But his making the ephod was a mistake which ensnared him, his family, and the whole nation. He declined kingship yet he lived a lavish lifestyle of a king. His many wives and seventy sons all give the impression of living a life of luxury. Ironically, his son

Q5.(Ephesians 4:11) From a strategic point of view, why is it vital that pastors focus on "equipping the saints for the work of ministry" rather than on serving as paid chaplains to the flock? There is just so much a pastor can do as a single person. If he, however, equips each one in his congregation to do the work of the ministry, we can just imagine how much more powerful this would be. Each member is empowered to be of service. What actions might this equipping involve? They have to be taught the absolute truth as found in the Bible. To be able to function properly they have to understand the major doctrines of Scripture and how to apply it in daily life. Then they have to be taught how to serve the community in humbleness, and gentleness, with patience and love. In what ways is "equipping ... for ministry" similar to what Jesus did when he trained his disciples? I find the above similar to what Jesus taught His disciples.

Q4. (Matthew 6:12, 14-15) How could praying the Lord's Prayer become a curse upon a person? Every time we pray

Q4.(Ephesians 4:11) How do pastors and teachers work to build up the Body? They guide and enrich us with the Word. They are there to help keep us on the narrow road with their wisdom, encouragement, correction, and comforting. Do you recognize anyone in your church who has a pastoral or teaching ministry who is not an ordained clergyperson? Yes. We are in between pastors and in the interim several believers have taken on the responsibility of teaching us. All of them are doing an outstanding job and have taken their responsibility seriously. What effect do they have upon the Body? Our new pastor will be taking office in a few months time, in the meantime these men together with the elders are keeping the church fully functional. What do small group leaders and Sunday school teachers do to build the Body? They perform a valuable service in explaining the Word to the different Bible study groups. The Sunday school teachers, of course keep our youth informed

Q4. How does Jesus' voluntarily laying down his life for you encourage you? I am forever grateful knowing my eternal future is secure. How does it speak to your value and worth as a person? This speaks of Jesus

My Psalm of praise. I praise you my Lord for your greatness I praise you my Lord for your righteousness I praise you my Lord for your faithfulness I praise you my Lord for your promises I praise you my Lord for your grace and mercy I praise you my Lord for your kindness I praise you my Lord for your generosity I praise you my Lord for your eternal love I sing praises to your holy name. I praise you Lord, you are my maker I praise you Lord, you are my shepherd I praise you Lord, you are my rescuer I praise you Lord, you are my fortress I praise you Lord, you are my rock I praise you Lord, you are my strength I praise you Lord, you are my song I praise you Lord, you are my salvation For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise.

Q4. (Judges 8:24-27) What is a snare? A trap. In what way does Gideon's ephod ensnare his family and the people of Israel? The focus is now on the ephod and not our Lord. The ephod has become an idol, much the same as the idols they had worshipped before the war with the Midianites

Q3. (Matthew 18:34-35) Why does Jesus frighten us with his statement: "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you..."? We as His children have had all our sins forgiven by faith in Jesus Christ. Therefore when someone sins against him, he ought to be willing to forgive

Q3.(Ephesians 4:11) What does an evangelist in a local congregation look like, in your experience? How does a local church evangelist function? How does he or she build up the Body? They are engaged in spreading the gospel and the good news of salvation. A good example would be the missionaries that churches send out. They build up the Body by winning souls for Jesus; helping to expand the churches. They are good examples to the congregation on how to go about evangelising.

Q3. Look at the verses above which include both the word "give" and a preposition that means "in behalf of." According to these verses, what was the purpose of Jesus giving himself in sacrifice? Jesus is the living bread

Q3. (Judges 8:24-27) Why is spiritual unfaithfulness looked at as prostitution or adultery? Israel was looked upon as God

Q3. (Psalm 98) What are the reasons given for praise in Psalm 98? He reigns and has done marvellous things in saving Israel by His power; He has provided salvation; He has revealed His righteousness and will judge the world bringing salvation and justice. Why do you think praise is so exuberant in this psalm? All creation will rejoice when the King comes to rule over all. How exuberant is praise in your congregation, in your life? I cannot wait for the Second Coming of my Lord and Saviour!! Why or why not is it exuberant? We live in a crime ridden world with morals decaying by the minute. Corruption is rife and criminals have free reign. Come Lord Jesus. Come!

Q2. (1 John 4:2-3) Why does Christianity insist on a physical birth, physical suffering, and a resurrection of the physical body? As Christians we acknowledge the full humanity and full deity of our Lord. In this world, physical birth is real, and Jesus really was born; physical suffering is real, and Jesus really did suffer; death is real, and Jesus really did die. None of this was symbolic. In the end He conquered death by His resurrection. How would our faith be different if Christ hadn't fully entered the human condition? We know that Jesus Christ always has been, is, and will be the Son of God. He came from heaven to redeem his people, and to do this He took upon himself our humanity, but still remained truly divine. He had promised that after His death He would rise from the dead on the third day. If this did not occur then He would be an imposter, and not worthy of our trust. Our faith would be dead; for if the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ had not occurred there would be no salvation. But we know our Lord did rise bodily from the dead and He did ascend in His glorified body to heaven. We also know that He will return at God's appointed day in the same body in which he ascended.

Q2. (Matthew 18:23-35) In the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant, what is the purpose of contrasting the huge debt with the small one? To show us that certain debts cannot be repaid. It is only by His grace and mercy that the debt could be paid in full and we be granted full and free forgiveness. If we were to put ourselves in the parable, which debt would we owe? All of us being sinful we would be in huge debt

Q2.(Ephesians 4:11) How did (do) apostles and prophets build up the Body, in your opinion? I think that the Church was built on the foundation of both the apostles and prophets, with our Lord Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone; as read in Ephesians 2:20. The Apostles spread the Gospel message with the authority given by Jesus. NT prophets were also involved in the foundation of the Church and they were mainly to provide edification, exhortation, and comfort; as read in 1 Cor 14:3.

Q2. (Psalm 95) In Psalm 95 we are commanded to worship the Lord. What are the reasons why we should worship contained in this psalm? We are to worship Him for He is the Great God, and King above all the idolatrous gods. He is the Creator of all; our Maker, and we are His people. Why do you think the warning in verses 8-11 is included in this psalm? If it was not for the hardened hearts of the Israelis they would also be worshipping Him for leading them into green pastures, protected, and provided for. Our Lord was angry because they tried and tested Him with their ingratitude and stubbornness. How does this fit with the earlier elements of the psalm? In this psalm we are told how to worship. The act of worship besides coming before God with thanksgiving in our hearts, also entails surrender and submission. Verse 8-11 is included as a warning against hard and disobedient hearts. It is worship that we will find our hearts softening.

Q2. (Judges 8:24-27) What does Gideon ask for his reward? Each soldier was to give Gideon a gold earring from their plunder. Was Gideon wrong to take a reward? No. The soldiers only reward was their plunder. So Gideon was entitled to ask for some payment. Where did the sin begin? It began when Gideon made an ephod, an apron like garment from all the gold he had collected. This reminds me of Aaron and the Golden Calf made out of earrings we read about in Exodus 32:2-4.

Q1. (Matthew 18:21-22) Jesus says we must forgive 77 times or 490 times. Should we take these numbers literally or figuratively? Figuratively. If figurative, what are they figurative of? Forgive without ceasing

Q1. (Psalm 150) What does this psalm teach us about praise? The reason for our existence is to praise the Lord. Where should praise occur? Everywhere. Both here on earth and in Heaven. With what should praise be conducted? With music and song

Q1. (Judges 8:22-23) Why does Gideon refuse to be king over Israel? Gideon knew that their victory was entirely God

Q1. (1 Peter 2:24) Why do you think the Apostle Peter emphasized Jesus' physical body, when he talks about sin-bearing? Peter is emphasizing Jesus