BMIS Midterm

Define S.T.A.R.T. and give a brief explanation of each point.

• S – Saved by grace: Saved through Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

• T – Transformed by the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit changes and shapes us.

• A – Aware: Aware of God, His mission, and the needs around us.

• R – Relying: Depending on God rather than ourselves.

• T – Taking steps: Actually acting and participating in God’s mission.

Using a minimum of 100 words, give a detailed explanation of the Work of the Holy Spirit as the Engine in Missions and in the transformation of Christians. Use Scripture to substantiate your points, explaining how the relationship of Subject/Object in regard to the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the “engine” of missions because He is the driving force behind transforming Christians and making us whole. He guides us, empowers us to be witnesses, makes us bold, and transforms us into the likeness of Christ. Romans 12:1-2 teaches that we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. John 7:38-39 describes the Holy Spirit as living water flowing from believers, showing that His work in us also flows out to others. In the Subject/Object relationship, the Holy Spirit is the Subject because He is the one doing the work, while Christians are the Objects because we receive His transforming work. We depend on the Spirit rather than ourselves.

Explain the difference between bios and zoe.

• Bios = physical/biological life — your physical existence and life in the body.

• Zoe = spiritual/eternal life — the life that comes from God and is found through Christ.

Give the main points of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

• Guides us

• Empowers us to be witnesses

• Transforms us into the likeness of Christ

• Makes us bold

• Enables us to put to death the misdeeds of the body

What are some of the implications of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives?

• We should be guided by the Spirit in our decisions and actions.

• We are empowered to be witnesses and participate in God’s mission.

• We should expect ongoing transformation into the likeness of Christ.

• We can live with boldness because the Spirit empowers us.

Give the four layers of Kwast’s worldview. Give the questions and the answers.

1. What is done?- Behavior

2. What is good or best? - Values

3. What is true?- Beliefs

4. What is real?- Worldview (material/spiritual)

Using Kwast's Four Questions from question 5 above, explain how this is changes when someone is

has being transformed by the Holy Spirit and brought in line with Truth. Use Scriptures to illustrate and

prove these points

When the Holy Spirit transforms us, He changes our behavior, values, beliefs, and worldview. Our behavior changes as we begin to live according to God’s will. Our values change as we begin to value what God says is good. Our beliefs change as we accept God’s truth. Our worldview changes as we see the world through a spiritual perspective. Romans 12:2 says that we are transformed by the renewing of our minds.

Culture

The shared beliefs, values, behaviors, customs, and practices of a group of people.

Worldview

The way a person understands and sees reality—what they believe is true, real, and important.

Syncretism

Combining beliefs or practices from different religions or cultures together.

Excluded Middle

The belief that there is no spiritual/supernatural reality in everyday life, leaving out things like spirits, demons, miracles, or supernatural causes.

In about 100 words, explain what Truth is and how we determine Truth. Use Scriptures to support your points. What does the nature of God have to do with this topic? How does the person of Jesus relate to this topic?

Truth is what “is” and is ultimately found in God. Truth is not based on our feelings, opinions, or what others say. We determine Truth through God and how He has revealed Himself to us. Jesus is directly connected to Truth because God’s Truth was revealed through Him. John 1:14 says that “the Word became flesh,” showing that God’s Truth came to us through Jesus. Therefore, the nature of God matters because He is the source of Truth, and Jesus shows us what that Truth looks like in human form. Truth should shape how we think, live, and respond to God.

the three models of truth chart

• Legalist: Truth is static → lawbreaker is punished → outward conformity is enough.

• Relativist: Truth is relative to me → lawbreaker is reformed → “be nice”/middle ground.

• Spiritual: Under grace Truth is dynamic and relative to God → lawbreaker is transformed → requires rebirth.

Using the principles from our discussion about Truth as something based upon the nature of God, explain God's heart and will concerning premarital sex and doing everything short of intercourse in a relationship with someone who is not your mate.

God’s Truth is based on His nature, not our feelings or what we think is acceptable. Because God values holiness and purity, His will is for sexual intimacy to be reserved for marriage. Therefore, Christians should avoid premarital sex and sexual behaviors that intentionally move toward sexual intimacy, even if they do not involve intercourse. The goal is not just outward rule-following, but allowing God to transform our desires and actions to reflect His will.

Using the model of Truth emanating from the heart of God and the principles of Romans 14-15, discuss the question of acapella vs instrumental music in the assemblies of churches. Be sure and note what is most important to God in this discussion. Also, discuss the Christian’s responsibility to have a conviction on this subject and how we are to treat those who disagree with us.

Christians should have a personal conviction about what they believe is right and do it to please God. The most important thing is not winning the argument, but honoring God and understanding how our choices impact other believers. Romans 14–15 teaches us not to judge or look down on Christians who disagree with us. We should respect one another, seek unity, and put the needs of others before our own preferences.

John 7:38-39

Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.(When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)’”

Romans 12:1-2

And so, dear brothers and sisters,^[a] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.^{[b] 2} Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

John 1:14

So the Word became human^[a] and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.^[b] And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

Galatians 3:14

¹⁴ Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised^[a] Holy Spirit through faith.

Ephesians 1:9-10

God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.

Isaiah 53:5

But he was pierced for our rebellion,
    crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
    He was whipped so we could be healed.