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BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 7, Day 3: Daniel 9:4-19

Summary of Daniel 9:4-19

Daniel prays and confesses to God that He is great, that they, the people of the Lord, are sinners and have not listened to Him and His commands, and that they are covered in shame. But God is merciful and forgiving. He asks God to hear his requests and to not delay out of His great mercy.

BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 7, Day 3: Daniel 9:4-19

5a) God is great, awesome, He keeps His covenant of love. He is righteous, merciful, and forgiving. He is just and executes judgment.
b) The people have been wicked and have rebelled; they have turned away from your commands and laws. They have not listened to your servants, the prophets. The people were unfaithful to God. They have sinned and rebelled against God. They have not obeyed the Lord our God or kept the laws he gave. The result of the people’s sins against God was judgment and exile to Babylon.
6a) Daniel asks God to turn away His anger and wrath from Jerusalem, your city, your holy hill. He asks God to hear his prayers and look with favor upon His people. He asks God to forgive and act quickly.
Daniel recalls that God brought his people out of Egypt with a mighty hand and made for yourself a name that endures to this day. The people’s sins and the iniquities of their ancestors have made Jerusalem and the people an object of scorn to all. But God is merciful.
b) God is holy and in control of everything. We are sinners and rely on His infinite mercy and compassion to forgive us and help us to be more like Jesus. We all need God’s mercy every day, and coming to God humbly is the only way to approach Him.
7a)  Humanity’s sin justly requires judgment and separation. Because humans cannot bridge this gap, the only hope for restoration comes not from human merit, but from an appeal to God’s own mercy. Humans cannot bridge this gap on our own. God has addressed the issue of man’s sin by sending His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins forever. It is through Jesus that we all come to God.
b) It definitely makes me more humble, reverent, and full of awe. I know that God is the One and Only. We can approach God in confidence, trust, and hope.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 7, Day 3: Daniel 9:4-19

Such a great example of prayer and faith, what that looks like, and how we can improve our prayer life, too.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Exile & Return: A Time to Build Lesson 7, Day 3: Daniel 9:4-19

Daniel started his prayer by recognizing God’s goodness and greatness. He understood God.

Everyone falls short of God. Israel had failed God, not the other way around. Sinners never deserve God’s mercy.

Daniel did not complain, he confessed.

Daniel proclaimed God’s goodness, confessed our sins, and then asked God for His mercy, forgiveness, and restoration. This would accomplish God’s work and give Him glory.

We pray in Jesus’ righteousness, not our own, when we pray in the name of Jesus.

Daniel trusted and depended on God. Daniel prayed fervently for God to act; so should we.

END NOTES SUMMARIZED

Daniel 9:4-19 is the prophet’s profound prayer of intercession on behalf of his exiled people, serving as a timeless model of corporate confession and humility.

The interpretation of its key elements is as follows:

  • Corporate Confession: Daniel, a righteous man, completely identifies with the sins of his nation. He consistently uses “we” (“we have sinned,” “we have rebelled”), taking on the full weight of Israel’s guilt rather than separating himself from it. This demonstrates the heart of a true intercessor.
  • Affirmation of God’s Justice: The prayer does not question God’s actions. Instead, Daniel affirms that the exile and desolation were the just and righteous fulfillment of the curses promised in the Law of Moses for disobedience. He agrees with God that the punishment was deserved.
  • Appeal Based on God’s Character, Not Human Merit: This is the central argument of the prayer. Daniel’s plea for mercy is based entirely on who God is, not on any worthiness of the people. He appeals to God’s reputation (“your Name”), His history as a deliverer (the Exodus), and His “great mercy,” explicitly stating, “We do not make requests of you because we are righteous.”

In conclusion, Daniel’s prayer is a masterful demonstration of how to approach a holy God. It moves from a complete and honest confession of sin to a bold appeal for restoration. This appeal is not based on any deserving quality in the people, but solely on the mercy and covenant faithfulness of God, for the ultimate purpose of glorifying His own name.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 7, Day 3: John 5:16-30

SUMMARY OF JOHN 5:16-30

The Jewish leaders began to persecute Jesus because he healed on the Sabbath. Jesus said that God is always at work, and so is he. He called God his Father, which they did not like either.

Jesus explained that he can do nothing by himself. He can only do what God does. Both God and Jesus give life. Jesus is the judge. Those who believe in Jesus will have eternal life. The dead will hear his voice and live. He seeks to please God only.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 7, Day 3: John 5:16-30

6) The Jewish leaders began to persecute him. They tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

7a) Both God and Jesus are always at work in our lives.

b) It is comforting to know God has my back and is working for my good. I can rest easy and not worry as much.

8 )

5:19-20: The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.

5:21, 24-26:  For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. 25   A time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.

5:22, 27-30: The Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son. And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.

28 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. 30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.

5:23: That all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

9) Awe, wonder, worship, prayer, thankfulness, humility, gratitude

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 7, Day 3: John 5:16-30

The Jewish leaders are so petty in their persecution of Jesus, so much did they feel threatened. Yet, Jesus always has the right things to say, and he is always right and makes sense.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 7, Day 3: John 5:16-30

The Jewish leaders simply hated Jesus so much did they feel threatened. They used the fact he claimed to be God. And, they used their interpretation of the Sabbath against Jesus. The Sabbath was meant to rest in God and all He does for us. Instead, it became a burden when the religious leaders distorted its meaning with so many restrictions.

God worked on the Sabbath, and he will, too.

Jesus’ Explanation of His Relationship With God

  • The Son does as the Father does
  • The Son can do nothing of Himself
  • Whatever God does, the Son also does in like manner
  • The Father loves the Son
  • As the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will
  • More divine power would be revealed
  • Jesus judges so that all will honor him
  • He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life
  • The dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live
  • Jesus has life of his own

In short, Jesus is equal with God, and they act together always. Jesus is the only way to God.

From here on, the Jewish leaders will be working hard to kill Jesus.

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BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 7, Day 3: 2 Chronicles 20:1-13

SUMMARY OF 2 CHRONICLES 20:1-13

Jehoshaphat inquired of the Lord about the threat from the Moabites, Meunites, and Ammonites. The people fasted to ask the Lord. Jehoshaphat prayed to God, praising God and telling Him how they had spared Moab and Ammon when they came out of Egypt and now they are repaying them with war. He says he does not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. Every man, woman, and child stood before the Lord, waiting.

BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 7, Day 3: 2 Chronicles 20:1-13

6) The Moabs and Ammonites were threatening war against Judah, and they did not know what to do.

7a) The people fasted to ask the Lord. Jehoshaphat prayed to God, praising God and telling Him how they had spared Moab and Ammon when they came out of Egypt and now they are repaying them with war. He says he does not know what to do, but our eyes are on the Lord.

b) Panic usually. Then a calmer mind. Then ask others. And ask God for help.

8 ) “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you.” This is most of us most of the time. Even when you don’t know what to do, God does, so lean on Him.

9) Moving. Unsure what to do, so I’m just praying and waiting for His timing.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 7, Day 3: 2 Chronicles 20:1-13

Love, love, LOVE verse 12. We have no power and no knowledge, but God does! And praise Him for that!

End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided Lesson 7, Day 3: 2 Chronicles 20:1-13

Seek God, and He will do great things!

Fasting in the Bible is a sign that you are 100% relying on the Lord and His power.

Great example of prayer here.

  • Recognize the power of God
  • Recognize God’s work
  • Prayed God’s word
  • Put total reliance on God
  • Stand and wait on God to answer

Powerful prayer model, indeed.

Commentators often point to Jehoshaphat’s prayer as the model prayer. It begins with adoration of God, reminds God of His former promises, sets forth a problem, and asks for help. Then, Jehoshaphat thanks God in advance for the answer.

This is how we should all pray. Talking to God. In our good moments and our bad. When we wake; before we sleep, and all throughout our days. We need God in the good and the bad. No matter how muddled your prayers, God knows. That’s all that truly matters. So open your heart to Him today.

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BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 7, Day 3: Matthew 6:5-13

SUMMARY OF MATTHEW 6:5-13:

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.

BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 7, Day 3: Matthew 6:5-13

6) Pray to God not to be seen or to please others, but instead isolate yourself so it’s just you and God alone together. Do not pray just to pray many words. God knows what you need. Honor God, pray for daily needs, forgiveness, and help with sin.

7) God is holy and sacred.

God’s sovereign will be done in my life.

Give us our needs for the day.

Forgive our sins and let us forgive others

Help us to resist the devil and overcome sin.

8 ) It teaches me to honor God and acknowledge all of the good he does in my life and to ask for forgiveness of my sins.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 7, Day 3: Matthew 6:5-13

I love how Jesus instructs us, and we aren’t left to our own devices. The Lord’s prayer is a great prayer example given to us to follow, so you don’t have to guess. On those days when you don’t know what to pray, this is a wonderful go-to.

End Notes BSF Study Questions Matthew Lesson 7, Day 3: Matthew 6:5-13

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 most early transcribers omitted it.

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