Many learn History, Geography, Carpentry, Law, Economics and many other subjects to earn a living. But when it comes to learning the Bible, many do not put in any effort. The reason is often simple ignorance of the benefits of learning the Bible. Some think that they know the Bible from the sermons they hear at church. Many are aware that the Bible not only teaches one about one’s purpose in life, about how to delight God and shows the pathway to eternal life. Some postpone learning the Bible until after retirement. Many are ignorant that spiritual principles in the Bible are superior to the worldly principles of life and lead to wholesome, successful lives with an abundance of Peace, Joy and Love.
Here are a few Bible quiz questions that will encourage you to learn the Bible better. All the questions are based on the Bible.
Question 1) In one of the parables, Jesus gives us a story about two friends. It goes something like this. When you go to a friend’s house wanting to borrow a few loaves of bread as you had an unexpected visitor, would he oblige you if he’s already ready to sleep in his bed? What did Jesus say in this parable?
Recommended rule: Do not scroll to the bottom to check out the answer. Try earnestly answering each question, one after another. After you have answered them, then you may wish to check your answers against the answers provided below. This is a good way to train your brain, and improves the way you learn the Bible. Bible references are provided against each answer, so you get to understand the basis of the answers.
Question 2) What are the specific requirements for the father God to give the Holy Spirit?
Question 3) What was the response of Jesus to the woman who told Jesus, God bless your mother( i.e.Mary) – the womb from which you came and the breasts that nursed you?
Question 4) The mute man spoke after Jesus drove the mute demon from him. While many who witnessed this miracle marvelled, a few of the people said, “He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.” How did Jesus respond to them? When you are able to be aware and appreciate the way Jesus responded, you can desire and eventually receive wisdom to respond with grace and power when faced with similar questions.
Question 5) Was Jesus against tithing mint, rue and all kinds of herbs?
Answer 1) In this parable found in Luke 11:5-8, Jesus says that the friend may not oblige since it’s too late. Thus, he may not do it for friendship’s sake, but if you keep knocking and go on asking for help, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your persistence.
Jesus goes on to say about keeping on asking in prayer, keeping on seeking God for answers. As you keep knocking, the door will be opened. The person who asks will receive, the person who seeks will find and to everyone who knocks the door will be open. (Good to self examine what you have asked for, sought and which door you knocked at in your prayer life? The assurance you have in Luke 11:9-10 is a definite answer to all the three actions.)
Answer 2) Father God gives the Holy Spirit to any child of God who asks for the Holy Spirit.
Jesus reiterates this point by saying that, if any child asks for fish, would any parent give the child a snake? Does any parent give a scorpion to a child asking for an egg? If sinful people know to give good gifts, how much more will the heavenly father give the Holy Spirit to everyone who asks. The scripture reference is Luke 11:11-13.
Jesus encourages each one of us to ask for the Holy Spirit and receive the Holy Spirit. Receiving the Holy Spirit gives power – thus boldness and courage. Hence, he asked the disciples to wait in Jerusalem, so that they could receive the Holy Spirit. (Remember by receiving the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit – the comforter and counsellor, life gets a powerful upgrade.)
Answer 3) Jesus gave a response, which totally changed the understanding of the woman who told him that statement. Jesus said that a person who hears the word of God and follows those instructions is more blessed than the lady who gave birth to Jesus and even the woman who nursed baby Jesus with milk. (Scripture reference is Luke 11:27-28)
The answer reminds us that we have the opportunity to be more blessed than Mary who gave birth to Jesus.
While it’s fine to appreciate Mary or any other disciple, only Jesus is to be worshipped. Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
Answer 4) Jesus had three powerful points in his answer. You can read it in Luke 11: 18-20. Jesus asked the people, 1) how could a divided kingdom stand since they said that he cast out the demon, by the ruler of demons?
2) If Jesus cast the demon with the cooperation of Beelzebub, how did their sons cast out demons? 3) But if Jesus cast out demons with the finger of God, the kingdom of God would come upon them. The people who got this response were obviously silenced, not able to say anything in response.
Here is a note about the wisdom of Jesus. Jesus was wise. Solomon was a very wise king, who received wisdom from God. But the wisdom of Jesus was superior to that of Solomon. Probably because Jesus was without sin. “The queen of the South will rise up in judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here. (ref. Luke 11:31) Desire this wisdom and experience an upgrade in your wisdom !
Answer 5) Tithing is giving a tenth of the yield. Jesus was not against tithing mint, rue or any other herbs. But Jesus was against hypocrisy. The Pharisees were meticulously giving the tithe, while totally ignoring following the justice and love of God, which were important matters of obeying God.
“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone. (ref. Luke 11:42)
Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow. (ref. Isaiah 1:17)
To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. (ref. Proverbs 21:3)
If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can[fn] he love God whom he has not seen? (ref. 1 John 4:20)
