Tag: bsf answers

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 1, Day 3: 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.

BSF Study Questions Matthew: Lesson 1, Day 3: Matthew 1:18-25

7a) 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.

b) 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.

8a ) 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.

b) Everything. Knowing God is wtih me and the Lord saves me gets me through the tough times and days of my life.

9 ) That no matter what I do, I am saved. I will go to heaven.  All I have to do is believe in Jesus and his salvation (Romans 10:9). It truly is that simple.

10 ) 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 BSF Study Questions Matthew: Lesson 1, Day 3: Matthew 1:18-25

I love the obedience. Of course, it helps to have an angel deliver news. Still, what would happen if we obeyed just as readily?

End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew: Lesson 1, Day 3: Matthew 1:18-25

Luke tells us about Jesus’s actual birth. Matthew just tells us about the conception.

In the Jewish culture, couples were often engaged quite young, even as children. Betrothals followed, which was the next step towards marriage. Once you were betrothed, separation was only by a divorce. Finally, the marriage took place.

The virgin birth is a hard concept for people to grasp, which is why it’s denied. What you need to remember is all things are possible through God (Matthew 19:26). Mary’s pregnancy is a miracle by God.

Since Mary was pregnant not by Joseph, Joseph is understandable upset (wouldn’t you be). He seeks a divorce from her, which is when God (once again) steps in to preserve Jesus’s lineage. An angel visits Joseph to explain the situation and what he is to do.

Jesus was a common name at the time. It means the salvation of Yahwah. Today, it is much more significant. Jesus is to save his people (all people) from sin.

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said.” This is a theme of Matthew and the first time of many you will see this phrase used.

Meaning of Immanuel

You can debate all day long what Immanuel means. However, what matters most is what Immanuel means to you. God is with you in the pain, the sorrows, the circumstances, the hurts, the joy, the wins, the losses, in death, in death of a loved one, in birth of your child, and the list goes on. Every hour, every minute, every second of every day, of every week, of every month, of every your of your life. God is with you. When you truly grasp that, nothing on this side of heaven will shake you.

Joseph obeys after the angel appears. Jesus’s parents are now set in place.

Is Mary of David’s Line?

There is debate as to Mary’s lineage. Scholars say she is of David’s House and of the tribe of Judah because she is descended from Nathan, the third son of David and Bathsheba. Joseph, on the other hand, is from the line of David via Solomon. This point is debated with bible scholars because it is not explicity stated. BSF stays away from the debate altogether. To me, it seems logical that both are descended from David because God wants to make sure there is no doubt. Contact me today!

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BSF 7-Day Challenge: Day 7 — Returning to Israel: Matthew 2:19-23

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 2:19-23

An angel of the Lord appeared again to Joseph after Herod had died and told them to return to Israel. Archelaus, Herod’s son, followed Herod on the throne of Judea. Joseph was afraid to return. Joseph was warned in a dream so he went to Galilee to a town called Nazareth, fulfilling the prophecy of Jesus being called a Nazarene.

QUESTIONS FOR BSF 7-DAY CHALLENGE DAY 7: RETURNING TO ISRAEL: MATTHEW 2:19-23

1 ) Archelaus, Herod’s son, followed Herod on the throne of Judea. Joseph was afraid to return. Consequently, Joseph was warned in a dream so he went to Galilee to a town called Nazareth, fulfilling the prophecy of Jesus being called a Nazarene.

2 ) The Bible foretold the King would come from Nazareth.

3 ) In truth, all of us come from unexpected places since no place is truly more significant than another. Anything good can come from anywhere.

4 ) In every way. God has always guided me and protected me throughout all of the events of my life.

CONCLUSIONS TO BSF 7-DAY CHALLENGE DAY 7: RETURNING TO ISRAEL: MATTHEW 2:19-23

God draws us to Him one step at a time. The journey of our faith doesn’t happen by leaps and bounds; it’s in the little faithful doings when we say “Yes, Lord” when we grow until one day, we are His.

COMMENTARY TO BSF 7-DAY CHALLENGE DAY 7: RETURNING TO ISRAEL: MATTHEW 2:19-23

God and Jesus’s glory will never be snuffed out. If you continue on God’s path, yours won’t either. Take his hand, and walk with him today!

Thank you for joining me in this 7-Day Challenge! I hope you feel very prepared to continue with our study of Matthew throughout this year and feel ready to grow with God as we follow Jesus’s growth! It is all about Him!

Other short studies of BSF HERE

Contact me with questions today!

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BSF 7-Day Challenge: Day 5 — Magi Visit the King: Matthew 2:9-12

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 2:9-12

The Magi went on their way after talking to King Herod. They followed the star until they saw where it had stopped over the place where Jesus was. They saw Jesus with Mary and worshipped him. The Magi gave Jesus gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh. They did not report back to Herod (having been warned in a dream), so they returned home a different way.

QUESTIONS FOR BSF 7-DAY CHALLENGE DAY 5: MAGI VISIT THE KING: MATTHEW 2:9-12

1 ) The Magi followed the star until they saw where it had stopped over the place where Jesus was. God wanted to make it clear who the real King was to them. God is gracious, indeed.

2 ) You should go to great lengths to worship Jesus and God. The Magis traveled very far on a long journey to see this King and give him gifts and worship. You and I, too, should go to great lengths to worship him, too.

3 ) Remembering all that Jesus did for me, all of my blessings, and praising him for those blessings and my life.

4 ) The Magi were warned in a dream to not go back to Herod. This ensured Herod would not find Jesus and kill him.

CONCLUSIONS TO BSF 7-DAY CHALLENGE DAY 5: MAGI VISIT THE KING: MATTHEW 2:9-12

This is a great example of ignoring what your leaders tell you when it puts others in harm’s way. Also, this is a great example of going out of your way to worship the One, True King.

COMMENTARY TO BSF 7-DAY CHALLENGE DAY 5: MAGI VISIT THE KING: MATTHEW 2:9-12

Note God’s control over the entire situation (every situation, in fact), as well as his control over Herod. He guides the Magi to the precise location of Jesus. They worship him with expensive gifts. God sends a dream (one of five dreams in Matthew 1-2) that will protect Jesus from the Enemy.

God is great and actively working in your life. Seek Him today!

Contact me with questions!

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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!

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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!

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BSF 7-Day Challenge: The Birth of Jesus, Matthew 1-2

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

Hey all!

I’m SUPER excited to invite you to join me in a pre-study of Matthew in BSF’s 7-Day Challenge.

We will be doing this the week after we complete WordGo’s study of Ruth, which will be August 23rd through August 29th.

The beauty of this mini-study of Matthew is:

  • It’s great for those of you like me who are impatient to begin BSF’s Book of Matthew study.
  • It covers a lot of the material we will be covering the first few weeks of the study of Matthew
  • The questions are the questions for the introduction lesson of BSF’s Study of Matthew, so you’ll already have that done.
  • You’ll have a second chance once BSF kicks off to dive even deeper into these super important chapters of Matthew.

Are you convinced?

FANTASTIC!

Click HERE to download the study.

Contact me with questions!

I can’t wait to begin!

God bless!

pink flamingo www.atozmomm.com

Summer Bible Study: WordGo’s Study of Ruth: Week 2, Day 2: Psalm 13 with Ruth 1:20-22

by atozmom, posted in WordGo Ruth

SUMMARY OF PSALM 13

David asks the Lord how long he will forget him or turn away from him. How long must he have sorrow in his heart and his enemies triumph over him? David pleads with the Lord to answer him and to give him light to see by. He trusts in God’s unfailing love, and he rejoices in God’s salvation. He will sing to God.

SUMMARY OF RUTH 1:20-22

Naomi renames herself Mara, meaning bitter because God has made her life bitter and brought misfortune upon her. Naomi and Ruth arrived in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning.

QUESTIONS FOR PSALM 13 WITH RUTH 1:20-22

3 ) They are both angry at God for the misfortunes they have suffered in life and are questioning him. Yet, both are still faithful to him. Still. I’m unsure how angry I get. I usually accept what happens to me in life.

4 ) I think it’s just trusting that God will provide through the hard times and take care of you on the other side of hard times. Hard times are usually followed by good times.

5 ) I listen to songs that offer me hope and encouragement, that motivate me, that speak about the good times and overcoming. They serve to lift me up and brighten my day, as well as give me strength to keep persevering even though I don’t feel like it.

CONCLUSIONS TO WORDGO PSALM 13 WITH RUTH 1:20-22

I love how you can be angry at God and even question why, but that doesn’t mean you don’t trust in his authority or his knowledge to orchestrate your life. Great lesson.