Tag: bsf answers questions lesson 20 day 3

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 20, Day 3: Zechariah 7:8-14

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

Summary of Zechariah 7:8-14

The Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’

The people would not listen to God, so He did not listen to them. He turned His back and scattered them, making the land desolate.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 20 Day 3: Zechariah 7:8-14

6a) ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’

b) People go from only caring for themselves to caring for others in justice and mercy.

c) It reveals their heart.

7a) Often, God’s people had responded with stubbornness and rejection of God. They ignored the prophets and turned to empty rituals rather than heartfelt change.

b) The result was exile and punishment. God refused to hear them.

8 ) I hope I have become more Christ-like, learned the lessons to grow in my relationship with God and in what He wants for my life, and ultimately learned enough to not repeat my mistakes and to depend on Him more.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 20, Day 3: Zechariah 7:8-14

Such a sad passage and day for the Israelites. When God refuses to listen because you do, it’s not a good thing. So tragic, but what the Israelites needed to return to Him. Hopefully, we don’t make this mistake today!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 20, Day 3: Zechariah 7:8-14

God wants obedience and care for others.

Turning from God is usually a progression. As a result, you grow away from God.

If you want God to listen to you and have your prayers answered, listen to Him.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

This passage serves as a divine explanation for the Babylonian exile, arguing that God values ethical conduct over religious ritual.

  • The Demand (True Religion): God reminds the people that He never primarily asked for fasting; He asked for true justice, mercy, and compassion. Specifically, He demanded the protection of society’s most vulnerable (widows, orphans, foreigners, and the poor).

  • The Rebellion (Hardened Hearts): The ancestors refused to listen, turning “stubborn shoulders” and making their hearts as hard as flint to block out the Spirit’s conviction.

  • The Judgment (Reciprocal Silence): Because they refused to hear the cries of the poor, God refused to hear their prayers. “As I called, and they would not hear, so they called, and I would not hear” (v. 13). This resulted in their scattering (exile) and the desolation of their “pleasant land.”

Conclusion

Ritual cannot replace righteousness. The passage concludes that spiritual authenticity is measured by how one treats the powerless, not by religious performance. A heart closed to the needs of others will eventually find heaven closed to its own petitions.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 20, Day 3: John 15:5-8

by atozmom, posted in BSF John's Gospel: The Truth 2023/2024

SUMMARY OF JOHN 15:5-8

Apart from Jesus, you can do nothing. If you remain in Jesus and his words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. You will bear much fruit for God’s glory.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 20, Day 3: John 15:5-8

6) You must remain in Jesus and his words remain in you. He meant you must remain connected to Jesus and abide in him in order to bear fruit/lead a productive, fulfilling life.

7) I would say no, not really. It’s not a fulfilling life and it’s not all that they could have done with Christ. And, it could be fruitful for others, but I think for them they will always be missing something.

8 ) I would say in all areas. I do believe I could bear more fruit in helping others.

9) It means just that: ask for what you want, and, if it’s in line with God’s will for your life, it will be granted. God gives us our desires because it reflects God’s desires for our lives

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 20, Day 3: John 15:5-8

Great passage on bearing fruit. We must remember that it’s about doing God’s will for His kingdom, so His fruit is most likely different than ours.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 20, Day 3: John 15:5-8

If you abide in Christ, you will bear fruit. Period.

Without Jesus, we can do nothing of real, eternal value.

Without abiding in Jesus, your life fails. You are not a true disciple unless you abide.

By abiding to Jesus’ word and prayer, we remain connected to Jesus. As such, we should expect answers to prayers. If not, there there is a disconnect somewhere.

When you bear fruit, you bring God glory.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 20, Day 3: Isaiah 41:1-44:23

by atozmom, posted in BSF People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided 2022/2023

SUMMARY OF ISAIAH 41:1-44:23

Isaiah 41

Let the idolatrous nations speak. God declares He’s the one who has made all of Creation. The nations tremble. God is with Israel. He strengthens them. God helps His people and redeems them. He will not forsake His people.

He tells the idolaters to present their case, but they can’t because they are false.

Isaiah 42

God speaks of His servant (Jesus) who will have his Spirit on him. He will establish justice on earth and be a light to the Gentiles. The Lord will be praised, and He will never forsake His people. God calls out to those who are deaf and blind to Him to turn to Him. The pain of life is meant to draw them back to God.

Isaiah 43

God created us. That we are His. That He is with us. We will not drown nor be burned. For God is our God. We are precious and honored in His sight. He loves us.

Gather the nations to see if their gods are right. God’s people are His witnesses; He’s the only one who can save. God will have revenge on Babylon. He tells Israel to forget their exile, as He will do new things. Their sins will be forgiven.

Isaiah 44:1-23

God tells His people to not be afraid. He will pour out His spirit on us.

There is no other god than Him. Idols are worthless and those who make idols are nothing. They know nothing and see nothing.

God tells Israel to remember He made them. He will not forget them. He has redeemed them.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 20, Day 3: Isaiah 41:1-44:23

6a) Idols are worthless. They can’t do anything. They are merely creations of mankind. God created mankind, so only He is worthy of worship and belief. When people believe in something other than God, they have nothing — no hope, no strength, no future. God is a jealous God, and when someone worships idols, it angers Him.

b) Anything can be an idol, and people make idols out of others, material possessions, and anything they put above God in their lives.

7a) Jesus

b) Jesus’ mission is to bring forth justice to the Gentiles. He will speak to the deaf and the blind of Israel. He will bring justice to the nations. In him there is hope.

8 ) It’s good to remember that God created us. That we are His. That He is with us. We will not drown nor be burned. For God is our God. We are precious and honored in His sight. He loves us. When we feel unloved or abandoned, remember God’s promises. We are not alone; we never have been. So, hold God tight.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 20, Day 3: Isaiah 41:1-44:23

LONG passages and lots of reading. The gist: only Jesus and God can save. Idols are worthless.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 20, Day 3: Isaiah 41:1-44:23

Isaiah 41

God calls all lands to renew their strength, even those who don’t believe in Him. God asks them who is in charge of human history. God says he has.

The lands are afraid, but they turned away from God, not to Him.

But Judah is God’s servant and should not fear Him. He is with them and will strengthen them. No obstacle is too great with the Lord. God is a God of abundance.

God asks idolaters to present their case, but there is nothing to present. Therefore, idols are worthless.

Fun Fact: This is the only place in the Bible where God uses the title “King of Jacob.” The King of Israel is used 138 times in the Bible.

Fun Fact: God uses the words “I Will” in this chapter 14 times, all in reference to how He will help His people.

Isaiah 42

God speaks of His servant, Jesus, the Elect One. God delights in Him who will bring forth justice to the Gentiles. He will hold Jesus’ hand and keep him. He will be the light to the Gentiles.

I am the Lord, that is My name. This is the four letters of God: Y H U H. No one knows how to pronounce it. It is known as the tetragrammaton.

God praises the work of Jesus. All who serve false gods will be punished.

Jesus will heal the deaf and the blind.

God will defend His people.

Isaiah 43

God tells his people to not fear Him because he has redeemed them. God is with them.

He calls to those who are blind and deaf to Him to prove their case or accept God.

God commissions witnesses for Him. There are no other gods before or after him. Only God can save.

God will judge Babylon for what they did to God’s people. God will make a new path for them.

Even though His people have hard hearts towards Him, He will show mercy and forgive their sins.

Isaiah 44:1-23

The Lord made His people and will pour out His spirit on them. We are God’s. He alone is God.

Those who make idols are useless. They do not know or understand. Idols cannot deliver or redeem.

We should praise God’s greatness and glory. He has redeemed us.

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