Jen

Q2. (Matthew 2:11a) What do we learn from seeing the Magi prostrating themselves before the child Jesus? What was the significance of this for them? How can we emulate this kind of worship? It is interesting that I don't read of the Magi bowing before Herod who was of a human kind powerful, yet they prostated themselves before this little Child. They knew in their hearts when they saw Jesus that He was the King. They who were rich themselves humbled themselves before the Child of a poor man and woman. Maybe there are several things to learn but I see that every knee shall bow before the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. They made themselves of no regard to worship the One who is important. The One who deserves that worship. The significance of this for them? This was a life changing "event" in their lives. All their riches and position meant nothing before the Christ. They had open hearts and minds and searched for Him and God granted their desire. WOW!! What a Friend we have in Jesus. Everyday we can bow down and thank Jesus for what He has done for us. What a privilege! To God be the glory great things He has done! So loved He the world that He gave us His Son! Who yielded His life an atonement for sin, And opened the lifegate that all may go in. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q5. (Luke 2:17-20) Great joy, praise, curiosity, amazement, telling others, thoughtful meditation. Which of these responses to the Good News are present in your life? In what manner do they show themselves? If some are missing, why? What can you do to recover these responses? At some time these are all present although maybe not at the same time. I have found focusing on the greatness of God and not circumstances or health is necessary if there are those concerns. Prayer is necessary if I want to receive answers. I need to focus on a deeper prayer life. God wants to answer and He delights in our awe of Him. One hindrance I have is my health. But even when it is hard to read and concentrate I can still listen to hymns and praise music. I can remind myself of those scriptures commmited to memory. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q1. (Matthew 2:1-2; Numbers 24:17) What is the significance of the Star of Bethlehem that the Magi saw? Why do you think the Magi came to find the Christ-child when they saw the star? In what way was does prophecy prefigure this event? I believe the star was a supernatural star that pointed to Jesus. Why have we gone to the moon? I think there is a curiosity in men that drives them. God put that curiosity there and in this case I believe it motivated the magi to make a long and costly trip probably fraught with danger and hardship. They probably knew something of Jewish prophecy through Daniel when he was in Babylon. No doubt that because of Daniel's God given ability to interpret dreams he might have been a household name that spread and things he said and believed in would have been repeated also. I don't know that the magi were of the faith but through there study of astrology they would have known this was something different. And through there knowledge of prophecy from Jewish captives this journey would have been a rather compelling one to make. I'm not sure what is wanted here. How does prophecy prefigure any event? Prophecy is given by God to those He wants so they and we can know the truth. It is there in plain words. Most people box things in a pretty package that they can handle and don't want anything that will upset there preconceived notions of how things will be. ( I also can be guilty of this). God gives prophecy for a couple reasons I believe. One is so that His people will be able to discern if something is of Him and another is that His Name will be glorified on earth, not necessarily in this order. I believe His glory is first in anything and everything. We should be the first to give Him glory as we love Him. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q4. (Luke 2:11) What are the three titles of Jesus given by the angels? What does each mean? What does this tell us about Jesus' true identity? 1. Savior: one who saves, deliverer, preserver 2. Christ: annointed 3. Lord: owner, master Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. He is God come to deliver us from our sins. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q3. (Luke 2:7-8) Why do you think the message of Jesus' birth comes to shepherds, of all people? Why is Jesus born in a stable with a manger for a bed? This has to be intentional. What point is God making? I can't help but wonder if the message came to shepherds because Jesus is our Shepherd. Also perhaps they were the only ones who would listen. Jesus was so near to the people and yet He was so far. He might as well have been a million miles away. Why was He born in a stable? God works in ways to catch people offguard. We are not as smart as we think sometimes and God will not be in a box that we create for Him. Just my thoughts. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q2. Why do you think the journey to Bethlehem was difficult for Mary? Is pleasure an indication that we are in God's will or not? Any examples from your life? Extra Credit: Argue for or against this proposition: "Being a consistent Christian causes more hardships than just going with the flow." The first answer to me just has to be "Duh"! The physical, mental, and emotional aspects are all there whether you are in faith or not. We still are in the flesh with all that goes along with it. Have you read the Bible? Did John the Baptist or Paul or Ezekiel live lives of pleasure? How about Jesus the supreme example of suffering? How about "The Hidden Price of Greatness or The Hidden Smile of God or a host of other books like Foxes Book of Martyrs. Pleasure can be found in difficult circumstances through the Word and prayer and our faith so I don't want to say pleasure is not an indication we are in God's will. It's the world that looks upon suffering as a sign of God's displeasure or that it is the result of sin. As Christians we know that suffering will come in this world. Expect it. ( Things still hit me by surprise though. Where did this come from I ask?)Sometimes I think I am a very slow learner. No when it gets too comfortable then I have wondered if God is displeased with me which is the opposite of what the world expects. Sometimes I think He gives us rest in between trials. I am glad for those times to relax but then I get complacent or something. I think being a consistent Christian is definitely going to cause more hardships than "going with the flow". The world is heading for destruction and we are not of this world. The world is antichrist we are of Christ. There is a verse that says who makes all his enemies to be at peace with him. We need to act that way. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q1. (2 John 9) What is the danger of "running ahead" of Christ's teachings to "deeper truths"? What is the danger of "running ahead" of Christ's guidance for our lives? What does it mean to "abide" or "continue" in Christ and his teachings? Why is this so important? Running ahead of Christ's teachings to "deeper truths" sounds to me like progressives who are actually running to deeper lies. God's Word is the truth and we need to remain in His Word or WE WILL FALL INTO ERROR. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26 We need to continue in prayer for each other!!

Q1. (Luke 2:1-2) Why does Luke name the rulers in 2:1-2? What point is he making? As a physician Luke was probably very precise about recording events. In stating the rulers he gives us the historical events and times. It makes the birth of Jesus less mythical and more historical fact. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q4. (1 John 5:21) Why does John exhort his "children" to "keep yourselves from idols"? What idols distract us from the true God? What idols compete with God for attention in your life? Idols will keep us from the true God. He wants the best for us (which is fellowshipping with him) and idols destroy. There is a verse in Jonah I like and I'm not sure which translation this is from. "Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace which could be theirs." Jonah 2:8. Anything that takes our eyes off God is an idol. It might anything including focusing too much on yourself. Right now it's me and my health. I have myself all worked up over some medical issues when God is the great physician. And someday He is going to want to take us home to live with him. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q5. (1:24-25) What does Joseph accepting Mary as his wife say about his character? What is the significance for prophetic fulfillment of Jesus as a Son of David that Joseph "named" the child "Jesus"? The Bible says that Joseph was a righteous man and also you learn that when God spoke he obeyed. He trusted God. By naming Jesus, Joseph was legally adopting Jesus as his son. I don't know how many "righteous" men there were at that time but it seems to me looking at that culture and todays he was a remarkable man. Once again he trusted God and obeyed. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q4. (Matthew 1:23) How did the prophetic concept of the virgin conception and the name "Immanuel" find their fullness in the birth of Jesus to Mary? Matthew was writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit to say that Mary was a virgin, so God would have to be in this for Jesus to have been conceived. So the name Immanuel, God With Us would find its fullfillment in the birth of Jesus to Mary. Praise God! Nothing is too dificult for Him! God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q3. (Matthew 1:21) What is the significance of the name Jesus? Why do you think the angel gave the name to both Mary (Luke 1:31) and Joseph independently? The name means God Saves and that is what Jesus came to do. By giving the name for Jesus to Mary and Joseph independently it would serve to confirm that it was the right thing to do. At that time especialy there may have been pressure to name the child according to custom. It would strengthen them in that case to do what God wanted and there would be complete unity between the two. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q3. (1 John 5:14-15) What are the two conditions to answered prayer in 1 John? (See also 3:22) How do we determine God's will so that we can pray boldly, confidently? How often will our prayers be answered when our main motive is to achieve our will? 1 Our obedience 2 His Will We determine God's will though His Word and also through the Spirit. We need to know His Word if we want to pray according to His will and the Spirit will never have us do anything contrary to His Word. Not too often unless He uses it to have His will done. We should pray for His glory in everything. I believe He loves to answer that prayer and we should love it also. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q2. (Matthew 1:19) What were Mary's options being pregnant and carrying a baby not her husband's? What kind of character did Joseph exhibit by deciding to divorce Mary quietly and leniently? Mary's options were limited. She could have tried lying, running away, or trusting God. She made the right choice and God already knew that about Mary. I love Joseph's character. He didn't accuse just planned to do what he had to with causing the least pain on both parts. He didn't want to humiliate or punish when he was probably in a state of shock himself. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q1. What would Jesus have learned as the son of a carpenter? What experiences would this have exposed him to? Certainly Jesus learned the skills of a carpenter and saw what his father was able to do with what Jesus created before it all. Very interesting the thought of the young boy playing in the shavings and saw dust. Can't help but wonder what thoughts went through his mind. He also would have seen the honesty and dishonesty in the different people. The ones who were appreciative and the ones who could never be pleased or admit that they were. He would have seen the people who were demanding and those who were meek. Joseph was undoubtable as skilled in dealing with people as well as with the wood. I wonder what He learned and what was in the recesses of His mind. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q1. (1 John 5:4-5) How does a defeatist mentality differ from a belief that in Christ we have overcome the world? What part does faith have in this overcoming? What part does unbelief have in a defeatist mentality? In Christ we can have confidence that He is control although at times things seem bleak. That doesn't mean sticking our heads in the sand (that would not be faith) but facing the full reality of the evil we see we can see the Hand of God at work and when we can't we know that He is allowing somethings with an eternal view in mind. The defeatist mentality which is easy to sink into if we aren't in His Word and prayer cannot see God in anything. Our faith which comes from the Holy Spirit is the key player in the battle. Without faith we have no victory just defeat. Unbelief denies the Holy Spirit and I think is lazy. It is the key player in a defeatist mentality. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q4. (1 John 4:11-18) What kind of fear should we have towards God? What kind of fear is extinguished by his love perfected in us? What kind of attitude should we have towards future judgment? It is a reverential fear of Him who is holy and awesome. It is a fear of respect for who He is. He is to be feared. We who are believers and lovers of His Son Jesus have this fear cast out of us because we know that Jesus came to save us from judgement. He came and He accomplished and we can know this for a certainty through His Word and the Holy Spirit. I do fear future judgement. Not for me but for those who have rejected the only begotton Son of the God. The One who is unique, in a class of His own. Not to be unreverential because of the commonness of this statement but Jesus is the "Class Act" and I love Him and thank Him very much. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q5. (Luke 1:42-43) In what sense are the titles "Blessed Virgin Mary" and "Mother of God" appropriate for Mary? Why are we sometimes hesitant to exalt her as "blessed among women"? Mary was indeed blessed among women. I believe she was of exceptional virtue and well acquainted with scripture. However she was still a sinner needing a savior. She was the one God choose to bear His Son to be that Savior for her and all mankind. Both terms are appropiate for her. However Jesus is "the way , the truth and the life". No man cometh unto the Father but through Him. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q3. (1 John 4:7-8) Why is the statement, "God is love," so important? What does it say about God's nature? How does love being the essence of God's nature affect us? If we were created in God's image of love, but fell, what does this say about the road to healing in our lives? Why does love demand a willingness to forgive? This tells us about God's nature. He doesn't just love, He is love. It means that we can trust that everything that He allows our way is out of that love. It is not a capricious love like the love of the world. I'm sorry but I don't always act out of love. My love seems so often to be a selffish love. I am learning to try to be more like God's unconditional love but I need to spend time with Him to be like Him and when I get busy or let things crowd that time out my "love" or lack thereof is affected. God's nature in me convicts me of it rather quickly. Sometimes I just need time to myself to refresh and recharge. God's love is new every morning. That is a love we can trust. About forgiveness when we love with His love which we must get from Him it is imperative that we forgive. What has anyone done to me that is worse than I have done to Him? Has someone ignored me? He has forgiven me out of His love for me and sacrificed for me and I should forgive anyone who causes me hurt or doesn't do what my "capricious" human nature demands. To not do so is arrogant to the hilt. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q4. (Luke 1:38) What is the essence of Mary's positive response to the angel? What can we learn from her response for our own lives? In what sense was Mary's response an "informed consent"? When we respond to God, what do we consent to? Mary was totally submissive to God's will regardless of the consequences. She totally trusted God for those also. We also must desire God's will for our lives in totality. Partial obedience is disobedience I have heard. I do believe God is understanding of us and very forgiving our slight hesitations and reservations, our fears and trepidations. When we respond to God we consent to giving up our desires and plans in favor of His (which are far better). It is the only way to contentment as a follower of Christ. If you think about Jonah, rebelling against God can leave you in a big mess. We do have a choice sometimes. Better off just to obey in the first place. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q3. (Luke 1:35) What does the virgin conception teach us about Jesus' nature? How central is the doctrine of the virgin conception to the Christian message? Jesus would have the nature of God because He is God. The doctrine of the virgin conception is crucial to the Christian message because only God could be the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q2. (Luke 1:34) In what way does Mary's "How?" question (1:34) to the angel's declaration differ from Zechariah's "How?" question (1:18)? Why was Mary rewarded and Zechariah disciplined? Mary' question didn't doubt the Lord's promise just how it would happen seeing she wasn't married yet. Zechariah's question was one of unbelief. He was in the temple, praying and an angel of the Lord appeared and told him. He wanted a sign so he could believe. It seems that Gabriel gave him one: the sign of silence. John MacArthur said it was a mild rebuke. However it would seem to me that they were both rewarded!! God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q2. (1 John 4:4) What in us is greater than false prophets and even Satan? In what sense have we overcome them? In what way will we overcome them in the future? How should this truth affect fear in our lives? The Holy Spirit resides in us and He is greater than the world. God says in this world we will have trouble but don't fear for He has overcome the world. I believe that anything the world throws at us God can use for our good and the world's detriment. We worship an awesome and powerful God. God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q1. (1 John 4:1-3) Why is believing that Jesus was God in the flesh so important? Why doesn't Satan want us to believe that? What are the implications of the fact that Jesus could live out his divine life in a human body like ours? What significance does it bring to the crucifixion and to the resurrection? What is the significance for your Christian life? Believing that Jesus was God in the flesh is the whole foundation to the Christian faith. Without that we have nothing. No one else could save but God Himself. Satan knows his future and he wants to take as many with him as he can. Sadly he will take many with him. He hates Christ. He is totally evil and cannot stand the love of God. He is darkness and God is light. Satan is anti Christ. I am not sure how to word this. It is so profound. I would have to say that the implication that Jesus could live out His divine life in a human body meant that He could overcome death as the sinless Lamb of God which is why He was sent. The significance it brings to the crucifixion and to the resurrection was to be the firstfruits of many. "For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die even so In Christ all shall be made alive". The significance for my Christian life is that it is based on the a firm foundation and that I too can walk the Christian walk through the power of the Holy Spirit and I have an eternal future secured for me in heaven. It is everything!! "The sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the law. BUT THANKS BE TO GOD WHO GIVES US THE VICTORY THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST." God Bless!! Jen Numbers 6:24-26

Q1. (Luke 1:31-34) What did the angel's announcement say about who Mary's Child was and who he was to become? 1.Mary will have a son 2 His name will be Jesus 3 He will be great 4 His title will be Son of the Most High 5 He will inherit the throne of David 6 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever 7 His Kingdom will never end 8 He is the Messiah, the Holy One of Israel God Bless! Jen Numbers 6:24-26