Jesus calls Philip in Galilee to follow him. Philip tells Nathanael that they have found Jesus of Nazareth, the one Moses wrote about in the Law.
Nathanael asks if anything good can come from Nazareth. He meets Jesus who tells him that there is no deceit in him because he saw him while still under a fig tree.
Upon hearing this, Nathanael believes Jesus is the Son of God. He tells him he will see great things, including ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”
BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 2, Day 5: John 1:43-51
11) Jesus called Philip to follow him. Philip does and tells Nathanael, too.
12a) Skeptical. Prejudiced. Hesitant.
b) Kindly. Matter-of-factly. By telling him there is no deceit in his heart and proving who he was.
c) Jesus has come to bring heaven to humanity. Jesus is the ladder or bridge to God for humanity.
13) Unsure. Put out feelers and keep giving God the glory. When you talk about Jesus, you never know who is listening.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 2, Day 5: John 1:43-51
I love how everyone comes to Jesus differently. Great stuff!
End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 2, Day 5: John 1:43-51
So simple words (Follow me); such a profound impact on a life and on others.
Nathanael was prejudiced against those from Nazareth, as we see by his response. Jesus challenged him to come and see for himself.
Bible scholars differ on if Nathanael actually prayed under a fig tree or if this common expression of the times meant he meditated on the Scriptures.
All believers can expect to see greater things when they believe in Jesus.
Jesus is the link between heaven and earth. He came to bring us to heaven. Jesus is the mediator for us to God.
Jesus calls himself The Son of Man frequently because it was a title that referred to the Messiah.
Two of Jesus’ disciples followed Jesus after hearing John the Baptist call Jesus “The Lamb of God.” One was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He brought his brother, Simon (renamed Peter), who followed Jesus, too.
BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 2, Day 4: John 1:35-42
9)
John the Baptist’s influence. I love how when John the Baptist validated who Jesus was, he gained two disciples. This is great! It shows how much credibility John had.
Their initial response. The two disciples immediately followed Jesus. There was no doubt or question. I love this!
Their interaction with Jesus. Jesus asked them their intent and they replied with Teacher. I love how this shows their hearts for Jesus immediately.
The impact on Simon Peter. This then influenced Simon Peter to follow Jesus since his brother was doing so. Love the impact of family here!
10a) I want to know you.
b) Jesus has invited me and all of us to know him better through prayer, his Word, others, and creation. He has invited me though Bible studies such as BSF and others, too.
c) So much! His compassion, his love, his desire to help others and support others, how he picks us up when we fall, and how he’s there for us.
d) In every way: career, family, life, personally, and more.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 2, Day 4: John 1:35-42
I didn’t remember this story of how Peter came to Jesus! Love the influence of others here!
End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 2, Day 4: John 1:35-42
Andrew is identified here as one of the two disciples who followed Jesus. Bible scholars think John himself was the other.
Jesus asks everyone what do they seek. He wanted to know their motivations.
Fun Fact: Every time Andrew is mentioned in the Bible, he is bringing someone to Jesus! (John 6:8 and 12:22) That is so cool! Could the same thing be said about you?
Many people have an Andrew in their life — someone who brings them to Jesus.
John sees Jesus coming. He calls out “Look, the Lamb of God!” He is the one.
John testified that he saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove on him. God told John that this will be the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. He says this is God’s Chosen One.
BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 2, Day 3: John 1:29-34
6a) The lamb was the sin offering that cleansed the people from sin. It’s blood was poured out to atone for sin. With John calling Jesus the Lamb of God, he is saying Jesus is the one who has come to cleanse the people of sin. He is saying Jesus is perfect as the lamb had to be as well.
b) I’m in awe. It’s so hard to believe Jesus would die for my sins, but it’s the truth I hold on to!
7) Jesus was sent by God as the Spirit descending from heaven upon him proved. God declared “This is my Son.” This is the Messiah who was sent by God to save the world and who is God incarnate.
8 ) Water baptism is an outward sign that you accept Jesus’ sacrifice for your sins into your heart. Jesus’ baptizes with the Holy Spirit and saving grace, granting us eternal life with the Father.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 2, Day 3: John 1:29-34
So powerful! Can you imagine seeing Jesus get baptized?! What a sight!
End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 2, Day 3: John 1:29-34
Scholars believe this scene was after John baptized Jesus and after the 40 days of temptation in the wilderness. Jesus is paying a visit to John.
Note that John points out Jesus’ great reason for coming: to save us!
Note there’s only one sin of the world. Jesus takes away all sin.
Jesus was before all; he is eternal.
God gave a visible symbol of who Jesus was. This allowed John to be a witness for Jesus, the Son of God.
King Solomon had many foreign wives despite God’s order to not marry foreigner. They led him astray from God over time, causing him to do evil in the eyes of the Lord. He built shrines to foreign gods, and God became angry with him. As punishment, Solomon’s son will lose the kingdom he built. God raised up adversaries agains Solomon, Hadan the Edomite and Rezon son of Eliada. Jeroboam, one of Solomon’s officials, rebelled against him.
Ahijah, a prophet, told Jeroboam about the prophecy God made against Solomon. He also prophesied that Jeroboam would be king of Israel. If he followed God’s statues and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, God would be with him. He would build him a dynasty and humble David’s descendants for a time. Solomon died and his son, Rehoboam, succeeded him as king.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 2, Day 2: 1 Kings 11
3a) King Solomon had many foreign wives despite God’s order to not marry foreigner. They led him astray from God over time, causing him to do evil in the eyes of the Lord. He built shrines to foreign gods, and God became angry with him. He tried to kill Jeroboam for no reason besides the prophecy.
b) Well, anything you do that goes against what God tells you to do is serious. Here, King Solomon is the leader of God’s people, and what the leader does, so do the people. He led his people (aka God’s people) astray. This is very serious in God’s eyes. The result is punishment meted out by God: Solomon’s son will lose the kingdom he built.
4) Ahijah, a prophet, told Jeroboam about the prophecy God made against Solomon (Solomon’s son would lose the kingdom). He also prophesied that Jeroboam would be king of Israel. If he followed God’s statues and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, God would be with him. He would build him a dynasty and humble David’s descendants for a time.
5) Really good question. I think sometimes my life is so busy that I lose sight of making time to pray and worship Him as I should.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 2, Day 2: 1 Kings 11
I’m glad we spent two days on this passage. So much here to learn from!
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 2, Day 2: 1 Kings 11
Note Solomon loved many women and they were foreign — both of which went against God’s laws. (Matthew 19:4-6, Genesis 2:23-24). He wanted his wives more than he wanted the Lord. His heart turned from the Lord, too. David sinned, but his heart was always with the Lord.
God became angry with Solomon’s disobedience. The punishment is that God will divide the kingdom. 2 Chronicles 11:12) tell us that the southern kingdom was made up of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin, even though it’s called only one tribe here.
God raised up adversaries against Solomon:
Hadad the Edomite
Rezone, son of Eliadah
Jeroboam was a fellow Israelite who rebelled against Solomon. Jeroboam means “may the people be great.”
The prophet Ahijah tells Jeroboam that he would be king of the ten tribes of Israel after Solomon dies as punishment for Solomon’s sin. God would be with Jeroboam and would give him a lasting dynasty if he would do what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Solomon tried to kill him because of this prophecy.
Solomon dies, and his son, Rehoboam, succeeds him as king.
Fun Fact: This is the first mention of the divided kingdom.
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, which disturbed him. 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.
BSF STUDY QUESTIONS LESSON 2, DAY 2: MATTHEW 2:1-8
3) The Magi heard that the king of the Jews was born and went to find him to worship him. The news of the birth of the Messiah disturbed King Herod, and he secretly planned to find out where Jesus was from the Magi.
4) Skepticism. Belief. Cherry-picking the parts of the Bible that work and don’t work.
5) By sending challenges my way, as well as victories.
CONCLUSIONS BSF STUDY QUESTIONS LESSON 2, DAY 2: 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 harbored nefarious inklings towards Jesus right from the get-go. No one had a problem killing infants in ancient times. No doubt that was on Herod’s mind. The Magi were wary of Herod and probably had no intention of returning to him.
END NOTES BSF STUDY QUESTIONS LESSON 2, DAY 2: MATTHEW 2:1-8
Check out these excellent resources for more in-depth information on the Magi and King Herod
Who Were the Magi?
While there are many questions surrounding the Magi, such as who they were, were exactly did they come from, how many were there, 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 foreigners seeking to worship the One, True King. This shows God’s inclusion into His plan for the world.
Who Was King Herod?
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 using the Magis. This Herod was considered a great ruler by Rome because he ran his territory with skill. However, he suffered near the end of his life from paranoia and often killed people when angry. Herod murdered his own sons, his wife, and Sanhedrin, and anyone else who was a threat. He was not a Jew. He was troubled as was others; great uncertainty was about to take root.
Bethlehem was where David was from, and it was super tiny even by ancient times’ standards. It lies six miles to the south of Jerusalem. There is another Bethelehem, too, which is why it is referred to as Bethlehem of Judea.
Note that the star is HIS star. While many try to wonder what the star was naturally, such as a comet, a supernova, or even planetary conjunctions, suffice it to say it was God, plain and simple. In addition, Jesus was born a king, and he is still a king.
The chief priests and scribes were the teachers and those with book knowledge in ancient times.
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!
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After God made the heavens and the earth but before plants had sprung and only streams had watered the earth, God made man from the dust of the ground and breathed life into his nostrils and man became living. He put the man in the garden of Eden. He made all kinds of trees for food and in the middle were the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. A river watered this garden.
God put man in charge of the garden to work it and take care of it. He warned the man not to eat from the tree of knowledge or he would die. He brought the animals to Adam to name. When God did so, He noticed no helper was found for man; so He created woman from Adam’s rib while he was sleeping so man would not be alone.
This is why man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife and become one flesh. They were naked and felt no shame.
BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 2, Day 5: Genesis 2:4-25
Personal Day
13) God intends for marriage to be a sacred bond between one woman and one man who work together for God’s ordained purposes of taking care of the the planet and to not be lonely.
14) God cares about our well-being — enough to give us a companion so as not to be lonely. Humanity is to work for God and for the Creation God has given man.
15) Another broad question so no wrong answer here. I see my role as taking care of my family that in turn cares for God and His family (the world).
BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 2, Day 5: Genesis 2:4-25
All personal day today, so I’m afraid my answers are less than par here. I do much better with Biblical ones.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 2, Day 5: Genesis 2:4-25
And so ends the genealogy of the heavens and the earth, a history given directly by God to either Moses or Adam, recording the history of God’s 7 day creation that no human was present to witness.
FUN FACT: This is the first use of LORD (Yahweh) in the Bible. Our English word Lord comes from the Anglo-Saxon word for bread (as does our word loaf) because ancient English men of high stature would keep a continual open house, where all could come and get bread to eat. They gained the honorable title of lords, meaning “dispensers of bread.”
Man had not yet been created to care for the vegetation of the earth, and there was no rain. The thick blanket of water vapor in the outer atmosphere created on the second day of creation (Genesis 1:6-8) made for no rain. However, a system of evaporation and condensation formed heavy dew or ground-fog.
When God created man, He made him out of the most basic elements, the dust of the ground.
When the Bible uses dust in a figurative or symbolic sense, it means something of little worth, associated with lowliness and humility (Genesis 18:27; 1 Samuel 2:8; 1 Kings 16:2).
With this Divine breath, man became a living being, like other forms of animal life (the term chay nephesh is used in Genesis 1:20-21 and here). Yet only man is a living being made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27).
The word for breath in Hebrew is ruach is the same word for Spirit, as is the case in both ancient Greek (pneuma) and Latin (spiritus). God created man by putting His breath, His Spirit, within him.
The King James Version reads: man became a living soul. So is man a soul, or does man have a soul? This passage seems to indicate that man is a soul, while passages like 1 Thessalonians 5:23 and Hebrews 4:12 seem to indicate that man has a soul. It seems that the Scripture speaks in both ways.
The Garden of Eden
Eden was a garden specifically planted by God; it was a place God made to be a perfect habitation for Adam (and later, Eve).
Genesis chapter 2 is the history of creation from Adam’s perspective, which does not contradict the account of Genesis 1:1-2:7 .
The tree of life was to grant (or to sustain) eternal life (Genesis 3:22). God still has a tree of life available to the His people (Revelation 2:7), which is in heaven (Revelation 22:2).
The whole feel of this account gives the sense that it was written by an actual eyewitness of the rivers and surroundings. Adam probably wrote this himself.
These rivers used to exist. However, the names of these rivers can’t be used to determine where the Garden of Eden was located because the flood dramatically changed the earth’s landscape and reconfigured these rivers.
God put Adam into the most spectacular paradise the world has seen, but God put Adam there to do work. Work is something good for man and was part of Adam’s perfect existence and our purpose before the fall.
If there is never a command or never something forbidden there can then never be choice. God wants our love and obedience to Him to be the love and obedience of choice.
The Creation of Eve
For the first time, God saw something that was not good – the aloneness of man.
God gives man the responsibility (and the accountability) to be the leader in the home and gives women the responsibility and the accountability to help him.
We only see “helping” as a position of inferiority when we think like the world thinks. God considers positions of service as most important in His sight (Matthew 20:25-28).
COOL FACT: Here, Adam’s intellect had not yet suffered from the fall, so he was probably the most brilliant man who ever lived.
ANOTHER COOL FACT: This is the first surgery recorded in history. God even used a proper anesthetic on Adam.
God used Adam’s own body to create Eve to forever remind him of their essential oneness. Man and woman are more alike than they are different.
We also know the Bride of Christ comes from the wound made in the side of the second Adam, Jesus Christ.
“She was taken from under his arm that he might protect her and from next to his heart that he might love her” (Barnhouse).
Note that the subordinate relationship of wives to husbands is found before the curse, not only after it.
Man and Wife Are One Flesh
A man and wife can truly come together in a one-flesh relationship, yet they must be joined. It is a spiritual fact, but the benefits of that oneness are not gained by accident or by chance.
This passage forms the foundation for the Bible’s understanding of marriage and family. Both Jesus (Matthew 19: 5) and Paul (Ephesians 5:31) quoted it in reference to marriage.
Husband and wife become one flesh under God’s blessing. In extramarital sex, the partners become “one flesh” under God’s curse.
The fullness of what God wants to do in the one flesh relationship takes time. It has to become.
Adam understood the essential oneness in his relationship with Eve. This point is so important that it is referred to several times in the New Testament, including the great marriage passage in Ephesians 5:28-29
Being naked shows being open and exposed as a person before God and man. To be naked… and not ashamed means you have no sin, nothing to be rightly ashamed of, and nothing to hide.
The heavens and the earth were completed. On the 7th day of Creation, God rested. He blessed the 7th day and made it holy because of this.
BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 2, Day 3: Genesis 2:1-3
7) God rested, and it was blessed.
8 ) God rested has also been translated at God ceased. It means that God took a respite, a reprieve, a vacation if you will, from His work. God was still on duty, but not active duty. A good lesson for us to follow.
9) Personal Question. My answer: I’m not going to give the stock answer here of “We should rest because God rested.” Other versions say “cease” and not rest. God ceased his work, not rested from it. I like ceased here. God’s work is never done as is your work. You have a God-given purpose here on earth, and if you don’t know it yet, you need to keep working until you discover it. If you know your purpose here on earth, you don’t quit until God calls you home. You keep working, long day after long day, month after month, year after year, decade after decade. You will have time to “rest” in heaven.
Does that mean that you shouldn’t take a break and recharge? Absolutely not. But the idea of doing work and quitting is not in this passage. You do work, you rest, you go again. That is life on this side of heaven.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 2, Day 3: Genesis 2:1-3
Just an example of everything we used to have to look up from BSF Genesis 2012 Lesson 2 Day 2 HERE
End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 2, Day 3: Genesis 2:1-3
Obviously, God did not need rest. He doesn’t get tired. He rested to give us an example of rest, work, and living. It also gives us the 7-day work week. France attempted a 10-day work week during the French Revolution, which failed. We have a 7-day cycle because God told us to.
Many people fail to notice that you work 6 days (not 5) and rest 1.
The 7th day and the Sabbath is a foreshadow of Jesus’s work on the cross.
Colossians 2:16-17 and Galatians 4:9-11 make it clear that Christians are not under obligation to observe the Sabbath today because Jesus fulfilled the purpose and plan of the Sabbath for us and in us (Hebrews 4:9-11). This does not mean that the Sabbath as a day of rest is lost. It just means that every day is a day of rest in the finished work of Jesus Christ.
IF YOU LEARN NOTHING ELSE, GET THIS:
At the end of each other day of creation, the phrase, so the evening and the morning were the… day concludes the passage and the day, giving us a passage of time. However, this seventh day of creation does not have that phrase. This is because God’s rest for us isn’t confined to one literal day. In Jesus, God has an eternal Sabbath rest for His people (Hebrews 4:9-11).
God made man in His image to rule over all of His creation on the earth. He created male and female and blessed them to be fruitful and multiple. He gave them every seed-bearing plant and every tree with fruit with seed for food. God gave every green plant to everything else that has life in it. This was the sixth day, and God saw that it was very good. Thus, heaven and earth were complete.
BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 2, Day 2: Genesis 1:26-31
3) Humanity rules over everything in creation, and humanity is made in the image of God.
4) Created how God is, although our image has been distorted by the Fall and sin. Being in the image of God is what makes us human and redeemable. Thus, even as sinners, we bear God’s image. We are in some sense like God. For an AMAZING discourse on this, click HERE
5) Part personal Question. My answer: Man is to rule over everything in creation, and God provides them with food. He exercises dominion by having children to continue to care for the earth. My job as a parent is to help my children understand their role in the universe. While I believe we all have additional purposes God has given us, we can’t forget about the original purpose of caring for the earth.
6) God made man in His image to rule over all of His creation on the earth. He gave them every seed-bearing plant and every tree with fruit with seed for food. It is our responsibility to ensure the earth stays healthy and that everything in creation is provided for.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 2, Day 2: Genesis 1:26-31
Not until the Fall did God give man animals to eat (Genesis 9:3).
In 2012, BSF focused on how this passage reveals that God gives man everything he needs to survive and sent us to Psalms and Acts that reminded us that we are wonderful and that we belong here. That’s what I miss most about the old BSF with the new is the cross passages we were sent to look up within the questions. For me, this showed me the connections the Bible has and how God’s story is all intertwined with life. I feel this is a shame BSF does not do that now and that we are truly missing out and not learning as much because of it.
With the predominance of personal questions, I’m afraid this is gone by the wayside. A travesty, indeed.
End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 2, Day 2: Genesis 1:26-31
Again, we see God as the Triune God since the plural is used here (we).
Man is made in God’s image. This means:
The resurrection is possible
We are above angels since they are not made in the image of God
We are distinct in moral and intelletual capabilities
All human life matters
This does not mean God has a physical body.
Evolution has no Biblical backup when Adam was created fully-formed.
Man was created separate from female, meaning God meant there to be differences between us.
Note that the first thing God did was bless us. Remember that in the midst of your heartaches and struggles; you are blessed!
Man’s purpose is to exercise dominion over the earth. He can only do this if he is fruitful and multiplies. Yet, the primary purpose of sex is bonding, not procreation. This is a huge difference between man and animals who only have sex for reproduction.
Note that before the flood, man was vegetarian. After the flood, animals were allowed to be eaten (Genesis 9:3).
Bethlehem was where David was from, and it was super tiny even by ancient times’ standards. It lies six miles to the south of Jerusalem. There is another Bethelehem, too, which is why it is referred to as Bethlehem of Judea.
After God made the heavens and the earth but before plants had sprung and only streams had watered the earth, God made man from the dust of the ground and breathed life into his nostrils and man became living. He put the man in the garden of Eden. He made all kinds of trees for food and in the middle were the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. A river watered this garden.
