Tag: Bible Study Fellowship

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BSF 7-Day Challenge: Day 4 — Following the Star: Matthew 2:1-8

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

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SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 2:1-8

During the time of King Herod, Jesus was born. Magi came from the east to Jerusalem looking for the king of the Jews to worship him. King Herod heard about the birth of Jesus and was disturbed. He knew Jesus would be born in Judah in Bethlehem as Micah had foretold.

Herod found out from the Magi the exact time the star had appeared and then told them to report back to him where Jesus was so that he could worship him, too.

QUESTIONS FOR BSF 7-DAY CHALLENGE DAY 4: FOLLOWING THE STAR: MATTHEW 2:1-8

1 ) The Magi heard that the king of the Jews was born and went to find him to worship him. King Herod was disturbed at the news of the birth of the Messiah and secretly planned to find out where Jesus was from the Magi.

2 ) Skepticism. Belief. Cherry-picking the parts that work and don’t work.

3 ) By sending challenges my way, as well as victories.

CONCLUSIONS TO BSF 7-DAY CHALLENGE DAY 4: FOLLOWING THE STAR: MATTHEW 2:1-8

I don’t remember this part of Matthew’s account! How King Herod used the Magi to discover where Jesus was. King Herod was a weak man and a weak ruler. He was threatened by the birth of Jesus and probably harbored nefarious inklings towards Jesus. No one had a problem killing infants in ancient times. No doubt that was on Herod’s mind.

COMMENTARY TO BSF 7-DAY CHALLENGE DAY 4: FOLLOWING THE STAR: MATTHEW 2:1-8

While there are many questions surrounding the Magi, such as who they were, were exactly did they come from, and why would they even care about the King of the Jews being born, Matthew focuses on the facts. Magi arrived from the east looking to worship the King of the Jews. They followed a star to find him (another question that Bible scholars cannot answer. What kind of star? And how did the Magi know to follow it?). Regardless, you have a foreign trip seeking to worship the One, True King. This shows God’s inclusion into His plan for the world.

Herod was one of many “Herods” in the Bible. They were the ruling dynasty that reigned over the Jews during the time of the Roman Empire. Obviously, he wanted to keep power, and the birth of a foretold king did not help the situation. He would do anything he could to snuff out Jesus’s life, including use the Magis.

Fun Fact: Matthew is the only one of the four Gospels that tell the tale of the Magi. This beloved part of the Christmas story holds more significance than just gifts — it shows how God always intended for Jesus to be for everyone. Contact me today!

god's plan for mary gabriel appears to mary www.atozmomm.com

BSF 7-Day Challenge: Day 3 — God’s Plan for Mary: Luke 1:26-38

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF LUKE 1:26-38

Luke records how the angel of God reassured Mary, too. We are told that the angel, Gabriel, went to Nazareth in Galilee to a virgin named Mary. Gabriel told Mary that the Lord was with her and that she is highly favored. However, Mary was afraid, but the angel said that God has favored her and chosen her to bear His son to be named Jesus. He will inherit the throne of David and will reign over God’s people for eternity.

The Holy Spirit will come upon her. Her relative, Elizabeth, will have a child (John the Baptist) in her old age for nothing is impossible with God. “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered, and the angel left.

QUESTIONS FOR BSF 7-DAY CHALLENGE DAY 3: GOD’S PLAN FOR MARY: LUKE 1:26-38

1 ) Gabriel told her that the Lord was with her and that she is highly favored. The angel said that God has favored her and chosen her to bear His son to be named Jesus. He will inherit the throne of David and will reign over God’s people for eternity. The Holy Spirit will come upon her. Her relative, Elizabeth, will have a child (John the Baptist) in her old age for nothing is impossible with God.

2 ) The Holy Spirit. Because it is God’s child, his Son, the Savior of the World.

3 ) “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be as you have said,” she told the angel Gabriel upon hearing she would bear God’s Son.

4 ) How I can see everything working in my life that He planned, not me. To impact my little corner of the world as He sees fit. Everything has come to this moment.

CONCLUSIONS TO BSF 7-DAY CHALLENGE DAY 3: GOD’S PLAN FOR MARY: LUKE 1:26-38

I asked myself when reading Mary’s reply to the angel, “Is that how I respond to God when He calls?” I doubt it because I am usually the type that goes kicking and screaming to what God wants. In addition, I love how God reassures Mary that this is His will and she accepts without question. This is my prayer for you and for me.

angel gabriel in Luke 1:26-38 www.atozmomm.com

COMMENTARY TO BSF 7-DAY CHALLENGE DAY 3: GOD’S PLAN FOR MARY: LUKE 1:26-38

Curiously enough, no writer of the Old Testament ever mentioned the town of Nazareth. This tells you how insignificant it truly was. Until this moment when God chooses the human parents of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. They live in Nazareth. Here, we get the term “Jesus of Nazarth” plus the Nazarenes, or followers of Jesus.

One could say we are all favored, blessed, and have the Lord in the form of the Holy Spirit with us.

Mary’s mind turns to the practical when asking how she will have a baby when she has never had sex. Does this show a lack of faith? No. It simply is a question that most of us would ask. How will this happen?

“Overshadow” has the same meaning as cover with a cloud what God appeared in (Exodus 16:10, 19:9, 24:16, 34:5, 40:34) and when Jesus was transfigured (Matthew 17:5, Mark 9:7, Luke 9:34). The cloud is God or the Holy Spirit.

The example of Elizabeth strengthened Mary’s faith in the the angel’s words.

Mary will face scrutiny from man for her pregnancy. Yet, God’s words are stronger.

Fun Fact: Note in no other culture does a virgin birth occur.

Contact me with questions!

day 2 of BSF's 7-day challenge Matthew 1:18-25 www.atozmomm.com

BSF 7-Day Challenge: Day 2 — God Reassures Joseph: Matthew 1:18-25

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 1:18-25

Mary became pregnant while betrothed to Joseph. Joseph, knowing that he was not the father, wanted to divorce Mary but in a quiet way. An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph as he slept and reassured him that Mary is faithful. Mary’s child she carries is from the Holy Spirit and is to be named Jesus, meaning “the Lord saves.” This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah in Isaiah 7:14.

Joseph believed the angel. He took Mary as his wife but did not lie with her until after the birth of Jesus.

QUESTIONS FOR BSF 7-DAY CHALLENGE DAY 2: GOD REASSURES JOSEPH: MATTHEW 1:18-25

1 ) Joseph’s immediate thought was to divorce Mary, but he cared for her, so he was willing to do it quietly so she would not be disgraced.

2 ) An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph as he slept and reassured him that Mary is faithful. Mary’s child is from the Holy Spirit and is to be named Jesus, meaning “the Lord saves.” This fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah in Isaiah 7:14.

3 ) Jesus and Immanuel. Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, meaning “the Lord saves” or “Yahweh is Salvation.” Immanuel means “God with us.” While Joshua saved his people from marauders in the Promised Land, Jesus would save his people for all of eternity.

4 ) Joseph believed the angel. He did not divorce Mary. Instead, he took Mary as his wife but did not lie with her until after the birth of Jesus.

CONCLUSIONS TO BSF 7-DAY CHALLENGE DAY 2: GOD REASSURES JOSEPH: MATTHEW 1:18-25

It was so important to tell Joseph that Mary was caring Jesus that God sent an angel to do so. After all, this is the son of God. If Joseph had decided to go ahead and divorce Mary, she would have been disgraced. This would have jeopardized the life and livelihood of Mary and Jesus’s stature would have been forever marked at illegitimate. Plus, it would serve to discredit Mary’s story that her baby was from God.

God chose Mary and Joseph to be the earthly mother and father of Jesus for a reason. God had to make sure both parents would raise Jesus.

COMMENTARY TO BSF 7-DAY CHALLENGE DAY 2: GOD REASSURES JOSEPH: MATTHEW 1:18-25

Having Jesus come from a divorced family would have been akin to a social outcast in the time of ancient Israel. This was not in God’s plan. Mary and Joseph were Godly people, and God needed both to achieve his mission. God left no room for Jospeh to doubt his course: to marry Mary. Would this end sociatal suspicion? No. But it would guarantee Jesus’s parents. That was what mattered to God.

Remember that Joseph is the direct relative to King David. Mary is a direct relative through Nathan, David’s son. So, it was crucial that Joseph be the father in order to preserve Jesus’s credibility as the chosen king in the eyes of the Jewish people. We see Jesus’s human genealogy next to his divine conception and incarnation on earth as Immanuel. This sets the stage for Jesus’s growth and work that would lead to the cross. Brilliance by Matthew and his divine inspiration.

What Do We Learn?

We learn that following God’s will is not easy. We learn that God provides us with all that we need to follow his will. All we have to do is TRUST and FOLLOW. Contact me with questions!

bsf's 7 day challenge of matthew study matthew 1;1-17, Jesus' genealogy, www.atozmomm.com

BSF 7-Day Challenge: Day 1 — The Genealogy of Jesus: Matthew 1:1-17

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 1:1-17

Matthew lists the genealogy of Jesus in these 17 verses. You’ll find a mix of characters here, from prostitutes, such as Rahab to kings, such as David and Solomon.  Most of the names are simply that — names of people whom the Bible does not talk about. However, God chose all to be a relative of Jesus. How cool is that?

Consider that there were 14 generations from Abraham to David, from David to the time of the Babylonian exile, and from the exile to the Messiah. Why the number 14? Matthew leaves out generations in order to create this numeric lineup. The letters of the Hebrew alphabet represented numbers, too. The letters in David’s name add up to 14, which is used to show that Jesus was the son of David, but also that Jesus is greater than David.

QUESTIONS FOR BSF 7-DAY CHALLENGE DAY 1: THE GENEALOGY OF JESUS: MATTHEW 1:1-17

1 ) It was super important in the Jewish culture at that time to know that Jesus, the son of God, came from those whom God chosen, including Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David, and that he was of royal birth as the King of Kings. It lent credibility to the fact that Jesus was indeed the Messiah of the world as it proved Jesus’s royal line.

2 )

Tamar — Genesis 38

  • Tamar disguised herself as a prostitute to lay with Judah, her father-in-law. This was because Judah would not give her his son as her husband as he was required to do by law.

Rahab — Joshua 2; 6:17

  • Rahab hid the spies sent by Joshua from the king of Jericho and so only her and her family was spared when Jericho was conquered. She turned away from her gods to the One, True God and was rewarded for it. She then married Salmon and became a direct relative of Jesus.

Ruth — Ruth 1; 4:13-17

  • Ruth was a Moabitess who accompanied Naomi, her mother-in-law back to Bethlehem when her husband had died. She faithfully provided for Naomi, garnering the attention of Boaz, her kinsman-redeemer. They were married, and the rest is history.

“Wife of Uriah” — 2 Samuel 11; 12:15, 18, 24

  • The wife of Uriah was Bathsheba. David committed adultery with her, and she ended up conceiving. However, this child died as punishment for David’s adultery. The next son that was born was Solomon.

Mary — Luke 1:26-56

  • God chose Mary to bear Jesus who was miraculously conceived.

3 ) None of these women are perfect. Tamar used deceit to conceive. Rahab was a prostitute. Ruth was a foreigner. Bathsheba committed adultery. Mary was a virgin. They all tell of how God uses whom he chooses for his purposes.

CONCLUSIONS TO BSF 7-DAY CHALLENGE DAY 1: THE GENEALOGY OF JESUS: MATTHEW 1:1-17

It feels good to dig into Matthew, doesn’t it? I’m seeing a list of people God chose who are all of different backgrounds, who are all imperfect, but who all fit his plan. This is us today — imperfect, different, and doing his purpose for our lives.

COMMENTARY TO BSF 7-DAY CHALLENGE DAY 1: THE GENEALOGY OF JESUS: MATTHEW 1:1-17

The fact that Matthew even mentions women at all breaks with ancient culture since women were of no value beyond wives back then. The five women are important. Three have Gentile backgrounds. One is a widow of a Gentile. And Mary was a virgin. This serves to prove God’s faithfulness to his people to bring forth a Savior as He promised and his mercy and grace to forgive. Jesus identifies with sinners and brings women to a place of importance from here on out.

Matthew has always been the first book in the New Testament. Many ancient Jews believed Matthew to have been written first, although most Bible scholars disagree with that today. It transitions well from the end of the Old Testament. It is Jewish-focused, proving that Jesus came from the Son of David and from Abraham. Those that Matthew leaves out he does so for a reason — most were wicked and cursed and posed problems that Matthew did not want the Jewish people to be hung up on. Plus, genealogies of the time frequently left geneations out.

Contact me with questions!

Resources for BSF Study of Matthew

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

Hey all!

I am often asked about resources of the study of Matthew. Below, you’ll find some of my recommendations. Happy reading!

 

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

bsf study of matthew www.atozmomm.com

When to Expect Postings for BSF Study of Matthew

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

Hey all!

If you’ve been around a while, you know I usually post the lessons for the year’s study early. This is because many BSF groups in other countries that don’t celebrate Labor Day start a week earlier. I will be continuing this tradition again.

You can expect BSF postings to begin Sept 6th for the Study of Matthew with BSF Lesson 1, Day 1.

Every day this week, I’ll do an overview and some fun facts to get you all ready.

Can’t wait!

God bless!

marriage of ruth and boaz in Ruth 4:13 www.atozmomm.com

Summer Bible Study: WordGo’s Study of Ruth: Week 4, Day 6: Ruth 4:13

by atozmom, posted in WordGo Ruth

PASSAGE IN RUTH

“So Boaz took Ruth, and she became his wife. Then he went to her, and the Lord enabled her to conceive, and she gave birth to a son.”

Ruth 4:13

REFLECTION QUESTIONS FOR RUTH 4:13

15 ) Praising God and renewed perspective. Just trying to gain clarity on what to do with my life. No biggie here. 🙂

16 ) Every day be more like Jesus to my family and those I encounter. Be less selfish is the big one.

CONCLUSIONS TO WEEK 4 AND WORDGO’S STUDY OF RUTH 4

It’s refreshing to read how a man will do anything for the one he wants and loves. Plus, we see that both Ruth and Naomi are cared for for the rest of their lives. This is refreshing, too, since nowadays, this can be a challenge, indeed. Seeing God’s plan come together is amazing testimony.

Many of us struggle to undestand the “whys” in our lives, and we often don’t know why until many years after the fact. The story of Ruth gives us comfort that God has a plan, and with faith in Him, it will all work out in the end. Great stuff! Contact me with questions, and join me for BSF’s 7-Day Challenge: The Birth of Jesus, Matthew 1-2! See you on Monday, and contact me with questions!

grasshopper www.atozmomm.com

Summer Bible Study: WordGo’s Study of Ruth: Week 4, Day 5: Ruth 4:14-22

by atozmom, posted in WordGo Ruth

SUMMARY OF RUTH 4:14-22

Boaz and Ruth got married, and Ruth bore a son, Obed. Naomi was happy and helped care for the child. Obed was the father of Jesse, who was David’s father.

QUESTIONS FOR RUTH 4:14-22

12 ) God had a bigger plan for Naomi, and God had many more blessings in mind that would be delivered through her daughter-in-law. It emphasizes the love between the two women. Naomi now sees that her hardships were not without purpose.

13 ) God has a purpose that we cannot see or know. Everything happens for a reason, even the bad times. Whether they will be used to grow our faith in God or used to move us physically or spiritually in a new direction, only God knows. All we can do is have faith in God and His ways.

14 ) It gives me hope that despite my many sins, God still loves me and everyone else, even non-believers.

CONCLUSIONS TO WORDGO RUTH 4:14-22

What a great study to end the summer on! After all, who doesn’t love a love story that has a happy ending that truthfully impacts us all with our Lord Jesus Christ?

Thanks for coming along with me on this journey this summer. I had a great time. Thanks to BSF for putting this together for us all so we can still be in God’s Word in the summer time. Join me for next week’s BSF 7-Day Challenge Study of Matthew as a primer for this fall’s study. It’s right around the corner! Who’s excited?

As always, I’ll be posting the answers here, too, and I’ll try to be better about emails! My work schedule has loosened so I will have a bit more time, too!

As always, if you have questions, comments, or just want to say “hi,” drop me a line at my email (atozmom.wordpress@gmail.com), or leave a comment here.

See ya soon!

boats www.atozmomm.com Ruth 4:11-13

Summer Bible Study: WordGo’s Study of Ruth: Week 4, Day 4: Ruth 4:11-13

by atozmom, posted in WordGo Ruth

SUMMARY OF RUTH 4:11-13

The elders proclaimed themselves witnesses to the deal of Boaz to be a kinsman-redeemer. They prayed for Ruth to be like Rachel and Leah and for their offspring to be like the family of Perez.

QUESTIONS FOR RUTH 4:11-13

9 ) They all have strong faith and love their community. They care for Boaz, Naomi, and now Ruth and only want the best for them. This shows they have a heart for God.

10 ) I try my best to pray for strangers. I could invite more family members to study the Bible.

11 ) Ruth now has a way to care for Naomi until her last days. God has given me a great life, and He continues to work in it, too. The possibilities are endless.

CONCLUSIONS TO WORDGO RUTH 4:11-13

Isn’t it cool to see how God works and does all things for our good? The death of Naomi’s husband and sons brought her back to Bethlehem with Ruth so that Ruth could marry Boaz and be an ancestor of Jesus. What wonders! And to have such a supportive community. That’s becoming much harder to find these days. Contact me today!

psalm 103 goodness of god www.atozmomm.com

Summer Bible Study: WordGo’s Study of Ruth: Week 4, Day 3: Psalm 103

by atozmom, posted in WordGo Ruth

SUMMARY OF PSALM 103

A psalm of David. This psalm summarizes the goodness of God. David praises God for forgiving our sins, healing us, redeems us, and loves us. God satisfies our desires with good things. He is righteous and just. He is compassionate and gracious.

Man’s days are numbered, but God’s love is eternal and unbounded. His kingdom rules over all, and David praises that.

QUESTIONS FOR PSALM 103

6 ) Verse 5: God satisfies your desires with good things. Everything we get is good, from the food on our table to the roofs over our heads. It’s helpful to remember that we are eternally blessed by having the basic necessities in life.

7 ) To be honest, I don’t listen all that much to music anymore. When I do, it has a message that gives me hope and energy to keep pressing on.

8 ) God. The same reasons. God forgives us, redeems us, provides for us, and sends us good. He satisfies our desires, which can be hard to remember at times when you want something really bad and it hasn’t happened yet. I think all humans share in the hope of the Lord, of something better, of a brighter future, and of an easier day.

CONCLUSIONS TO WORDGO RUTH BIBLE STUDY PSALM 103

The psalms of David are some of the most beautiful writings in the entire Bible. This psalm is full of praise and hope. Love it! Contact me with questions!