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Q2. How did Abraham demonstrate his humility before God? Why must boldness be tempered with humility? Abraham continually prayed to God acknowledging his humble position before God. Mentioning that he was

Q1. What is the basis of Abraham's argument that God should spare Sodom? How does it relate to God's character? Abraham appealed for Sodom on the basis of God

Q1. (Exodus 3:1-15) What does God's name Yahweh reveal about his person and his power? How would an understanding of Yahweh's name contrast him with the idols worshipped by the Egyptians? The name Yahweh proclaims God as self-existent, self-sufficient, eternal, and sovereign. I AM WHO I AM or I AM BECAUSE I AM or I WILL BE THAT I WILL BE. This is in contrast to the Egyptian idols who were lifeless, temporal, and man made. Or perhaps created by our Lord, like the stars, sun or moon.

Q1. (2 Peter 1:13-15) Why does our culture avoid talking about death? How is describing your earthly body as a "tent" freeing and motivating? What is the significance of Peter referring to his death as a "departure" or "exodus"? Talking about death is very difficult for most people and even socially taboo among my culture. There are perhaps several factors why this should be. The uncertainty and being scared about what happens after death, being just one factor. Then there is the concern of what happens before we die - how will we die? Will it be a prolonged illness or will it occur suddenly as in an accident? There is also the feeling of sadness when discussing the subject of death. Better not to discuss it, and so avoid this feeling of sorrow. Our lives are just like a tent, all over too soon and no permanency. As believers we realise this and look forward to spending eternity with our Lord and Saviour. This motivates us not to be too

Q1. (Philemon 12) Why does Paul send Onesimus back to Philemon where he can lose his freedom again? Why is it necessary for Paul to do this? Why is it necessary for Onesimus to do this? Legally, Philemon owned Onesimus, and could have him imprisoned as a runaway slave. So Paul was obliged to return Onesimus to his owner. Now that Onesimus was a Christian, he would be better off going back to Philemon. Both being believers, Onesimus himself would be expected to serve with Christian faithfulness, while Philemon would treat his slave with kindness. As a new Christian, Onesimus was expected to settle all unpaid accounts and to make right all wrongs. Therefore, he had to return to his former master whom he had wronged.

Q5. How should the knowledge that the battle is the Lord's affect the way we approach life? In what way do both timidity and brashness get it wrong? Are there any instances in which the Lord will not fight our battles? I often think if I only remembered the battles are not mine to fight, and had only left them to God for Him to win the battle, I would have done things differently, not in my strength but in His, and the outcome would have been perfect. Instead of me messing things up. This does not mean I can relax. I have to be vigilant and prepared for any attack. This I do by putting on the full armour of God. It is important to study and meditate on the Word

Q4. (Exodus 17:9-16) In what sense was Moses' rod like a signal pole in this battle? In what sense is the LORD our banner in the battles we face? I think Moses

Q4. How can prayer change God's mind without conflicting with the doctrine of the Immutability of God? Can God answer a prayer for something outside of the scope of his will? God

Q4. (2 Peter 1:10) Why is Christian character an essential indicator of being saved or rescued by Christ? What Biblical assurance of salvation can you offer the fruitless, barren "believer"? When we demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, this is an essential indicator, and unmistakable evidence that we truly belong to Him. A holy life proves the reality of our salvation. Our election took place before creation, and our call when we became converted. So our salvation is sure; our past, present, and future sins are forgiven. This does not mean we can be complacent about living a truly Christian life. If truly saved we will want to please our Lord and we will want to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. There will be slipups now and then because of our rebellious nature, but in general we will see an improvement over time as God takes off all the rough edges, and makes us more like His Son.

Q4. (Colossians 4:17) Why do you think Archippus was singled out in verse 17? If you could invent a story of his role in the Colossian church, how would you describe Archippus? In what ways does he remind you of yourself? Archippus was singled out because he had to perform a vital task in the Colossian church. Epaphras, who started the Colossian church is with Paul in Rome. Archippus has been given the task of being the interim preacher/leader. He is like Timothy still a young man, and inexperienced. So Paul is encouraging him to attend to the ministry he has been given. At the same time asking the congregation to support and be helpful towards him. Paul mentions that the task Archippus has to perform was given to him by the Lord, and he has to perform and complete it with the strength given by the Lord. I note that each one of us has been given some service to do for the Lord, and one day we will be required to give an account of what we have done with it.

Q3. (Matthew 26:53) Why did Jesus not call on the heavenly host in the Garden of Gethsemane? What happens when does he does call on the heavenly hosts? (Revelation 19:11-16) It was God

Q3. How can a wrong understanding of determinism and predestination keep us from the kind of gutsy prayer that Moses prayed? What do you call a belief that our prayers make no difference to God's response? A wrong understanding of determinism and predestination will paralyse our prayer life. We can then easily start to believe that prayer has no effect whatever, and start thinking - so why pray? This belief that prayers make no difference to God

Q3. (2 Peter 1:7) Why do we imagine that "agape love" is easier than loving church members? If we avoid church because of our hurts at the hands of church members, can we mature fully in Christ? Why or why not? I battled with this. I was inclined to think of all Christians as perfect, forgetting that they are sinners just like me. When hurt by church members I used to immediately want to change churches. Until I learned to overlook their various faults, just as I hoped others would overlook my faults. Also it was not up to me to judge others; remembering the verse in Matthew 7:1, when Jesus said: "Judge not, that you be not judged.

Q3. (Colossians 4:5-6) What instructions does Paul give us in sharing our faith with non-believers? Why, do you think, we sometimes let opportunities slip by? How will our conversation being "full of grace" help us represent Christ well? Paul warns us to be extra careful about our every day behaviour. Unbelievers always look carefully at us; hoping to catch us out and accuse us of being hypocrites. It has been well said,

Q2. (2 Kings 6:13-17) Why was Elisha's servant afraid? What was the difference between Elisha and his servant? What does it take for our eyes to be opened? How can 1 John 4:4 strengthen you in your spiritual battle? Elisha

Q2. What aspects of Moses' prayer of intercession should we emulate in our own prayers? Upon what logical grounds does Moses offer this bold appeal to God? What do you think it means to "pray the promises of God"? How does knowing the Bible help you get your prayers answered? How does this help our prayers be within God's will? We should intercede on the basis of God

Q2. (2 Peter 1:6) Why is a disciplined devotional life important to you? What happens when you forget or don't have time? What Christian disciplines do you employ to help you open your spirit to God's Spirit? I have found that if I

Q2. (Colossians 4:3-4) What prayer request does Paul ask of the Colossian believers? What does it mean to pray for an "open door."? Why does he ask for prayer in communicating the gospel? Isn't he an "old hand" at this? Why does he need help? Paul asks the Colossian believers to pray for him, and for his co-workers. By asking God to

Q1. (Joshua 5:13-15) Why did the Commander say he was on neither side? What is the significance of this? What did Joshua feel like during this encounter? How did he feel after this encounter? God is sovereign and it is never a question whether God is on our side but whether we are on God

Q1. Read Exodus 32:1-14. What had the people done that was so bad? How can a loving God be angry? Is God's sentence to destroy Israel and raise up a new nation through Moses justified? The people had made a physical image of a god which is pure idolatry. Instead of acknowledging God as their Saviour from Egypt, they gave all the honour to the lifeless calf. Throughout Scripture we read about Israel

Q1. (2 Peter 1:5-6) Which of these virtues so far has been the easiest for you to move into? Which has been the hardest for you? Why? Of the 5 virtues mentioned in these verses (5-6), I cannot truly single out one that has been the easiest or hardest to add to my faith. They all require a certain degree of desire, determination, and discipline on my part, and I have struggled with each one during my Christian walk. With the help of the Holy Spirit I have managed to supplement my faith with these elements of holiness, not adding these one after another, but working on all the graces all the time. I

Q1. (Colossians 4:2) What guidelines does Paul give us to form our praying habits? If you put these into practice fully, how would they affect your prayer life? What problems would they help correct? We are to persist in our prayers, to pray earnestly. Also to be vigilant, and alert when we pray. Not only to watch against sleep, but also against wandering thoughts, and listlessness. Then again, our prayers are to be thankful. Not only for answers to prayer, but also for those He did not answer, knowing that He knows what is best for us. The best is to pray in simple faith, leaving aside our intellectual doubts. By putting these into practice fully, I have come to the understanding that I should be praying much more than I have in the past. These guidelines, therefore, will help me to spend more quality time with the Lord in prayer.

Q4. (2 Peter 1:4) How can strong desires erode our faith and corrupt our lives? What strong desires can build our faith? What does a strong desire for God have to do with the "knowledge" of God, or "knowing" God? How are God's promises and evil desires at odds with each other? How does one build and the other erode our faith? Evil desires and **** draw us away from God. We become more and more focused on these desires and consequently less and less on our relationship with our Lord. This results in the weakening of our faith and eventually corrupts our lives. It is only when we constantly study His Word, and desire to be in His presence that we become stronger and stronger against anything that draws us away from our God. We must strive to have a personal relationship with our Lord; we must get to know Him intimately, and not only know about Him. This we can only achieve by earnestly studying His Word and being often in prayer. Jesus has promised to send the Holy Spirit to help us. This He has done, and it is with the help of the Holy Spirit that we become more and more like Jesus every day.

Q4. Meditate on the titles "King of Glory" (Psalm 24:7-10) and "Father of glory" (Ephesians 1:17). What do they tell us about God? How should they affect our attitudes as we worship God? According to 2 Corinthians 3:18, how does God's glory come to fill our lives? God

Q4. Why should we continually ask forgiveness? How can unforgiveness on our part block God's blessing? How can unforgiveness block God's forgiveness? When we sin, we incur debt and we become guilty and accountable before God. Therefore we are to continually ask for forgiveness if fellowship with our Heavenly Father is to be maintained. If we are unwilling to forgive others who have wronged us, how can we ever expect God to forgive us our wrongdoings. An unforgiving spirit reveals one who does not understand the forgiveness made available in Christ. We who are believers will be forgiving, just as God is forgiving. We read In Matthew 18, Jesus gives an extended parable to drive home the importance of forgiveness. Peter asked Jesus how often he should forgive his brother when his brother sins against him. Peter thought seven times was a pretty good amount to forgive. Jesus told him to forgive seventy times seven. In other words, do not even keep track of the times you forgive. By our forgiveness we acknowledge our trust in Jesus and our dependency upon God. We will want to demonstrate this forgiveness in our attitudes toward others.