Give reasons why Jesus used parables in his teachings and other Questions

Give reasons why Jesus used parables in his teachings.

• To make his teachings interesting
• Was one of the methods used for teaching
• To teach the nature of God.
• To provoke serious thinking of his opponents.
• To identify those who were sincere
• In seeking God’s  kingdom from onlooker
• For the listeners to memorize his teachings
• For the listener to understand the message easily
• To teach about the kingdom of God.
• He wanted to hide his tone identity as the Messiah
• To attack his opponents indirectly.

Give ways in which the disciples demonstrated their love for Jesus.

• They left their jobs and followed him.
• They joined him in prayer.
• Anointed him as a mark of great honor
• Peter was prepared to die for him.
• Gave him physical protection eg. Peter accompanied /kept him company.
• Helped him to spread the good news.
• Peter was prepared to die with him
• Removed his body from the cross.                                                                                                                                   

Describe the parable of the good Samaritan Lk 10:(25 37)

• A lawyer asked Jesus what to do to inherit the kingdom of God.
• Jesus asked him about the law which he answered well.
• The lawyer asked Jesus who the neighbor was.
• Jesus told him that a man was attacked by robbers on his way from Jerusalem to Jericho.
• A Levite and priest passed without helping the man
• A Samaritan passed by and helped the man
• He bandaged the wounds, took him to an Inn, and paid all the expenses.
• Jesus asked the lawyer who was a neighbor amongst the three to the man who fell among the robbers.
• The lawyer said that one who showed mercy to the man who was attacked.
• Jesus told him to do likewise.

Give ways in which Jesus prepared his disciples for his coming death.

• He talked to the disciples about his death
• He allowed them to witness the transfiguration
• He ate a last meal with them
• He told them about the one who was to betray him
• He talked about his resurrection
• He told Peter that he would deny him
• He asked his disciples to pray with him in the garden of Gethsemane
• He promised him a helper
• He appointed Peter as their leader
• He washed their feet
• He instructed them to be prepared for the future.   

Show how Christians are preparing for the second coming of Christ.

• Repenting the sins
• Praying and worshipping God
• Helping the needy
• Preaching the word of God
• Getting baptized
• Reading the Bible   

State the signs of end times as taught by Jesus in Lk 21:5-19.

• Rumors of war
• False prophets teaching falsehood
• Natural calamities eg earthquakes, famine, plagues,
• strange and celestial human beings would come from the sky
• people claiming to be Christ
• strong waves disrupting the sea
• Fainting of people from shock as they observe the terrible signs.
• Persecution of disciples of Jesus
• Martyrdom of Jesus’ disciples for being His followers.   

Explain how the events of the cross fulfilled the Old Testament prophesies.

• The crucifixion on the cross had been foretold
• The Old Tradition prophesies had predicted the tribulation that Jesus would encounter to be ridiculed, scolded, scourged, and finally killed.
• It had been prophesied that there would be total darkness and this happened when darkness covered the whole place as Jesus was crucified.
• His burial had been prophesied and was fulfilled when Joseph of Arimathea asked for the body of Jesus to bury him.
• The curtain of the temple also cut into two as had been predicted so that people would gain entry into God’s holiness without going through intermediaries.
• It had been prophesied he would share the fate of criminals. He was crucified with two robbers.
• His clothes were divided as per the Old Tradition prophecies.      

What lessons do Christians learn from the teaching on end-time?

• Christians should be prepared for the end of the world and the second coming of Jesus
• Christians should remain courageous in the trials and tribulations as all these things must happen for the son of man to come.
• Christians should be vigilant by praying always
• Christians should stand firm in their faith
• Christians should be careful not to be weighed down by anxieties.
• Christians should preach to others the word of God.

Explain Jesus’ teaching on the role of the Holy Spirit.

• The Holy Spirit would act as a counselor
• The holy spirit would be a comforter
• The Holy Spirit would reveal the truth about God.
• He would help the disciples to understand Jesus’ teachings.
• He would reveal the sins of the world.
• He would affirm Jesus Christ as the son of God.
• He would remind the disciples about the meaning of Jesus’ words and teachings.
• He would help the disciples to understand Jesus’ relationship with God and their spiritual union.  

Identify six ways in which the Holy Spirit was manifested on the day of Pentecost.

• Through a sound from heaven
• Like a mighty rushing wind
• As tongues of fire resting on each disciple.
• Disciples can speak in different tongues.
• Peter becomes courageous to preach.
• People are being convicted of their sins.
• Many people repenting their wrongdoings.    

Show how the gifts of the Holy Spirit are misused in the church today.

• People demand payment for performing miracles.
• People claim to be under the influence of the Holy Spirit when they are not.
• People emphasize speaking in tongues over other gifts
• People misinterpreting the bible.
• People speaking in tongues without an interpreter
• People use the gifts to instill fear in others
• Individuals accuse division for new churches claiming to be inspired by the Holy Spirit.   

Identify the elements of unity that should exist among believers according to Saint Paul in Ephesians 4:1-12.    

• One body which is the universal church
• One spirit that dwells in the church
• One goal of hope the eternal life
• A common faith in the lord Jesus
• A common baptism
• One God and father of all believers
• One Lord, Jesus Christ who is the head of the church
• One supreme God who is the source of unity
• A common task of building the church through the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Explain Paul’s teaching concerning the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:12-27, Eph 4:1-12)

• Just as there is unity among various parts so must the members of the body of |Christ be united.
• The believers should work for well well-being of the Church.
• Believers become members of one body of Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit.
• The different gifts are to be used for the good of the church/glorify God.
• Christians share the same rights and privileges as members of one body of Christ.
• Christians should remain united as they deliver service to the community.
• Christians should live in unity because they are bound by one body, spirit, eternal life, Lord, faith, baptism, and one God.  

State six ways in which the church promotes unity in society today.

• By organizing interdenominational crusades.
• By preaching peace and unity
• By mediating between waving parties.
• By condemning discrimination and training to all
• Through the translation of the Bible
• By praying for peace
• By encouraging intermarriage.