Tag: bsf lesson 2 day 3

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 2, Day 3: Ezekiel 36:24-38

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

Summary of Ezekiel 36:24-38

Ezekiel then relays God’s promises to His people. God will bring them back home, cleanse them from their sins, give them a new spirit and flesh, and He will give them the Holy Spirit within. They will be His people, and God will be their God. They will prosper because of God’s desire to keep His name holy.

God will restore His people so that all (the Israelites and the other nations) will know He is God.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 2, Day 3: Ezekiel 36:24-38

5a) God will bring them back home, cleanse them from their sins, give them a new spirit and flesh, and He will give them the Holy Spirit within. He will ensure they are abundant.

b) When Jesus died, all believers received the Holy Spirit as their guide in this world.

The promises in Ezekiel 36:24-30 are considered by Christians to be a foundational Old Testament preview of the spiritual realities of the New Covenant, which is fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The passage provides a rich blueprint for what happens in the heart of every person who experiences salvation.

How Ezekiel’s Promises Relate to Salvation in Christ

The prophecy in Ezekiel moves beyond a mere physical restoration of national Israel to describe a deep, internal, and spiritual transformation that directly parallels Christian salvation:

  1. Gathering and Cleansing (vv. 24-25):
    • Ezekiel’s Promise: God will gather His people from the nations and cleanse them from their sin (“sprinkle clean water on you”).
    • Salvation in Christ: In Christ, God gathers people from every nation, tribe, and tongue into one body, the Church (Revelation 5:9). This spiritual gathering rescues us from the “domain of darkness” (Colossians 1:13). The cleansing is fulfilled not by literal water but by the blood of Christ, which “cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). Salvation brings complete forgiveness and justification, declaring us clean before God.
  2. A New Heart and Spirit (v. 26):
    • Ezekiel’s Promise: God will perform a divine “heart transplant,” removing the unresponsive “heart of stone” and providing a living, receptive “heart of flesh.”
    • Salvation in Christ: This is a perfect description of regeneration, or being “born again” (John 3:3-7). Before salvation, the human heart is described as “hardened” and unresponsive to God. Through Christ, we are made a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17), with new desires and the ability to love and respond to God.
  3. The Indwelling of the Holy Spirit (v. 27):
    • Ezekiel’s Promise: God will put His own Spirit within His people, which will cause them to walk in His ways and obey His laws.
    • Salvation in Christ: This is a hallmark of the New Covenant. Upon salvation, every believer is sealed with and indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14). The Spirit is the agent of sanctification; He empowers believers from the inside out to live a life that pleases God (Galatians 5:16, 22-23). Obedience is no longer a matter of external rule-following but the fruit of the Spirit’s internal work.
  4. Restored Relationship and Provision (vv. 28-30):
    • Ezekiel’s Promise: The covenant relationship will be restored (“you shall be my people, and I will be your God”), and God will provide for and deliver His people.
    • Salvation in Christ: Through Christ, we are adopted as children of God (Galatians 4:4-7) and enter into this restored covenant relationship. The promise of provision is fulfilled in Christ, who supplies all our spiritual needs and grants us an eternal inheritance (Ephesians 1:3, Philippians 4:19).

Other Scripture That Comes to Mind

The themes in Ezekiel 36 echo throughout the New Testament. Here are some of the most prominent connections:

  • The New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34): This is the most direct parallel. Jeremiah prophesies a New Covenant where God says, “I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” This is precisely the “new heart” and internal law that Ezekiel describes. The book of Hebrews quotes this passage extensively to explain Christ’s work (Hebrews 8:8-12).
  • Regeneration and Cleansing (Titus 3:5): Paul explicitly connects cleansing and spiritual renewal: “…he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.”
  • The Heart of Stone and Flesh (2 Corinthians 3:3): Paul uses the same imagery as Ezekiel: “And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”
  • The Necessity of the New Birth (John 3:3-7): Jesus’ famous conversation with Nicodemus about being “born again” by “water and the Spirit” directly reflects Ezekiel’s prophecy of being cleansed by water and given a new Spirit.
  • The Indwelling Spirit as a Source of Life (Romans 8:9-11): “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you… If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”

6) Grief over our sin can help us not to sin again and to repent, turn to Jesus, and live our fullest lives. It makes us humble, knowing all is by the grace of God, and this grief is profitable because it leads to a deeper gratitude, a more passionate worship, and a greater love for the God who saved us not because we were good, but because He is gracious.

7) I hope others see God in me when they look at me and see His goodness and glory. God has provided for me, protected me, comforted me, and guided me when I’ve needed it. He has turned me towards Him. And, Jesus has saved me for all of eternity, a true gift from God. The result is more appreciation for God and hopefully more converts to Jesus.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 2, Day 3: Ezekiel 36:24-38

God promises to bring His people back to their land and cleanse them spiritually (via the New Covenant). He will give them a new nature, along with the Holy Spirit. God will bless the land. This work would be a powerful testimony to the nations around Israel of God’s absolute power.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

This passage is a divine promise of Israel’s complete restoration, moving from physical return to deep spiritual renewal. It can be analyzed in three succinct parts:

  1. The Action: Radical Regeneration. God promises a multi-faceted restoration initiated entirely by Him. It begins with a physical gathering of His people from the nations back to their own land. This is immediately followed by a profound spiritual cleansing (“I will sprinkle clean water on you”) that purges them from the filth of their idolatry. The core of the promise is a divine “heart transplant”: God will remove their unresponsive “heart of stone” and give them a living “heart of flesh,” enabling them to obey. He will put His own Spirit within them, creating an internal transformation that leads to obedience not by force, but by a changed nature.
  2. The Result: National & Agricultural Renewal. The internal, spiritual renewal of the people has a direct, visible impact on their external world. The once desolate and ruined land will be cultivated and become astonishingly fruitful, compared to the “Garden of Eden.” The population will multiply, and the ruined cities will be rebuilt and inhabited. This external prosperity serves as undeniable public evidence of God’s miraculous intervention.
  3. The Motivation: God’s Reputation and Israel’s Repentance. The ultimate purpose of this grand restoration is twofold. Primarily, it is for the sake of God’s holy name (as established in the previous verses), so the nations will see His power and know that He is the LORD. Secondarily, the memory of their past sins, contrasted with God’s incredible blessing, will cause the people of Israel to feel a deep sense of shame and self-loathing. This God-given prosperity will not lead to pride, but to a lasting, humble repentance.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 2, Day 3: John 1:29-34

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

Summary of John 1:29-34

John sees Jesus coming. He calls out “Look, the Lamb of God!” He is the one.

John testified that he saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove on him. God told John that this will be the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. He says this is God’s Chosen One.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 2, Day 3: John 1:29-34

6a) The lamb was the sin offering that cleansed the people from sin. It’s blood was poured out to atone for sin. With John calling Jesus the Lamb of God, he is saying Jesus is the one who has come to cleanse the people of sin. He is saying Jesus is perfect as the lamb had to be as well.

b) I’m in awe. It’s so hard to believe Jesus would die for my sins, but it’s the truth I hold on to!

7) Jesus was sent by God as the Spirit descending from heaven upon him proved. God declared “This is my Son.” This is the Messiah who was sent by God to save the world and who is God incarnate.

8 ) Water baptism is an outward sign that you accept Jesus’ sacrifice for your sins into your heart. Jesus’ baptizes with the Holy Spirit and saving grace, granting us eternal life with the Father.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 2, Day 3: John 1:29-34

So powerful! Can you imagine seeing Jesus get baptized?! What a sight!

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 2, Day 3: John 1:29-34

Scholars believe this scene was after John baptized Jesus and after the 40 days of temptation in the wilderness. Jesus is paying a visit to John.

Note that John points out Jesus’ great reason for coming: to save us!

Note there’s only one sin of the world. Jesus takes away all sin.

Jesus was before all; he is eternal.

God gave a visible symbol of who Jesus was. This allowed John to be a witness for Jesus, the Son of God.

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Great Resources for Our Study of the Gospel of John

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 2, Day 3: 1 Kings 12:1-24 and 2 Chronicles 10

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

SUMMARY OF 1 KINGS 12:1-24

Rehoboam went to Shechem to be made king after his father, King Solomon, died. Jeroboam who had fled to Egypt when Solomon pursued him heard about the king’s death and returned. The people asked Rehoboam to lighten their load. He consulted the elders about how to answer the people, who advised him to give them what they want. Rehoboam rejected this advice and instead followed the advice of the younger men who told him to make their load heavier. This fulfilled the word of the Lord spoken to Jeroboam.

Rehoboam now ruled only over Judah. Rehoboam wanted to war against the Israelites to regain the kingdom. But God told them to not make war against their brothers, so they all returned home.

SUMMARY OF 2 CHRONICLES 10

Exact same summary as above.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 2, Day 2: 1 Kings 12:1-24 and 2 Chronicles 10

6a) He listened to the young men rather than to the elders who has served under King Solomon.

b) The consequences were that Jeroboam lost the kingdom of Israel, which was God’s plan. Both worked together to make it so. God manages, but Rehoboam made the decision.

c) This is a tough one. I think we all make up for our sins each and every day if we are striving to be closer to God.

7a) The tribe of Judah and the majority of the tribe of Benjamin accepted Rehoboam as king. The other 10 tribes and the remainder of the tribe of Benjamin chose Jeroboam as their king. This happened arouns 975 BC after King Solomon died.

b) God’s redemptive plan was that Jesus would come from the line of King David, so it was vital that that line was preserved. Also, when Jesus comes again, he will bind the tribes together once again.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 2, Day 2: 1 Kings 12:1-24 and 2 Chronicles 10

I forgot how the Bible repeats itself almost word for word here. I love how God’s hand is in everything on earth, even our decisions and consequences.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 2, Day 2: 1 Kings 12:1-24 and 2 Chronicles 10

Fun Fact: Rehoboam is the only son of Solomon we know by name. Obviously, with 1,000 wives, he had a lot more.

Shechem was the center of the Northern Tribes. Abraham worshipped there (Genesis 12:6). Jacob built an altar and purchased land there (Genesis 33:18-20). Joseph was buried there (Joshua 24:32).

The people were heavily taxed by Solomon. They wanted relief.

Basically, Rehoboam already knew what he wanted to do, so he listened to the group who verified his decision.

From now on, Israel will refer to the 10 tribes of the North when mentioned in the Bible and Judah will refer to the southern tribes of Benjamin and Judah.

We’ll meet another Jeroboam in the Bible, who is a later king of Israel (2 Kings 14:23-29).

Jeroboam wanted to go against God’s prophecy and force the kingdoms back together. God forcefully said no, and Jeroboam listened.

Fun Fact: Not one of the 20 kings of Israel did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 2, Day 3: 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.

BSF STUDY QUESTIONS LESSON 2, DAY 3: MATTHEW 2:9-12

6 ) 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.

7a ) 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.

7b ) Remembering all that Jesus did for me, all of my blessings, and praising him for those blessings and my life.

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

CONCLUSIONS BSF STUDY QUESTIONS LESSON 2, DAY 3: MATTHEW 2:9-12

This is a great example of ignoring what your leaders tell you when it puts others in harm’s way. The Magi did not trust Herod, and since they were from another country, they were not obligated to follow his orders. Also, this is a great example of going out of your way to worship the One, True King.

END NOTES BSF STUDY QUESTIONS LESSON 2, DAY 3: MATTHEW 2:9-12

The star continually guided the Magi. This indicates that it was obviously from a supernatural power (God himself). It shows God’s care for them. And, it gives us hope that God will guide us with signs, too.

Bible scholars debate is this is where the idea of the halo comes from with the star’s light falling upon Jesus’s head.

Jesus is a child here, so at least six months old. Matthew mentions Jesus first, as fitting a king (which breaks with ancient tradition). And, note that Joseph is no where to be found. This was so that Magis would not think Joseph was the father of the child.

The fact that the Magi offered three gifts gave rise to the notion of three Magi.

Even though the Magi gave the gifts to Jesus, the parents would use them — and indeed they did. It wasn’t cheap to flee to Egypt (coming up). God provides all that we need, when we need it.

When compared to the shepherds’ visit (Luke 2:15-20), you’ll see that they offered what they could — their hearts — instead of expensive gifts. We need to offer what we can.

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. Moreover, 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.

The Magi themselves relentlessly pursued Jesus and worshipped him when they arrived. So must we.

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

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BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 2, Day 3: Genesis 1:3-19

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passage:  God made light and separated it from the darkness.  He called the light “day” and the dark “night”. God made an expanse between the waters to separate them, creating “sky”.  He gathered the waters to create dry ground, which He named “land.”  The water was called “seas”.  Then God made vegetation on the land.  And God saw all this was good.

God made lights to separate the day and night and so they would serve as signs to mark the seasons, days, and years and to give light on earth.  These lights were the sun and the moon and the stars and God saw that it was good.

Questions:

5)  God himself is light so the light on the first day is God.  You could also say it’s God bringing his light or knowledge of himself to the world and into our hearts (2 Corinthians 4:3-6).  Light is Truth.

The lights on the fourth day are the sun (the greater light to govern the day) and the moon (the lesser light to govern the night) and the stars (which could include the constellations)–literal objects to provide light.  Both were made to separate the light from the darkness.

6a)  The main purpose of all is to separate out night and day, light from dark.  The sun’s main purpose is to govern the day and serve as signs to mark the seasons, days, and years.  The moon’s purpose is the same:  to give light at night just not as much.  The stars give light as well.  All govern the night and the day.

b)  Psalm 8:3-4:  The glory of God (got this from verse 1).  The love of a God who can create such marvels, yet He still cares for such lowly beings as man.

Psalm 19:1-6:  The glory of God; the work of His hands.  They pour forth knowledge of God, proclaiming His divinity so that all will know Him (much like Romans 1:18-20).

Jeremiah 8:7:  Literally, as signals for the birds of the world to migrate.  Broadly, as signs for all animals in their life cycle such as when to migrate, hibernate, breed, etc.

Matthew 2:2:  As a sign of Jesus Christ’s coming

Acts 2:19-20; Revelation 8:12:  As signs of the end times when the sun will be turned to dark and the moon to blood and other wonders in the heavens above.

7a)  Miraculously.  He designed everything perfectly.  Orderly.  He starts with light, separated it from the darkness.  Separated the seas to make the sky.  Made dry ground.  Produced vegetation on this dry ground.  Made the moon and the stars for light at night.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  To my new home, to my life without my first dog, to getting back in the routine of school after our move.

Conclusions:  This lesson was a bit tricky.  I had to go back and re-read the first day where God created light and analyze it (initially, I got it wrong). It’s hard for us humans because light to us means the sun.  Sun gives life.  Without it we can’t survive.  Plants won’t grow.  We need sunlight to be healthy.  It’s essential to life on earth for earth cannot exist without the sun.

What we miss and what we commonly don’t connect is that God made the sun to give life. He is the ultimate giver.  He gave us life and created a light source to sustain us while we are here on earth.

Yes, we cannot exist without the sun.  But the sun cannot exist without God.  Therefore we cannot exist without God.

It’s that math common math problem:  If a needs b and b needs c, then a must need c.  Or another way:

If a equals b and b equals c, then a must equal c.

Wish more non-believers would see it this way…