Question#1 Can you provide the first names of five neighbors living around you? Acts 1:8
Answer #1
The reason I ask this is to remind us to cultivate relationships with our neighbors through a variety of opportunities and intentional connections. Notice the passage in Acts 1:8, the disciples were to start in Jerusalem where they were when the Holy Spirit came upon them.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere–in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” – Acts 1:8 NLT
Question #2 Is the book of Proverbs a book of promises or a book of Wisdom? (Proverbs 1:2-3)
Answer #2
The Book of Proverbs is a compilation of pithy, wise statements. Even though they are not promises as such, they will bring redemptive results if we live by them.
“These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel. 2 Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. 3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair.” – Proverbs 1:1-3 NLT
Wisdom is the capacity of judging biblically and rightly, while discerning reality and then following that sound judgement with sensible conduct. True or False?
This answer is True. Please consider memorizing this or reducing it so you can articulate it while you go about your day.
Intelligence and knowledge are the abilities to acquire and accumulate facts and information. True or False?
The answer is True. We ought to become intelligent about a variety of disciplines so that we can be ready “in season and out of season” (1 Timothy 4:2) with biblical applications of our knowledge.
Question #3 Name three wise acts you did these last months. Proverbs 19:8 NLT
You probably have made more sensible (wise) decisions for the Lord Jesus
Christ then you think. I encourage you to be more celebratory regarding what you are doing right, rather than focusing on what you are doing wrong. I have a propensity to do the latter.
“From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things, and the work of their hands brings them reward.” – Proverbs 12:14 NIV
Question #4 What is the difference between reverence and fear? Proverbs 1:7
Answer #4
Friends, too many Christians are fearful of saying we are to fear God. We do a terrible disservice to our Holy God by focusing on revering (honoring, respecting) Him at the expense of fearing (being cautious, or uneasy) with Him. Many incompletely believe the fear of God is relegated to the Old Testament (Book of the Covenants). However, the Renewed Covenant (NT) provides healthy instructions to fear God.
“There is no fear of God before their eyes.” – Romans 3:18 NIV
“Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.” – 2 Corinthians 5:11 NIV
Fear means to be cautious and wary of another. To avoid violating moral absolutes for fear of the consequences. True or False
The answer is True. We all should be cautious and even wary in how the Lord Jesus Christ will judge us based on our deeds. Are we living righteously to please our Lord? This is a good healthy question?
I would never revere, or honor Hamas but I do fear them, and would be on-guard and watchful around them and I also would be extremely wary of them. This helps me distinguish between fear and reverence.
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” – 2 Corinthians 5:10 NIV
“And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the LORD your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul.” – Deuteronomy 10:12 NLT
“[It is] a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” – Hebrews 10:31 KJV
Reverence means showing honor, having regard for someone, respecting someone with modesty or politely. True or False
The answer is True.
“Reverence for the LORD is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the LORD are true; each one is fair.” – Psalm 19:9 NLT
Reverence has virtually nothing to do with fear. I revere John Wesley, Winston Churchill, and Johann Sebastian Bach but I don’t fear them. I revere (hold them in honor) people like Jack Hibbs, Franklin Graham, John MacArthur, and Henry Morris but I do not fear them. I also hold Yahweh God in deep honor and respect, but I also fear (I am cautious around) Him.
I so enjoy the comment from Mr. Beaver to Lucy, in the Lion Witch and the Wardrobe when Lucy comments to Mr. Beaver about Aslan (a picture of Christ) “I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion. Is he safe?” “Safe?” said Mr. Beaver …”who said anything about safe? Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.” Good means morally upright and fair!
Please help your Christian friends to fear our Lord God!
Question #5 If someone desired to become a follower of Christ with you, how would you bring that person to Him? Provide 4 necessary ingredients, and how you would lead them in prayer to become a follower of Christ.
Answer #5
1. Repentance from their specific sins— Turn from one’s sins, with confession about living for and embracing alternative kingdoms, like pride, power, status, relationships, sex, or control.
2. Surrender—by placing oneself under the leadership and command of Jesus Christ.
3. Faith—Is far more than intellectually acknowledging God. It is placing one’s trust in Jesus Christ who died for our sins and loves us. It is important for a person to ask Christ to forgive them and thank Him for doing so.
4. A willful decision— must be made to receive Him, (Jesus Christ/The Holy Spirit) into one’s life and choose to follow Jesus Christ as one’s Lord and Savior.
5. Prayer:
Dear Holy God, I understand that You love me, through Jesus Christ. I turn from my sins, in repentance and place by trust in you to forgive me of my sins. I purpose to follow you wherever you lead me and to be obedient to your commands. I ask you now Jesus Christ to come into my life and take control me. I anticipate the changes that will take place in my motivations, attitudes and actions. Thank you for coming into my life!
I usually lead a person phrase by phrase through a prayer similar to the one above. At the end I ask them to pray out loud however they would like.
These spontaneous prayers are some of the most inspiring!
Hebraic (Jewish) thought contrasting Hellenistic (Greek) thought.
Question #6 Part of Hellenistic thought is correct thinking which leads to correct behavior, True or False?
Answer #6 – The answer is True. Most of early Christendom has been positively shaped by Christian Greek scholars. They provided much of our theology by codifying many doctrines, and interpretations of Scriptures.
The downside of the Hellenistic paradigm is that doctrines emphasize right thinking at the expense of emphasizing righteous behavior. This bent assumes that when we change a person’s thinking, we will automatically change the way he or she lives. But there is too much evidence to the contrary. Many theologians, as well as Christians, have thought rightly about biblical truth, but their lives have not necessarily mirrored their beliefs.
Question #7 Part of Hebraic thought is focused on obeying God’s commands and usually correct thinking, and feelings will follow. True or False.
Question #7 the answer is True.
The Hebraic paradigm espouses that right living provides the context for us to embrace right thinking. In other words, I act biblically, and the results are I think biblically. When I obey even when my feelings are contrary to the right action, the results are fulfillment, joy, and satisfaction. The Hebraic mindset does not compartmentalize (for example one professes Christianity and yet believes in abortion, or homosexuality) because all of life is under the authority of God’s written word and the Lordship of Jesus Christ. If we have a Hebraic worldview our beliefs match our values and the way we live in obedience to Christ.
I also have discovered that POWER is released when I step out and obey first. Generally speaking, if I primarily focus on thinking I do more thinking which results to more thinking. This is one reason people can participate in 3-4 Bible studies at a time, and they seem to desire more. If we would have less Bible studies and meet regularly to talk about our obedience to all the truth we know, we might be a little more pleasing to our Lord.
Like Dallas Willard says, “Currently we are not saved by grace, we are paralyzed by grace.”
At the present time, which of the above (Hellenistic or Hebraic) do you think is the prevailing thought in modern Christendom? Why did you arrive at that conclusion?
Clearly, most of modern Christendom is dominated with a Hellenistic paradigm. I believe this has hampered us significantly as we get preoccupied with gaining biblical knowledge and pay far less attention to obeying biblical truth. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-21 emphasizes the fact that we are to teach each other to do God’s commandments! This is quite convicting and humbling to me! All of us can “take it up a notch” in our obedience quotient. Let’s do this together!
Question #8 Followers of Christ were first called Disciples or Christians? Acts 11:26
Answer #8 They were called disciples.
“and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.” – Act 11:26 ESV
When a person places his or her trust in Jesus Christ, that person is a disciple (mathetes) and by definition a “learner,” a “pupil” and a “follower” of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is flawed thinking to treat a new believer as a baby who is inadequate to obey and follow Christ. We are born from above by the Spirit, and the Spirit is analogous to wind (John 3:7, 8). Out of the gate they are a follower of Christ, and they can and ought to be expected to bear fruit (Matthew 13:23). To create tiers or levels of who is a disciple or simply a Christian, only promotes mediocrity, and it is simply unbiblical.
“The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” – Matthew 13:23 NLT
Question #9 What is the difference between the love of God, and love for God?
Answer #9
The Love of God
God sacrificially laid down His life, through His Son, to die for our sins that we might live a good and holy life that is pleasing to Him. (Romans 6:13). We ought to be consistently grateful for and relish this reality!
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow–not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” – Romans 8:38 NLT
Love for God
Our responsibility to love God is demonstrated in our obedience to Him out of a thankful spirit. When we truly believe God loves us, we will love Him back by keeping His commands which are not burdensome, restrictive, or punitive. Obeying His commands is liberating,
“Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.” – Psalm 119:35 NLT
“I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.” – Psalm 40:8 NLT
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” – John 8:32 NLT
“In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.” – 1 John 5:3 NIV
I feel that many times we can become preoccupied with what we want or need from God. I am becoming far more interested and preoccupied with what God wants from me.
Question #10 Is there a national accountability for nations? Obadiah 1:15
Answer #10 Yes.
It is clear in the Scriptures that all individuals will appear before God to be judged (Acts 17: 31; Romans 14:10, 12). Everyone will answer for his words (Matthew 5:10), his thoughts (Hebrews 4:12-130, and his actions (2 Corinthians 5:10). But the Bible is equally clear that God judges not only individuals but also nations.
Public policies had spiritual consequences, as they do today, and directly brought either God’s blessings or judgments upon a nation. The Founding Fathers were cognizant of this accountability by routinely acknowledging the principle of national accountability—as when President George Washington reminded the nation in his first inaugural address: “the Propitious (favorable) smiles of heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right which heaven itself has ordained.” The Founders’ Bible page 1342.
“The day of the LORD is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your own head.” – Obadiah 1:15 NIV
Question #11 What is equivalent to “American Slavery” in the OT (Book of the Covenants)? Exodus 21:16
Circle one: bondage, servitude, kidnapping, prison.
Answer #11 The Biblical answer is kidnapping. Here is a case where the book of the covenants (OT), if followed and obeyed, would most likely have stopped the civil war from happening. I know this is a radical statement, nevertheless it is still true. I believe that when we act in righteous biblical behavior the Shekinah, “God’s glory”, (his character, reputation, and redemptive results) will reveal who He is. His glory is then revealed and released in us and through us. Please, never underestimate your obedience to our loving God. It will not only impact you individually, but will impact us collectively as a society.
“And he that stealeth a man, and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.” – Exodus 21:16 KJV
The King James version has it right. The original intent of the 8th commandment, “thou shall not steal” was the prohibition of stealing other human beings! Pretty staggering, isn’t it?
Linda and I took two of our granddaughters to tour Boston. On the Freedom Trail, the guide emphasized slavery several times as well as demeaning the Puritans. After the tour we gave Kevin our guide a nice tip. I identified ourselves as followers of Christ. I than proceeded to inform him that the book of Exodus in the Bible identified slavery as kidnapping. According to the Mosaic laws a slave owner should be put to death. He was not aware of this and rather surprised. I also said, just imagine if America would have espoused to this Biblical principle. Just perhaps the Civil War may not have taken place. He was very gracious and thanked me for providing these insights.
Friends, slavery is a predominate theme from leftists to downgrade America. We ought to be speaking into this with truth.
Question #12 From your perspective, of the five words listed below, what is the most significant need within the American church today? Circle only one: love, compassion, kindness, justice, discernment. Why did you select this?
Answer #12 At the present time, from my perspective, the correct answer is discernment. If we are attempting to influence our broader culture for righteousness, we must be able to decipher who are false teachers, and critique false ideologies, which are influencing modern Christianity. In addition, we must learn how to defend our faith, (providing logical answers), as well as affirming (confirming) our faith.
Question #13 According to the Scriptures, what is the predominant way that justice is meted out in governing a society? How does this compare to the Social Justice Movement?
Circle One: Through individual behavior, through the courts, through public opinion, or majority vote. Deuteronomy 16:19
Answer #13 Through the courts.
The Scriptures teach that justice is meted out through the court of law. It is clearly not to be decided based on the mob, cultural opinion, expressed through the present-day use of the media.
Judges are prohibited, not only from favoring the rich and powerful, but also from favoring the poor and the weak— both of which would violate the commandment to judge fairly. This is another reason why it is vital that judges make decisions based on the laws established in our land and not legislate from the bench.
“You must not follow the crowd (the many or majority) in doing wrong. When you are called to testify in a dispute, do not be swayed by the crowd to twist justice. 3 And do not slant your testimony in favor of a person just because that person is poor.” – Exodus 23:2-3 NLT
In addition, Isaiah 1:26 affirms that judges directly affect the righteousness of a nation, state, or community. Remember, any president will be gone in eight years or less, but his judges may remain on the bench for decades, and their influence can be far greater than his.
“You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.” – Deuteronomy 16:18 ESV
Please pass this on to other’s if it resonates with you.
I know some of you are discussing it in your small groups and giving it to your pastors to be used in a Sunday morning teaching. Thank you!
Pass it on,
Dale