Look up the following verses and consider why a God who knows everything would ask such questions. Gen. 3:9, 13; Matt. 16:13–15; 22:41–46; Mark 9:33; Luke 2:46. What does this tell us about how asking questions can be a powerful tool for helping people grow in God's grace?

Questions provide a window into the way a person is thinking or feeling at any given moment. When God asks Adam where are you this was not a geographical question. Also when you ask a question in the right way it can help a person understand something that they might have not seen before. Jesus used questions , and Jesus was asked questions. Using questions can even be manipulative as we see against Jesus.  The amazing thing is that directed by the Spirit Jesus always had a response that cut to the heart of what people were dealing with.

Prayer: Father you have all the right answers and all the right questions. Help us to be able to connect with people and help them toward you. Thank you in Jesus name amen.

John 6:54–66 shows that some people turned away from Jesus when they faced a testing truth. Why did some who had followed Jesus eventually turn away? What lesson is here for us personally? What "testing truths" still, perhaps, challenge your commitment to Jesus?

All during our lives we are weiging the costs of the things that we do ,or do not do. At this point the diciples weighed the cost of following Jesus and decided that it was too much to pay. To be fair it also could be that they did not undestand what Jesus was trying to tell them. They took Jesus literally when he was trying to share with them something figuratively.  It could have been that they just were there for what Jesus can do or them and not how he could transform them.  There comes a time when truth seperates us and tests us. Jesus wants to know whos side are you on for real. In the midst of financial challenges many are tested by money, in the midst of lonliness many are testing by relationships. We must stand on our principles and trust God no matter what.

Read John 14:15. In what ways do these words present a "testing truth"?

The keeping of Gods commandments is a demonstation of how much we love him. It is easy for us to say that we love God but how can we love God if we do not obey him. Our words are tested by our action. True Christians are the type who not only talk about being like Christ but they actually are like Christ. We must not forget that the Holy Spirit is there to help us , but we must yield our wills to His working in our lives.

However free the gift of grace is, the commitment that results from accepting that gift can, at times, be very costly. How can you help someone struggling with this cost, whatever the specifics? What have you learned about the cost of commitment that you could share with someone facing the same challenge?

I do not want to boil the gospel down to a cost benifits analysis but we have to look at it like this. What are we really giving up when we choose to give all to God? We give up all the horrible things about ourselves in exchange for eternity. I think that is a pretty good deal if you ask me. The problem is that the benifts of following Christ all the way can sometimes be overshadowed by the things in front of us. We must pray for clarity of vision and sight, and being willing to obey also helps in this process.

Prayer: Father help us to be faithful to you even in the midst of testing truths. Help us please pass the test! Thank you in Jesus name amen.