1&2 Peter Test

1 Peter:
Who wrote it?-Peter
When was it written?-Circa 62-64AD
What is the setting?-Peter wrote this in rome during the persecution of Nero.
Who was it written to?Jewish Christians suffering persecution
What does 1 Peter 3:9 say?-Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate when people say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God wants you to do, and he will bless you for it.

2 Peter:
Who wrote it?-Peter
When was it written?Circa 67AD
Who was it written to?-All believers in the Roman Empire
What is 2 Peter about?-1.Exhorting christians to grow in Faith. 2.Warning christians about false teachers
What does 2 Peter 1:3 say?-As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness!

James 3

James lays the law down in Chapter 3! He really makes you reflect on what you say. He says, "But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And the tongue is a flame of fire". Our words can be like a catalyst, eith in a good way or bad way. If it's in a bad way, it's really bad! If it's in a good, poistive way, it's really good! He lets us know that we need to keep ourselves in check on what we say.

It's crazy that what we say can affect people in so many ways. Thay's why I think with family or friends, it's always important to think about what you say before you let it come our of your mouth. You can never take words back. People may forgive you, but unlike God, they don't forget. Our words can really hurt people and damage realtionships. I'd like to think that I'm pretty good about watching what I say when I'm upset or angry. I like to keep in mind, "Never make an important decision in a heightened state of emotion." I think the same goes for my words.

In the last part of James 3, he tells us to be a good person. We shouldn't be selfish or jealous, and then try to hide that. He basically is telling us not to be fake. But instead to figure out what type of person we are, and if we need improvement, then improve!

Hebrews 12

Laura:
Hebrews 12 is really encouraging. The chapter starts out with, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith". It's saying that it's okay to mess up and fail. God forgives and forgets. Even if sometimes it's hard for us to get over our mistakes, it's comforting knowing that God totally lets you start out with a new slate.

We are supposed to focus on Jesus, and not let anything else get in our way. No matter what we're going through, we can endure through God. Anytime we feel like giving up or losing faith, God can give us strength. The main key is to stay focused on Him, and we can overcome anything.

"No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way." This helps me to not give up. School is hard but when I give my best, the results are good. I just have to make sure I'm always giving my best. And in college, when I start to get overwhelmed with all the work and stress, I'll be able to think of this verse. After our last volleyball game Mr. Moland told us, "Finish what you start. Never give up, never quit, never wimp out. FINISH what you start". I'll keep that in my head throughout life, and I think I see where he got this from - Hebrews 12:11.

Hebrews

Emily:
Hebrews 12 is full of amazing words from God. It reminds us to strip off every weight and keep our eye completely on Jesus while running toward the prize. I love Hebrews 12:2, where it says how Jesus is the initiator of our faith. It says how Christ endured the cross and disregarding its shame. That now he is seated at a place of honor beside God's throne. It reminds us that God is treating us as His own children when He disciplines us and that if He did not discipline us then we would not be His real children. This just reminds us of how much we should submit to God when He disciplines us.
Hebrews 12:14 calls us to live a holy live, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.

Titus - Philemon

Titus
1. Paul
2. circa 63 AD
3. he is in charge of the church of Crete
4. Crete
5. Titus 2:1 - Promote the kind of living that reflects wholesome teaching.

Philemon
1. Paul
2. circa 60 AD
3. a Christian slave owner & church leader
4. Philemon's runaway slave that Paul converted to Christianity
5. tells him to take Onesimus back

Emily: In Titus 3, Paul tells us that we must not slander anyone and avoid quarreling. He tells us to show true humilty to everyone. He reminds us that God revealed his kindness and love to us through his son, when he came and washed away our sins. He reminds us about our new life with Jesus Christ. And that he poured out his spirit on us through Jesus. Because of his grace, he declared us righteous and gave us the confidence of salvation.

Laura: Paul tells us to submit to authority. We must show humility. We aren't supposed to judge others. Paul says that no one has the right to cast judgement because we aren't holy either.

What a Christian Looks Like:

Older men - have self control and patience, wise, respected
Older women - don't drink to much or bad mouth people, mentors
Young men - learn fro Titus' example, kind, and helpful
Slaves - try their best to please their masters
Roman citizens - submit to the government and officers, be a light to the Roman empire

1 Thessalonians

What convinced Paul to go to Greece? - a nightime vision
What does Acts 16:9 say? - Come over to Macedonia and help us.
Where was the first European church planted? - Philippi
What's the Egnatian Way? Where does it bring him? - a Roman road to Thessalonica
How many miles does he WALK? - 90
Where is Paul when he gets a report on the church in Thessalonica? - Corinth
What are the "three main questions" of the church? - What should we do about the persecution we're facing? How should Christians behave? When is Jesus coming and what happens to die before then?

How many people lived in Thessalonica? - 100,000
How was Thessalonica a "free city"? - Rome granted it's special privileges
Who was Cassander? - the former general of Alexander the Great and founder of the city
When did Romans capture the city? - 167 BC
What's "Thessaloniki"? - modern day Thessalonica

What does 1 Thess 4:3 say? - God's will is for you to be holy.
What does 1 Thess 5:23-24 say? - Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may you're whole spirit and sould and body be kept blameless until our
Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
What does Matt. 5:48 say? - You are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
What is holiness? spiritul maturity, it is a description of our one of a kind God, and it is the goal of all christians.