While Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Passover, many people saw him do signs and believed in his signs. He knew the hearts of others and knew many did not believe in him.
BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 3, Day 5: John 2:23-25
11a) The disciples believed in who Jesus was. The belief of many was superficial, as they believed in what Jesus was doing.
b) It doesn’t really challenge my faith, but it does emphasize the importance of believing in Jesus versus what he can do for you.
12a) He knew that many would be against him, so he had to be careful so he could fulfill his duty for mankind. He also could not commit to others who did not believe in him.
b) It’s comforting, actually. I know that Jesus knows what I’m feeling even when I can’t express it.
c) He draws me every day, by being there for me, by putting others in my life I can help and who help me, and by putting His work in front of me to do.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 3, Day 5: John 2:23-25
Love the differentiation of belief here. Many people believe in what Jesus can/does do for them, but they don’t believe in him and his sacrifice for us. Super important for us to keep in mind when we are talking to others about Jesus since many come to Jesus looking for him to do something in their lives, rather than looking for Jesus himself.
End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 3, Day 5: John 2:23-25
It’s important that we, as believers, remember that Jesus does know our heart and our heart’s motivations. Even if we believe in Jesus, we must still be vigilant in our actions and our motivations in life. Sin is always closer than we think.
The Jewish leaders asked Jesus’ authority to do all this. He said, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” Jesus was speaking of the temple as his body that would rise again in three days, not the actual temple.
BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 3, Day 4: John 2:18-22
9a) Because Jesus’ actions were audacious. The Jewish leaders allowed this to happen, so it made them look bad to let Jesus do their job.
b) They maybe might be thinking Jesus is the Messiah, so they want more proof. Or, they are looking to disprove him altogether.
c) No, not really.
10a) He said, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” Jesus was speaking of the temple as his body that would rise again in three days, not the actual temple. He willingly laid down his life for us.
b) The false witnesses testified that Jesus said he himself would destroy the temple, God’s holy place, and raise it in three days.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 3, Day 4: John 2:18-22
I love how Jesus answers the Jewish leaders with profound wisdom, and I love Jesus’ body as the temple. Such depth here.
End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 3, Day 4: John 2:18-22
Jesus told them that they would destroy his temple (him), but he would rise again. The body of Christ is still a temple of sorts as embodied by the church.
Note Jesus says he will raise himself from the dead and in John 10:18. Also, note that God (Romans 6:4 and Galatians 1:1) and the Holy Spirit (Romans 1:4 and 8:11) raise Jesus, too. It was the power of the Holy Trinity at work here.
Jesus often answers a question asked of him like this. He is not lowering himself to respond to such questions.
The disciples only connected Jesus’ meaning here after his death. This is a frequent occurrence for them that they did not understand at the time but only later.
The Scripture they believed is here: Psalm 16:10 where Jesus would not be abandoned in the realm of the dead nor would he decay.
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.
Jesus attends a wedding with his mother and disciples in Galilee. When they run out of wine, Mary asks Jesus to help. Jesus turns water into wine for the wedding banquet. It was choice wine.
This is the first of many signs that Jesus performed that revealed his glory and who he was. Jesus then traveled to Capernaum.
BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 3, Day 2: John 2:1-12
3a) They ran out of wine for the wedding banquet. This is an embarrassment and could bring shame upon the couple. Hospitality was huge back in ancient times, and failing to provide your guests with adequate drink was a major faux pas.
b) I think Mary was asking Jesus for a solution, not necessarily a miracle. We see this when she tells her servants to do whatever Jesus tells them to do. She responds with obedience.
c) If you approach Jesus with the expectation he will do what you want, you can expect a poor response. If you approach Jesus with an open heart and looking for help, you can expect him to answer in his way.
d) Jesus is hesitant to reveal himself yet to the masses, but he does so.
4) Miracles but also answering people’s requests with an active answer.
5a) Jesus did something only the Messiah could do.
b) It shows me that not only is anything possible with God, but anything is possible when you have an open heart and mind.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 3, Day 2: John 2:1-12
I love this miracle! It solves a basic human need (drink) and helps avoid an embarrassing situation (shows Jesus’ compassion), and it’s done in an unpresumptuous way.
End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 3, Day 2: John 2:1-12
Jesus blesses weddings (he does this as we see by attending them). He blesses events in our lives when we invite him in.
It is presumed that Joseph died young since he is not mentioned here. Many Bible scholars believe Jesus took care of the family until they were of age. This is why he stayed in Nazareth and left when they were all cared for.
Mary probably approaches Jesus as the head of the household who is used to solving problems. It’s no different today from going to your family members to solve problems.
By calling Mary “woman,” Jesus is distancing himself since he is now in the public eye.
Fun Fact: Many only appears in the Gospel of John one more time — at the cross (John 19:26)
When Jesus spoke of “his hour,” he meant the cross.
Jesus most likely prayed before performing this miracle and did not do it just to please Mary.
Note that not very many words of Mary’s are recorded in the Bible. Those that are point to Jesus as Sovereign. As we see here, you are to do whatever he tells you to do.
Jesus used the existing water pots, allowing the servants who filled them to share in his miracle.
The pots were filled to the brim; a transformation was coming, not an additive to the water.
They took out the water in faith that was now wine.
Whether the wine was transformed in the pot or at the pouring, we do not know. There was extra, which the couple could have sold for more money for a start in life.
This is the FIRST of SEVEN signs recorded in John’s Gospel, each designed to bring the reader to faith in Jesus.
Asa fought Israel’s king Baasha throughout his reign. Asa gave silver and gold to the king of Aram to break the treaty with Baasha and be on his side. This worked and Baasha retreated. Asa died of old age, and his son, Jehoshaphat, succeeded him.
SUMMARY OF 2 CHRONICLES 16
Asa fought Israel’s king Baasha throughout his reign. Asa gave silver and gold to the king of Aram to break the treaty with Baasha and be on his side. This worked and Baasha retreated.
Hanani, a seer, told Asa that because he relied on a foreign king to help him rather than the Lord he would be at war from now on. Asa was angry at these words, so he threw the seer in jail and began to brutally oppress some of the people. He died.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 3, Day 5: 1 Kings 15:16-24 and 2 Chronicles 16
13a) The king of Israel Baasha fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering Judah.
b) God sent the seer Hanani to tell Asa how he had sinned, and Asa could have repented then and there.
c) Instead, Asa was angry at these words, so he threw the seer in jail and began to brutally oppress some of the people.
14a) Most days.
b) God always offers us a way out and a way back to him after we sin. All we have to do is accept God’s forgiveness and turn to him once again.
15) Turn to God first and foremost. Don’t rely on pagans. Pray. Make changes in your life that show you are God’s.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 3, Day 5: 1 Kings 15:16-24 and 2 Chronicles 16
Even those who do good in the eyes of the Lord also do bad. Humans are all the same; we all sin. What matters is the response after we sin.
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 3, Day 5: 1 Kings 15:16-24 and 2 Chronicles 16
Asa followed God and then failed in a question of faith, and he refused to hear the words of correction.
Asa is a king that did not finish well. His later years he did not follow God, and he oppressed his people.
Asa wanted other Israelites to come to his country, but the way he went about it was all wrong. The covenant he made with God was forgotten.
Asa failed to remember God’s goodness from before. Instead, he turned to pagans for help, which worked but angered God.
Now, more wars would occur. Asa could have humbled himself, but he did not.
The prophet Azariah told Asa that the Lord is with him when he is with God, but if he forsakes God, God will forsake him. Be strong, and do not give up for your work will be rewarded.
Asa took courage and removed the idols from the land. He repaired an altar to the Lord. Asa assembled all of his people and made thousands of sacrifices to the Lord. They entered into a covenant with the Lord to seek him with all their heart and soul. Those who refused this covenant were put to death. The Lord gave them rest.
Asa’s heart was fully committed to the Lord all his life. He returned all the silver and gold to God’s temple.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 3, Day 2: 2 Chronicles 15
10) The prophet Azariah told Asa that the Lord is with him when he is with God, but if he forsakes God, God will forsake him. Be strong, and do not give up for your work will be rewarded.
11a) Asa took courage and removed the idols from the land. He repaired an altar to the Lord. Asa assembled all of his people and made thousands of sacrifices to the Lord. They entered into a covenant with the Lord to seek him with all their heart and soul. Those who refused this covenant were put to death. The Lord gave them rest.
b) Asa assembled all of his people and made thousands of sacrifices to the Lord. They entered into a covenant with the Lord to seek him with all their heart and soul. Those who refused this covenant were put to death. The Lord gave them rest.
12a) Unsure here about public. I did run for public office once, but I lost. I guess you could call this public. I did take quite the beating when I first started doing this because it was online and now BSF is mostly online themselves!
b) Good question. Unsure.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 3, Day 2: 2 Chronicles 15
I love verse 7 “be strong and do not give up for your work will be rewarded.” I work a lot for goals, so I’m hoping this is from Him for His work through me.
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 3, Day 2: 2 Chronicles 15
When you draw near to God, he draws near to you. He does not hide from us. We are to actively look for God in our lives.
Yet, if you forsake God, He will forsake you.
Asa responds correctly and turns more towards God than ever before.
We give to God what He gives us since everything we have is from him.
The covenant was public and accountable. This was serious business. The people collectively sought God — very powerful, indeed.
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.
Abijah became king of Judah (Southern Kingdom). He reigned 3 years. He committed all the sins his father did. He was not fully devoted to the Lord, but God made Jerusalem strong anyway. There was war between the two kingdoms his entire lifetime.
SUMMARY OF 2 CHRONICLES 13
Abijah became king of Judah (Southern Kingdom), and there was war between him and Jeroboam. He gave a mighty speech to his troops about how Israel under Jeroboam has forsaken God but Judah, his kingdom, has not. Because of this, God helped Abijah win against Jeroboam. Abijah took land from Jeroboam. God struck him down and killed him.
BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 3, Day 2: 1 Kings 15:1-8 and 2 Chronicles 13
3) Abijah became king of Judah (Southern Kingdom). He reigned 3 years. He committed all the sins his father did. He was not fully devoted to the Lord, but God made Jerusalem strong anyway. There was war between the two kingdoms his entire lifetime.
4a) That God has given the kingship rightfully to him. They worship false idols. The Lord is their God, and they have not forsaken him. The Levites are the priests, and they make offerings to the Lord. God is with them and He is their leader. When you fight them, you fight the Lord.
b) God shows up when we ask Him to. He has our back when we have faith in Him. He makes us strong when we are weak. He can accomplish the impossible.
5) Your heart. Do you love God and are devoted to Him? Or, do you only pray when you need Him?
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 3, Day 2: 1 Kings 15:1-8 and 2 Chronicles 13
I love history, so I’m digging diving deep into the individual kings. It will be interesting to see as we go along how they abandon God, but He does not abandon Him.
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 3, Day 2: 1 Kings 15:1-8 and 2 Chronicles 13
Note that the heart is the difference. David was always loyal to God and God was always first in his life. Abijah did not have a real relationship with God.
Abijah calls out Jeroboam for his lack of faith in God; yet, he has the same problem just not to the same extent.
God’s call is for Abijah to be king. His kingdom worships God. Therefore, God is with them.
Note: 2 Chronicles only relates the events that happened to Judah, or the Southern Kingdom. Thsi is the only time we’ll see a Judean king’s reign mentioned in this book.
2 Chronicles 13 shows us that even a bad person can be shown grace, when they rely on the Lord.
Every day one must battle demons and strive for spiritual victory over our enemies.
John the Baptist baptizes Jesus who came from Galilee to the Jordan River. John said that Jesus needed to baptize him, not the other way around. Jesus told him he needed to be baptized to fulfill all righteousness. When Jesus was baptized, heaven opened up and the Spirit of God came down upon him. A voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
BSF STUDY QUESTIONS LESSON 3, DAY 5: MATTHEW 3:13-17
12 ) Jesus came to earth as a human partly to show others how to live. He was baptized to show that Christians should be baptized as well.
13a) That the Spirit would come down from heaven as a dove and remain, baptizing with the Holy Spirit.
b) He was praying.
14 ) We are here only because of God. We are here to do His will, not ours. If we were doing our will, we’d all be sinners, doing whatever we pleased in utter chaos. Instead, we work to please our God, our Creator, as a form or worship and honor for what He has given us and done for us.
15) It is important as Jesus showed us how to live and what to do. Baptism is a special day when you accept Christ into your life publically. If Jesus did it, we should, too. Here, Jesus being baptized also legitimizes John’s baptisms of the people since it was outside of Jewish tradition.
CONCLUSIONS BSF STUDY QUESTIONS LESSON 3, DAY 5: MATTHEW 3:13-17
I love how God opens up the heavens, showing his pleasure. God gives us many signs of how to live, as well as signs of reassurance that we are walking with Him. God does so much just for us. Try to digest that thought today. Great stuff!
END NOTES BSF STUDY QUESTIONS LESSON 3, DAY 5: MATTHEW 3:13-17
John questions Jesus because Jesus had no sin so therefore had nothing to repent of. Yet, Jesus knew this was the right thing to do. This one act allowed Jesus to identify with mankind. This is the official beginning of Jesus’s ministry. It’s an important sign to all that Jesus is here.
God showed all sinners that Jesus was identifying with them, not being cleansed of any sin. It was important that God show everyone this was His Son and that Jesus was different, so he sent the physical sign of the dove for all to see. Jesus now has the power of God (he always did, since he is God, but this is official for humans, like a ceremony). It was also important that John the Baptist, now hugely popular with the people, recognize Jesus as the Savior. John 1:32-33
Note Noah sent a dove that returned with an olive branch from the ark. Doves in the Bible represent peace, love, gentleness, and hope for a better future.
God set his stamp of approval upon Jesus. Here, we see the Holy Trinity together in the Bible: God in heaven, Jesus on earth, the Holy Spirit coming down between the two. Beautiful picture, isn’t it?
Capernaum was on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus spends a lot of time here during his ministry. (
I love how God opens up the heavens, showing his pleasure. God gives us many signs of how to live, as well as signs of reassurance that we are walking with Him. God does so much just for us. Try to digest that thought today. Great stuff!