Unprofitability of the World

(Questions based on pp. 3-5 of Bible Witness, Volume 12, Issue 4 – HOSTILITY OF THE WORLD)

  1. Since worldly gains bring real advantages in this earthly life, do you see a dilemma for the Christian in pursuing after these things? Do explain your answer.
  1. For what purpose should Christians be hard-working people according to these verses?

a) 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; 2 Thessalonians 3:10-12 –

b) Ephesians 4:28; Romans 12:13; 1 Timothy 6:18 –

  1. While the Bible instructs us to work in order to take care of our physical needs, what is the greater priority for Christians in applying this particular instruction (Matthew 6:11, 33)?
  1. Explain how worldly gains may one day become a terrible loss to a person (Luke 9:25; Mark 8:36).
  1. How does the author of this article describe the soul of the man who lives only for worldly affluence and achievements? Why?
  1. In the light of Proverbs 11:4, explain why earthly riches are useless in delivering man from the day of wrath (Psalm 49:6-8).
  1. What is the only way for our soul’s deliverance according to the Scriptures? Can you quote some Bible verses to prove your answer?
  1. In your own understanding, why is it easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God (Matthew 19:16-24; James 5:1-3)?
  1. What great danger can befall someone so enamoured with material riches (1 Timothy 6:10)?
  1. For what reason should a Christian give up his earthly pursuits (Luke 9:23-24)?
  1. When can material gain and pleasure become a sign of spiritual poverty (Luke 12:21)?
  1. If great wealth is no great gain, then what is (1 Timothy 6:6)?
  1. In reading John Flavel’s illustration in the second last paragraph, what truth is being communicated to you?
  1. According to the following verses, what particular things can cause the Lord’s displeasure?

a) 1 John 2:15 –

b) Jeremiah 9:23 –

  1. What are the things which the Lord delights in (Jeremiah 9:24)? Do you honestly take delight in such things over the riches of the world?

World, Offences & Woe

(Questions based on pp. 6-7 of Bible Witness, Volume 12, Issue 4 – HOSTILITY OF THE WORLD)

  1. From Matthew 18:7, what was the particular warning that Jesus gave to His disciples? Why will there always be offences in this world?
  1. According to the article, how do we know that many Christians have not taken heed of this warning of Jesus in Matthew 18:7?
  1. Point out the examples given by the writer whereby church members and pastors alike are guilty of this compromise. Can you give other examples that you can see within your own church?
  1. Name some ways in which the worldly spirit is seen proliferating on the Internet social media. Should Christians shun the use of the Internet altogether? Discuss the pros and cons.
  1. Upon whom, in general as well as in particular, did the Lord Jesus pronounce the woes in Matthew 18:7?
  1. What is the Christian's great obligation and responsibility to other fellow Christians, especially the new believers (Romans 14:13)?
  1. Explain how our inconsistencies and double standards of Christian living will cause others to stumble.
  1. How serious is this sin of causing others to stumble (Matthew 18:6)?
  1. In view of man’s propensity to sin, is Matthew 18:8 teaching self-mutilation? If not, how then should we apply this teaching in dealing with our sin problem?
  1. According to the writer, what is the only way to ensure that we will not become a stumbling block to others’ spiritual walk?

Who Commands Your Love: God or Mammon?

(Questions based on pp. 8-11 of Bible Witness, Volume 12, Issue 4 – HOSTILITY OF THE WORLD)

  1. Make an inventory of what usually vies for your attention in a normal day. How many masters do you see yourself serving?
  1. How does what Jesus said in Matthew 6:24 tell us that there are people who are trying hard to serve more than one master in their lives?
  1. As explained from the parallel passage in Luke 16:13, sum up the implications that a master-servant relationship entails.
  1. Jesus emphasised the exclusivity of this master-servant relationship by using an absolute term “ye cannot”. What does this term imply?
  1. List down the four “action words” that can be found in Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13 that are linked to service, and draw arrowed lines to illustrate the links of these “action words” in relation to serving God and mammon.
  1. In your own words, what does it take to serve one’s master with the fullest dedication?
  1. According to the article, what subtle predisposition can cause one to get caught up in serving mammon?
  1. If God our heavenly Father knows and provides for all our needs (Matthew 6:26-32), what do you think is (are) the reason(s) why many would still choose to serve mammon? What remedy did Jesus give to address the tendency of man to trust in mammon? (Matthew 6:33)
  1. Is there a choice for Christians, whether to serve God or mammon? Explain your answer.
  1. If we choose to serve God wholeheartedly, what negative and what positive aspect should we take heed of, to keep ourselves from crossing over the line into serving mammon? (1 Timothy 6:17; Matthew 22:37)

The World that Chokes the Word

(Questions based on pp. 13-15 of Bible Witness, Volume 12, Issue 4 –HOSTILITY OF THE WORLD)

  1. Explain why the Word of God is likened to seeds sown on the ground in the parable of the sower (Mark 4:3-9; 14-20).
  1. Why do some of the seeds in this parable fail to germinate (Mark 4:4, 15), while some others have sprung forth and yet withered away (Mark 4:5-6, 16-17)?
  1. What do the thorns of the thorny ground represent and how do these prevent fruit-bearing among the plants that grew (Mark 4:7, 18-19)?
  1. Identify the “thorns” of day-to-day life that will hinder a person from receiving the Word of God and bearing fruit.
  1. Discuss the effects that the cares of this world can have upon a person. How do you apply Matthew 11:28 as a potent remedy against the cares of this world?
  1. Elaborate on what the author said about our struggle between two states as depraved earthlings. Do you experience such struggles in your daily life? Do you find this hindering your spiritual advancement?
  1. Is it possible for the Christian to strike a “balance” between addressing his temporal concerns and spiritual concerns? How? (cf. Luke 12:31)
  1. According to the article, what are the subtle dangers of material prosperity? (cf. Mark 4:19.)
  1. Point out the deceitfulness and the vanity of riches from Jesus’ parable of the rich fool (Luke 12:16-21).
  1. What do the “lusts of other things” in Mark 4:19 refer to? How will these affect one’s hearing of God’s Word (Luke 8:14)?

If the World Hate You

Questions based on pp. 16-19 of Bible Witness, Volume 12, Issue 4 –HOSTILITY OF THE WORLD)

  1. Is it possible for Christians to avoid the hatred of the world? According to the article, what does the world’s hatred imply and how will it be manifested?
  1. Unto which group of Christians is the world’s hatred particularly directed at, and what shall befall upon them (2 Timothy 3:12)?
  1. Should Christians then be surprised about the world’s hatred towards them? Why? (1 John 3:13)
  1. According to Matthew 10:21-22, who are some of the most “unlikely” people who will hate Christians? To what extent will they demonstrate their hatred against Christians?
  1. Give the reason/s why Christians often would be the object of the world’s hatred, as depicted in the verses that follow:

a) John 15:18, 20 –

b) John 15:19; 17:14 –

c) John 15:21, 23 –

  1. What particular attitude of the Christian makes him intolerable to the world? Why is this so? (Galatians 6:14; Ephesians 5:11)
  1. Explain why men’s wilful ignorance of God can provoke the world to make war with Christ, His Father and His people.

Nonconformity to the World

Questions based on pp. 20-22 of Bible Witness, Volume 12, Issue 4 – HOSTILITY OF THE WORLD)

  1. Satan is described as “the god of this world”. Why? (2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 2:2-3)
  1. What are some grave consequences that will befall a Christian if he continues to love this present world? (2 Timothy 4:10a; James 4:4)
  1. From the writer’s explanation of Romans 12:2a, how can we tell that some of the Roman Christians had already fallen prey to the world’s influence? Is the same true of the church today?
  1. Describe, in your own words, what true repentance is (Psalm 97:10a).
  1. What are the undermining effects on the Christian’s witness when his life is seen as conforming to the world? (Matthew 5:13-16; 1 John 2:15)
  1. Relate, from personal experience, what makes it very hard to live as a nonconformist in this world (1 John 2:16). What is Paul’s “prescription” for overcoming such difficulty? (Romans 12:2b)
  1. Since the mind is where the battle against sin begins, what must the Christian do to ward off evil temptations and nurture the mind unto godliness? (Psalm 119: 9, 11, 15, 16)
  1. What important blessing awaits the nonconformist Christian who has been transformed by a renewed mind? (Romans 12:2c) Explain what that is, in your own understanding.

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