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Q3. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18) In your own words explain how a person can rejoice and pray continually. Are there any circumstances we might be in the midst of where we should not give thanks to God? A person can only rejoice and pray continually if they are filled with the Holy Spirit. This implies that they know and love Jesus, that they have been justified by the grace of God through the Lord Jesus and are in the process of being sanctified by the work of the Holy Spirit. In order to be so joyful we must please our complete trust on the promises of the Lord and be confident that God will supply. We are promised that God loves us and because he takes care of the sparrows and the lilies that he will care for us also. There may be hard times, there may be sad times, we may suffer but all this is in Christ who told us take no thought for tomorrow for tomorrow will look after itself. But we are to first seek the kingdom of God and then all else will be added onto us.

Q2. (1 Thessalonians 5:15) What happens to people who seek revenge on those who hurt them? What happens when they neglect to forgive those who have wronged them? What happens in a congregation that has an unloving, superior attitude towards outsiders? How do these attitudes reflect on Christ? How can people or congregations get healthy after have been vengeful, proud, or unforgiving? ​Holding onto a 'hurt' is harmful. And probably it does not really hurt the one who hurt you. Think of the non-forgiving of the McCoy and Hatfield feud. The hate hurt both families and the sin of it all finally wiped both clans out. Revenge only helps Satan, he and his devilish glee are the only winners. People who hold grudges are harmful to themselves and to society. As the notes say " People who must pay back every hurt are miserable, selfish, vengeful wrecks" . Healthy Christians take their cues from Christ himself and forgive. The act of forgiveness makes us whole and we are enabled to live in Christ by God's grace. A congregation that has an unloving, superior attitude towards outsiders and to a degree to many in their congregation itself is really just the same as an individual that does not forgive! They are are miserable, selfish, vengeful wrecks and soon become dysfunctional. If outsiders see and experience these attitudes from an individual or a congregation they immediately ask " Are these Christians?" These people then begin to think of the body of Christ as being miserable, vengeful and proud. People or congregations get healthy by means of prayer and the grace of God. These must become open to God and respond to the admonishments of the Bible, of Christ and by listening conscientiously to the Holy Spirit.

Q1. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13) What happens in a congregation when people don’t show respect for their leaders? What happens when the disrespectful spread their disrespect? Dr. Ralph writes "In many churches, unfortunately, you sense a kind of spiritual pride in their own righteousness, and a condescending attitude towards those who are not as spiritual, or even outright secular. Our attitude reflects rather accurately how well we've matured in incorporating agapē love into our church life. This spiritual pride in our own righteousness not only separates us from God and Jesus but also from our neighbours- those who sit in the pews of our church with us. People become dismissive of others and cannot properly see the sawdust in the neighbours eye for the plank that is in their own eye. Many have this 'holier than thou' attitude towards the leader as well. Will getting rid of the leader fix the problem, or is there something deeper going on here? Getting rid of the leader may not solve the underlying problem. what needs to be fixed is our attitude towards each other, our leader, and our God. WE must as Paul writes " Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else." (5:15) and as he also writes in Romans 17.12-21. We must be compassionate, understanding and forgiving. Jesus was very clear that his followers must be forgiving (Matthew 6:12, 14-15; 18:23-35). People who must pay back every hurt are miserable, selfish, vengeful wrecks, not healthy Christians who take their cues from Christ himself. (notes)

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13) What happens in a congregation when people don't show respect for their leaders When people do not show respect for their leaders their comes a breakdown in leadership and thus a poor attitude in the church. This leads to poorer work for god. They labour amongst us-we must work with them not against them. SOME think that minister do not work when they are not preaching. Our pastors are in charge. Some do not like to be told they have all the good ideas and work against the minister and undemine the minister. Often these do not like to be told and want go go their own way. This is disrupting. Spreading disruption leads to morel disruption and finally to anarchy.

Q2. (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4) What does it mean to be “sanctified”? In what sense are we “holy” now? In what sense are we in the process of becoming “holy”? What does holiness have to do with our sexuality? Lesson 4.2 Sanctification is the process of becoming more like Christ in our thought, action and character. It is a process that begins upon our justification by the Lord. As normal immoral humans we are unable to stand before a righteous God in our unrighteousness. When we are confirmed in our faith and trust in the Lord we are justified by the Lord. We are put right with God by Jesus who by his power and strength overs us in a cloak of righteousness that enables us to stand before the Lord God in his almighty power and glory. At that time there occurs in our hearts a desire to serve God in body and in spirit. However, we still have our human body and soul that deceive us into comitting acts of sin for we still live in a sinful world. We stand before God in our weakness. Like Paul we have 'thorns in the flesh which gives us weakness' that allow the sin of the world to creep in. The Lord then starts a process of sanctification that creates in us the conditions where we can be more Christlike. It is much like the cocoon of a butterfly. At first nothing seems to happen, but than there is a struggle between the outer strength of the cocoon and the inner strength of the butterfly. Gradually, though time and the work of the Lord the butterfly finally emerges, the wings dry and the beautiful butterfly flies away to praise the Lord in its beauty. We also struggle against the outer forces of the world but with the sanctifying power of the Lord we are gradually transformed into a creature that brings glory to God and to his creation. Holy is to be set apart for God. We as Christians are set apart from the world though our trust and belief in Christ Jesus our Lord. With this faith we then begin to be sanctified to the Lord as we gradually through Jesus and 'in Jesus' become transformed into a likeness unto that of Jesus. c) The Lord God is a jealous God - He wants us to love and adore Him and Him only. The union of Christ and the church is seen as a marriage akin to that between two loving humans. Just as God demands our attention and devotion to be only upon him than in the same fashion our devotion to our partner must have the same temper as that of Christ and the church . With this comparison in mind we can see the importance placed by God on sexual morality - that of an exclusive one on one partnership arrangement between humans. The love that is shared in such a human relation is akin to the love between Christ and the church and also between humans and the Lord.

Q4. (1 Thessalonians 5:4-8) What effect should a belief in Christ’s soon coming have on believers? What does it mean to be “sober” or “self-controlled” (verse 6)? What does it mean to be “alert” or “watchful” (verse 6)? How does this differ from our normal Christian lifestyle? We should carry our selves as a guard for a military encampment. Those on guard never know when the enemy will attack. The guard must always be alert and watch for an intrusion. In Ottawa last week (October, 2014) a guard standing at the war memorial was shoot and killed. We must be alert. We Christians should also be alert for the enemy is about , waiting for us to let down our armour, our shield of salvation and our sword of the spirit of Christ. We must stand ready with all the armour of God.In so doing we are being watchful. This really is no different; we must at all times be alert for Satan lurks behind each tree and behind each bend in our road of life. We cannot battle alone-we need Christ our saviour as our pilot to guide us through the troubled waters and through the valley of death.

Q3. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-3) According to this passage, what warning can we expect to have prior to Christ’s return? What does it mean that he will “come like a thief”? Really they are none . Jesus said "Behold, I come like a thief!" We do not know and usually have no warning the thief is coming, if we had known we would have kept watch and would not have let the house be broken into. We can be warned as we are warned by the bible but we can not know the the time. To come like a thief means to come unannounced and catch the owner by surprise.

Q3. (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5) Are humans actually capable of controlling their sexual urges? Yes, that can be done but it takes discipline and desire. If so, why are so many people seemingly out of control? People give in to their emotions instead of listening to God. Why is it important to control ourselves sexually within marriage? Marriage is a trust and a covenant between the couple and also with God. To violate the marriage is t o break the covenant. What happens when sexuality does not have any boundaries? All hell breaks loose- we are now in leaGgue with Satan. What happens to marriages, to children, to our spirits, to our bodies? They are all hurt and possibly destroyed.

No!, see above comment. JP Jones wrote :"When Christ returns those who have died in Christ will return with Him changed with their glorified body" People go directly to Jesus when they die. There is no period of heavenly sleep. Immediately we begin our transit to be with Jesus.

'Their bodies will rise first' probably does not mean in the rapture but they will rise to Christ when they die and are with Christ throughout the ages until the second coming of Christ. Then those in Christ will come back with him.

Q2. (1 Thessalonians 4:14) How will Christ bring with him those believers who have previously died? According to Matthew 25:31, who will also will accompany Christ when he returns? Those who believe in Christ and who have died will come with Christ as they are already in Christ. Paul wrote:"We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him." (4:14) To fall asleep in him seems to have the meaning that those who died in Christ are there with him now. Paul wrote: "I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far." (Philippians 1:23)If Paul is to depart and be with Christ and this is better than being with Christ on earth than Paul must go directly to be with Christ. Also Paul wrote: "He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him." (1 Thessalonians 5:10)" This pretty clear, it is an either or proposition. Whether we are alive or dead we are in Christ and live together with him. So if we are with Christ when he comes we are with him, we will just come along with Him. Jesus, us and the angels.

Q1. (1 Thessalonians 4:16; Daniel 7:13-14) In what ways does Daniel’s prophecy of the Son of Man outline Christ’s return? In light of this prophecy, why did Jesus use the title “Son of Man” rather than “Christ” or “Son of God”? Daniel saw ' one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. ' In the vision the son of man approaches the throne and authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. Because Jesus took this pericope as a model for his coming (Mark 13:26-27) we can see that both Jesus and Paul had read, studied and prayed about this scripture before using it as the model for Christ's coming. We also see that the Son of Man in Daniel says "His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed." (Daniel 7:13-14) This is the we as Christians see the dominion of Jesus and its never ending property. Jesus also used the term Son of Man because of its ambiguity for the religious leaders of the time were looking for reasons to charge Jesus or to be able to discredit him. The nature of this title made it hard for the leaders to pin him down.

Q4. (1 Thessalonians 4:6-8) Why do you think Paul mentions such severe punishments for sexual immorality? Are these punishments more severe than for other sins? What effect should these warnings have on Christians? ​Paul puts a lot of stress on the simile of a couple being together and Christ and the church. The symbolism is so strong for him that he emphasis the sin that symbolizes the relation between Christ and the church. Yes, for the reason stated above. We should also put great importance to our partnerships as they are symbols of our relationship with the Lord.

Q1. (1 Thessalonians 4:1-2) What is the difference between (1) conducting our lives by rules and (2) conducting our lives trying to please our God? Which is stronger? Rule-keeping or love? On whose authority does Paul bring these commands? Conducting our lives by rules is following certain rules such as the ten commandments, the Roman law, the Napoleon Code or by the cultural mores of a society corrupted by scientific methods. Living by pleasing God is to live by the great Commandment- love the Lord your God and your neighbour as your self. This latter means that we are to act in love and in gratitude for God's abundance grace. If the latter is acted upon in true love than it is stronger. Paul brings these commandments from God through Jesus and by the Holy spirit.

Q4. (1 Thessalonians 3:10-11; Romans 1:11) What is the value of visits of special speakers to a congregation? What can they impart that your regular pastor can’t? Why is a ministry of itinerant preaching so difficult – and important? The value of a visiting minister depends on the quality of that person's ministry. If the message is strong and of Christ and the speaker speaks 'i n Christ' than the visitor can be seen as a help and an accessory to the regular speaker. If not the minister may harm the ministry. As an example we might look at 1 Corinthians were Paul does not complain and disagree with the teaching of Apollo or Cephas.(1 Corinthians 1.12)But in 2 Corinthians Paul belittle and disparages the preachers whom Leon Morris refers to these as being adventurers and wanting to make a name for themselves, their real object is money in their own pockets. (1,2 Thessalonians, p8.) Why is a ministry of itinerant preaching so difficult – and important? An itinerant preacher must establish trust with his audience and have a message that they in some way need to hear. If there is no local person to take over than problems can occur. Incorrect doctrine. mistakes and false teachers. This is why Paul had to send his helpers back to communities as he himself struggled on. This was the job for Titus and Timothy.

Q3. (1 Thessalonians 3:3-5) In what ways does persecution discourage Christians from active, open service? In what ways does it mature them? In what ways does it reveal our underlying motives? Why do you think God allows the tempter the ability to tempt us? Why hasn’t he done away with Satan already? persecution discourages Christians because we fear pain and suffering. We do not take as our model the suffering servant of Isaiah and the example of Jesus . we do not mind the words of Jesus that we will be persecuted. [If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.(John 15.20)] We are matured by persecution because it makes us more like Jesus. If we have hidden motives they will make us recant upon our faith. He allowed the tempter to test Jesus. God's will is unknown for he is the unknown God.

Q2. (2 Thessalonians 3:2-3) Why is Timothy’s role to be a strengthener and encourager so important? In what ways was this a sensitive role. How did it help Timothy to be sent on this assignment? How does delegating ministry help the overall enterprise of the Kingdom? The role of a strengthener and encourager is important because Timothy is a a brother or sister who works in God's cause alongside great men and women of God. He is a valued co-worker or co-laborer of God's! The field of Timothy's labor is spreading or proclaiming the gospel of Christ (notes) This is a role that many Christians play. Hence Timothy's example is important today as it was 2000 years ago. Timothy was young and probably needed an independent role in order to fully develop his skills. As time will show Timothy responded and rewarded Paul with a fine job . delegating ministry help the overall enterprise of the Kingdom for no one can do it all. Not even Paul. Maybe his thorn in the flesh was a sign from God so he would learn to delegate .

Q1. (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20) How can we justify a desire for rewards for our labor in light of God’s free gift of salvation and our love for him? What does Christ reward? What doesn’t he reward? Why should showing accountability to our Master bring us pleasure? How does it motivate us? This topic is an example of the paradoxcial God we serve, love and worship. Free grace and our salvation is offered in Ephesians 2.8 and 9 but the importance of receiving credit for good works in 1 Corinthians 3.13-15. Almost the contrary. It seems as if the difference may be explained by sanctification as explained by John Wesley and his Methodists. That is in the 1 Corinthians verses is actually speaking of sanctification- a process where the believer is gradually sanctified by the power of the Holy Spirit and as such tends to perform works of piety. As we are cloaked with the righteousness of Christs these works of piety, although we perform them, are really the works of the Holy Spirit. In our sanctification by the Lord we are rewarded in this life by a life of shalom and in the future the blessings. When Paul talks of rewards for work he can only mean the rewards of the Spirit for did Jesus not teach that the last shall be the first and the first last. Our good works as Christians then are only the works of the sanctification process and when we go to be with Jesus there will be no Jew or Greek, no slave or free, nor male or female but all shall be one in Christ. This is our motivation:"That God so loved the world he gave his only Son..." John 3.16

Question 2-5 According to John 1 .1-3 we read that the word was God. Hence the developing of the mold for an individual disciples live is actually in the hands of God and hence is the Word as seen in Jesus. This loving hand reaches out to us and tends to mold us more and more in to the likeness of God. This is the process of sanctification. The Word then being Christ is the power of Christ and operates as the power of Christ. Because we as heirs of Christ have in our possession the power of Christ this power is available to us through the auspicious of the Holy Spirit who has been un the world in force for over 2000 years and is a source of strength and power that Christians today tend to ignore.

Q4. (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12) Why are “fatherly” roles so important to making disciples? How effectively do you think women can adopt these traits? Jesus refers to the father many times in his teaching. It seems that he has had a good experience in being fathered. Some of the characteristics in 'fathering' are exhorting- - "to urge strongly, appeal to, urge, exhort, encourage. Fathers often do not reach and understand the motherly qualities they can instead urge and encourage. Often little ones become disheartened and need the pat on the head and a word to keep on keeping on. Fathers can also comfort and console the little ones. Life is not always a bowl of cherries and the children need to be modeled and instructed in the life, love and gift of Jesus Christ. Fathers can also urge something as a matter of great importance, affirm, insist, implore. (notes) In the time of Paul it was the father's role to educate the child. Just fine, particularly if she is a single mother. However two parents are better than one.

Q3. (1 Thessalonians 2:6b-8) Why are “motherly” nurturing qualities so important to growing disciples? How effectively can male disciplers adopt some of these traits? Motherly qualities of Gentleness, caring and sharing ones life are qualities that make a child grew into an adult, a healthy adult who is gentle, kind and caring and willing to share life with others. These qualities of virtue are also needed in the life of the ministry. We need to share our lives with others, not just in our family but also in the community. If these qualities are not shown in the community than the community will not function as a caring community and its growth will be greatly hindered. No problems- many fathers exhibit these qualities better than many women.

Q2. (1 Thessalonians 2:3-6) Which of the character flaws mentioned in these verses is the greatest problem in the church? Why do you say that? How can you prevent one of these character flaws from overtaking you? The largest and most frequent flaw is misguided truth- "wandering from the path of truth, error,". To often people preach what they believe rather than the truth of God. Tied into this is flattery- preaching what people want to hear rather than the gospel message. Prayer and bible study appear to be the answer.

Q1. (1 Thessalonians 2:2) Why is personal courage such an important character trait for a disciple – and for a discipler? How does lack of courage prevent evangelism? How does lack of courage prevent a congregation from being healthy? What is God calling you to do that will require courage on your part? Paul needed all of his personal courage and determination to carry on his ministry. He writes: I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods,once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.( 2 Corinthians 11.23-27) This is much more than we ever experience, but we also are persecuted by the world. Society and culture tends to try to make us embarrassed by being Christians. Our Christian morals are attacked from outside and inside. Courage is needed to proclaim the Lord. Congregations also need courage to act and respond to challenges of today's culture. Just like the early Christians had to decide between various religions- even different streams of Christianity we today need also to decide. The ancients had the apostles and a letter from Paul and the Holy Spirit. We have the canonized letters of Paul and the Holy Spirit that has been working powerfully in the world for the last 2000 years and continues to work and build the community both here and around the world. God is calling on me as well as all Christians to preach and serve in the power of the Holy Spirit and in the Love and support of Christ the Son and to proclaim the Lord in all situation and times.

Q3. (2 Corinthians 12:20) How do you “cure” a church of these kinds of behaviors and sins? How can a “love offensive” begin to change the spirit of a dysfunctional congregation? What is the role of church discipline in a dysfunctional congregation? There are probably three ways to work on the problem; 1) As Paul is doing here, he names the sin, describes the sin. 2 )individuals can be confronted with their sins and they can be chastised.(disciplined) 3) Another method is by love, which covers a lot of sins. Love can be preached, love can be modeled and love can be discussed with individuals .

Q2. (2 Corinthians 12:10) What was the life-changing lesson that Paul learned from God when God denied his prayer? How does our self-sufficiency limit God’s power through our lives? Can we become dependent upon God without having to experience some “thorn in the flesh” ourselves? God said to Paul" ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." and Isaiah wrote ""He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." It is in weakness that God uses us. when we are weak, it is then that God's power can be used and seen in us. To often we expect God to give us strength to do His work but no. He will do his work through our weakness to display for those who can see , His power. Our self sufficiency, if it does not come from God and is not seen to come God can be a deterrent to God's work. To be effective we must rely on and depend upon God not only for our strength but for the completion of our projects for Him. Yes I suppose we can learn from vicarious experience to be dependent on God but for most independent type people we need the thorn in the side.