Tag: bsf lesson 11 day 5

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 11, Day 5: Ezra 8:21-36

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

Summary of Ezra 8:21-36

Ezra asked God for a safe journey. He gave the priests the silver, gold, and other articles to protect and carry to Jerusalem. Everyone (and the gold) arrived in Jerusalem safely, thanks to God.

They praised God and sacrificed burnt offerings to Him. They conveyed the King’s orders to the governors there, too.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 11, Day 5: Ezra 8:21-36

12a) They fasted and humbled themselves before God. They asked God for a safe journey.
b) It allows people to recognize that they totally depend on God. A humble posture of prayer recognizes God’s ultimate sovereignty, power, and goodness. It acknowledges our own limitations, vulnerability, and complete dependence on Him for protection and provision. It is an act of submitting our will to His authority and trusting in His character, not our own merit.
13a) Because he had told the king, “The gracious hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him, but his great anger is against all who forsake him,” so it would look like they didn’t trust God if they had asked.
b) I need to trust God with my coaching, my novel, and my future career.
14a) He put the provisions (gold, silver, and such) in the hands of the priests. He counted it out before they left and then, when they arrived to ensure it all had arrived safely and had not been stolen.
b) It’s just always a good idea to safeguard items. People learn that true faith and practical action work together. Ezra modeled this by fasting and praying (divine trust) while also creating meticulous accountability (human responsibility). His story shows God faithfully protects those who boldly depend on Him and manage His provisions with integrity.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 11, Day 5: Ezra 8:21-36

Great lesson on relying on God for all your life’s journeys!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 11, Day 5: Ezra 8:21-36

Fasting can have immense power.

Robbers were always a threat in ancient times. Yet, God was faithful!

The gold and silver were worth millions of dollars in today’s money. This was an important job, indeed.

God’s hand was upon them (as His is on us!).

The journey from Babylon to Jerusalem took 4 months.

The accounting and stewardship were amazing here.

The burnt offerings showed gratitude to God and dedication to Him. A sin offering was made as well.

12 bulls for the 12 tribes of Judah.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Ezra 8:21-36 records Ezra’s profound act of faith, his meticulous care for God’s holy items, and the safe arrival of his contingent in Jerusalem, proving God’s faithfulness.

Interpretation

  • Faith over Fear (vv. 21-23): Before beginning the dangerous journey, Ezra proclaims a fast, asking God for protection. He does this because he had previously told King Artaxerxes that “the good hand of our God is on everyone who looks to him.” Ezra was ashamed to ask for a military escort after making such a bold declaration of faith. He chose to rely radically on God’s protection rather than the king’s army, and the text confirms, “He answered our prayer.”
  • Accountability and Sanctity (vv. 24-30): Ezra demonstrates wise leadership by entrusting the vast treasures of gold and silver to twelve consecrated priests and their Levite assistants. He weighs everything, gives them a solemn charge to guard these “sacred” items, and makes them accountable for delivering the exact weight upon arrival. This shows his respect for the sanctity of the items and his prudence in managing them.
  • God’s Protection and Mission Accomplished (vv. 31-36): The group completes the perilous four-month journey safely, as God delivers them from “enemies and bandits on the way.” Upon arriving in Jerusalem, they rest, meticulously weigh and deliver the treasures to the Temple, and offer burnt offerings to God. They also deliver the king’s decrees, ensuring the mission has the full backing of the Persian authorities.

Conclusion

This passage is a powerful testament to faith in action. Ezra’s decision to forgo a military guard was a risky demonstration of his total trust in God, and God honored that faith with safe passage. The section highlights a perfect balance of divine reliance (fasting and prayer) and human responsibility (meticulous accounting and stewardship), resulting in the successful completion of the mission and the joyful restoration of worship.

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BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 11, Day 5: 2 Peter 3

by atozmom, posted in BSF Revelation: The Hope 2024/2025

Summary of 2 Peter 3

2 Peter 3:1-10:  Peter is imploring the people to wholesome thinking.  In the last days, scoffers will come, skeptical and evil, questioning God, forgetting the creation.  The world was destroyed in the flood and the day of judgment will come when the world will be destroyed by fire.

The Lord’s time is not our time; a thousand years are like a day. He is patient, giving everyone a chance to repent.  But the Day of Judgment will come, and everything will be destroyed.

You should live holy and godly lives until a new heaven and earth come. Be spotless, blameless, and at peace with God. Be on your guard so that you do not fall away.

BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 11, Day 5: 2 Peter 3

13a) Peter encourages us to wholesome thinking. wholesome thinking. He wants us to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles. This is important because we must be ready for when Jesus comes again, and the devil is perpetually looking to trip us up and make us fall.

b) Those who do not believe in Jesus are wont to commit sins without repentance or caring. They justify their actions no matter whom they hurt. They act this way because they are slaves to the flesh, to themselves, to what feels good at the time, and to the devil. They have no moral compass as to what is right or wrong.

c) With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. It means that His time is not our time. We must have patience for God to do His thing for us.

14) The day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

15a) We should live holy and godly lives. Be spotless, blameless, and at peace with God. This is accomplished by staying close to God and Jesus: praying, going to church and Bible study, surrounding yourself with believing friends, reading the Bible, and relying on God for everything.

b) He is encouraging me to keep going; to keep fighting the fight for Him. And, He is encouraging me to do His will for my life. He is encouraging me to explore more His will.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 11, Day 5: 2 Peter 3

I love how we are to stay close to God even though we know where we are going and are saved. We still must be vigilant in our walk with Jesus, and we are to be patient with events that happen in our lives.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 11, Day 5: 2 Peter 3

There are always those who doubt Jesus who don’t put him first in their lives.

Days can seem long to us, but they are mere hours to God. Nothing limits God, not even time.

God will keep His promises and come again once all have a chance to turn to Him.

Jesus will come quickly when he does come. We should live with this in mind, seeking God and righteousness.

Peter says we can hasten Jesus’ coming by being holy and through evangelism and prayer.

We must be careful that the Scriptures aren’t twisted by others.

We must always be abiding in Jesus and striving to grow our relationship with him. That is our calling. By continually growing in our walk with Jesus, we won’t fall.

We live differently and share the Gospel, so others can as well.

“Amen” is praising God and His blessings. It is an entreatment and a prayer at all at once. How powerful!

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 11, Day 5: John 7:37-52

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

Summary of John 7:37-52

Jesus invites those who are thirsty to come to him. Whoever believes in him will have rivers of living water flow within (Jesus meant the Holy Spirit here). Many believed he was the Prophet and Messiah. Others still questioned.

The guards did not bring in Jesus as the chief priests and the Pharisees wanted. Nicodemus spoke up, but was denied, too.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 11, Day 5: John 7:37-52

11a) Holy Spirit

b) It means we have the Holy Spirit within, guiding us. This means that we are guided daily and have the presence of the Lord within. The Holy Spirit reveals God’s truth to us and teaches us.

c) The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit all work together for our good. God sent Jesus to do His will. The Holy Spirit was given when Jesus died. All are meant to help us walk with God.

12a) The Prophet, Messiah

b) They could not get over the fact that Jesus came from Galilee.

c) Good question and I can’t think of a specific example. It’s hard to hear God’s truth amongst all the other noise. That’s when I turn to prayer or the Bible to hear His voice.

13a)  “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?” Basically, the law of innocent until proven guilty. Nicodemus was shut down and dismissed.

b) Pretty willing. The desire for safety and security.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 11, Day 5: John 7:37-52

You can see the close-mindedness of the Jewish leaders here and their desire to get rid of Jesus no matter what. Yet, God is in control.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 11, Day 5: John 7:37-52

Jesus uses water again to illustrate his point that if you come to him, you will have living waters (eternal life). God provided for the Israelites in the wilderness. The Festival included the symbolic pouring out of water on the altar. Now, Jesus will do so again.

The Holy Spirit gives believers new life, seals them as God’s, and gives them power to live for God.

All were invited (anyone) to quench their spiritual thirst. You must believe in Jesus.

Jesus divided people. You either believed, or you didn’t, and there were a fair amount on either side.

Because of Jesus’ eloquence, he could not be arrested. His time had not yet come.

The religious leaders were blind to all reason, even when Nicodemus pointed out their condemnation before a trial could take place.

Prophets had, indeed, come from Galilee: Jonah (2 Kings 14:25) and Elijah.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 11, Day 5: Romans 15:4

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

Romans 15:4:

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 11, Day 5: Romans 15:4

11a) Unsure. I love the Old Testament prophets!

b) It encourages me that I’ll learn great things in God’s word.

12a) People are all sinners. They all turn from God at some point. They are wicked inside. Yet, there are those who follow him and follow him with all their hearts. These are whom God rewards.

b) God never gives up on His people. He is greater, and His love is infinite.

13) I have immense hope for the future. God has never failed, and He won’t even in the face of chaos.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 11, Day 5: Romans 15:4

I can’t wait to dive into the Old Testament even more!

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 11, Day 5: Romans 15:4

God’s word is full of hope. Do you see it? Feel it? Live it? Breathe it?

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 11, Day 5: Matthew 10:32-42

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 10:32-42

If you acknowledge Jesus (accept him), God will accept you in heaven. Whoever doesn’t won’t be accepted. Jesus did not come to bring peace; he came with a sword to ensure he is first in the hearts of men, not others. You must take up your cross and follow him. Those who accept Jesus will be rewarded.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 11, Day 5: Matthew 10:32-42

14) If you acknowledge Jesus (accept him), God will accept you in heaven. Whoever doesn’t won’t be accepted. Jesus did not come to bring peace; he came with a sword to ensure he is first in the hearts of men, not others. You must take up your cross and follow him. Those who accept Jesus will be rewarded.

15) Because God is first in lives and deserves to have everything given up for him.

16) Take up your cross means you must be willing to die in order to follow Jesus. You die to self. You surrender everything, including allegiance to your family over Christ. Then, you give up your hopes, dreams, and even family to follow Christ and do his will. The reward is eternal life in heaven. Here is an old post of mine explaining this: HERE

17) I have had to give up my wants and desires for God’s will many times in this world.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 11, Day 5: Matthew 10:32-42

I love how Jesus is encouraging his disciples that even though times will be tough, their reward in heaven will be more than worth it. What we all need to keep in mind.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 11, Day 5: Matthew 10:32-42

We must publically confess our Christianity and not hide it from shame. It should be clear to others you are a Christian. Whatever Jesus is to you, we will be to him.

People, even families, are divided by Jesus’s message of eternal salvation, which is why a sword analogy is used. Jesus must be first in our lives.

The cross in Roman times symbolized death, not life like it does to us. Taking up your cross meant being willing to die to follow Jesus. When you are willing to lose your life for Jesus, you find it.

Fun Fact: This is the first time Matthew has mentioned cross.

We are to do good for Jesus’s disciples (priests, pastors, etc) by supporting them, even by giving them something as simple as a glass of water.

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BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 11, Day 5: Genesis 18:1-15

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2020/2021

Summary of Genesis 18:1-15:

The Lord appeared to Abraham among three visitors one day while Abraham was resting in the heat of the day.  When Abraham saw these men, he hurried to greet them and bowed low, knowing one was God for he says, “my lord” while addressing them. Abraham entreats them to stay, and he washes their feet and brings food and drink for their comfort. They agree to stay.

Abraham bustles about, hurrying the preparations of bread, meat, and milk (it is God). The men ask Abraham where is Sarah. God Himself tells Abraham (again) that Sarah will have a child this time next year.

Sarah who was eavesdropping laughs, believing she is worn out. God, of course, hears Sarah and asks Abraham directly, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Then God says He will return this time next year and Sarah will have a son.

Then Sarah denies she laughed out of fear.

BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 11, Day 5: Genesis 18:1-15

14a) They may not have invited the men to stay, nor feed them a meal. He selected the best calf to slaughter and brought curds and milk and baked bread. They both did the work themselves instead of servants, and we sense urgency in Abraham’s doings, indicating he knew his guests were special.

b) Personal Question. My answer: Attitude and joy, mainly. I either begrudge every moment and have a miserable time, or I have a good time and feel joy.

15) The first thing they ask is where is Sarah, so their visit was to confirm to Sarah that she would have a son. God says that when He returns, Sarah will have a son.

16) Because God heard Sarah laugh and knew she had.

17) Sarah had to believe God. We must believe God. God blesses (Luke 1:45) and rewards those who have faith (Hebrews 11:6; 11) Without faith you can’t please God.

BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 11, Day 5: Genesis 18:1-15

I love how God includes Sarah and makes sure she understands and has faith in this culture where women did not matter. This shows God loves all equally.

BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 11, Day 5: Genesis 18:1-15

It is possible that Sarah never conceived earlier because she never had faith in God’s promise.

Bible scholars believe this was only 3 months since the last time God appeared because Sarah is not pregnant yet.

Here we literally see the Triune God, appearing as 3 men. So cool!

map of mamre bible

We’ve seen Mamre a lot so far in the Bible

Abraham knew it was God. At what point, we are unsure. Did God appear the same? No one knows. He could have changed his appearance at will.

Note God called Sarah by her new name. (Genesis 17:15-16).

God says His promise over and over again because dumb humans need to hear it over and over again, albeit this appearance was for Sarah, not Abraham.  Genesis 17:17-22

Romans 10:17:  “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ”

Both knew they’d have a son only be God’s miraculous hand, which may have been why they had to wait so long because God wanted to make it clear it was a miracle.

Doubt Versus Faith

As time passes and things don’t happen in our lives as we believe they should, we doubt as we see here with Sarah and Abraham. During their childbearing years, they believed. Now, it’s hard for them to do so.

Great commentary on the tree and this passage HERE

Some scholars think Abraham and Sarah were not having sex for whatever reason so God needed to reinforce His will personally, which is why He appears here.  In other words, they did not believe God (they were doubting His word) and were doing nothing to fulfill God’s will for their lives.

God heard Sarah’s laugh. We should remember God hears everything. God does not punish them for their unbelief. God is faithful to His promises despite our doubt (2 Timothy 2:13). He never abandons us like we do Him.

Hard is the same Hebrew word for wonderful in Isaiah 9:6 referring to Christ.

God talks to Abraham about Sarah’s doubt since he is the head of the household. He is responsible for her faith, or, in this case, her unbelief.

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 11, Day 5: Genesis 12:10-13:4

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passage:  Abram went to Egypt due to a famine.  Abram told Sarai to tell the Egyptians she was his sister in order to protect himself because he was afraid the Egyptians would kill him.  So Pharaoh married Sarai (thinking she wasn’t married) and treated Abram well because of it.  He was given sheep, cattle, donkeys, servants, and camels.

The Lord was angry at this so he punished Pharaoh and Pharaoh asked Abram why he lied to him. Pharaoh sent them out of his land.  They returned to the Negev much wealthier from his lie to Pharaoh.

Abram traveled back to Bethel where he had built the altar earlier (Day 4) and called on the Lord.

Questions:

11a)  Nothing is an act of nature since God is in control.  I think it was a test of Abram’s faith as we see as the story unravels and Abram’s self-preservation and self-reliance is revealed.  God never told Abram to go to Egypt; he was to stop in Canaan.  The famine is a test to see if Abram would rely on God for all his needs.  Obviously, Abram doesn’t.  He schemes and ultimately failed in this test.

b)  Acknowledging God, calling on Him, faith and trust in God.

12a)  Verses 11-13  Abram is telling Sarai to lie because he is afraid of being killed.  Verse 15 shows how Abram just stood by while he let Pharaoh take his wife as his own and fornicate with her.  Because of this in verse 17 we see how God punished Pharaoh for Abram’s sin.  Abram in verse 13:2 became rich because of it and doesn’t seem to show any remorse.  Hagar will also enter the picture (Genesis 16), a source of jealousy for Sarai.

b)  Israel (Abram’s descendants) will bear the Lord’s wrath due to Abram’s sin until the Lord brings Israel into the light.  We will also see in Genesis 16:1 some of the consequences of this sin in the form of Hagar, one of the maidservants Abram and Sarai acquired while in Egypt and what harm she causes.

c)  He didn’t punish Abram but instead punished Pharaoh and He allowed Abram to profit financially from the sin.  God blessed and protected Abram because God had bigger plans for him than this sin.

13a)  Bethel

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  I definitely don’t see any repentance.  Just because you build an altar doesn’t equate with asking for forgiveness for your sins.  I see faith in building an altar.  That’s about it.

My take-away is to ask for forgiveness for your sins where Abram did not and to have faith that God will protect you on your journey in this life instead of scheming, lying, and allowing your wife to fornicate with others.

Put your faith in God and His promises–not in lies–for ALL things.  Only you can fail God.  God will never fail you.

Conclusions:  I had completely missed this the last time I read Genesis.  I didn’t remember Abram doing this to protect his own skin.  To me, it seems like Abram was having a high ol’ time, living it up, at Sarai’s expense (unless she enjoyed being the wife of the most powerful man of the known world, but we are not told anything with relation to how Sarai felt).

Abram threw her under the bus and seemed content to have her stay there forever.  God’s the one who saved her, not Abram.  To me, Abram is callous and doesn’t care.  He’s probably living large with his other wives while using the servants Pharaoh gave him.

I see Pharaoh here as the victim and actually as a guy with a heart.  As soon as he found out Sarai was married, he corrected it.  He was angry he wasn’t told.  I don’t see Pharaoh here as a guy to take another’s wife.  Yet he was punished because of Abram’s sin.  Talk about unfair!  Life, right?

Abram was just lucky he was God’s chosen vessel for the future or he could have been incinerated on the spot!

This sin must have been HUGE to God.  Here’s the woman who will bear the line of Christ and Abram allows her to be defiled by a Gentile unbeliever!  She could have conceived, died in childbirth, who knows?  Another slap in God’s face to how man has twisted the intent of marriage and not held it as sacred as God must.

Abram must have faith in God’s plans so we can only hope he learned from this and as Genesis unfolds we will see other tests he passes with flying colors.

But God’s plans are bigger than Abram’s sin so God worked through and in spite of Abram’s sin as He does always and for me and you.  Even when we sin, God is there to pick us back up and put us back on HIS path, not ours.

This is BSF at its best.  The facts of the story and then ONE application question that shows how to rely on God and not yourself.  Great stuff!