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

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

Summary of Ezekiel 1:1-3

Ezekiel has a vision from God.

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

3a) Ezekiel was an exile in Babylon (a lof of Judah had been exiled at this time). It was during the reign of King Jehoiachin. The Lord was with him. 2 Kings adds that Jehoiachin did evil in the eyes of the Lord.

b) I’m sure it was not pleasant being an exile in a foreign land. I’m sure he was doing his best to be faithful to the Lord while being surrounded and captured by pagans. He may have been depressed, anxious, losing faith in God, questioning God, etc.

4a) “The heavens were opened and I saw visions of God” and “the word of the Lord came to Ezekiel the priest” and “There the hand of the Lord was on him.”

b) It shows that God has not abandoned Ezekiel. He is still with him, guiding him, as God does for us, no matter our circumstances. God offers compassion, His word, and His power to us.

5) God directs me and I follow the best I can. He gives me great peace in unsettling circumstances. He is and always has been faithful, even in my darkest days.

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

I love the emphasis on God’s presence in our lives always, no matter the circumstances and God’s hand on us as we journey through life. Great news!

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

Most likely, Ezekiel was 30 years of age at this time. He was a priest, and priests began their service in the temple at the age of 30. However, Ezekiel was now called to be a prophet.

The time is most likely 597 BC, before the complete fall of Jerusalem and the nation of Judah.

Ezekiel means “strengthened by God,” and he had the hand of the Lord on him.

Map of Kebar River

map of Kebar River
Courtesy of Pinterest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

The visions of the prophet Ezekiel are some of the most complex, symbolic, and vivid in the entire Bible. Given to him during the crisis of the Babylonian exile, their details reveal profound truths about the nature and character of God, intended to both challenge and comfort the displaced people of Judah.

Here are some of the key things the details of Ezekiel’s visions reveal about God:

God’s Overwhelming Majesty and Sovereignty

Ezekiel’s first and most famous vision (Ezekiel 1) is of God’s throne-chariot. The details are meant to overwhelm the senses and convey a being of unimaginable power:

  • The Four Living Creatures: Each creature has four faces (human, lion, ox, eagle), representing all of creation—humanity, wild animals, domesticated animals, and birds. This reveals that God is not just the God of Israel, but the sovereign ruler over all living things.
  • The Wheels Within Wheels: The intricate, intersecting wheels covered in eyes () reveal God’s omnipresence and omniscience. He can move in any direction with perfect agility, and His eyes see everything, everywhere.
  • The Dazzling Appearance: The vision is filled with imagery of brilliant light, flashing fire, and glowing metal, culminating in a throne of lapis lazuli. This reveals God’s glory and power as something awesome, terrifying, and utterly beyond human comparison or comprehension.

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What to Expect for Posts for BSF’s Study of Exile & Return: A Time to Build

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

Hey all!

BSF’s bible study BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build is almost here! I can’t wait.

For my postings, you’ll see much of the same:
  • A summary of the passage
  • My answers to the question
  • My personal thoughts
  • Commentator analysis
  • Overarching analysis of the passage (NEW THIS YEAR!)

I’m super excited to be adding my “End Notes Summarized” section, which will explain the meaning of the passage in a succinct, easy-to-understand format!

I’d love to hear what you think about this when you begin, so leave me a comment!

See you soon for our online Bible study!

Have a blessed day!

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Posts for BSF’s Study of Exile & Return: A Time to Build Begin August 25th

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

Hey all!

Because some of our friends in Asia have already started, I will begin my posts on Monday, Aug 25th, in hopes of helping some of them.

You can save my emails or posts, or visit my website and scroll down. They show up on my blog in reverse order as I post them.

You can also use the sidebar to filter that is labeled “BSF Exile & Return: A Time to Build 2025/2026”

You can also use the search feature to search for a particular lesson.

AND, new this year, I have posted a link at the top of my page called “BSF Exile & Return” for quick access!

I hope you are as excited as I am. I’ll post what to expect with these posts soon! Can’t wait to begin!

Have a blessed day!

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Summer Bible Study: WordGo’s Philippians: Joy in Christ: Week 2, Day 6: Philippians 2:5

by atozmom, posted in WordGo Philippians: Joy in Christ

Focus Verse: Philippians 2:5

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”

Questions for Philippians 2:5

15) I learned that I have to strive to be more Christ-like by being humble, loving, and compassionate; by putting others first and me last; by having a servant attitude; by being obedient to God. I must not grumble, argue, or complain. I must be joyful. It starts by just being present with others and present in making my daily decisions to be more like Christ and acting more how he would.

16) I think I would be more joyful and fun to be around. I wouldn’t be as down in the dumps sometimes. I would put others first and have more fruitful relationships. This would be heavenly! My family would benefit the most.

Conclusions to Week 2 and Philippians: Joy in Christ

Great week on having the mind of Jesus! It seems simple to do as we read it, but we all know this is incredibly hard.

Still, nothing in life that is easy is worth doing, so I will do my best to have the mind of Christ! Amen!

Contact me with questions today!

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Summer Bible Study: WordGo’s Philippians: Joy in Christ: Week 2, Day 5: Philippians 2:17-30

by atozmom, posted in WordGo Philippians: Joy in Christ

Summary of Philippians 2:17-30

Paul cites three examples of devotion to follow.

Questions for Philippians 2:17-30

12) Paul, Timothy, Epaphroditus. Paul uses his life as an example of his devotion to Jesus, which has led to his imprisonment and to his eventual death. Timothy is the second example of self-sacrifice. He is selfless, trained, empathetic, and devoted to God. Epaphroditus comforted Paul while he was in prison. He did this when he saw Paul’s needs. He put Paul above himself.

13) Devotion to others. I have a hard time putting others and their needs before myself. I really need to work on this. The challenge I face is my sinful human nature.

14) I have very few in my life at the moment. The ones who come to my mind are those who were my mentors many years ago. They have helped me grow spiritually.

Conclusions to WordGo Philippians: Joy in Christ, Philippians 2:17-30

Paul calls us to joy. I know many of us struggle with this, but we can have it if God is first in our lives!

Following God is a daily struggle, but we can do this! Pray and live each day for Him!

Contact me with questions today!

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Summer Bible Study: WordGo’s Philippians: Joy in Christ: Week 2, Day 4: Philippians 2:12-16

by atozmom, posted in WordGo Philippians: Joy in Christ

Summary of Philippians 2:12-16

Paul praises God who empowers devoted followers of Christ

Questions for Philippians 2:12-16

9) Believers should live out our salvation that Christ died to give us by working each and every day to be more Christ-like. We should take our spiritual growth seriously, as God gives us the desire and power to do so. We must make our outward life match our inward life.

10) When believers have “fear and trembling,” they have a deep respect for God’s holiness and for the salvation of Christ given to us. We are to depend on God entirely as we are weak. Verse 13 reminds us that God and Jesus work together for our good. We must work out what God is working in us. God gives us the power to do this and we simply must obey.

11) Grumbling and arguing show us our heart problem. When we grumble, we show we are dissatisfied with God’s provision in our lives, and we distrust him. Arguing shows our desire to be above others, meaning our opinions are more important than others’. A pure heart is devoted to God; a grumbling one and an arguing one are not. Grumbling and arguing destroy our unity and are forms of darkness when we are called to be lights in this world. We are to be loving to others, kind, good, faithful, etc.

I need to stop complaining so much and bloom where I’m planted! I need to reflect God’s joy to others.

Conclusions to WordGo Philippians: Joy in Christ, Philippians 2:12-16

When we trust God and use His strength, we have his power to accomplish anything. We are to be God-like in everything we do and show others we do have the light of Jesus within.

Everything we do reflects God. We are to act like Jesus.

We are all called to show Jesus to the world through our lives. And, when we submit, others can see our lives.

God’s will is always good because He is always good. Be joyful always!

Contact me with questions today!

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Summer Bible Study: WordGo’s Philippians: Joy in Christ: Week 2, Day 3: Philippians 2:6-11

by atozmom, posted in WordGo Philippians: Joy in Christ

Summary of Philippians 2:6-11

Paul describes Christ’s humility and exaltation as our model.

Questions for Philippians 2:6-11

6) “Being in very nature God.” Jesus is God.

“Equality with God.” Jesus is God.

“He made himself nothing.” Jesus, who is God, made himself nothing or made himself equal to humanity.

“Taking the very nature of a servant.” Jesus became a servant even though he is God and all of us should serve him.

“Being made in human likeness.” Jesus is a deity, which is above humanity.

“He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death.” Jesus became human and humbled himself by giving up his desires and wishes and dying for our sins on the cross.

7) God raised Jesus up to the highest place of honor after his death (the lowest place we can go). Being human is a low place, too.

Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledges that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

8 ) Jesus will one day rule here on Earth, and all those who dwell with him will worship him. My response is gratitude that I will be among those who get to worship him forever!

Conclusions to WordGo Philippians: Joy in Christ, Philippians 2:6-11

Because Christ died for our sins, he has risen to the highest place. One day, we will all worship him. Are you ready?

Contact me with questions today!

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Summer Bible Study: WordGo’s Philippians: Joy in Christ: Week 2, Day 2: Philippians 2:5

by atozmom, posted in WordGo Philippians: Joy in Christ

Summary of Philippians 2:5

Paul reveals that Christ’s mindset is the key to unity.

Questions for Philippians 2:5

3) The key to relationships among believers is to have the same mindset as Jesus. Well, focusing on anything else is lesser than Jesus. Sometimes, believers focus on others or what they can get out of the relationship. They will focus on power, culture, prosperity — anything of the world essentially.

4) Jesus’s mindset/attitude tells us that God insanely loves us (more than we could ever know). He is compassionate towards us. He protects us, leads us, and guides us. He is our Father, too! God cares about our well-being and prosperity, and He is there for us no matter what.

5) I need to not be selfish. I need to be more humble. I need to put others’ needs above my own. Heavenly Father, help me to be less selfish, to put others first, to be more humble, and to do everything with an eye towards you and how you would do things, rather than how I would do things. Help me to get out of myself and realize I am here to do your will and good, not mine. Thank you, Lord, for always being there to guide and protect me as I walk this difficult life path you have set out for me. Thank you for your love, compassion, support, and strength. Thank you for everything!

Conclusions to WordGo Philippians: Joy in Christ, Philippians 2:5

We are to live like Christ, not like our sinful human nature would have us do.

We are to love, serve, and choose God over all else and do God’s will every time we have a choice. Will you commit to doing this one thing?

Contact me with questions today!

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Summer Bible Study: WordGo’s Philippians: Joy in Christ: Week 2, Day 1: Philippians 2:5-30

by atozmom, posted in WordGo Philippians: Joy in Christ

Summary of Philippians 2:5-30

Paul tells his listeners to have the same mindset as Jesus. He humbled himself, became human, and died on the cross for us. Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place. Every knee will bow and say Christ is Lord.

Continue to obey, for God works in you to fulfill His good purpose. Do not grumble or argue so that you may be blameless, pure, and will shine.

Paul hopes to send Timothy and Epaphroditus to them.

Questions for Philippians 2:5-30

1) Jesus humbled himself and became obedient to death. Therefore, he was put on the highest place by God with all worshipping and acknowledging him as Lord. All of these humble me because it’s the ultimate sacrifice. I praise Jesus for his sacrifice so that I may live.

2) God has proved His love for me in Christ every day, firstly by saving me, and secondly, by continually forgiving me, changing me, and drawing me closer to him every day. I would do anything I was called to do. Specifically, I try to live out a Godly life so that others may see Him in me and come to Him. I praise him, talk about him, and try to know him more and more each day.

Conclusions to WordGo Philippians: Joy in Christ, Philippians 2:5-30

Jesus should be our ultimate role model and who we strive to be like.

We must depend on Jesus’s strength and the power of the Holy Spirit in order to accomplish our purpose.

We are to always be an example to others of Christ by living faithfully God’s command and wishes for us.

Contact me with questions today!

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Summer Bible Study: WordGo’s Philippians: Joy in Christ: Week 1, Day 6: Philippians 2:1-2

by atozmom, posted in WordGo Philippians: Joy in Christ

Focus Verses: Philippians 2:1-2

“Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.”

Questions for Philippians 2:1-2

15) God is so gracious to give us the example of Jesus to live by. I feel more inspired than ever to live for others and impact lives as much as I can while I’m here on earth.

16) We must embrace humility and put others first. We must be like-minded, have the same love for others, be united in Spirit, and focus on purpose. We must be aligned so we function as one. We must recognize God as our power source, eliminate disunity, and be humble.

Conclusions to Week 1 and Philippians: Joy in Christ

Great week on humility and love! I love studying the Bible verse by verse. So enriching!

I so want to shine God’s light wherever I go. Do you?

Contact me with questions today!