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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 22, Day 4: Isaiah 43:19 & Others

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

ISAIAH 43:19

“See, I am doing a new thing!
    Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
    and streams in the wasteland.”

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 22, Day 4: Isaiah 43:19 & Others

9a) Suffering makes you realize that you are not in control of your life, so you turn to the One who is for help to get through your troubles and get at least a sense of normalcy.

b) There have been many difficulties in my life, from bankruptcy to moves and more. Every time, I grow closer to Him and His ways and path for my life.

c) I am inspired by all those throughout history that have suffered for a cause or for the kingdom, from the apostles who were martyred to Christians today who refuse to compromise on the Words of the Bible. It inspires me to be a better person.

10)

Numbers 32:23: He draws us to Him when we fail to do things His way or follow His Word.

Psalm 40:17: He uses financial difficulties (or poor in spirit), so we depend on Him.

Psalm 118:13-14: He uses our setbacks to grow us towards Him.

Jeremiah 9:7: He tests us to refine us and draw us closer to Him.

Zechariah 13:9: He refines us by fire in our lives so we call upon Him.

11a) Pride. Self-aggrandizement. The need to be right and be in control. The shame we feel admitting we failed.

b) God shows others through me that you don’t have to be perfect; you are great even in your weaknesses.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 22, Day 4: Isaiah 43:19 & Others

Great study on suffering. We only need to turn to God to come through on the other side.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 22, Day 4: Isaiah 43:19 & Others

God will make our way. We just have to trust Him.

Our job is to remain faithful through suffering and grow from it. To trust Him through the pain and hard times.

His will and work are accomplished through our pain.

He will complete His work in us.

In hard times, we recognize the truth — that God upholds us every day.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 22, Day 3: Genesis 3:19; Job 5:7; and Psalm 109:21-22 & Others

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

SUMMARY OF GENESIS 3:19; JOB 5:7 & PSALM 109:21-22

Genesis 3:19: “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”

Job 5:7: “Yet man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward.”

Psalm 109:21-22: “But you, Sovereign Lord, help me for your name’s sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me. For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.”

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 22, Day 3: Genesis 3:19; Job 5:7; and Psalm 109:21-22 & Others

6a) Since the Fall, humans have and will suffer as part of the Fallen condition. Yet, the glory that awaits us makes our sufferings pale in comparison.

b) Human suffering tests us and strengths us. It also grows us closer to God. It can also be the work of Satan or of God who wishes for others to see his work through others’ pain and suffering.

c) That God’s ways are not our ways. He is higher than us, and He has a purpose for pain and suffering that most of the time we do not understand why. Our lot is to walk the path He has laid out for us, whether we like it or not.

7) God does all things. He is in control. Yet, He is with us and will strengthen us. God keeps us humble.

8 ) Our troubles achieve for us eternal glory, and we are being renewed in God each and every day. We will once again reign with God in Eden. When life is tough, we know that there is much more beyond this world, so we can persevere and endure, waiting on God’s timing.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 22, Day 3: Genesis 3:19; Job 5:7; and Psalm 109:21-22 & Others

I love how there’s always a purpose in our suffering, even when we can’t see it. We just have to trust that God has it.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 22, Day 3: Genesis 3:19; Job 5:7; and Psalm 109:21-22 & Others

Trouble comes to us as a judgment from God. Since all men sin, they deserve the trouble that befalls them.

Jesus bore these sins for us as our Redeemer.

The plain fact of the matter is that no one knows why we suffer because God’s ways are not our ways. He knows why we suffer, and it’s up to us to discover the purpose in our suffering and to rely wholeheartedly on Him in the midst of it.

It’s an on-going challenge to resist sin; yet, it’s an opportunity to experience God’s strength

Suffering can be as discipline, from Satan coming against us, or from living in a fallen world. It’s how you respond that matters most.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 22, Day 2: Isaiah 26:16; 43:2 & Others

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

SUMMARY OF ISAIAH 26:16, 43:2

Isaiah 26:16: Lord, they came to you in their distress; when you disciplined them, they could barely whisper a prayer.

Isaiah 43:2: When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 22, Day 2: Isaiah 26:16; 43:2 & Others

3)

Israel: 2 Kings 17:1-23: They have done evil in my eyes and have aroused my anger from the day their ancestors came out of Egypt until this day. The kings did evil. They worshiped other gods 8 and followed the practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before them, as well as the practices that the kings of Israel had introduced. The Israelites secretly did things against the Lord their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city they built themselves high places in all their towns. 10 They set up sacred stones and Asherah poles on every high hill and under every spreading tree. 11 At every high place they burned incense, as the nations whom the Lord had driven out before them had done. They did wicked things that aroused the Lord’s anger. They worshiped idols. They never turned from their evil ways. They disobeyed all God’s commands repeatedly.

Judah: 2 Kings 25:1-21: they have done evil in my eyes and have aroused my anger from the day their ancestors came out of Egypt until this day. God allowed Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to march against Jerusalem with his whole army. The people starved and were taken captive by Babylon. The temple was destroyed. The sons of Zedekiah were killed. All the buildings were burned and destroyed. The people were exiled to Babylon.

4a) God sent his Son to redeem His people. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.

b) He preserved a remnant. The people were freed from exile and allowed to return home to Jerusalem. God still watched over His people and protected them. He was always with them. He gave them hope with prophets and with prophecies, such as that of Jesus. The people knew there was more to life than just this.

5a) The same question I always have: why didn’t the people see their evil ways before the exile? Why didn’t they return to the Lord sooner?

b) God is always with His people and us no matter our sufferings. Even in our darkest days and in the midst of punishment sent by God, He is there. This gives me comfort during my struggles.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 22, Day 2: Isaiah 26:16; 43:2 & Others

Great passages on how God is still with His people and offers hope despite their suffering.

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 22, Day 2: Isaiah 26:16; 43:2 & Others

We don’t have to fear if we have the Lord in our lives. We should remember the three sons who did not burn when thrown into the fire for their refusal to worship idols. (Daniel 3:19-25).

No matter our fires, God is just a prayer away.

God’s judgment of Israel and Judah revealed His sovereignty, upheld His purposes, and showed His glory.

Your strain is designed to accomplish His gain.

There is more for us if we believe.

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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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BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 22, Day 4: Genesis 27:42-28:9 with Hebrews 12:6-14

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passages:  Genesis 27:42-28:9:  Rebekah hears Esau’s plans to kill Jacob so she sends for Jacob and tells him to go and live with her brother Laban in Haran until Esau’s temper cools. She tells Isaac she doesn’t want Jacob to marry a Hittite woman so Isaac blesses him and commands him to go to Paddan Aram to the house of his mother’s father Bethuel and take a wife from the daughters of Laban.  He blessed him again with fruitfulness and with the blessing given to Abraham.

Esau learned what had happened and he took a wife from Ishmael’s line in an effort to please his father.

Hebrews 12:6-14:  The Lord disciplines those He loves and punishes everyone He accepts as a son. Endure hardship as discipline for God is treating you as a son.  For if you are not disciplines then you are not sons of God.  Everyone is disciplined.  God disciplines us for our good so we may share in His holiness.

Discipline is never pleasant but it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace.

Questions:

10)  Jacob got sent away from the only home he has known.  He has to endure Laban.  He is tricked into marrying Leah.  He had to work for 14 years to have Rachel.  He slept with her maidservant when she couldn’t have kids (sound familiar?). He has to flee from Laban.

Rebekah spends the rest of her days without Jacob.  She dies before he returns-never seeing him again or getting the chance to say good-bye.

11)  Just the fact that Isaac is giving Jacob the blessing willingly when he really wants to give it to Esau shows he trusts God when God chose Jacob to be the heir.  He trusts God to find a wife for Jacob.  He blesses Jacob with the same blessing God has blessed him with:  bless him financially and multiply in number and take possession of the Promised Land.

Conclusions:  I have nothing positive to say about this lesson so I won’t say anything at all.

BSF Study Questions Genesis Lesson 22, Day 2: Genesis 27:1-25

by atozmom, posted in BSF Genesis 2012/2013

Summary of passage:  Isaac, now old and blind, asks Esau to hunt him some wild game and prepare him a meal at which he will give him his blessing.  Rebekah overheard Isaac tell Esau this so she told Jacob to go and bring her some young goats to prepare for him so that Jacob can go and receive Isaac’s blessing.  Jacob wonders though if Isaac touches him what to do because Esau is hairy and he is not.  His mother said not to worry.

Rebekah prepared the food and then dressed up Jacob in Esau’s clothes.  She covered his hands and neck with goatskins and sent him in to Isaac.  Jacob says he is Esau and bids his father to eat.  Isaac wonders how he found the game so quickly.  Jacob says the Lord granted him success.

Isaac suspects a trick and asks to touch Jacob.  He knows Jacob’s voice but falls for the goatskin trick.  Isaac blessed Jacob but is still unsure if he is Esau or not.  Jacob lies again, saying he is.  Isaac ate of the game.

Questions:

3)  Isaac planned to bless Esau and give him the birthright, which defied God’s plan which He revealed to Rebekah before Esau was even born (Genesis 25:23).  God intended Joseph to have the “older serve the younger.”

4a)  In this passage only, Jacob and Rebekah conspire to gain the blessing by having Jacob pretend to be Esau.  Jacob dressed up in goatskin to simulate Esau’s hair.  He wore Esau’s clothes.  Rebekah cooked a meal for Isaac.  Jacob lied to Isaac about his identity.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Don’t lie or deceive or white lie.  Numerous times I have posted about not lying to your kids so they will trust you in the big things.  HERE and HERE if interested.  Have an open relationship.  Have God at the center.  For if God is the center, love and honesty reign.

5a)  She did everything in her power to have Jacob receive the blessing as God intended.  And it worked.

b)  They were deceptive and involved lies and tricks.  Rebekah would have been better served if she had confronted Isaac about his intentions and told him to pray to God to ask for the truth.

c)  Same as above.  White lies.  Or lies.  Cheating people.  Deceiving people.

Conclusions:  Not happy AT ALL about this filler lesson.  I thought we had milked this passage already and here it shows up again?  Seriously?  Enough with the review.  In my opinion, nothing is learned in this lesson we didn’t already know.  We knew God’s plan.  We knew the deceptions Jacob and Rebekah do.  And we know the deceptions Christians (as all people-not just Christians) do today.  Wasted lesson in my opinion.

My time is valuable.  There’s so much in this world I don’t have time for.  And redundant study of a passage is something I don’t have patience for.  A year-long bible study in this society is a huge commitment.  And if indeed this lesson is just to stretch it out I have qualms with that.  I’d rather end a week earlier.  I have no problems being done in April.

In my class, you can tell people are dropping out.  Not as many women are coming nor kids.  This happens every year at the end of the study from my observations.  And maybe lessons like this is part of the reason why.  Something BSF should consider as they are analyzing attendance and growth numbers.