Tag: bsf answers questions lesson 17 day 3

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 3: Zechariah 1:2-3

by atozmom, posted in BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026

Summary of Zechariah 1:2-3

“The Lord was very angry with your ancestors. 3 Therefore, tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17 Day 3: Zechariah 1:2-3

5a) That God gets angry. It reveals God as consistently just and faithful. By citing His anger at their ancestors, He proves He is not indifferent to evil and keeps His word. He addresses the past honestly, showing He takes the covenant seriously. This establishes that His mercy is a deliberate choice, not an oversight of sin.

b) God is slow to anger; whereas, humans are quick to anger. God is a jealous God. God offers judgment. Human anger is often impulsive, selfish, and uncontrolled, driven by wounded pride. God’s anger is a deliberate, righteous reaction to evil. It is always just, measured, and constructive. Unlike human rage, God’s anger is never a loss of control but a necessary defense of holiness and justice.

c) Through the blood of Jesus Christ.

6a) ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty.

b) God loves us infinitely. He is our strength from the devil and temptation. If we humble ourselves before the Lord, He will lift us up. It reveals God as redemptive and responsive. He takes the initiative to invite sinners back, proving He desires relationship over judgment. His promise to “return to you” (Zechariah 1:3) or “draw near” (James 4:8) shows that He is not distant; He is waiting to embrace anyone who humbly turns to Him.

c) He calls me to be close to Him and be more like Jesus. Through blessing me every day. Through challenges that make me rely on Him. Through prayer, faith, Bible study, and others. He calls me every day.

God calls people through the initiative of His Word and the internal conviction of the Holy Spirit. He uses Scripture, human messengers, and sometimes difficult circumstances to awaken a spiritual need. His call is an invitation to relationship, promising that if they humbly turn to Him, He will meet them there.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 3: Zechariah 1:2-3

Great message of God’s great love for His people that He will never quit calling us to Him.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 17, Day 3: Zechariah 1:2-3

This is a reminder that God was angry with the Jews’ ancestors, and they were banished. The same can happen to them, too.

God promises the people He is close, but they must choose to return to Him.

Remember, we are the ones who have moved away from God, not the other way around. James 4:8

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

These verses establish the ground rules for the post-exilic relationship between God and Israel, pivoted on acknowledgment and action.

  • Validation of History: God bluntly validates the trauma of the exile: “The Lord was very angry with your fathers.” He does not sugarcoat the past; the destruction of Jerusalem was a righteous judgment on previous generations.

  • The Invitation: The core message is a conditional promise of reciprocity: “Return to me… and I will return to you.” The Hebrew word for “return” (shuv) implies a literal change of direction, not just a feeling.

  • Urgency: The title “Lord of Hosts” (God of Armies) is repeated three times in one sentence, emphasizing that this is a supreme command, not a casual suggestion.

Conclusion

God is not holding a grudge over the past, nor is He distant; He is responsive. The restoration of His presence is guaranteed, but it waits upon the people’s initiative to move toward Him first.

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 17, Day 3: Matthew 16:13-16

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 16:13-16

When Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi, he asked, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Some say John the Baptist, Elijah, or Jeremiah. When he asked the disciples who they say he is, Simon Peter says he is Christ, the Son of the living God.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 17, Day 3: Matthew 16:13-16

6) “Who do the people say the Son of Man is?” “Who do you say I am?” Jesus wants to know if his disciples believe he is Christ.

7a) Some say John the Baptist, Elijah, or Jeremiah or another prophet.

b) Some say he is just another prophet for the most part. Some believe he is Christ, the Son of God. Others believe he never existed at all. Some say he was just an ordinary man.

8a) “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This answer revealed his faith in Jesus.

b) It’s the crux of Christianity, the way to eternal life, and the way to God and heaven. It’s what forgives us our sins.

c) The same way Peter did!

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 17, Day 3: Matthew 16:13-16

I love how Jesus really wanted to know who his disciples thought he was, but framed it with what others thought first. I also love how Peter is the first to answer.

Learn more about Peter with this great read!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 17, Day 3: Matthew 16:13-16

map of Caesarea Philippi www.atozmomm.comCaesarea Philippi is a region in Judea that is north of Galilee and that has more Gentiles than Jews. Jesus is most likely looking for a respite from the crowds. It gives Jesus a chance to teach his disciples.

“Who do you say I am?” is the most important question on earth.

Peter most likely speaks for all of the disciples. Now, they truly understand who Jesus is, that he is God, and what his mission is.

Jesus knew they were beginning to understand the Truth, but for them to go spiritually deeper, they had to confess who he was.

Peter’s confession affirms the disciples have reached a new level of faith.

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BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 17, Day 3: Genesis 27:14-29

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2020/2021

Summary of Genesis 27:14-29:

Jacob went all out on the deception, putting on Esau’s clothes and goat skins on his hands and neck in order to appear hairy like Esau. He brought the food Rebekah had prepared to Isaac, who wondered how Jacob had gotten the food so quickly. Note the lie here: God had blessed him with success. Isaac does touch his hands and says how the voice is Jacob’s, but his hands are Esau’s. After eating the goat stew, Isaac kisses him and then smells the scent of Esau from the clothes. He then blesses Jacob with blessings, riches, and having nations serve him.

BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 17, Day 3: Genesis 27:14-29

7a) Rebekah was showing that she’d do whatever it took to get her way (or God’s in this case), even lie and trick others. She was showing that she knew best over Jacob and was showing him no respect as the head of the household.

b) Jacob didn’t hesitate to lie at all to get the blessing. He went along with everything Rebekah told him to do. Isaac ignored God’s soverignty by trying to give Esau the blessing instead of Jacob. There was no respect. There was no seeking God. They simply did not care who they hurt in their actions.

8 ) It shows the dangers of favoritism amongst parents towards their children. Still, at the heart of man, it comes down to putting your will above God’s and doing anything to make that happen. Funny how God always wins.

9) Even though the methods were wrong, Jacbo still received the blessing that God intended. God always works things out as they are supposed to be despite our attempts to do it for God or for other reasons. God is good.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 17, Day 3: Genesis 27:14-29

This story shows the heart of man perfectly. No matter how God-centered you are, you always have to be wary of letting your will and intentions usurp God’s.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 17, Day 3: Genesis 27:14-29

Isaac probably knew it was Jacob in his heart of hearts, as we see with the repeated questions. However, Isaac believed Jacob instead. Jacob tells several lies to get what he wants, justifying it by how he’s doing God’s will. The means does not justify the end.

Isaac cannot see and his sense of touch was not good. Thus, he relied on his sense of smell. Back in the day when no one showered or did laundry, the distinct smell that every human has was pronounced, which is what Isaac smelled on Esau’s clothes.

Isaac passes on the blessing God had given Abraham.

The blessing itself is one of richness, bounty, and God’s presence.

In the end, God blesses who He wants to blesses and curses who He wants to curses; our actions here on earth are truly meaningless outside of God’s will.