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Q5.(Ephesians 2:22) In what ways should your congregation be "a dwelling place for God in the Spirit"? It is through union with Christ that our congregation becomes a dwelling place for God

4.(Ephesians 2:20-21) How do "the apostles and prophets" contribute to your life today? They provide a firm foundation - the Scriptures. To the life of your congregation? Here again the Scriptures are our firm foundation. In what way should Jesus Christ serve as a cornerstone to your congregation? Jesus is the foundation;

Q4. (1 Corinthians 11:26) In what way is the Lord's Supper a proclamation? It is an announcement, announcing Jesus

Q5. (Judges 7:5-6) What significance, if any, do you see in selecting the "lappers" from the "kneelers"? I don

Q4. What does Jesus teach us about the value and worth of the Kingdom? It is of immense value

Exercise. For one of the psalms in this lesson - or another psalm with a similar theme - do one of the suggested exercises to help you experience the Psalms. These include such things as praying a psalm, meditating, reading to a shut-in, paraphrasing, writing your own psalm, singing, preparing a liturgy, and memorizing. Then report to the forum what the exercise meant to you personally or share what you've written with others. I shared Psalms 42, 43, and 63 with my wife. We made it part of our

Q3. (Psalm 63) Why is recognition that God loves you the basis of all faith? What does this realization bring about in your life? God is love, we read this in 1 John 4:8,

Q3. Why is our remembrance of Christ's death so important? This reminds us that He died for our sins, and soon He will be coming again. How He suffered for me, not only strengthens my faith but makes me eternally grateful for His love and mercy shown towards a sinner like me. What happens to Christianity if we neglect remembering in this way? The resurrection and Ascension of Christ is absolutely pivotal to the Christian faith and by not remembering it we can forget about its importance. What happens to us personally when we forget Christ's death? It will be so easy to backslide and not appreciate the magnitude of what Jesus did for us on the Cross.

3.(Ephesians 2:19b) What does the phrase "members of God's household" tell us about the nature of the Church and about the nature of God? The Church is a family and God is the Head of the family

Q4. Why do we demand that God's directions make sense to us before we'll follow them? What's the spiritual danger here? We want to remain in control. It also means we don

Q3. (Mark 10:22) Why is poverty and self-sacrifice an inadequate religion? Our salvation is only available to us if we put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and poverty or self-sacrifice cannot earn our salvation. It is a free gift given by grace. Why does Jesus ask the man to follow him? Jesus ask the man to follow Him to Jerusalem and the Cross. The way to eternal life was in turning from trust in self-achievements and earthly wealth and to rather put his trust in Jesus. In what senses was this a great privilege that the man was offered? Imagine joining Jesus on His journeys, even perhaps becoming a disciple! What a privilege and blessing to be with and taught by our Lord Himself! Why did he reject the offer? He lacked total commitment to God; he was trying to serve two masters at once

Q3. (Judges 7:1-3) Why did God feel Gideon's army was too large? If they won the war against the Midianites they would take credit for the victory. Why was shrinking the army's size to a tiny band essential in restoring Israel's faith and allegiance? Israel with their attitude of self confidence and pride would take all the credit and refuse to give God the glory. Now with the smaller army, Israel could not take credit for any victory. Their victory would be entirely God

Q2. (Psalms 42-43). What is the psalmist feeling during this spiritual struggle? He is feeling downcast and depressed. How does he combat his spiritual depression? By talking to himself words of hope and praise. By remembering his past positive experiences with God, and by singing and praying day and night to God. Have you ever felt this way? No. How did you reach out to God at this time? I

Q2. (Judges 6:36-39) Why does Gideon put out a fleece before the Lord - twice? Gideon needed to be sure what God wanted. So he used the fleece as a test for conformation. Is this a sign of unbelief or of belief? In Gideon case I don

Q2. What was the purpose of the Passover meal for future generations? To celebrate the occasion when the Lord spared the first-born of the Israelites, those who had the blood of a lamb spread on their door frame, but struck down all the Egyptian first-born, both man and animal. Why was it to be repeated? It was commanded by our Lord, and it was to be a feast of remembrance. What was to be remembered? The deliverance of Israel from Egypt during the Exodus. What would have happened if the Jews had stopped remembering the Exodus? They would be disobeying a command God had given them

Q2. (Mark 10:21) Why do you think Jesus requires the rich young ruler to divest himself of his fortune? Jesus was saying that we cannot serve two masters. Either we serve God or money; we cannot have it both ways. The Lord Jesus did not mean that this man could have been saved by selling his possessions and giving the proceeds to the poor. Jesus meant that there is only one way of salvation, and that is by faith in the Lord. Why does this trouble us so much? We are very reluctant to part with our possessions; and become very attached to them. We just simply cannot surrender all to Jesus. If there was no other way for the man to be saved, what does that say about the spiritual dangers of wealth? With wealth comes power and all the other trappings, leaving us with no time for Jesus. We are saved by grace and no good works that money can buy will save us.

Q2.(Ephesians 2:19a) If we are fellow-citizens with the Jewish believers, what are we citizens of? We are citizens of God

Q1. (Psalm 27) What does it mean that David desires to "dwell in the house of the Lord"? David desires to live in the presence of the Lord each day of his life. What does it mean to "seek his face"? David seeks a personal hearing with God. That God will not reject his prayers but listen to them. How does David provide hope at the end of this Psalm? We are to fully trust our Heavenly Father. Wait on the Lord; be courageous; knowing He will strengthen our hearts. Be patient God will see us through any hardships.

Q1. (Ephesians 2:16-18) Why is "access to the Father" important? Without Him we are nothing; there will be no peace, and we will be without hope. Our future is bleak as there is no hope beyond the grave. In what way is access to the Father similar having diplomatic relations? We have been adopted into God

Q1. When repeated often, doesn't the Lord's Supper run the risk of becoming mundane and lose its meaning? Why did Jesus command its repetition? Yes, I would think this could easily happen. However, if we fathom the full meaning and what Christ has done for us, I doubt whether it could ever become a mundane ritual. Jesus gave the command to repeat this act until He comes not only to remember His sacrifice, but also by eating the elements it reminds us that Christ is really within us. Eating together also reminds us of our unity with other believers in Christ

Q1. (Matthew 13:44-46) What do the Parables of the Hidden Treasure and Pearl of Great Price have in common? What is the main point of these parables? How should it affect our values? Our lives? In both parables we notice that if we find something of inestimable value we will, or should, part with everything to obtain it. We will experience that same joy when we discover the Kingdom of God and its meaning for eternal life. Our joy will be so great, that we then, cannot do other than give up all else for the Kingdom. This is a full dedication to Christ and a joyous relationship with our Redeemer.

Q1. (Judges 6:33-35) What inspires Gideon to blow the battle horn and summon an army against the Midianites? The Holy Spirit inspires Gideon. Gideon is just an ordinary person, this he admits in Judges 6:15,

Psalm 8 Our Heavenly Father Your name above all Your glory over the universe. I wonder at your creation Our ever expanding universe. Then I ask: Why me Lord? Your love everlasting! I praise your name. Your name above all Your glory over the universe.

Q5. (Judges 6:25-31) What kind of leader has Gideon's father Joash been up to this point? Weak. Sitting on the fence by worshipping both pagan gods and Yahweh; depending upon circumstances. How does Gideon's action affect his father? It forces Joash to make a decision, either Baal or Yahweh. Because of strong family loyalties he chooses Yahweh. Shouldn't Gideon have considered the impact on his father? No! Having met the Lord he was determined to obey Him. Gideon

5.(Ephesians 3:20-21) Where does God's power work according to verse 20? In the heavenly realms; in each believer. How much power is at work there quantitatively? Immeasurable great power. Why isn't it more evident? Perhaps because of our sinfulness causing spiritual blindness, lack of knowledge, and lack of faith. How does exercising Christ's power on earth bring glory to God? As an example; when we have Christ in our hearts we display the fruit of the Spirit - unbelievers notice - and this brings glory to His precious name.