Tag: bsf lesson 3 day 3

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 3, Day 3: Daniel 1:8-21

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

Summary of Daniel 1:8-21

Daniel did not want to defile himself by eating the royal food and wine. He asked the chief official who showed Daniel favor (thanks to God) to just feed him and his friends vegetables and water to see if their health suffered. Their health did not suffer.

God gave all the knowledge to Daniel and his three friends. Daniel could understand visions and dreams. They entered the king of Babylon’s service, and they were better than all of the king’s magicians and enchanters.

Daniel stayed in the king’s service until the first year of King Cyrus.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 3, Day 3: Daniel 1:8-21

6a) The royal food and wine would defile him.
b) He negotiated with the royal official who was in charge of them by proposing a test just to see if his plan would work.
7a) Followers of Christ can work within ungodly systems by adopting a framework of faithful presence, which involves a set of principles and practices modeled by Daniel and his friends in Babylon. Know your non-negotiables, excel in your work, work in non-antagonist ways, and don’t violate God’s principles. We all can shine God’s light simply by working within the system but following God’s rules always.
b) God rewards those who stand firm in Him. He protects them and provides for them. You grow deeper in your faith with God. You strengthen your character. You can have inner peace. You can be a witness for God.
8 ) Unsure if there was ever anything big, but I won’t do things that I believe are wrong, such as take advantage of other people and the like.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 3, Day 3: Daniel 1:8-21

Great example set by Daniel of how you can compromise around society when society’s rules are asking you to break God’s commands.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 3, Day 3: Daniel 1:8-21

Some may say that the food was a little thing. However, making compromises on God’s “little things” will eventually lead to compromising God’s big things. We have to stay true to ALL of God’s words and commands, not just some of them or those we deem little.

Note that the first sin was the eating of forbidden fruit. Daniel probably had Adam and Eve in mind with his decision here.

The food and drink offered by the Babylonians most likely did not follow the Old Testament rules of the food they could eat. It could have been food that had been sacrificed to the Babylonian gods.

Daniel took a risk here by defying the Babylonian king’s orders. He could have faced death because of this decision.

Note how Daniel rebelled: he rebelled with respect. He offered a compromise that took into consideration the royal official.

Because of their loyalty to God, He blessed them.

We can still be faithful to God despite our circumstances.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Daniel 1:8-21 narrates the first crucial test of faith in response to the assimilation program detailed in the opening verses. This passage demonstrates a powerful theme of principled resistance and divine vindication.

  1. The Resolve: The conflict begins with Daniel’s personal resolution (“he resolved in his heart”) not to defile himself with the king’s rich food and wine. This act is the first pushback against the empire’s attempt to erase his covenant identity. Importantly, his resistance is characterized by wisdom and tact; he respectfully requests an exemption and proposes a test rather than making a defiant scene.
  2. The Intervention: The narrative repeatedly emphasizes God’s hidden hand. It is “God [who] gave Daniel favor” with the official (v. 9) and later “God [who] gave them learning and skill” (v. 17). Daniel’s success is not attributed to his own charm or intellect but to God’s active intervention on behalf of those who honor Him.
  3. The Result: Daniel’s faithfulness is publicly vindicated in two ways. First, after a ten-day test on a simple diet of vegetables and water, he and his friends appear healthier than those eating the king’s luxurious food. Second, at the end of their three-year education, they are examined by King Nebuchadnezzar himself and found to be “ten times better” than all the wise men in his kingdom. This proves that faithfulness to God is not a hindrance to excelling in a secular world, but is in fact the source of superior wisdom and health.

The passage concludes with the statement that Daniel “was there until the first year of King Cyrus,” a powerful note of hope signifying that his faithfulness allowed him to endure and outlast the entire Babylonian empire, living to see the dawn of its dissolution.

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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 3, Day 2: Daniel 1:1-7

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

Summary of Daniel 1:1-7

Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon besieged Jerusalem and took Jehoiakim king of Judah, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. 

The king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians and then to enter the king’s service.

Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.  The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 3, Day 2: Daniel 1:1-7

3a) The priests and the people were unfaithful to God, followed the detestable practices of the atheist nations around them, and defiled the temple of the Lord. They refused to obey God. The people ignored the prophets sent by God to warn His people to turn back to Him, so God sent the king of Babylon against them.
b) The young men were from the royal family and the nobility without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well-informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace.
4) They gave the men new names in order to assimilate them into the Babylonian culture and hoped to eradicate their connection to their people and to their God. They wanted to indoctrinate them with Babylonian ways.
5a) Their religion, their culture, their heritage.
b) My God defines my identity.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 3, Day 2: Daniel 1:1-7

Great reminder of how God uses punishments in order to bring His people back to Him, which can explain the lessons in our lives, too.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 3, Day 2: Daniel 1:1-7

We’ll find Daniel in the sixth century B.C. To put this is perspective with the rest of the world’s history, some events that occurred include:

  • The Mayans were at their height in the New World
  • The Greeks were in charge of the known world
  • Aesop was writing his fables
  • Confucius and Buddha were influencing their respective corners of the world

Jehoiakim was placed on the throne by the Pharaoh in Egypt.

Nebuchadnezzar is the king of Babylon at this time.

Jerusalem was taken by Nebuchadnezzar because they were loyal to Egypt, and Nebuchadnezzar had just defeated the Egyptians in a war.

These invasions began in 607 B.C. and lasted till 587 B.C.

Jehoiakim, Ezekiel, and many others were taken to Babylon at this time. This was because the Israelites were not observing the Sabbaths (Leviticus 25:1-7 and 26:2-35), and they were worshipping foreign gods.

In ancient times, the rich ate much better than the poor.

The Name Changes

  • Daniel (God is my judge) was changed to Belteshazzar (Bel protects). Bel is the chief Babylonian god.
  • Hananiah (Yahweh is gracious) was changed to Shadrach (Commanded by Aku). Aku was the moon god.
  • Mishael (Who is like God?) was changed to Meshach (Who is like Aku).
  • Azariah (Yahweh is my helper) was changed to Abednego (Servant of Nebu). Nebu was the god of wisdom.

The first half of the book of Daniel mirrors the second half in a chiastic manner. The beginning and end feature dreams. Then, we find Daniel in a predicament, and in the middle, Daniel interprets a dream and handwriting.

The theme of Daniel is the encouragement of God’s people. In the midst of hardship and circumstances beyond your control, stand firm with the Lord.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

  1. A World of Divine Sovereignty: On the surface, Daniel 1:1-7 narrates a catastrophic defeat: Jerusalem is conquered by Babylon, and sacred vessels from God’s Temple are taken as tribute to a pagan god. However, the narrator immediately reframes this disaster by stating, “the Lord gave Jehoiakim into his hand.” This crucial phrase establishes the book’s foundational theme: God is sovereign even in the defeat and exile of His people. History is not random; God is using Babylon as His instrument of judgment.
  2. A Strategy of Cultural Assimilation: The passage then details Babylon’s systematic attempt to absorb and neutralize the best of Judah’s youth. This is a calculated, multi-pronged assault on their identity: they are physically displaced, intellectually re-educated in Chaldean literature, made dependent on the king’s food, and finally, their Hebrew names (which honor God) are replaced with Babylonian names that honor pagan deities.

In essence, these verses create the central tension for the book of Daniel: a powerful empire methodically attempts to erase the faith and identity of God’s people, while the narrative simultaneously affirms that the God who allowed their exile is still fully in control, setting the stage for a conflict between allegiance to an earthly king and faithfulness to the sovereign God.

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BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 3, Day 3: Revelation 1:4-8

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

Summary of Revelation 1:4-8

John greets the 7 churches in the province of Asia. He praises Jesus and quotes Daniel 7:13 and Zechariah 12:10 about Jesus’ Second Coming. The Lord says he is the Alpha and the Omega and is the One who is, was, and is to come. Jesus has freed us from our sins by his blood.

BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 3, Day 3: Revelation 1:4-8

6) God is, who was, and who is to come. He is eternal. There are seven spirits before his throne. Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. God has existed since the beginning. Only He knows all things and creates all things. He is perpetual, never changing, and always. Jesus is God’s faithful witness to His almighty power.

7)

John 3:16-17: This says that God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, and whosoever believes in him will have everlasting life. Jesus is the ruler of the kings of the earth as God’s Son and will free us from our sins by his blood.

1 Corinthians 15:3: This says that Christ died for our sins as predicted in God’s Word. Jesus freed us from our sins by his blood.

1 Corinthians 15:20: This says that Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. Jesus Christ is the firstborn from the dead.

Philippians 2:9-11: This says that God exalted Jesus to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name and that every knee shall bow before him and acknowledge his greatness. Revelation says that Jesus is the ruler of the kings of the earth.

8 ) God is never changing. He has been here since the beginning and will be there at the end. He loves us enough to send us his Son to die for our sins so that we can be with him forever. What greater love is there than that? God forgives our sins and shortcomings, so we should forgive ourselves.

9a)  All of mankind has pierced him, including God’s people, the Jews. Mankind will mourn for him. They will mourn because they pierced/killed him. We’ll all witness Jesus’ return (all the peoples of the earth).

b) Christ has conquered all of evil for us with his sacrifice. No matter what we are facing, we are saved eternally. There is no better “good news” than that! We can be strengthened and comforted by his power over evil as we await his return.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 3, Day 3: Revelation 1:4-8

I love how Jesus is the end-all! As long as we hold fast to Jesus, we’ll all be okay!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Revelation: The Hope Lesson 3, Day 3: Revelation 1:4-8

John brings a greeting from God to these 7 churches.

Here’s our first reference to the number 7 and its symbolism. The 7 spirits refer to the Holy Ghost. Seven is the number of completion here, so the Holy Spirit is the perfect completion.

The early believers understood this reference, as it appears in Isaiah 11:2 where Isaiah describes the 7 aspects of the Holy Spirit.

John also brought a greeting from Jesus. Jesus is the faithful witness to God and to us. Witness in Greek means martyr.

Firstborn is a reference to always in existence.

Jesus will take over all the earthly kingdoms when he comes again.

Jesus’ death is the ultimate proof that God loves us immensely and indescribably.

Jesus cleansed us of our sins once and for all.

God loves us so much that he cleansed us for him!

Jesus makes us kings and priests to God the Father! This is a status that Adam never obtained.

Therefore, we give Christ the glory.

Amen means, “Yes” in Hebrew. This means that it will be so with God.

John describes Jesus’ coming using the Bible and what other prophets have said. Jesus will come in clouds. Believers can be called God’s cloud, too. All will see him, even the Jews and those who pierced him.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End” is the beginning of Jesus introducing himself to his listeners.

Bible scholars debate whether this refers to Jesus or God, but most agree that Jesus is speaking here. After all, this is the Revelation of Jesus Christ. He uses those titles to refer to himself (Revelation 22:13).

Most of us know that Alpha is the first letter of the Greek alphabet and Omega is the last letter of the Greek alphabet. Therefore, Jesus is saying he was before all else and he will continue after all things. Jesus directs all things and has control of all things from the beginning to the end.

“Who is and was and who is to come” references Yahweh and the idea of Jesus’ eternal nature.

Fun Fact: “Almighty” is used 10 times in the New Testament and 9 times in the Book of Revelation. It means “the one who has his hand on everything” in Greek.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 3, Day 3: John 2:13-17

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

SUMMARY OF JOHN 2:13-17

Jesus went to Jerusalem for Passover. When he saw that inside the temple courts people were selling cattle, sheep, and doves, he drove all of the money lenders out of the temple.

He told them to stop turning His Father’s house into a market.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 3, Day 3: John 2:13-17

6) Passover. At Passover, a sacrificial lamb is required to cleanse them of sin. If the people traveled, they could instead tithe silver. The money lenders were there to supply these requirements to the Jewish people.

7a) He got angry. He made a whip and drove the money lenders out.

b) To take bold, immediate action when you see something being done that is not right.

8a) Psalm 69:9: “for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.” This speaks to the zeal Jesus had for the purity of the temple. And, God speaks this in Psalm, but here it explains Jesus’ actions. It is implied that Jesus is acting for/as God here.

b) Jesus will come to the temple and purify it, which is what he did when he kicked out the money lenders.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 3, Day 3: John 2:13-17

I love this example of Jesus’ very human emotions and his direct action to correct the wrong.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 3, Day 3: John 2:13-17

Bible scholars estimate that more than 2 million Jews came to Jerusalem for Passover. Paying the temple tax was required, which is why there were money lenders there.

Background: The money lenders were in the Court of the Gentiles, the only place the Gentiles could allowed to pray and offer sacrifices. Jesus sees this as a defiling of the temple since it’s been turned into a marketplace. Great synopsis HERE

Furthermore, the temple tax had to be paid in Tyrian shekels, which had the most amount of silver in it, so the money changers had to exchange the Jews’ coinage in order to satisfy this requirement.

Making a whip would take a bit to time. Jesus did this methodically. He did not drive out the money lenders out of passion.

The outer court was where Gentiles could worship the Lord. With the money lenders there, this space was not corrupt.

Jesus converts water first, then cleanses the temple. Conversion first, then cleansing of the temple.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 3, Day 3: 1 Kings 15:9-15 and 2 Chronicles 14

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

SUMMARY OF 1 KINGS 15:9-15

Asa became king of Judah, and he reigned 21 years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He expelled the male shrine prostitutes, got rid of idols, and deposed his grandmother. His heart was fully committed to the Lord.

SUMMARY OF 2 CHRONICLES 14

Asa became king of Judah. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones, and cut down the Asherah poles. He commanded all of Judah to seek the Lord and to obey His laws. Judah was at peace during his rule. He built up the fortified cities of Judah. No one was at war with him during those years.

The Lord struck down the Cushites who had come against Asa after Asa prayed to God to help them.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 3, Day 3: 1 Kings 15:9-15 and 2 Chronicles 14

6) That Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord (which is all that truly matters).

7) He expelled the male shrine prostitutes, got rid of idols, and deposed his grandmother. He removed the foreign altars and the high places, smashed the sacred stones, and cut down the Asherah poles. He commanded all of Judah to seek the Lord and to obey His laws.

8 ) Too many to count. Every day even. With each day and every prayer, I feel I get closer to Him.

9a) God loves to answer prayers. Asa first praised God. He asked for help. He entreated God to not let anyone go against God’s people. God grants Asa’ prayer and then some. He grants him total victory. If we pray, God will grant our victory, too.

b) He struck down the Cushites to the point they were crushed. Judah took away a large amount of plunder from them. God answered by going above and beyond what was asked for. We should expect that response, too, to our prayers.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 3, Day 3: 1 Kings 15:9-15 and 2 Chronicles 14

Great example of how the Lord loves to reward the faithful. Stay the course is the theme of this lesson.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 3, Day 3: 1 Kings 15:9-15 and 2 Chronicles 14

Asa was Solomon’s great grandson. Most of the kings we’ll study will be measured against David, the ideal.

Asa removed the hight places dedicated to idols, but not the ones dedicated to the Lord.

The Cushites (or Ethiopians) outnumbered the Judean army. He knew this battle belonged to the Lord, so he called on him to defend His honor.

Asa responded in prayer so that God could demonstrate His might to others. He showed utter dependence upon God. He knew God’s power and relied on it. So must we, and God will answer.

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 3, Day 3: Matthew 3:5-10

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 3:5-10

The people heeded John’s words from Jerusalem to Judea and the Jordan. They confessed their sins and were baptized by John in the Jordan River. He called out the Pharisees and the Sadducees, telling them to repent, too.

BSF STUDY QUESTIONS LESSON 3, DAY 3: MATTHEW 3:5-10

6) Acts 3:19: Repentance is turning to God to be forgiven for your sins.

Acts 20:21: Repentance is turning to God with faith in Jesus Christ.

Acts 26:20: Repent is turning to God and showing this in their deeds.

James 5:16: Confession is admitting your sins and praying for healing.

1 John 1:9: Confessing your sins allows you to be forgiven and purified.

Confession is admitting your guilt. According to Zondervan’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, confession is “to openly acknowledge the truth in anything, as in the existence and authority of God or the sins of which one has been guilty. Confession of sin before God is recognized as a conditon of forgiveness.”

Repentance is sincerely regretting it. According to Zondervan’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, repentance is “a profound change of mind involving changing of the direction of life from that of self-centeredness or sin-centeredness to God or Christ centeredness. God’s forgiveness is only available to those who are repentant, for only they can receive it.”

7) Joel 2:13: Return to God with your heart and with actions.

Matthew 3:8: Produce fruit when you repent.

Acts 26:20: Repent is turning to God and showing this in their deeds.

Romans 2:4: God’s kindness to you leads you to repentance.

2 Corinthians 7:10-11: Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldy sorrow brings death.

8a ) I think I’m kinder to others, more helpful, more giving as I realize my shortcomings.

b ) This is a tough one. I’m sure there is, but all I can think of right now is just how I need to be kinder to my family and others. Lord, help me to be kinder to my family and others and forgive me for my sins and hard heart.

CONCLUSIONS BSF STUDY QUESTIONS LESSON 3, DAY 3: MATTHEW 3:5-10

This was a lot of looking up, but worth it. It’s important to turn your heart and not just your words to God. Out of this, actions follow, too, as does His forgiveness. Pick up this great Bible resource, Zondervan’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary, today.

END NOTES BSF STUDY QUESTIONS LESSON 3, DAY 3: MATTHEW 3:5-10

John the Baptist played a huge role in preparing the Jewish people to accept Jesus as their Savior. In fact, the famous historian Josephus talked a great deal about John the Baptist, even more so than Jesus. His influence was widespread. It was also the first time Jews were baptized in large numbers because they thought all they needed was the blood of animals to cleanse them.

Baptism illustrates perfectly the confession of sin and the action that follows it. You are doing something by being baptized; you are repenting. Today, when Christians are baptized, not only are we confessing our sins and our need for a Savior, but we are also being baptized into Christ  (Romans 6:3).

John the Baptist gets his name from these actions, partly because Jewish baptisms were rare up until this point. Baptism has previously only been used for those adopting the Jewish faith, not for those born into it.

Confessing of sins was new, too. Confession was rare.

WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH THE PHARISEES AND THE SADDUCEES?

The Pharisees and the Sadducees were the leadership and the law of the Jewish people. They believed if you kept the law, you would be righteous and get to heaven. They thought they were righteous for this. In reality, they were flawed humans like the rest of us, power hungry and hypocrits.

John yelled at the Pharisees and the Sadducees because they were there for appearances only; their hearts were not changed.

The wrath is God’s wrath, which is what all of humanity deserves. You must flee from it.

The Pharisees and the Sadducees believed they were saved because they upheld the law. John says this is false. They must repent with their hearts, not just follow the law. Everyone can go to hell without Jesus. The Jews believed at that time they could not go to hell because they had God.

The ax laid at the root of the trees is marking the trees for cutting, and without fruit, the trees will be cut down.

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BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 3, Day 3: Genesis 2:8-17

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passage:  The Lord planted the garden of Eden where he placed the man He has formed.  God made all kinds of plants for this garden that were pleasing to the eye and good to eat.  In the middle were the tree of life and the tree of knowledge.  A river watered the garden, two of which we know still exist today:  the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.

God took the man and put him in the garden to work it and take care of it.  He commanded the man to not eat of the tree of knowledge or man would die.

Questions:

6)  It has been known by many names:  Mesopotamia (which is Greek for land between the two rivers), Assyria, Sumer, Babylonia, Persia.  Both run through modern-day Turkey, Syria, and Iraq.  The region was known as the “Fertile Crescent” because so many civilizations thrived there.  It was also called the “Cradle of Civilization” since the civilization that developed there was the first on earth (namely, Adam and Eve).

7)  A garden with all kinds of trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.  In the middle were the tree of life and knowledge.  A river watering the garden flowed from Eden that was separated into four headwaters.  Animals and birds lived there.

8 )  He told them they could eat from any tree in the Garden except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  If they did, they would die.

9a)  Personal Question.  My answer:  As an American, everything is pleasant to be honest.  I have all the basic needs and then some.  I have a house, cars, a dog, my family, extra money to buy things I want, money for the kids’ activities, etc.  I drink coffee in the morning.  I have flowers on my kitchen table.  I have a kitchen table.

Currently, there is nothing really “hard” in terms of living conditions in my life.  Now, it hasn’t always been that way (those of you who’ve been here long enough remember the time I lived in a camper when my husband lost his job(s).)  I enjoy where I live and my life.  I am blessed.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Resisting my human nature.  I fight against selfishness, loving others, caring for others, potty mouth, being ungrateful for my blessings, letting bitterness and anger consume me and influence my actions, submitting to authority, and being kind and compassionate to others.  I got a ways to go to be more like Jesus.

Conclusions:  Simple questions with a powerful reminder of how pleasant our life is and yet we sin anyways like Adam and Eve did.  Adam and Eve led the dream life:  talking and walking with God every day and having all their basic needs met without even thinking about it; yet they still thought they were missing something so they sinned.  They thought there was something better out there and they wanted to “know” about it.  Like most of us do.

Contentment with life is one of the hardest things to achieve.  Partly because we as humans are driven to do better and be better.  Which gets us into trouble.  But also brings about some of the greatest inventions.

Great reminder to be content with where we are at in our journey as we continually strive to know Him.

Map that shows possible location of Garden of Eden with the 4 rivers:  http://www.israel-a-history-of.com/old-testament-map.html