Often when a popular leader - a pastor, a politician, a teacher - retires from office, somethng slips. What made Joshua such an effective replacement?

Israel served the LORD throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who outlived him and who had experienced everything the LORD had done for Israel.

~Joshua 24:31

Joshua was an effective replacement for Moses because he not only was taught by Moses as to how to be a great leader, but he carefully watched every bit of Moses' moves so he could become an effective leader

Priscilla

After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth.  There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them.  Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks

~Acts 18:1-4

Why did Priscilla and Aquila leave Rome and come to Corinth?  What effect did this order of Claudius have on the spread of the gospel?

• Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome
• a great effect; many Jews were persecuted

Paul had not only his faith but also his occupation in common with Priscilla and Aquila.  Describe the special camaraderie you have with those who share your occupation and your faith.

• When you have a friend who has the same job and beliefs as you do, it is very easy to warm up to them.  You can even speak about things in your field on a higher level than you probably could with most other people

Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken.  They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.

~Acts 18:18-19

Priscilla and Aquila left Corinth and went with Paul to Ephesus.  Would you be willing to move if God told you to do so to spread the truth of the gospel?  Why or why not?  Why would it be difficult or easy for you to make such a move?

• yes, if it was his will for me to do so. 
• I think it would be easy because I am a Christian with a strong faith

When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined.  But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus.

~Acts 18:20-21

Priscilla and Aquila asked Paul to stay with them and "spend more time with them" in Ephesus.  Perhaps they wished him to stay in order to learn more from him.  But it is also possible that they were concerned for him and wished him to stay in order to give him the comfort of their home and companionship.  Read I Corinthians 16:19 to find out what Priscilla and Aquila did in Paul's absence.

• This is what I Corinthians 16:19 says:
  
  The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.
  
  They became leaders of a church

Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures.  He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John.  He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

~Acts 18:24-26

Apollos needed further instruction in the truth, and Aquila and Priscilla took on the task.  Note the way in which Priscilla and Aquila instructed him.  What wisdom can you gain from Priscilla and Aquila's example of quietly taking Apollos aside to instruct him?

• being more constructive in my criticisms

Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus.  They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.

  Greet also the church that meets at their house.

Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.

~Romans 16:3-5

It appears that Priscilla and Aquila are now back in Rome; moving from Rome to Corinth to Ephesus and back again.  Priscilla moved a lot, but she obviously served wherever she lived.  How can you apply her example to your life?

• In a way, it does seem easy to apply her example to my life.  I have also moved a lot in my life and have served my church wherever I lived

What does Paul here claim that Aquila and Priscilla did for him?

• They risked their lives for him by giving him shelter

Have you ever risked your life for anyone?  Have you ever experienced hardship in order to advance the cause of the gospel?  Describe what happened.

• In either case, I don't think I have done either of those things

What have you learned about Priscilla that helps you understand why Paul entrusted her and Aquila with leading a church in their home?

• she has thoroughly stayed faithful to God's word

Note that every time Aquila and Priscilla's names appear, they appear together, sometimes one first, sometimes the other.  What sort of couple does this make you think they were?

• A loving couple that always worked together
  

What arguments have you heard Christians use for or against wars?

The LORD said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, because by this time tomorrow I will hand all of them, slain, over to Israel. You are to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots.”

~Joshua 11:6

mostly - and this might be of a quaker influence, although I am not one myself - I've heard Chrisitans be against wars because of their violence

Lydia

From Troas we put out to sea and sailed straight for Samothrace, and the next day we went on to Neapolis.  From there we traveled to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city of that district of Macedonia. And we stayed there several days.

  On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there.

~Acts 16:11-13

In ancient times, when there was no synagogue in a city, it was the custome of those who worshiped the true God to gather for prayer outdoors preferably near running water.  Describe the scene crated in your mind when you read verse 13.

• a group of women are gathered at the river where the disciples will preach to them

What is your place of community worship like?  Where do you think your community would gather for worship if you had no church building?

• small and in the countryside
• we would probably worship in a park

One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God.

~Acts 16:14a

What does the first part of this verse tell you about Lydia?  Which of the things you know about Lydia from these few words would you consider most important?

• that she sold dyed cloth in the markets
• that she was a worshiper of God

Try to consturct a sentence about yourself similar to this one about Lydia.  Which of the things you list about yourself do you consider your most important characteristic?

• One of those listening was a woman from the city of Elizabethville named Sarah, a teacher in music. She was a worshiper of God.
• that I am a worshiper of God

The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.

~Acts 16:14b

What do you think is meant by the words, "The Lord opened her heart to respond"?  If you have experienced something similar, what were the circumstances and what was your response?

• Lydia became filled with the Holy spirit
• to me, it happened through singing a hymn and I was overcome with emotion

When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

~Acts 16:15

Lydia responds to the gospel message with two actions.  what are they?

• she becomes baptized and invites Paul and the disciples to her home

How did she persuade Paul and his companions to stay at her house?  Why do you think she was so anxious for them to stay with her?

• she sort of challenges them saying "If you consider me a believer in teh Lord."
• She was excited and over joyed of her new life upon her

After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them. Then they left.

~Acts 16:40

When Paul and Silas got out of prison, they immediately went to Lydia's home again.  What does this verse say the did there?  They had been beaten severely (verse 23) and put in stocks in prison (verse 24); however, they respond not by complaining or moaning over their circumstances but by encouraging the believers in Philippi.  How do you think Lydia and her fellow believers responded to what Paul and Silas had to say to them?

• they encouraged the believers that were there, including Lydia
• they were probably sad to hear what happened to them but glad that they are still alive

It can be difficult to minister to others when your own problems and troubles are overwhelming.  How can you be an encouragement to those around you inspite of your own trials?  Mare than that, how can you be an encouragement to those around you because of your trials?

• by giving thanks to God inspite of your shortcomings
• people are able to learn from your trials
  

Do ou know anyone with real vision? If so, what do they see that others don't?

I am actually stumped on answering this question.  If you read this, then I give you a challenge to think up an answer using Joshua 7 and commenting with your answer below.

Dorcas

In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor.

~Acts 9:36

Describe what sorts of things you think Dorcas was probably doing.  Compare the verse with Acts 10:38.

• let's take a look at what Acts 10:38 says:
  
  

  how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

  I would have done exactly this

If someone were to write such a verse about you, what would it say?  Are you pleased with the statement?  What could you do to improve on it?

• In Elizabethville there was a disciple named Sarah (in Hebrew her name is Princess); she was always doing good and helping the poor.
• yes
• nothing

About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.  Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”

  Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

~Acts 9:37-39

Why do you think the disciples of Joppa wanted Peter to come?  What picture does this verse give of Dorcas's activities for the poor?  Who does it appear she especially helped?

• The knew Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and could possibly raise Dorcas from the dead
• she helped many people that were in need, especialy those that were alone

The help Dorcas provided was an essential part of her character.  She had the gift of helping.  Even if you don't have that particular gift, are there ways you can reach out to the needy, helping to meet their needs on your own or through your church or community?

• I am usually a very helpful person, but if I think about one thing, I think I would say helping to serve food

Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.  He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive.

~Acts 9:40-41

Describe what you think the scene was like when Peter brough Dorcas back to her friends and neighbors.

• Those that ere mourning were fill with joy and praise

Have you ever experienced such an event?  What were the circumstances?  How did you feel?

• I don't believe I have experienced something like this on that level

This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.

~Acts 9:42

What sort of response did people have to Dorcas's miracle?

• they were very suprised

God was definitely glorified through Dorcas's life, death, and resurrection.  What if Dorcas had not been raised?  Would God still have been glorified?  How?

• It is possible that God still would have been glorified, I believe Peter would have had a harder time getting the people to come to God had it not been for Dorcas's resurrection

Mary Magdalene

At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.  And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).

  When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”

  Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.

  With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.

  The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.  And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

  Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joseph, and Salome.

~Mark 15:33-40

Why do you think these women went and watched Jesus die on the cross?  What drew them?  Imagine, if you can, how they reacted when they saw he was dead.

• they were followers of Jesus and they cared for their teacher very much
• I imagine they were greatly filled with sorrow

Would you have gone to the cross?  Would you have watched "from a distance" or stayed at home?  Try to imagine yourself there.  Does this image change anything about what you feel for Jesus?

• yes
• I would have watched from a distance
• I always feel full of sorrow on Good Friday so I would say that my feelings have not changed

In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.

~Mark 15:41

What do you think these women might have done for Jesus?  How do you think they "cared for his needs??  Why would all of these women follow Jesus to Jerusalem?  What do you think they saw in Jesus that they didn't see in other men?

• listened to His teaching and washed his feet
• they believed in his teaching
• they saw that he brings the truth and will give himself to suffer and die for us

It is very likely that these women knew following Jesus to Jerusalem could be dangerous, but they went anyway.  Would you still follow Jesus anywehre if it meant danger to you or to your family?

• yes

It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.  Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died.  When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph.  So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.  Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid.

~Mark 15:42-47

Why were the two Marys interested in where Jesus was buried?  What might have they been planning to do?

• to help prepare the body for burial
• pray for his prophesy

Again, put yourself as a woman in this event.  Would you have followed all the way to Jesus' tomb?  What might have you been feeling besides grief?

• yes
• anxiousness

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.  So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”

  So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb.  Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first.  He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in.  Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen.  Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed.  (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)

~John 20:1-9

What did Mary think had happened to Jesus?  Why was Jesus' resurection so hard for them to believe?

• That his body had been taken away
• because they ouly thought him as a human being instead of a divine being

Would Jesus' resurction from the dead have been hard for you to believe?  Why or why not?

• I think I would have reacted the same as Mary because I probably would have thought someone would have taken his body as well before the time of his resurection

Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.

  Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb  and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot.

  They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.”  At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.

  He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.”

  Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

~John 20:10-16

Why do you think Mary didn't recognize Jesus?  What made her recognize him?  Why would Jesus' speaking her name make her know it was really him?

• she was to scared that the worst was true
• he spoke her name
• She thought Jesus was the gardener and she didn't know who the gardener was at all

Do you think God knows you by name?  If you're not sure, read Isaiah 43:1.

• of course I do and I hold this scripture to be true:
  

  But now, this is what the LORD says—
  he who created you, Jacob,
  he who formed you, Israel:
  “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
  I have summoned you by name; you are mine.



Are you more like Mary or like Martha? Why do you think Jesus Preferred Mary's way?

Just to clarify, if you are unclear of the question, by "Mary's way", we are talking about the fact that she (Mary) listened to Jesus' teachings while Martha hussled around to make sure everything was perfect for her visitors.  It seems that I will be answering these two questions in a backwards fashion today.  To answer the first question, I think I would be more like Mary than Martha.