Spiritual Q & A - The Answered Questions

We held our Spiritual Q & A last night. While many across Iowa were questioning who to caucus for, we were asking questions about life, the Bible, spiritual matters, and more. I must say there were some GREAT questions asked, and I wish we could have gotten to all of them.

Below are the questions we DID get to. The other questions we didn't have time for will be posted in separate posts with comments open.

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- What is the "year of Jubilee"?

- My friend proclaims Christ, but is considering moving with her boyfriend. She says the Bible has nothing to say about this issue. What does the Bible say about this issue?

- If a person is in a relationship with a non-Christian, should that person continue the relationship or break it off and have a "hole" in their heart? Also, would Jesus be upset if that person wants to stay in the relationship?

- What are some good verses or passages that can encourage others in their faith?

- What is faith, and is it blind?

- My parents are new believers and are unfamiliar with the Bible. Where would you recomend they start reading in the Bible?

- How can we be joyful, knowing that some people will not be with God in eternity?

- When studying the historical books of the Old Testament, how do we "put ourselves in the Israelite's Place" - reconciling the ethics of a nation at that time - military conquest, plunder, putting the conquered "to the sword" vs. our ethics since the time of Christ - "love your neighbor", "peace", etc.?

- Many Muslims believe Allah is the same as the Christian God - how does the Christian church view the relationship between Yahweh and Allah?

Question - Church

How should we address the fact that the Church as a whole is miserable, poor, blind, and naked?

Question - Matthew 6

What does "the eye is the lamp of the body" and "if the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness" mean in Matthew 6?

Question - Bible Translations

Note: There were two different questions related to this topic, so they are both being put in the same post.

What is/are good translations of the Bible? Why? What benefits? Ease of understanding?

Which translation of the Bible is the best to read? (i.e. most accurate)

Question - Obedience

How can we grow in obedience?

Question - Worldliness and Holiness

What is Wordliness?

-OR-

How do we become holy?

Question - Taming the Tongue

The Bible says the mouth is like a wild animal that cannot be tamed - how does the Lord teach us to control our tongue?

Question - Guidance Scriptures

This spring I will be graduating from school, but I don't know where I'll end up when I find a job. What verses would be helpful in guiding me on trusting God to help me through this big change in my life?

Question - Sabbath?

Should we observe a Sabbath? Why?

(Preferably answer in terms of the Covenant Theology vs. New Covenant Theology vs. Despensationalism debate)

Question - Christianity being purified?

Is Christianity going through a purification process?

e.g. Catholics -> Methodists -> Baptists -> Pentecostals

Spiritual Q & A

Just a reminder: this Thursday, Jan 3, we will have a "Spiritual Q & A" night. Bring your spiritual questions (or a friend with spiritual questions), and I will do my best to try and give you an answer from the Scriptures.

I thought some of you might like at least 24 hours to think of what questions you might like to ask or who to invite, thus the quick blog post.

See you tomorrow night (if you don't go to the caucuses).

Post Abortion Study

I got the following in an email. As I got ready to delete it, I thought there might be someone from within Watershed that might benefit or know someone who would benefit from this Bible Study. All the needed information is below. Something like this could be really helpful to someone, especially as we get ready to go into a new teaching series called "Baggage" starting Jan. 10th.

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Next Post-Abortion Healing Bible Study (PAS) class starting Jan. 21:

Are you grieving over an abortion in your past? Did that choice leave you with regrets? Do you wonder if God could ever forgive you? Do you wish there was someone safe you could share your secret with? You are not alone. *Approximately 43% of women have experienced an abortion in the U.S. by the time they reach age 45. There is hope and there is healing.

Please contact Marilyn by Jan. 18 if you'd like more information or to be included in the next PAS class at Aid to Women: 364-8967 or marilyn.s@ aidtowomen.com.

Class will begin Jan. 21, meeting on 11 consecutive Monday evenings, 7-9 p.m.,
after normal business hours. ATW: 701 Center Pt. Rd. N.E., just north of Coe College.
Class and materials are provided at no cost.

One woman had this to say about the class completed at Aid to Women:
“I just want to thank you for what you did for me. I can’t hardly believe how differently I feel…. Thanks so much for helping me along my healing path.”

Please come. All calls are confidential.

*Alan Guttmacher Institute