Tag: bsf matthew

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 2, Day 2: John 1:19-28

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

Summary of John 1:19-28

John the Baptist says he is not the Messiah, Elijah, or a prophet when asked who he was by the Jewish leaders. Instead, he quotes Isaiah and says he’s the one preparing the way for the Lord.

The leaders ask John why he baptizes then if he’s not the Messiah. He says he baptizes with water. He says that Jesus is coming after him. They do not know him, but he is not worthy to untie his sandals.

This happened in Bethany on the other side of the Jordan where John was baptizing.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 2, Day 2: John 1:19-28

3)

Question 1 – 1:19-20 Question: Who are you? John answered, “I am not the Messiah.”

Question 2 – 1:21a (Malachi 3:1; 4:5) Question: Are you Elijah? John answered: “I am not.”

Question 3 – 1:21b (Deuteronomy 18:15) Question: Are you the Prophet? John answered: “No.”

Question 4 – 1:22-23 (Isaiah 40:3) Question: Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” John answered: “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

Question 5 – 1:24-27 Question:  “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?” John answered:  “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know.  He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

4) He was solid in his identity. He understood Jesus was much greater than him. John is very clear about his purpose and calling and never questions it. He wants no attention on himself.

5) John never wavers. He quotes the Bible for his answers. He makes simple statements. He is straightforward. I think we all could be like this.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 2, Day 2: John 1:19-28

I love how John does not cave when confronted by the Jewish leaders. He stands firm in his purpose and for the Lord. Fabulous!

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 2, Day 2: John 1:19-28

Here, we see for the first time in John’s Gospel the word “Jews,” referring to one particular group here, the religious leaders.

Fun Fact: Jews meaning Jewish leaders appears almost 70 times in John’s Gospel.

John says who he is not, not who he is. He does not want any attention focused on himself.

Remember that Jesus referred to John as a type of Elijah in spirit. (Matthew 11:13-14 and Mark 9:11-13).

John’s work is to prepare for the work of the Lord. He baptized people to prepare for Jesus, cleansing them.

Baptism in Jesus’ time was only for Gentiles who converted to Judaism. Here, John is baptizing Jews as a sign of repentance.

The lowest slave untied sandals. John is saying he is below the lowest when it came to Jesus.

Great Resources for Our Study of the Gospel of John

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 27, Day 4: Matthew 26:69-27:10

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 26:69-27:10

Matthew 26:69-75:

Peter denied knowing Jesus three times when two servant girls and others asked him if he were with Jesus. A rooster crowed, and Peter remembered what Jesus had predicted. Peter then wept bitterly.

Matthew 27:1-10:

The chief priests and elders decided to kill Jesus. They bound him and handed him over to Pilate. Judas had remorse when he saw Jesus would be killed. He returned the 30 silver coins to the chief priests and elders, saying he had sinned and betrayed innocent blood. He threw the money in the temple and then hanged himself. The chief priests could not put blood money into the treasury, so they used Judas’s 30 silver coins he had returned to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. This fulfilled Jeremiah’s prophecy.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 27, Day 4: Matthew 26:69-27:10

10a) Peter denied knowing Jesus three times when two servant girls and others asked him if he were with Jesus. His sin progressed each time, first denial and then he took an oath. The last time, he got angry and called down curses on himself, swearing he did not know Jesus.

b) He knew/forgot Jesus’s prophecy that he would deny him three times.

11a) Judas had remorse when he saw Jesus would be killed. He knew he had sinned and betrayed innocent blood. He returned the 30 pieces of silver and then hanged himself.

b) They didn’t care about Judas or that Jesus was an innocent man about to be killed. They were in it for themselves.

c) All men have free will, and it’s a choice to sin or not. You are always responsible for your actions because you could have decided differently.

12a) Both were remorseful for what they had done. Judas tried to make his sin right, but his sorrow was not one of repentance. Peter wept bitterly, truly repentant of what he did, while Judas took his own life.

b) I feel like I’m cleansed, but sometimes I don’t and I still harbor guilt.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 27, Day 4: Matthew 26:69-27:10

Such sad passages, yet this could have happened to any of us. We all let our Savior down, just in different ways. It’s important to seek forgiveness whenever possible.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 27, Day 4: Matthew 26:69-27:10

Matthew 26:69-75:

It’s scary that Peter caved to a little girl. He finally remembered Jesus’s words, but it was too late. Here, we see the beginnings of Peter. He will be restored, and Luke says just after the rooster crowed, the Lord turned and looked at Peter (Luke 22:61).

Matthew 27:1-10:

This is the next morning when it was legal to pronouce a death upon Jesus. All the Sanhedrin are present  Luke 22:66-71.

In order to kill someone, Pontius Pilate had to agree. He was the prefect appointed by Roman Emperor Tiberius Caesar over Judea. He was a cruel man according to history, and the priests brought three charges against Jesus in order to justify his death sentence:

  1. He was a revolutionary
  2. He told people not to pay taxes
  3. He claimed to be King, which was punishable by death in Roman times (Luke 23:2).

Judas was filled with remorse, not repentance. He felt sorry for the outcome, not that he did it.

When he threw the money back into the temple, he tried to put the blame onto the priests, rather than himself. Judas probably thought Jesus would redeem himself here.

The money was now unclean as blood money and could not go back to the temple. The priests didn’t want to touch the money although they had the innocent blood of Jesus on their hands.

Most Bible scholars agree Judas went to hell (the son of perdition (John 17:12).

Acts 1:18-19, tells us that Judas’ body burst open. Most Bible scholars agree this was caused by Judas’ dead body being left in the open since no burials could take place during Passover.

Although Matthew tells us this quote was spoken by Jeremiah, it is actually recorded in  Zechariah 11:12-13. Some think it’s a transcribing error. Some think it was spoken by Jeremiah but recorded by Zechariah. Others think Matthew is referring to the scroll of Jeremiah, which included the book of Zechariah.

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Who is the Church?

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

Many people wonder, “Who is the Church?”

In Matthew 16, Jesus talks about the Church for the very first time.

The English word “church” is derived from a Greek adjective, kyriakos, which means “the Lord’s” or “belonging to the Lord.” The Church was officially born on the day of Pentecost in Acts. Jesus, however, prophesies about the Church here.

The Church is not a physical building; the Church is every person who has ever believed in Christ as God’s Son and Savior of humanity. Christ is the head of the Church, and we are called to meet together, to support one another, and to help each other in our earthly journey of following Christ and doing his will over ours.

Thus, some people in a church building are not Christians.

We are made for community, and when you embrace community and one another, the burden you bear, as a Christian, will be a lot less.

Find your “Church.” There, you will find love, support, acceptance, and help at every turn.

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 17, Day 4: Matthew 16:17-20

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 16:17-20

Jesus blesses Simon, saying God revealed to him who he was. He names him Peter, which means rock, and he will build his church that Hades (hell) cannot overcome. Jesus will give Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven and whatever he binds on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever he loosed on earth will be loosed in heaven. He told his disciples not to tell anyone he was the Christ.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 17, Day 4: Matthew 16:17-20

9) Jesus blesses Simon, saying God revealed to him who he was.

10a) Jesus will be the rock (the foundation) of the church.

b) He will build his church that Hades (hell) cannot overcome. Whatever he binds on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever he loosed on earth will be loosed in heaven, meaning whoever believes he is the Son of God will be free from sin; those who don’t will be bound forever.

11a) The Gospel frees those from Old Testament laws.

b) In every way (such a broad question with so many answers). Freedom allows me to follow Christ’s path for me.

Conclusion BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 17, Day 4: Matthew 16:17-20

My answers are short here. See more explanation in the End Notes.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 17, Day 4: Matthew 16:17-20

God divinely inspired Peter when he spoke, saying who Jesus was.

Jesus renamed Peter the rock, and he would become a rock for the disciples after Jesus’s death.

“This rock” is Jesus. The church will be built upon Jesus, although some Bible scholars say the rock here is Peter or even the confession itself.

Fun Fact: This is the first use of the word ‘church’ in the Bible. Fitting it is spoken by Jesus.

Jesus was prophesizing the founding of the church.

The Greek word for church, ekklesia, meant group. Thus, the church is a group.

Note Jesus says “my church.” We belong to him.

Hell will not penetrate the church, meaning God’s people will overcome sin, death, and Satan.

Peter the Disciple

Jesus will give Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven. This is why Peter is usually depicted in art with keys. This symbolizes Jesus giving Peter the authority to unlock the Gospel to the world.

This passage is a basis for many images of Peter. There is no doubt that Peter was special. Some think he stands at the gates of heaven, letting people in or blocking their entrance.

  • He is always listed first when the disciples are listed in the Bible.
  • He paved the way for the Jews Acts 2:38-39 and the Gentiles Acts 10:34-44 to come to heaven.

Binding and loosing is an idea during that time that pertained to the law. To be bound was to be prohibited and be put under the law. To loose was to permit and be free from the law. Here, Jesus gives Peter and the disciples the power to define the New Covenant church and set the rules.

Sinners would be set free from sin and death (loosed). Those who refuse to believe are bound in sin.

Jesus set the rules for the disciples, which explains them taking the grains in the fields  (Matthew 12:1-8).

Peter and the disciples would set the New Covenant, including dietary rules. Still, Jesus was not ready for all to know he was the Christ (probably because the disciples were not ready and he needed more training time).

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 13, Day 2: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 13:1-9

Jesus was sitting by the lake (Sea of Galilee), but the crowds were so big that he got into a boat so the people could see and hear him better. He told the parable of sower. Some of the seeds that the farmer scattered fell on rocky places. They sprang up quickly, but because the soil was shallow, they withered due to a lack of root. Other seeds fell among thorns, which choked the plant. Other seeds fell on good soil where it produced a good crop.

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 13:18-23

Jesus explains the meaning of the parable of the sower. When people hear the message about the kingdom of God and do not understand it, the evil one takes away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed along the path.  The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places hears the Word and receives it with joy. But he falls away when trouble arises because he has no root. The seed in the thorns is the man who hears the word, but is unfruitful because of his worries and deceitfulness of wealth.  The one who received the seed on good soil hears the Word and understands it. He produces a good crop.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 13, Day 2: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

3) He told the parable of sower. Some of the seeds that the farmer scattered fell on rocky places. They sprang up quickly, but because the soil was shallow, they withered due to a lack of root. Other seeds fell among thorns, which choked the plant. Other seeds fell on good soil where it produced a good crop.

4)

The sower signifies: God or Jesus

The seed signifies: the Word of God

The soil along the path signifies: those who hear but don’t take action

The birds that snatch the seed signifies: the evil one

The rocky soil signifies: problems that arise that prevent one accepting God’s Word

The thorny soil signifies: those who don’t truly accept God’s Word even after growth

The good soil signifies: those who accept Christ as their Savior

5a) The seed that fell on good soil. It was the only one that produced a crop.

b) The same in all four accounts was God and Him extending His hand to us to believe His word. The seeds all started out equally, meaning they all had a chance to be fruitful. What was different was the soil and how each responded to God’s Word and let hindrances keep them from God.

c) We need to ensure our roots are deep so we can withstand the evil one’s attacks on us. We need to not let circumstances sway us to turn from God. We need a solid foundation of knowing God’s Word in order to spend eternity with God and survive and thrive in this world.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 13, Day 2: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

Great life lessons we can glean from this parable. I love Jesus’s parables because they all apply to us today and we can learn so much when we study the meaning in depth.

Here are some great parable readings for you!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 13, Day 2: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23

MATTHEW 13:1-9

The boat gave Jesus a platform to speak from (Mark 4:1). With rising opposition, Jesus could no longer preach in synogogues, so he taught outdoors.

Parables are meant to teach one main principle to those listening. They made the idea easier to remember, and it stayed longer with the people. The parables of Matthew 13 focus on God’s kingdom. Your response determines if you will have eternal life or eternal damnation.

Jesus spoke to things the people would understand. Everyone understood farming.

The seeds fell on four places:

  1. Next to the path — this was where many people walked and thus the seeds would be trampled and not grow.
  2. In rocky places — characterized by thin soil as we are told
  3. Amongst thorns — fertile ground, but with hazards
  4. On good soil — fertile and free of other plants growing

Jesus uses “he who has ears, let him hear.” to call attention to his words.

The meaning behind his words would make no sense to those with spiritual deafness. Those who recognized Jesus would understand his words.

MATTHEW 13:18-23

Each soil type represents one of four ways that we respond to Jesus:

  1. Next to the path — those who hear God’s Word, but are unaffected. Their hearts are hardened, so they have no real understanding of what they are hearing. You must understand God’s Word before you can take action.
  2. In rocky places — those who are super excited when they first hear God’s Word, but then their excitement quickly fades and they fade away, too when times get rough
  3. Amongst thorns — those who grow with God for a while, but then are taken down by the evil one, temptations, worries, and deceitfulness of wealth
  4. On good soil — those that hear God’s Word and stick it through, bearing fruit along the way

What the Parable of the Sower Means to Us

We all go through the different types of soil in our lives — times where our faith wanes or where we are on fire for God. However, what matters in the end is that we strive to be the good soil and bear fruit in all that we do.

It can be helpful to ask yourself which soil are you and what can you change to become the good soil.

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BSF Matthew Lesson 12 Additional Bible Resources: Arts & Crafts Edition!

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

Hey all!

Since the holidays are coming, I thought I’d do an arts and craft resources day to keep the kids, grandkids, (and you) occupied when the family is over!

Happy art-making!

 

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