Tag: bsf lessons

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 22, Day 4: Matthew 21:33-46

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 21:33-46

Jesus tells the Parable of the Tenants. A landowner rented out his vineyard. When it was time to collect the rent, he sent his servants to do so. The tenants beat one servant, killed another, and stoned a third. The landowner sent other servants who were treated the same way. Finally, he sent his son who was killed, too. Jesus asks what will the landowner do when he goes to his tenants. The response is he will kill them and rent out the land to others.

Jesus said that the stone that was rejected will be the capstone, quoting Psalm 18:22-23. He says the kingdom of God will be taken from them (the priests and teachers of the law) and given to a people who will produce fruit (Gentiles). The chief priests wanted to arrest Jesus but couldn’t because everyone saw him as a prophet.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 22, Day 4: Matthew 21:33-46

10) The landowner is God. The tenants is Israel. The servants are the Old Testament prophets. The heir is Jesus. The vineyard is the land of Israel.

11a) Jesus is the cornerstone of Christianity. Faith in Jesus is the key to the kingdom of heaven. 1 Corinthians 1:23 says Jesus is a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. Jesus is the stumbling stone to many to God. Those who reject Jesus will never gain the kingdom of heaven, which is Jesus’s message to the religious leaders. Those who accept Jesus (the Gentiles in Jesus’s parable) will bear fruit and gain heaven.

b) Every way. People reject Jesus’s message in every aspect of their lives, picking and choosing what to believe and what not to believe.

12) It makes life harder, that’s for sure. When people don’t do the right thing.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 22, Day 4: Matthew 21:33-46

The message is one of how without Jesus, you are lost and do harm to others indiscriminately like how the religious leaders are persecuting and will kill Jesus. There are severe consequences for doing so.

More ways to help strengthen your prayer life!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 22, Day 4: Matthew 21:33-46

The belief of the tenants was if they killed the heir, then they would be able to take over the vineyard for themselves. Instead, the owner would judge and destroy them.

The Old Testament uses the vineyard to represent Israel  (Deuteronomy 32:32, Psalm 80:8, Jeremiah 2:21, and especially Isaiah 5:1-7).

Note how the owner (God) expects his son (Jesus) to be respected. Instead, the Son is killed. (a foretelling of his own death).

The message to the chief priests is clear — they can expect severe judgment for rejecting Jesus. The leaders have shown no fruit.

Leadership would now be given to the apostles and eventually to the Church (both Jewish and Gentiles).

Jesus asks the leaders if they’ve ever read the Scriptures. They are probably much offended by this since they obviously have.

The leaders answer to Jesus’s question has them condemning themselves.

Jesus is clearly laying out the consequences of rejecting him, and he is telling them that he is the chief cornerstone from Psalm 118.

We see the cornerstone here, too:  Daniel 2:34, 44-45 Isaiah 8:13-15  Isaiah 28:16,

Jesus is telling the leaders to expect to lose their leadership to others. You can either be broken by submission to God or broken by judgment.

Jesus shows grace to the leaders by giving them multiple opportunities to come to him. Instead, the reject him and kill him.

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 22, Day 3: Matthew 21:23-32

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 21:23-32

Jesus is questioned again by the chief priests and the elders while he was teaching at the temple courts about his authority. Jesus in turn asked them to answer one question first which was if John’s baptism was from heaven or from man. The elders conferred and couldn’t draw a good conclusion so they said they didn’t know. Thus, Jesus declined to answer their question since they could not answer his.

Jesus told the parable of the two sons. The father asked both sons to go to the vineyard to work for him. One said no, but went later in the day. The other son agreed to work, but never went. Jesus asks which of the two did what his father wanted. They answered the first. Jesus then says the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of heaven ahead of many for they believed John who showed the way of righteousness.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 22, Day 3: Matthew 21:23-32

6a) They asked Jesus: “By what authority are you doing these things? And who gave you this authority?” Jesus told them they must first answer a question he poses. Then he will answer their questions.

b) They were only taking into account the politics of their answer and what the people would think. They did not care what the real answer was to Jesus’s question. Since they couldn’t decide which answer would be better viewed by the people and would be “right” to say, they said they did not know. They did not care about the will of God.

7a) Probably in every aspect of my life. Really too many to say precisely.

b) Jesus has authority over the entire world. It should not be questioned.

8 ) The first son said no but had regrets and went later. This represents those who have accepted Jesus. The second son said yes but never went. The second son represents many Christians who and answer God’s call of “Will you follow me?” and they say “I will,” but in their hearts, they are not believers.

9) I’m more the first. My initial reaction is no because it’s usually something uncomfortable, but in the end, I follow. Human nature and sin prompt us to immediately say no.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 22, Day 3: Matthew 21:23-32

I love the Parable of the Two Sons. How many of us do this? We say yes to God with no intention of following through.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 22, Day 3: Matthew 21:23-32

Remember that the previous day Jesus had just cleansed the temple by throwing out the money lenders and price gougers. The priests were curious what right he had to do those things.

The answer to the question Jesus posed the religious leaders is the answer to the question of Jesus’s authority. The answer “men” would upset the crowd who revered John. The answer “heaven” would have shown them to be hypocrites since John believed Jesus to be the Messiah.

When the leaders failed to acknowledge Jesus’s authority, they rejected God at the same time.

God will reveal truth; all you have to do is ask.

Jesus knew this was another trap by the religious leaders. He had no compassion for them.

The Three Parables of God’s Judgment

  1. The Parable of the Two Sons
  2. The Parable of the Tenants
  3. The Parable of the Wedding Banquet

Remember a parable is a story that aims to reveal truth in an understandable way. Jesus’s parables are merciful to the receptive and informative of your fate if you reject him. At each parable, the religious leaders could have repented. They did not.

The Parable of the Two Sons

Since the sons lived in the father’s household, it was expected they work for him. He asked the sons individually, not collectively. He addressed them as son.

The first son said no but had regrets and went later. (This represents all of humanity).

The second son said yes but never went. (This represents the teachers of the law who profess obedience to God, but don’t accept Christ).

Both rejected the father’s authority (the father is God in this story).

The second son represents many Christians who and answer God’s call of “Will you follow me?” and they say “I will,” but in their hearts, they are not believers. You will forever be lost without acceptance.

Actions are what matter, not your words.

Tax collectors and prostitutes were regarded as the lowest class. This should have made those who don’t follow Jesus repent.

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 22, Day 2: Matthew 21:18-22

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 21:18-22

Jesus is on his way back to Jerusalem. He was hungry and hoped to find fruit on a fig tree. When he found none, he told the fig tree to never bear fruit again, so it withered. The disciples were stumped (no pun intended), so Jesus explained what had happened. Jesus told them if they have faith and do not doubt, mountains will throw themselves into the sea on command, too. If you believe, you’ll receive whatever you ask for in prayer.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 22, Day 2: Matthew 21:18-22

3) Jesus was hungry, but when he found no fruit to eat, he told the fig tree to never bear fruit again, so it withered.

4a) The fig tree was supposed to have fruit for it had leaves. The fig tree reprenents those who are all show, but no actions.

b) They do not believe so they don’t bear fruit. They were all show with no real faith at all.

5a) Jesus told them if they have faith and do not doubt, mountains will throw themselves into the sea on command, too. If you believe, you’ll receive whatever you ask for in prayer. He encouraged them to ask and it will be given and they will bear fruit because of it. The miracle was an act of prayer with faith. He encourage his disciples to have this kind of faith, trusting that God will answer.

b) It both challenges me to have faith and helps me to ask for things in prayer and have faith, too.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 22, Day 2: Matthew 21:18-22

This is an often-forgotten story of Jesus hidden in this chapter that serves to remind us to have faith in God to answer our prayers.

Great for strengthening your prayer life!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 22, Day 2: Matthew 21:18-22

This is one of two destructive miracles of Jesus. We read about the first one when Jesus cast out demons into pigs Matthew 8:30-32

Note Jesus does not harm humans.

The fig tree represents those in Israel who do not accept him. Outwardly, they look like they are followers of God. Inwardly, they are not and thus they bear no fruit. Jesus knows their hearts.

Here, he judges the tree, as he will you and me. Those who fail can expect death.

Take away: Pray with faith to receive.

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Friday Digest BSF Matthew Lesson 21

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN MATTHEW 19:30-21:17 BSF LESSON 21

  • Everything we have is by God’s grace alone
  • The gift of eternal life is for all believers, no matter when they follow Him
  • Serve, not self-serve
  • To be great, you must serve
  • You will experience temporary pain for eternal gain
  • Sometimes you do not have because you do not ask
  • Jesus’s blood cleanses us forever — an undeserved gift

TAKE AWAY: Jesus died for our sins to make us holy. Will you accept this gift?

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 21, Day 5: Matthew 21:12-17

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 21:12-17

Jesus entered the temple area in Jerusalem and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. Jesus said they are making the temple a den of robbers.

He healed the blind and the lame at the temple. The chief priests and the teachers of the law were indignant at what Jesus was doing. He left Jerusalem and spent the night at Bethany.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 21, Day 5: Matthew 21:12-17

13) Jesus entered the temple area in Jerusalem and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. The purpose of the temple is to be a house of prayer. Jesus said they are making the temple a den of robbers.

14a) That Jesus will do whatever he sees fit to ensure justice is done. That he can get angry, too, at the defilement of the church. Nothing surprises me really except the fact that more scenes of Jesus getting angry aren’t recorded.

b) Psalm 51:10-12 has David asking for a pure heart. We have to be free and cleansed of sin to be with God. Therefore, God wants our hearts to be pure so He can be with us. David asks in Psalm 51:15-17 to open his lips to be able to praise him. 2 Corinthians 7:1 entreats us to purify ourselves to have perfect holiness out of reverence for God. Philippians 4:8 tells us to thing of what is true, nobel, right, pure, lovely, admirable, whatever is excellent or praiseworthy.

15a) Titus 3:5-7 tells us that God saved us out of mercy, through the washing of rebirth and the renewal by the Holy Spirit whom He poured out on us through Jesus. 1 John 1:7-9 tells us that Jesus’s blood purifies us. If we confess our sins, God will forgive us. Confession and acceptance of Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

b) A lot.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 21, Day 5: Matthew 21:12-17

I love this scene of Jesus. It shows us he gets angry at what he sees as unholy around him, and he makes it right. Good lesson for us, too.

Good movie.

map of bethany and temple in jerusalem www.atozmomm.comEnd Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 21, Day 5: Matthew 21:12-17

This is a different scene than the one in John 2:13-22,. Here, Jesus is cleansing his temple and forcing out those who cheated the people by selling them sacrificial animals at high prices. Jesus was angry at those who bought these goods, too. The prices were about 20 times higher inside the temple.

There would be about 150,000 people gathered for Passover. People here had to exchange their foreign money, which was what the money changers were doing, most likely at outrageous prices.

The merchants were in the outer courts of the temple, which was the only area Gentiles could go. Mark records Jesus quoting all of  Isaiah 56:7, which included all of the nations.

These people were exploiting others. After Jesus threw out those who were defiling the temple; he got back to business, healing people and showing them mercy.

The priests and leaders were all jealous, and they saw Jesus as a threat. They completely ignored the good he was doing.

Remember this was Passover, so Jews from all of Judea were streaming into the city. It’s likely Jesus had no place to stay inside of Jerusalem so had to stay close by in Bethany. While this was close, it may have taken a bit to arrive at Bethany.

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 21, Day 4: Matthew 21:1-11

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

map of jesus enters jerusalem www.atozmomm.comSUMMARY OF MATTHEW 21:1-11

As Jesus and his disciples approached Jerusalem, they came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. He sent two disciples ahead to borrow a donkey and her colt. This fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 that the king will come riding on a donkey. The disciples brought the donkey and colt and placed their cloaks on them. Jesus sat on them. A crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches and put them on the road.

The crowds shouted, “Hosannah,” or “save” in Hebrew. Jesus entered Jerusalem, and the crowds proclaimed him as he entered.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 21, Day 4: Matthew 21:1-11

10a) That Jesus knew ahead of time what others would ask so he told the disciples what to say.

b) This fulfills prophecy

11a) The crowds: A crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches and put them on the road. The crowds shouted, “Hosannah,” or “save” in Hebrew. They understood who Jesus was, and the crowds proclaimed him as he entered.

The disciples: We are not told what the disciples were doing when Jesus enters Jerusalem. Presumably walking by his side.

b) Jesus comes humble on a donkey. He makes no fanfare of his own. He goes to his destiny willingly.

12) I love how every moment is choreographed like an exquisite dance. Jesus is the center in a simple, powerful way.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 21, Day 4: Matthew 21:1-11

The crowds here make this scene powerful. It’s as if most everyone realizes what a moment this is.

Insanely good movie.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 21, Day 4: Matthew 21:1-11

Jesus enters Jerusalm publically, embracing what is to come.

Jesus rode on the colt. Mark and Luke tell us the colt had never been ridden. (Mark 11:2) Yet, it is calm. The mother helps.

Jesus is fulfilling every bit of prophecy. (Daniel 9:24-27).

A colt is what royalty rode in ancient times.  Judges 10:4; 12:14. However, recently, royalthy had switched to riding horses, and donkeys had transitioned to creatures of burden by Jesus’s time.

The laying of clothes and branches is honoring Jesus and recognizing who he was.

Palms and branches wer ea symbol of victory and success.  1 Maccabees 13:51; 2 Maccabees 10:7; and Revelation 7:9

Hosanna is the crowd looking to Jesus to save them. We see this elsewhere in the Bible towards kings.  2 Samuel 14:4 and 2 Kings 6:26

We missed Jesus’s weaping over Jerusalem, as this was only reported in Luke (Luke 19:41-44).

Ironic that these same people who were begging for Jesus to save them would in a mere five days condemn him to death. Man is so fickle.

Note Jesus is still called “Jesus of Nazareth.”  (Matthew 2:23).

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Friday Digest BSF Matthew Lesson 20

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN MATTHEW 19 BSF LESSON 20

  • God hates divorce
  • Divorce is never God’s plan
  • God brings man and woman together and no one can break that bond
  • Some remain single; God has control over that, too
  • God wants us to be content and fulfilled
  • God accepts, loves, and honors everyone
  • Love nothing more than you love God
  • God can do the impossible
  • God helps us value what He values
  • Surrender to Jesus, and all will be yours

TAKE AWAY: Be willing to sacrifice everything for Jesus.

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 20, Day 5: Matthew 19:16-30

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 19:16-30

A rich man asks Jesus what he must do to reach eternal life. Jesus said to obey the commandments. The man asked which commandments and Jesus answered, “Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.”

The man says he has done that, but what does he lack? Jesus told him to sell all of his possessions, give the money to the poor, and then follow him to have treasure in heaven. The man went away sad as he wasn’t going to do this.

Jesus said it’s hard for a rich man to enter heaven. The disciples ask who then can enter heaven. Jesus said with God all things are possible. Peter asks Jesus what the disciples will receive. Jesus says they will sit on 12 thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel when he sits on his throne. Those who have left everything for Jesus will inherit eternal life and receive 100 times as much. But many who are first will be last and vice versa.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 20, Day 5: Matthew 19:16-30

13) Heaven cannot be earned. By pointing out what matters most — the treasures you build in heaven not the treasures you build in your own life are what matter.

14a) That it’s not about possessions — it’s about following Jesus first with your heart. He has to put God first and be willing to sacrifice everything for Jesus and God.

b) Money and his possessions

c) It’s clear-cut what you must do to get to heaven. The rules apply to everyone across the board. Everyone is equal in God’s eyes.

15a) You must be willing to give up everything you own to follow Jesus and enter God’s kingdom.

b) Everyone can be saved who leaves everything for him.

c) Those who have left everything for Jesus will inherit eternal life and receive 100 times as much. But many who are first will be last and vice versa.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 20, Day 5: Matthew 19:16-30

It’s quite simple to get to heaven but people complicate it — be willing to give everything up and put Jesus first in your heart to receive eternal life. Period.

Great read!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 20, Day 5: Matthew 19:16-30

Note you can’t earn eternal life as the rich man thinks — it is freely given.

All three gospels are clear that this man was rich, which is the point of the story. Luke says he was a ruler.

Jesus is called good by the man, but Jesus says the only good one is God. So if Jesus is good, then he is God. God requires perfect obedience, which only Jesus was able to keep.

Mark  Mark 10:21 tells us that Jesus had compassion on the man because he could see his heart did not follow him 100%. He was concerned with earning heaven, not with accepting Jesus’s gift of grace and love.

Jesus lists 5 of the 10 Commandments found in Exodus 20:1-17. These are the easiest to follow and relate to how we should treat others.

The man knew something was lacking (sacrifice), but could not identify it. So many of us need someone else to tell us important things, too. An outside perspective can help.

The man thought he had to do something; all he had to do was accept Jesus’s doing — the cross.

The Meaning of The Rich Young Man

The message is clear:

  • We are to put God first in everything and be willing to give up everything in order to do so. For the rich man, his riches were the obstacle to God. Jesus calls him to be his disciple  (Matthew 4:19; 8:22; 9:9; Mark 2:14); the man cannot get over his pile of riches.
  • Note this command is not for everyone; it’s for this man whose riches were his hindrance to God, his idol. Many who are rich do God’s work with their money.
  • Everyone’s hindrance to God is different. Yours is what you must give up.

Riches are a hold up for many because they make us happy in this life; we need to be happy in eternal life.

The camel analogy was immediately known to the disciples and those of that time as being obviously impossible.

Wealth was seen as God’s blessing upon you, so the disciples were shocked that Jesus was saying to give that up.

The rich still enter heaven since everything is possible with God. God can turn a person’s heart from riches to Him.

Again, Peter’s heart is in the right spot, but he bumbles over it. Yes, the disciples will have a special place in heaven, but doing things for God for the sole purpose of that right spot is not what God wants. The disciples helped build the church, too. (Ephesians 2:20). We’ll all have a home  (Revelation 21:14).

Everyone who sacrifices for Jesus will be rewarded here and in heaven richly. This is different for everyone, from riches to contentment and happiness.

Rewards include:

  1. Blessings here in this life
  2. Future rewards in heaven
  3. Eternal life

We will be surprised by who is first in rewards in heaven, Jesus says.

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