Tag: bsf lesson 4 day 2

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 4, Day 2: 1 Kings 15:25-17:6

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

SUMMARY OF 1 KINGS 15:25-17:6

Nadab became king of Israel and he reigned over Israel 2 years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. Baasha killed Nadab and succeeded him as king. He killed Jeroboam’s whole family. Baasha became king of Israel and he reigned 24 years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. The prophet Jehu told Baasha that God was angry with him for his actions and God will destroy him.

Elah succeeded Baasha as king. He ruled 2 years before he was struck down by Zimri, who succeeded him. He killed Baasha’s whole family. He ruled 7 days before Omri was proclaimed king. Omri became king of Israel and he reigned 12 years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord and sinned more than all those before him. Ahab, Omri’s son, succeeded him as king of Israel. He reigned 22 years and did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any before him. He married Jezebel, daughter of the king of the Sidonians and began to serve Baal.

By rebuilding Jericho, Hiel endured the curse of the Lord as spoken by Joshua in Joshua 6:26.

Elijah the prophet proclaims to Ahab that a famine is coming for a few years. The Lord sent Elijah to live in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. The river and ravens will feed and water him.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 4, Day 2: 1 Kings 15:25-17:6

3)

  1. Nadab. He caused Israel to commit sins.
  2. Baasha. Baasha killed Nadab and succeeded him as king. He killed Jeroboam’s whole family
  3. Elah. He got drunk and was struck down.
  4. Zimri. He killed Elah and Baasha’s whole family. He set the royal palace on fire and he died as a result of the fire and of his sins.
  5. Omri. He caused Israel to commit sins and brought worthless idols to the nation.
  6. Ahab. He began to serve Baal and worship him. He set up an altar for Baal and made an Asherah pole.

4a) Elijah the prophet proclaims to Ahab that a famine is coming for a few years

b) The Lord sent Elijah to live in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. The river and ravens fed and watered him during this time.

c) God cares for his people. All it takes is simple faith and obedience and God will provide.

5) My whole life really. He always provides everything I need and blesses me everyday with a wonderful life.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 4, Day 2: 1 Kings 15:25-17:6

Lots of “doing evil in the eyes of the Lord.” Truly disheartening.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 4, Day 2: 1 Kings 15:25-17:6

You must remember that the books of Kings are more concerned with the ruler’s spiritual health than anything else, which is why the books are written like they are, pointing out who did good in the eyes of the Lord and who did bad.

Baasha conspired to murder Nadab. Little did Baasha know, he was the instrument of God’s judgment against the house of Jeroboam. Baasha faces the same judgment in his death, too.

Assassination to get the throne was common in ancient times, as was the assassination of the entire family so that no claims to the throne could be made.

God exterminated every member of the first two dynasties of Israel.

Fun Fact: Zimri is one of only a handful of suicides mentioned in the Bible. Some of the others are: Samson (Judges 16:28-30), Saul (1 Samuel 31:4) and Ahithophel (2 Samuel 17:23). This is because God does not approve of suicide and therefore does not want to approve of it in any way.

Omri defeated Tibni in a civil war, presumably killing him. He built what would become the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, Samaria. He is regarded by historians as one of the strongest kings of Israel. The location he chose for the capital guarded all routes north and south into the city, a perfect defensive position. He was the 6th king of Israel since the split into two kingdoms.

In 41 years, Israel had 7 different kings.

Ahab was worse than all of the other previous kings. This is because he introduced the worship of new, pagan gods and made people worship them. This is why God was so angry. Both Omri and Ahab did this; whereas, Solomon only worshipped pagan gods himself. Marrying Jezebel only took the country further into idolatry.

Who is Elijah?

God brings Elijah up in order to try to bring light into this dark time of Israel’s history. Elijah means “Yahweh is my God.” The nation was headed deeper into idolatry. Israel needed a prophet to bring them back to God. Elijah came from nowhere to appear on the scene.

Elijah prayed for a drought and God answered his prayer. God has granted Elijah great power in order to bring Israel back to Him.

God protects and preserves Elijah during the drought by taking him some place to be alone so He could provide for him. Here, Elijah would learn total dependence on God as God fed and watered him every day like God did the Israelites in the desert.

So must we trust God to provide for us.

God told him the specific place. So must we listen to where God wants us, too.

Fun Fact: Elijah is the most mentioned Old Testament prophet in the New Testament.

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 4, Day 2: Matthew 4:1-11

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 4:1-11

The devil tempts Jesus three times here. First, Jesus goes to the desert and fasts for 40 days and 40 nights. Jesus was hungry so the devil attempts to get Jesus to sin by appealing to his hunger. Jesus refuses to make bread out of stone, saying instead you should live on God’s word. The devil dared Jesus to fall from the highest point of the temple, telling him the angels will catch him. Jesus tells him to not test God. Finally, the devil offered Jesus the world if he would worship him (ironic since Jesus/God already had the world). Jesus banished the devil finally, and angels came to Jesus.

BSF STUDY QUESTIONS LESSON 4, DAY 2: MATTHEW 4:1-11

3a ) Jesus was in the desert sent by the Spirit to fast and face temptation by the devil.

b ) John 4:34 tells us that Jesus came to do the will of the Father and to finish God’s work of dying on the cross, cleansing us from sin so that we can be with God. Hebrews 2:14-18 tells us that Jesus suffered temptation so that we can be helped when we experience temptation. Jesus shared in our humanity to give us an example on how to live. It helps me know if Jesus can overcome, then so can I.

4a ) Eve doubted God’s word and His goodness. The serpent used this against her. In addition, the serpent knew that God wouldn’t kill them, and since Eve had no concept of what “death” was since nothing God had created had died, she had no idea. However, she doubted God’s word at the end of the day; Jesus did not.

b )

Differences:

  • Jesus used God’s words as his defense and answer to the devil
  • Eve knew God’s word, but let the devil twist it
  • Eve gave in to her physical needs; Jesus used will power
  • Jesus told Satan to leave him

Similarities:

  • Both were tempted
  • Both were alone

CONCLUSIONS BSF STUDY QUESTIONS LESSON 4, DAY 2: MATTHEW 4:1-11

Matthew moves from this beautiful picture of Jesus’s baptism where God descends and commends His Son to this horrible picture of Jesus fasting and being tempted by the devil. This illustrates the Christian life perfectly. We can go from the highs of our lives to the next instant horrific lows. It should give us comfort that Jesus experienced this as well.

Check out this map guide for where Jesus walked:

Deluxe Then & Now Bible Maps – Paperback

END NOTES BSF STUDY QUESTIONS LESSON 4, DAY 2: MATTHEW 4:1-11

Jesus endured tempation for two main reasons:

  1. To identify with us
  2. To show us you can overcome temptation

Note that the Holy Spirit does not tempt (James 1:13). It led Jesus to temptation so that we can grow spiritually.

Jesus was tempted by the devil; we are usually tempted by the devil’s minions. We find relief when we give in to temptation; Jesus does not. Many Bible scholars argue that is a testing since the propert translation of the Greek verb here means “to test.”

“Luther’s remark stands true that prayer, meditation, and temptation are the three best instructors of the gospel minister.” (Spurgeon)

Jesus does not eat for 40 days and nights. Humans can survive up to two months without food (they need water), Jesus would have been in a state of starvation and desperate for sustenance (which is why we see the angels tending to him at the end). When you are that desperate for food and are at the point of death, you will give in to most temptations for food. Jesus endured it all for us. Amazing!

Jesus depended on God for all things (Hebrews 5:8) as we must, too.

TEMPTATION #1

Satan is asking Jesus to prove his deity by producing bread for himself. This would have been purely selfish if Jesus had given in. We see Jesus making bread in other parts of the Bible when he feeds 5,000 people (Matthew 14:13-21), so we know he has the power. He refuses to even entertain the devil here. Instead, he quotes Deuteronomy 8:3.

Jesus uses God’s truth to defeat Satan. So must we.

TEMPTATION #2

Satan tries to get Jesus to force God to use His powers to save him. The temple was 200 feet in the air. A jump would mean certain death unless God intervened. False prophets will use these means at the End Times.

Satan has the Bible memorized. He uses this knowledge to tempt us as he always takes the words of the Bible out of context (Psalm 91:11-12) and uses them to deceive us.

We must take the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27) , and we must know what the Bible says so that we ourselves are not deceived. The early Christians could not read; in this day and time in our society, we have no excuse.

TEMPTATION #3

Here, Satan offers Jesus the world. In truth, Jesus already had the world. What Satan is really offering Jesus is an escape from the cross. Jesus obeys God’s will here and tells Satan to go jump in a lake. All Satan wants is worship and recognition. We, too, must be careful of this sin.

Note that Satan does have something to give Jesus: the earthly world. When Adam and Eve sinned, humans gave Satan authority here on earth (2 Corinthians 4:4). This is what Satan is offering.

TAKE AWAY: It is not a sin to be tempted; we all face that, even Jesus. It’s a sin to give into temptation and commit the act itself.

SATAN’S WEAPONS

The only weapons Satan has against us are lies and deceit. These, however, spark fear, doubt, and unbelief in our hearts, which can ruin our lives.

Our weapons? God’s word. Many mistake Satan’s lies for God’s truth, which is where sin happens.

Obviously, only Jesus knew what happened to him in the desert. He told his story to his disciples so they could share his example with us for all of time.

FUN FACT: All of the passages that Jesus quotes are from the Book of Deuteronomy. So many people today discount the Old Testament as too antiquated and full of laws that do not apply to us. But that is not the point of knowing the Old Testatment. If it’s in the Bible, there is a reason for it to be there. God wants us to know it. That should be sufficient for all of us.

Note how God cares for Jesus by sending angels to attend to his needs after the temptation. God does the same for us. When we feel spiritually attacked, God is there. He cares for us; He picks us up; He cradles us in His loving arms. Keep those images in mind in the midst of temptation. Remember, He doesn’t give us anything we can’t overcome (1 Corinthians 10:12-14).

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BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 4, Day 2: Genesis 3:1-6

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passage:  The crafty serpent asked Eve, “Did God really say not to eat from any tree in the garden?”  Eve tells him they can eat from any tree except from the tree in the middle of the garden or they will die.  The serpent plants doubt, saying surely you won’t die; you will just be like God, knowing good and evil.

So, Eve took some and ate it and gave some to Adam (who was with her the whole time) and ate it as well.

Questions:

3)  the devil or Satan

4a)  Adam was to care for the trees in the garden and he was free to eat from any tree in the garden except the tree of knowledge of good and evil because if he ate from that, he would die.

b)  Yes.  Why else would God plant it and why would he instruct Adam to eat from any tree (including the tree of life)  Verses 9 & 16.  Everything God does has a purpose.  God gave man Free Will–to choose life or death.  And man chose.

5a)  The serpent planted doubt.  He questioned God’s words by asking, “Are you sure God said that?”  It made Eve wonder if God did indeed say that.  Then he questions God’s word and twists it by saying Eve wouldn’t die if she ate it.  Why would God do such a thing?  Then the serpent does speak some truth by saying their eyes will be opened.  They just wouldn’t be opened how the serpent says.  Finally, he tempted by saying “You will gain knowledge of good and evil” and be equal with God.

b)  First, Eve talked to the serpent.  Then she listened to the serpent.  Then she believed the serpent.  Then she gave in to her desire for wisdom and partook  of the fruit.

c)  God first and foremost.  God’s truths.  God’s words.  God’s goodness.  God himself really.

6a)  Jesus used God’s truths to defeat the devil.  Granted, Eve didn’t have the Bible to use but in a way she had something just as powerful:  a personal relationship with God.  Eve doubted God’s goodness; Jesus never did.  Eve doubted God’s ways; Jesus never did.

Of course, Jesus was God on earth and Eve was merely a human so it’s hard to compare.

But the serpent does use the same methods:  lust of the flesh; lust of the eyes; and pride.

b)  No.  James says after desire (temptation) has conceived (been planted), then it gives birth to sin (one sins) and sin leads to death.

Because Eve coveted the fruit didn’t mean she sinned.  She only sinned when she ate the fruit (disobeyed God’s commands).  At any moment before then she could have walked away.  But she didn’t.

The definition of sin according to Webster’s Dictionary is “a transgression of the law of God”.  Transgression means a violation of a law or command; to go beyond the limits.

According to my bible dictionary (Zondervan Illustrated Bible Dictionary by Douglas and Tenney) sin is “revolt against the holiness and sovereign will of God.  It is a condition of the heart and the outworking of that condition through one’s words and actions.”

We are all tempted (“to entice to do wrong by promise of pleasure or gain” says Webster’s).  Satan tempts to undermine our faith.  God tests (not tempts) to strengthen our faith.

c)  Personal Question.  My answer:  To quit God’s work and purpose for my life.  Some days it’s just not worth it.  It’s a constant temptation.  I’m also tempted to say mean things or not be giving.  Constant temptation to not do as Jesus would do.  Temptation to do what I want to do and not what God wants me to do.

Conclusions:  We discussed the whole sin versus temptation thing in Acts last year except we were asked if it was okay to doubt (see lesson HERE).  We are human.  We will be tempted.  Constantly by the devil.  But we have Free Will to say no.  God always offers us an out (1 Corinthians 10:13) so we can stand up to the devil.  God will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear.

From Eve we can learn the common steps the devil uses to make us sin:  he plants doubt in our mind; he makes us question God’s word; he entices with something seemingly better.  This pattern we need to be aware of so we don’t fall into sin.  So we can stand up to the devil and say “NO!” in God’s name.  So we don’t lose sight of God like Eve did.

Interesting Side Notes:  Note that God instructed Adam to not partake of the fruit of the tree of knowledge.  Then God created Eve.  Eve must have been told by Adam but she was not instructed by God.  Hence, she was chosen by the serpent to tempt as she was the weaker link.  We don’t know what Adam said to Eve but Adam was standing right there.  He knew it was wrong.  Eve disobeyed God and Adam.

Also, if Adam had been chosen to eat first, Eve might have had an out by saying she was only obeying her husband, the head of the household.  Hence, God allowed Eve to be tested first.

Eve doesn’t even seem to know the name of the tree and exactly what God said since she uses the word “touch” instead of “eat” as God did.  This is not an excuse.  But it does fall upon Adam to communicate to her God’s commands.

Eve was truly deceived by the devil; Adam sinned in full knowledge of what God had said. (Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:22; 1 Timothy 2:14).

I was always told it was Eve’s fault man sinned.  But upon close examination Adam bears most of the burden.  He was right there (Genesis 3:6) the entire time.  At any moment either one could have ran from the serpent.  But neither did.  It just shows how powerful and cunning the devil truly is.  And what we must fight against daily.

If Adam and Eve could be tricked and disobey–those who actually walked with God–then we must be extra vigilant and strong in the Word in order to resist.

Great explanation of Genesis 3 HERE