These kings demonstrate that one person's faith can affect a great many others. Think of strong leaders you know up close. What makes them effect at motivating and inspiring others?

He went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you are with him.  If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.

~2 Chronicles 15:2

 

I would say their assertive ness and courage.

When pressed do you tend to harden your position or lesten carefully to the other side? What can help you avoid a beligerent response?

I tend to try to listen to the other side before I make any decision on my beliefs. 

Christians in Paul's day hotly debated such issues as eating meat, celebratign holidays, and drinking wine. What issues do Christians debate today? What attitude should we have toward Christians we differ with?

Love must be sincere.  Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

~Romans 12:9

 

For the past seven years, the issue of same-sex marriage has been a very hot topic.  Many churches of many different denominations have left one denomination to be associated with another all because they see the issue as completely unorthodox.  The attitude that we should carry towards Christians that we differ with is one where we can agree to disagree and respect each other's opinions.

Romans 9-11 explains how God worked with people disappointed in him: the Jews. Have you ever been deeply disappointed in God? What does Paul say that might help answer your questions?

I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.

~Romans 9:2

 

I can't ever speak of an instance that I have ever been deeply disappointed in God and I am bery glad that I have never felt that way!

If you were to suffer great personal and material loss, as the Isrealites did, what would you cling to?

Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said:

“Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?

~I Chronicles 17:16

 

I would cling to my faith in God

Which person do you identify with - the one who is struggling to please God or personal strength alone or the one who is trusting in Christ for victory over sin?

So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.

~Romans 7:21

 

I would say that I identify best with the person who is trusting is Christ for victory over sin.  I have learned over time that things are not going to happen when I want them to.  I have to trust in God's timing and be patient with it.

Have you ever felt far from God? Does Romans 3-5 say anythign that might help during those times?

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die.  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

~Romans 5:7-8

 

I haven't felt terribly far from God, but these chapters do provide a comfort shall I ever feel that way.