Common Christian problems

John 20:24-31

1. How did Jesus respond to Thomas's doubts?

Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.

So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"

But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it."

A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

Mark 9:24; Romans 10:17

2. How can doubts be resolved?

Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.

To resolve doubts, we must believe in order to overcome our unbelief.

Caring is hope

Luke 8:40-56

1. How did Jesus bring hope?

Jesus had empathy with the dead child and he took her by the hand and said, "My child, get up!". Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

2. What hope did Paul have?

Paul have the hope of Christ that Christ's grace is sufficient, for His power is made perfect in weakness.

Therefore Paul will boast all the more gladly about his weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on him. That is why, for Christ's sake, Paul delights in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when he is weak, then he is strong.

Caring is being known

Matthew 20:29-34

1. How did Jesus care for the two blind men?

Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

Matthew 26:6-13

2. How did Jesus care for the woman who anointed Him?

While Jesus was in Bethany in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.

When the disciples saw this, they were indignant. "Why this waste?" they asked. "This perfume could have been sold at a high price and the money given to the poor."

Aware of this, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me. When she poured this perfume on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. I tell you the truth, wherever this gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."

Caring is respect

Luke 7:36-50

1. How did people regard these women?

When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.

When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."

Luke 13:10-17

2. How did Jesus regard the women?

Jesus turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."

A willing crucifixion

Luke 14:16-20

1. What sort of excuse did the guests offer?

Jesus said: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.'

"But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.'

"Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.'

"Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.'

Luke 14:25-35

2. Why should someone 'hate... his own life'?

Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow Jesus cannot be His disciple.

Therefore, if you want to follow Christ, you have to give up everything by hating the old life of ourselves.

Self-surrender

Mark 10:17-31

1. Why could the man not surrender himself to Jesus?

The man had great wealth and he could not bear to sell everything to give to the poor in order to follow Jesus.

Luke 5:8-11

2. What was the example of the disciples?

Though Peter declared he is a sinful man, Jesus said "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed Jesus.

The main focus

Acts 2:42-47

1. How did the Early Church demonstrate love?

They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

Acts 4:32-37

2. Should Christians hold their possessions in common?

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.

The second incarnation

Matthew 10:1-10

1. How were Jesus' disciples expected to emulate their Master?

These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, preach this message: 'The kingdom of heaven is near.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep."

Matthew 10:40-42

2. How do people still welcome Christ today?

If anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is Christ disciple, he will certainly not lose his reward.

We can still welcome Christ to people by receiving ourselves for others for Jesus said "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me."

The law of Christ

John 13:31-35

1. What new law did Christ establish?

Love one another. As Christ have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are His disciples, if you love one another.

James 2:8

2. What is the 'royal law'? How much do you live by it?

The royal law found in Scripture is"Love your neighbor as yourself".

A God who cares

Ephesians 2:1-10

1. How did God demonstrate that He cares for us?

All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

Titus 3:3-8

2. Why should we care for undeserving people?

Those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

A Christian - one who cares

Job 4:3-4; Acts 9:36-43

1. What was said of Job, and of Dorcas?

Job has instructed many and strengthened feeble hands. His words have supported those who stumbled; strengthened faltering knees.

Dorcas was always doing good and helping the poor. When she died, Peter 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 the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord.

2. How can we become like them?

As how God loves us, we can also love others with the love of the Lord.

A universal craving

Mark 10:42-45

1. How do we achieve greatness?

Whoever wants to become great must be a servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Luke 4:14-21

2. What was Jesus' purpose?

The Spirit of the Lord is on Jesus because Jesus is appointed to preach good news to the poor. Jesus was sent to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, and to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.

'God - let me be aware'

Luke 10:25-37

1. Why is being an 'expert' in religion not enough?

We must also love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul and with all our strength and with all our mind'; and love our neighbor as ourself.

Jesus said, "Do this and you will live."

Luke 16:19-31

2. When did the rich man become aware of other's needs?

The rich man become aware of other's needs when he went to hell. It was only at that time that he found out his brothers need to repent of their sins.