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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 12, Day 2: Matthew 11:1-15

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 11:1-15

Jesus is continuing his ministry in the towns of Galilee. John the Baptist was in prison, and when he heard Jesus had come, he sent his disciples to ask if he was the One. Jesus told them to tell John that he has come to help the blind see, the lame walk, the deaf hear, and raise the dead. He has come to preach the Good News to the poor. All who hear and believe will be blessed.

Jesus then spoke about John the Baptist, saying he is the Elijah who was to come, a prophet who none have been risen greater than he. The kingdom has been advancing thanks to John.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 12, Day 2: Matthew 11:1-15

3a) John is in prison, so he is probably hoping to get out when the One comes. He wants to know if Jesus will rescue him.

b) Jesus quoted Isaiah who prophesied about the Savior, saying when he (Jesus) comes, the deaf will hear, the blind will see, the lame will walk, and the humble will rejoice. He preaches Good News to the poor and binds up the broken hearted (Isaiah 14:3-5).

c) Many times: in our moves, our past bankruptcy, and even now as we try to navigate another move possibly and career changes. All changes test your faith in some way, and you learn to lean on God more and more.

4a) John the Baptist was probably confused if Jesus was a political Messiah, sent to overthrow Rome, or the one he is — the one to save our souls instead. So, he asked Jesus himself, as we all should.

b) By asking Jesus. By bringing their questions to him and asking and waiting for him to respond.

5) He said no one born of women has been greater than he.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 12, Day 2: Matthew 11:1-15

Great example of how it’s okay to doubt who Jesus is and ask him to reveal himself. Many people come to Christ this way. Doubting is human, so give yourself some grace when you arrive at these moments in your life and continue to bring your doubts to Jesus.

Great historical fiction on the life of John the Baptist!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 12, Day 2: Matthew 11:1-15

Some Bible scholars say that John sent his disciples to ask who Jesus was for the disciples’ sake and not his own.

John the Baptist was in jail for calling out Herod Antipas, the ruler of Judea at this time. Herod had seduced his brother’s wife and ended up marrying her. John rebuked him for it and ended up in prison Matthew 14:3-12.

John is confused here, no doubt. He may be expecting a political Messiah — one who will rescue him. Perhaps, he didn’t want Jesus to forget about his troubles, too. Being in prision is hard, no doubt.

Jesus uses the prophecies of Isaiah to say he has come — but not in the political way many crave.

Jesus commends John the Baptist as the greatest prophet and man for being Jesus’s herald.  Isaiah 40:3 and Malachi 3:1. Note that Jesus bears witness to John as he had done for him.

The kingdom of heaven is forceful in pushing back the darkness and in converting people to Jesus.

John the Baptist was in the spirit of Elijah  (Luke 1:17). John was the last of the Old Testament prophets. We see Elijah at the Transfiguration  (Matthew 17:3), and we’ll see him as one of two prophets to come in Revelation 11:3-12.

Fun Fact: “He who has ears, let him hear” was a saying of Jesus after he said something important he wanted his followers to remember.

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 7, Day 2: Matthew 6:1-18

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 6:1-18

Be careful to not do acts of righteousness before men; if you do, you won’t have any rewards from your Father in heaven. Instead, all you will have is man’s applause and recognition, when you really want/need God’s. Do not give to the needy for yourself and for recognition (let your left hand know what your right hand is doing). Instead, give in secret. The Father will know and will reward you.

Pray to God unseen so you are not trying to impress men in order to give the impression you are righteous. Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Pray the Lord’s prayer. Forgive those who sin against you, and God will forgive you for your sins.

Do not fast in order to appear pious for men. Instead, don’t let others know you are fasting and look good while fasting. Your Father will see you and reward you.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 7, Day 2: Matthew 6:1-18

3a) Be careful to not do acts of righteousness before men; if you do, you won’t have any rewards from your Father in heaven.

b) About giving to the needy: Do not give to the needy for yourself and for recognition (let your left hand know what your right hand is doing). Instead, give in secret. The Father will know and will reward you.

About prayer: Pray to God unseen so you are not trying to impress men in order to give the impression you are righteous. Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Pray the Lord’s prayer.

About fasting: Do not fast in order to appear pious for men. Instead, don’t let others know you are fasting and look good while fasting. Your Father will see you and reward you.

All of Jesus’s examples teach to do these things for God and not for man’s recognition.

4) Jesus says to shine God’s light in Matthew 5:14-16. In Matthew 6:1-4, Jesus says to not parade your good deeds around in order to seek man’s approval. Instead, God knows what you do, and you will be rewarded. Christians are to do good works so others can see God, but these works are not to be done in order to be seen doing these good works by others.

5) I tend to not care at all what others think. It can be easy to fall into the trap of putting up appearances, however. God and His opinion are all that matter.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 7, Day 2: Matthew 6:1-18

Good lesson ensuring you are working for God and not others. We can fall into this trap just because we aren’t cognizant of it.

Great reminder of God’s grace!

End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 7, Day 2: Matthew 6:1-18

This passage is warning us of worrying too much about your image, rather than who you truly are. Don’t do things for appearances; do them for the right reasons.

Applause and attention of men fade away quickly; God’s rewards are eternal.

Jesus speaks to giving, praying, and fasting since they were and still are so central to the Jewish faith and now Christians as well.

GIVING

Giving alms to the poor was expected of people, and it was counted as righteous. Doing so makes you a hypocrite if they are acting pious when they truly are not.

Hypocrite has ancient Greek origins of meaning “an actor.” However, its meaning changed to playing roles on a stage instead. Instead, give and not know you are giving because you are generous.

PRAYING

You should not pray to be seen. They insult God. Praying on street corners and in public without the right heart is not what Jesus wants.

Instead, pray in your room. This Greek word for “room” was a storeroom where treasures were kept.

Pray with meaning and not with words to impress God. Instead, let your words be few Ecclesiastes 5:2:

God knows our wants and our prayers before we speak them. We pray not to communicate these to Him, but instead to show God our hearts and desires and increase our faith in God.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

It’s important to remember that the Lord’s prayer is just a model that shows relationship, reverence, trust, and dependence on God.

  1. Recognize who you are praying to (Our Father in Heaven). Jews of the day rarely used “Father” for God as it was too intimate for them. God is in heaven, holy and glorious. Our Father includes everyone.
  2. God’s name, kingdom, and will above all else.
  3. List your needs — bread, forgiveness, and strength to resist temptation. Debts here refers to our sins. We all face temptation (James 1:13),, but we all have ways out.(1 Corinthians 10:13).
  4. Praise God. (Many Bible scholars agree the last line of the Lord’s supper was added later on since it was omitted by most early transcribers.

FORGIVENESS

You must forgive if you are to be forgiven by God. It is not an option.

For more on forgiveness by Jesus, read here: (Matthew 9:2-6, 18:21-35, and Luke 17:3-4).

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 6, Day 3: Matthew 5:21-30

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 5:21-30

Jesus says that you can commit murder in your heart when you are angry with others and you will then be subject to judgment. Be reconciled with those who you are angry with. Settle matters before it goes to court because going to court could land you in jail. Jesus says you commit adultery if you look at someone with lust. Gouge out your eye and cut off your hand if it causes you to sin. Losing a part is better than losing yourself.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 6, Day 3: Matthew 5:21-30

6a) Jesus said you can kill someone with your mind and heart, and not just physically. Hate can be just as strong as murder. If you hate your brother, you are a murderer and John says that no murderer has eternal life in him.

b ) To be reconciled with others before bringing gifts to God and to forgive others.

c ) I really don’t hate anyone right now. But I don’t have a lot of friends.

7a) Jesus said you commit adultery in your heart if you look at someone else with lust.

b ) Basically, stay out of situations that will cause you to lust or be angry with others.

c ) Sex and sexual innuendos are everywhere in society. It can be hard to escape them. Philippians 4:8 tells us to think about other things, such as whatever is pure, noble, true, right, lovely, and admirable. This is what Jesus says. Don’t look at things or do things that can cause you to sin in your heart.

8 ) 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us that we can overcome our temptations and that God always provides a way out and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 tells us to take our thoughts captive. Basically, we are in charge of what we think, and staying out of sinful situations keeps us safe and helps us to not sin.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 6, Day 3: Matthew 5:21-30

Living is hard, but with God, it’s bearable. God provides us ways out of sin and helps us every step of the way. All we have to do is take his hand.

Try this book for encouragement:

End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 6, Day 3: Matthew 5:21-30

Things aren’t necessarily true because they are old; look at how long people believed the earth to be flat. Jesus is saying that here.

The Law is a heart matter, too.

Anger at others is a normal, human reaction. The anger Jesus is speaking of is the anger that causes thoughts of revenge and unforgiveness.

“Raca” is a ephithet for someone who is of low intelligence. Today, you’d call soemone dumb or an idiot.

Jesus says being reconciled to others is more important that religious duties. We are to be at peace with others Romans 12:18

Settle your anger or you will be a slave to it. Ephesians 4:26-27

The penalty is not money here. It’s suffering for eternity.

Jesus is saying committing adultery is a sin, but so is adultery of the heart. However, the act is much worse than the thought.

This concept is anything that we covet. You choose to linger on corrupt thoughts. Banish them for good.

Pluck Out Your Eye and Cut Off Your Hand

Plucking your eye out and cutting off your hand is not meant to be literal here. We are supposed to change the part of us that tends to sin. Wishful thinking won’t get us there.

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BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 28, Day 3: Genesis 47:28-31

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2020/2021

Summary of Genesis 47:28-31:

Jacob lived in Egypt for 17 years. He lived to be 147 years of age. He made Joseph swear to bury him in Canaan with his fathers.

BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 28, Day 3: Genesis 47:28-31

7) “With his fathers.” In Machpelah near Mamre at Hebron in Canaan, which was the burial place of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, and Leah.

8 ) Jacob knew he would get to come back to Canaan and that he’d see Joseph at the end.

9) Personal Question. My answer: In my business, my career, my new business, and life’s directions.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 28, Day 3: Genesis 47:28-31

I like how we can see that people have made burial wishes since the beginning of time, a tradition that still stands today with people’s wills.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 28, Day 3: Genesis 47:28-31

Jacob wanted to be buried with his family in Canaan — his home. It’s comforting to many who are facing their last days on this earth.

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BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 17, Day 3: Genesis 27:14-29

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2020/2021

Summary of Genesis 27:14-29:

Jacob went all out on the deception, putting on Esau’s clothes and goat skins on his hands and neck in order to appear hairy like Esau. He brought the food Rebekah had prepared to Isaac, who wondered how Jacob had gotten the food so quickly. Note the lie here: God had blessed him with success. Isaac does touch his hands and says how the voice is Jacob’s, but his hands are Esau’s. After eating the goat stew, Isaac kisses him and then smells the scent of Esau from the clothes. He then blesses Jacob with blessings, riches, and having nations serve him.

BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 17, Day 3: Genesis 27:14-29

7a) Rebekah was showing that she’d do whatever it took to get her way (or God’s in this case), even lie and trick others. She was showing that she knew best over Jacob and was showing him no respect as the head of the household.

b) Jacob didn’t hesitate to lie at all to get the blessing. He went along with everything Rebekah told him to do. Isaac ignored God’s soverignty by trying to give Esau the blessing instead of Jacob. There was no respect. There was no seeking God. They simply did not care who they hurt in their actions.

8 ) It shows the dangers of favoritism amongst parents towards their children. Still, at the heart of man, it comes down to putting your will above God’s and doing anything to make that happen. Funny how God always wins.

9) Even though the methods were wrong, Jacbo still received the blessing that God intended. God always works things out as they are supposed to be despite our attempts to do it for God or for other reasons. God is good.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 17, Day 3: Genesis 27:14-29

This story shows the heart of man perfectly. No matter how God-centered you are, you always have to be wary of letting your will and intentions usurp God’s.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Genesis: Lesson 17, Day 3: Genesis 27:14-29

Isaac probably knew it was Jacob in his heart of hearts, as we see with the repeated questions. However, Isaac believed Jacob instead. Jacob tells several lies to get what he wants, justifying it by how he’s doing God’s will. The means does not justify the end.

Isaac cannot see and his sense of touch was not good. Thus, he relied on his sense of smell. Back in the day when no one showered or did laundry, the distinct smell that every human has was pronounced, which is what Isaac smelled on Esau’s clothes.

Isaac passes on the blessing God had given Abraham.

The blessing itself is one of richness, bounty, and God’s presence.

In the end, God blesses who He wants to blesses and curses who He wants to curses; our actions here on earth are truly meaningless outside of God’s will.