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Q2. What does faithfulness have to do with trustworthiness and keeping one's word? What does the Faithful God inspire in you? Why must faithfulness be part of our character as believers? God

Q1. Why was God's willingness to forgive essential to Israel's survival in the wilderness? Was Israel contrite after turning away from the Lord in Exodus 34? What is so amazing about God's forgiveness? Without God

Q5. What do we miss in our understanding of God if we remove the metaphor of Father and Son from our church vocabulary? Which feminine metaphors of God especially help you understand God's nature? To me our Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus will always be there for me. I don

Q4. (2:4) What danger is Nehemiah in? Why does he pray quickly and silently before he answers the king? How does this quick "arrow prayer" relate to the four months of prayer he has just finished? Nehemiah had to tread carefully as a cup-bearer, kings of that time were afraid of being poisoned, and any signs of agitation or actions out of the ordinary would be regarded as suspicious. Also any negative emotions before the king might suggest dissatisfaction with the king. All this could place his position or even his life in jeopardy. So Nehemiah knew that his request to the king was a bold one, so he quickly prays an

Q4. In what sense was God the Husband of Israel? What is the New Testament extension of this metaphor? What causes God jealousy? God is the Husband of Israel, and as a nation they belong to God, and He expects and demands 100% loyalty

Q3. (1:11) In what way does Daniel's situation compared to Esther's. Why does God place his people in strategic positions today in the community, in business, in the military, in government? What responsibilities do we have to God that can cause danger to our positions and our lives? Has this ever happened to you? How do you pray in situations like this? Both Daniel and Esther are placed strategically by having direct access to their king. Both had to face their king with caution and trepidation; but through prayer God had prepared the way and both had their prayers answered positively. God is in complete control of this universe and in His infinite wisdom knows exactly what He is doing as He directs the course of history. Our responsibility is to seek the Father

Q3. In what sense are Jesus and the Father one? In what way was Jesus distinct from the Father? Is Jesus God in the sense that the Father is God? Both Jesus and the Father are one in the sense that both are fully God and both are eternal, omnipresent, omnipotent, infinitely wise, infinitely holy, infinitely loving, omniscient, and so forth. Jesus Himself mentioned

Q2. (1:7-11) What is the basis of Nehemiah's appeal? How does he argue his case before God? What do we learn from this about intercession? Nehemiah confesses that he and the nation of Israel have disobeyed God

Q2. How was the intimate way that Jesus taught his disciples about God as "Abba" and "Father" different from the Jews' understanding of God as Father? How does God as Abba influence your relationship with him? The Jews understood that God was the Father of their nation. Jesus is speaking about a new relationship, a personal relationship we can have with our Heavenly Father. We read in John 1:12,

Q1. (1:1-6) Why does Nehemiah pray day and night for four months? Why does he fast and weep? Isn't that excessive? Nehemiah

Q1. What does the concept of "father" teach us about God, especially the formal way which the word is used in the Old Testament? According to the quote from Otfried Hofius above, which two aspects of a father underlie our understanding of Father in the Old Testament? How should they affect our behavior? In both: Isa 63:16

Q4. (9:15-19) What was Daniel's essential prayer? What are the various grounds of Daniel's appeal? How did God answer the prayer (see Daniel 9:20-23)? Daniel

Q3. (9:5) Since Daniel is such a righteous man in his generation, why does he identify himself with the sins of his people? He didn't commitment them. How does this compare to how Jesus sought forgiveness for his people? Daniel prays earnestly and acknowledges the greatness and goodness of God. Daniel identifies himself with the sins of Israel; he confesses we and not they. He realises that compared to God we all fall short, and he himself is a sinner.

Q4. Meditate on the concept of God as a Spring of Living Water or a Fountain of Living Water for you. What does this say about God? About your thirst? About your future? Visualizing the concept of a Fountain of Living Water, I see a source of pure, fresh, and never ceasing spring water. And this as being a symbol of everlasting life or salvation, and life-giving blessings, with Jesus as the source of this Living Water. Also I note that He gives this to all who ask; as a free gift to all who put their trust in Him.

Q3. Why do we sometimes resist calling on God to be our Helper? Why do we try to do it ourselves first? What is required of us if God is to be a Helper and Shepherd to us? I think it is because we like to be in control of things, and perhaps also because of our pride, we try to do things by ourselves. However, I know as soon as we have messed things up we turn to God our Helper. It is then that we need Him. Otherwise, when things are going well financially and health wise, and with our family relationships, then we think there is no need to call on our Heavenly Father. Rather, in times of good and bad it is best to surrender all to Him, He is after all our Heavenly Father and will always be there for us.

Q2. (9:3-4a) What is Daniel's demeanour as he prays? How does he prepare? Why is this so important in this case? In what ways might you and I prepare for intercession? Daniel shows determination in this prayer. His prayer was in the will of God, and was not motivated by any selfish desire. He comes humbly before our mighty God, knowing that he can only plead for mercy for his people. He prepared with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes

Q1. (9:1-3) What encourages Daniel to seek God for the forgiveness and restoration of Israel to its homeland? What trait on Daniel's part brings this encouragement to pass? Jeremiah had predicted that Israel

Q2. (Psalm 23) Can you remember any times when God has cared for you as a Shepherd - in times of blessing and in times of trouble? What are you facing right now where you realize your need to rely on God as your Shepherd? Yes, looking back on my life I have seen His loving hand guiding, leading, protecting, providing, and comforting me so often along the way. I was not always aware of it in the past, and perhaps took His love for granted. I find that now, after having been a Christian for a number of years, that I

Q1. (Genesis 22:1-14) Do you think Abraham was really expecting God to provide a sacrifice, or that was just what he told Isaac? What support do you have for your position? Did you ever receive a last-minute provision from God? In what circumstances can we expect God to supply our needs? Any conditions? I think this was a real test of faith, to see how much Abraham would obey God

Q4. (139:23-24) Why is this prayer of surrender to God so difficult to pray? When was the first time you prayed this kind of prayer to God? What was the result? Can a person be a genuine disciple without praying this kind of prayer? I think we want to be in control of our lives, and it is very difficult to surrender all to God. We need to pray this not because we think we are living a righteous life and have no sin. It is because we have drawn close to our Heavenly Father and in His presence we are so aware of our own sinfulness, and are scared of any hidden evildoings or thoughts we have made. We ask that these wicked ways be exposed so that we can confess them and they may be forgiven. Finally we also pray for God to lead and guide us into eternal life with Him. I must say, it was only after a long time as a Christian that it ever occurred to me to pray this prayer. Only now as I

Q4. (Psalm 121). What does it mean that God is our Keeper. In what ways does he "keep" or "guard" us? It means that our Almighty God, Creator of the Universe, our Heavenly Father, is personally involved in our safety and security

Q3. In what ways is God a Rock in the above verses. What functions does a rock perform in Palestine? God is described as a Rock because of the stability and security He provides. The use of this Rock acts as a fortress, a high place of refuge and defence to which we can flee for protection. The Lord is my Rock. In Palestine one finds rocks of elevated height, and in times of danger they provided places of safety from enemies. They acted like a fortress, a place so strengthened that enemies could not approach it. Such fortresses were often constructed on the rocks or on hills, where people would be safe.

Q3. (139:13-16) How does an awareness of God's involvement in your prenatal development meant to encourage you? What might this mean to a young woman carrying a child? A young father-to-be? Why is such knowledge overwhelming to us? It makes me look on in awe at our infinite Creator. It encourages me to know that our Lord is in control. He created the complexity and wonderment of the human body. Similarly, the mother-to-be marvels at the development of the child in her womb. She ponders about many things; perhaps the colour of the eyes and hair, the facial looks, and what natural abilities the child will have. The same again with the father-to-be; he thinks about the intricacies of the developing foetus. It is a miracle, all too much for our finite minds to fathom!

Q2. (Psalm 3:3) In what ways is God a shield? He protects us from all harm and all evil. In what ways is he our glory? He gives us honour and dignity. In what ways is he "the lifter up of my head"? God encourages and exalts us. What does this teach us about God? About ourselves? This teaches me that our Heavenly Father is always there for us and that we cannot live or function properly without Him

Q1. (Psalm 91) What is the protected one required to do in times of danger (verses 1-2, 9). What metaphors are used of God's protection in this psalm? Rest in the shadow of the Almighty; Trust in God; Dwell in the Most High. Shelter, shadow, refuge, fortress, cover with feathers, His wings, faithfulness, shield, rampart, dwelling, guard, protector. http://www.joyfulheart.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=435