Study Guide forLand of RevelationA Reconciling Presence in Israel By Roy H. Kreider This Study Guide is also available for download as a Word document or in PDF Acrobat format. |
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Chapters 11 - 15 |
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Chapter 11, DISCOVERING THE SON OF PEACE
- In commissioning the seventy Jesus provides them with a missiological principle that when applied enables discovery of firstfruits of potential harvest. What does Jesus say will happen when the blessing of Shalom is spoken on entering a house? What is the meaning and power of Shalom?
- What revelation is contained in the Hebraism “son of peace”? How is the “son of peace” recognized? What might an initial resistance to discuss faith issues reveal?
- How does an atmosphere of prayer pervading a premise provide for seekers a shield of protection and safe haven in which to open the heart to share and receive?
- What hopeful light is shed by Professor Vriesen on the re-gathering of Israel ? What does this indicate of direction for prayer? If for the sake of the remnant who are coming to faith God continues to show mercy upon Israel the nation, does this not confer theological significance to the State of Israel? What will happen when the heart turns to the Lord, a second look of faith to Jesus?
- 2 Corinthians 3:17. What light do the words of Acts 14:22 shed, “It is through many afflictions that we must make our way into the Kingdom of God ”?
- What were the indications that the Russian professor of music was a son of peace? When a man talks blasphemously, need I be provoked? Could it be an inner agony because he does not see the way out, struggling with issues I have never met? If I am patient, can I discover how the agony of his afflictions are putting him into the mood to face the fundamental issues of life? What had stirred his interest in examining and testing the validity of the New Testament revelation of Jesus? What was his purpose in cross-examining my testimony of the reality of a faith relationship?
- What did his repeated appeal to the logic of rationalistic philosophy reveal? Is it high risk to offer subjective experience in response to one schooled in philosophy and logic? Should I have followed his lead rather than keeping the focus upon faith that God exists as foundational to a personal relationship with God? Hebrews 11:6.
- Why did he not demand closure to this conversation? What light did his concluding statement reveal of his overall assessment of the process?
- How did his conversation with the Professor of philosophy change his attitude to eagerness to read “Jesus Rediscovered” by Malcom Muggeridge? Why does trying to solve the world’s problems by intellectual, philosophical, or scientific methods lead to agnosticism, nihilism, or denying that the problem exists?
- What life-changing discovery resulted from his experiencing a Christophany? What were those convincing evidences that this supernatural presence was Jesus? How did this experience minister to his unanswered questions?
Chapter 12, MARRED BEYOND RECOGNITION
- Why is it a problem in recognition for Jewish people that the Christ of the historic Christian Church has no resemblance to the Jewish Jesus of the New Testament Gospels? In what ways has the visage of Jesus become marred beyond recognition in the lives of his followers?
- What does it mean to be the Church in a Jewish neighborhood after centuries of Christian anti-Semitism and the European Holocaust? How can your congregation become the place where Jewish inquirers can discover Jesus as Messiah and Savior?
- A bridge spans a chasm, provides connection, opens a passageway over an obstacle, and becomes an instrument for peace. In what way is it true that Jesus is a bridge connecting and thereby leading us to them?
- In the light of tragic events in Hitler’s Europe that poisoned relations between Jews and Christians, should the Church refrain from witness conversations with Jewish people because it is difficult?
- Was Christianity as Jewish historian Josephus interprets part of the Jewish community? “Are you Jewish, or are you not?” In what way could the answer be both yes and no? How do we identify which Christ it is that you represent? Is it the Jewish Jesus of the four Gospels, or the glorified and enthroned Christ of the Acts and epistles? How are we to present the Christ of New Testament revelation in winsome witness to Jewish people as the answer to their longing and hope?
- How did that encounter on Zion Circle begin to focus and shape direction and energies for our ministry and the future?
- How was the formation of the United Christian Council an important initiative in overcoming the marred visage of a “divided Christ” with this visible move toward unity and beginning to co-labor together?
Chapter 13, THE MYSTERY OF HIS WILL
- What are the indicators, those signs along the way confirming that we are being led of God in our mission? What were those confirming signs for Eliezer the servant of Abraham?
- If the call and plan of God is that we might do his will, why is discovering what his will is so shrouded and veiled in mystery? Are the evidences of divinely arranged opportunities operating an indicator that we are in his will? If that is true, should we have remained in Jerusalem ?
- How can we know that in time, God will in his amazing plan begin to gather a growing body of believers in the greater Tel Aviv region, and that we were to be there praying and preparing the groundwork for it? If we are being led of God in our steps and our stops, can we expect a smooth path as reassurance of it?
- The officials in the Land Registry Office in the Municipal Building were to a man adamantly opposed to the request we had submitted, determined to block these proceedings. How do we explain what happened in that smoke-filled room when we entered? What can account for their change of attitude? How do we explain the Council’s decision to grant official approval for the property to be registered in the name of a Mission organization?
- What was the significance of the extraordinary invitation extended by Arab Episcopal Pastor Rafiq Farrah to assist in his parish work, including outreach to the Jewish community as ministry extension from the church? Why was this direction not approved? Why would it not have been in line with the call as ambassadors of reconciliation? How was God seen to be shaping not only the location, but also the pathway we were to walk in carrying out his amazing design and purpose?
- What is the responsible action to take when events confirm regional all-out war, the U.S. Embassy orders evacuation of American citizens? Was it right to first pray for instructions as to what we are to do? The prayer of the Apostles in Acts 4:29, came to mind: “Behold now their threatenings, and grant to Your servants courage.” And, Isaiah 52:12, “You shall not go out in haste!” Was this the Lord’s answer?
- In the light of how the Lord was already over-ruling in the mystery of his will, was resolution of the visa issue the ultimate purpose for which all else was to be sacrificed? This mission is his, and its future is in his hands. How was the arrival of the Swarr family confirmation that the Lord was over-ruling in this venture of faith?
Chapter 14, DEDICATED SPOILS
- Why was the counsel from the Lord received aboard ship surprising? What were the spoils, the precious treasures taken in those spiritual battles? What missiological principle were we discovering regarding prayer? How does prayer create the context for the mighty interventions of God performing miracles of change? How does prevailing prayer form a canopy of protection into which the oppressed can come and feel safe? How does prayer create a pervading atmosphere of peace amidst a hostile environ? How does prayer break the yoke of bondage and set captives free? How does prayer inaugurate a process of change resulting in the revelation of a Christophany that cleanses and transforms a life? Can any spoils taken in battle be richer treasure than these?
- After his emphatic denial of rights to remain, why did Dr. Colbi send us this letter? What is revealed in his bargain of a way to receive visas to continue in Israel ? How final were his previous words of finality? How closed is this closed door? Was the foothold we had gained by owning property limiting his authority to block our becoming established long term? After all those amazing miracles of divine intervention, would it be right to relinquish it all and return to Jerusalem ?
- What was the significance of this well-timed arrival of Paul and Bertha Swarr family prior to our departure, allowing opportunity for debriefing introduction into the Land, to our friends, and their enrolling in language school, providing continuity of presence? What recognizable indications of divine orderliness are evident in these proceedings that can encourage faith despite the apparent setbacks?
- Is it wrong to create a safe place and relaxed pace in witnessing occasions, allowing ample time for clarification of perplexing questions posed? If genuine heart-change is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit who brings conviction of sin leading to repentance, what then is my role in the witness encounter?
- How does it happen, within the spiritually bonded circle of supportive prayer, despite geographical distances and infrequent meeting, what is that formative spiritual influence that causes mutual deepening and maturing together, approximating your own?
- How would you explain the statement: “To be relevant and alive in missions, you must change”?
- Ought we respect and accept the official position of the Israel government, and wait in North America until we received word of their changed attitude? Or should we venture forth by faith to test the situation believing that the God of miracles can again open doors if we advance with him, trusting him to do it? Are reassuring words from Scripture sufficient confirmation to launch out? Why is involvement in missions a stretching of faith and an unceasing obligation to grow?
Chapter 15, THE OPEN DOOR
- What insights can we glean from this startling text in 2 Corinthians 2:12 , and the epoch-making directional decision that affected world history? What important missiological principle do we observe here valid for all time and in every land, regarding the role of the Holy Spirit given of God to guide the Church in its mission? What do we discover of the revelation of the will of God by means of vision, and of the Holy Spirit’s guidance through restraint and constraint and sovereignly arranging circumstances that comprise open doors and prepared meetings paving the pathway into the province? What is revealed of the significance of home gatherings that grow to become “the church at your house”? How do these then become a network of house-fellowships as the corporate body of “the church” gathered in the region?
- What evidences confirm that Jesus was previous to the arrival of Paul and his company, preparing the way for their arrival? How did this text reassure us, that Jesus goes before and prepares the way, and will do so for us in our return to Israel ?
- In this context where the Holy Spirit was over-seeing and directing the mission, what do we observe of the importance of vision, miracles, and the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit? What does it signify that these validated the ministry of faith in Jesus as the Messiah? How do these deeds of power performed in his name confirm that Jesus is Messiah, Savior, and Lord?
- How is it that the Lord over-ruled so that Israel was for us an opened door, yet the door into membership together with churches and church agencies working together to strengthen the local emerging church was closed to us? Why was our application for membership into the United Christian Council denied? What invitations into meaningful involvement in service together did our Baptist friends extend to the Swarrs and to us?
- What dimensions of ministry and witness happen best in homes and in house-fellowships? Why was this especially true within the context of Israel ?
- Why choose to enroll in a Jewish Orthodox University, taking courses under Rabbis and professors of Talmud and Mishna, Jewish history, and Hebrew Bible? How did this open other doors of significance in God’s time?
- How are we to apply the adaptive patterns employed by the Apostle Paul described in 1 Corinthians 9:19 -23? Unless we have an understanding of Judaism and Jewish people, how can we become “as a Jew when in conversation with the Jews,” and “as under the Law to those who are under the Law”? “I do this so as to know how to suit my responses” to their presuppositions and fundamental beliefs, “so as to win them to Christ.” Am I not responsible in this to follow Paul as he follows Christ?