Hey all!
Here is my annual post of when you all are starting Bible Study Fellowship’s study of the Book of John, which they are calling: John’s Gospel: The Truth.
In the United States, the study usually begins the week after Labor Day.
Please post in the comments below with date and location, so others in your area can see.
I am unsure yet when I’ll begin posting. Waiting to see your responses below!
God bless and have a great rest of August!
Where is Bible Study Fellowship?
Bible Study Fellowship, or BSF, is a bible study that is now global. It serves 400,000 class members on 6 continents in more than 120 nations.
The in-person classes are hosted by area churches that donate their space for BSF. BSF usually donates money back to the church to help pay for expenses, such as electricity and heat, while they are there.
There are many online class groups, too, that meet via Zoom.
Truly, you can be anywhere in the world and find a BSF class near you!
Sign up for this free Bible study today!
Many people wonder what denomination Bible Study Fellowship (or BSF) is. This is important to some because they want to make sure beliefs that they don’t follow or agree with are taught, especially to their kids.
BSF is officially nondenominational and simply is a lay group offering a Bible study. It has grown due to its four-fold approach to studying the Bible, as well as its thoroughness. As the world changes, BSF has so far successfully adapted, offering online Bible studies and materials. This is great for rural communities and seniors who can’t make it to an in-person Bible study class.
Consider joining for next year’s study, People of the Promise, and contact me today!
Great Bible resources!
Enjoy!
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“What is BSF?”
Over the years, I’ve gotten this question, so I thought I would write a post and share with those who are new to BSF.
BSF stands for Bible Study Fellowship. It’s a free nondenominational bible study group founded in 1959 by A. Wetherell Johnson. It chooses a Bible Study every year to focus on that follows the school year, usually beginning the week following Labor Day and ending in mid-May. It uses a four-fold approach, which includes reading a Bible passage, answering questions on the passage, discussing the questions in a small group session, and then listening to a trainer speaker on the passage. It focuses solely on what God’s word says, not what others interpret it as.
There are BSF bible study groups all over the world and the country. These groups are divided into women, men, and young adults. There is a student program that follows the adult program that parents can bring their children to. Since the pandemic, BSF has expanded to online groups as well.
The Bible study changes every year and usually focuses on one book or topic. For 2022/2023, BSF will be launching People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided, a study of many books of the Bible. This will be my 10th year, and I’m SUPER excited for this study!
I hope this explanation helps, and contact me with questions or leave a comment below!
Jesus tells the parable of the hidden treasure and the pearl. He says that the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found the treasure, he hid it and then sold all he had to buy the field where the treasure lie. The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he sold everything he had to buy it.
6a) Similarities in two tales: Both times the man sold all he had to acquire what he wanted. Something extremely valuable is discovered, desired, and purchased. Differences: the man could have kept the treasure the first time without having to sell everything he owned to acquire it.
b) That the man would give up everything he had to have what he desired.
7a) In order to have the kingdom of heaven, you must be willing to give up everything you have. Philippians 3:8 says you must be willing to lose all things to know Christ. In Colossians 2:2-3, Paul says his purpose is to that all of us have complete understanding to know the mystery of God and Christ where all wisdom and knowledge are hidden. Psalms 16:5-6 says God has assigned us our portion and cup and made our lot secure as our inheritance. Romans 8:32 says that God gave up his own Son for us and give us all things.
b) That we must be willing to give all we have to follow Christ.
8 ) It’s encouraging to know that the more you give up in Christ’s name, the more you will know him. This is sacrificing time to study the Bible, tell others about the Bible, and grow deeper in your relationship with God.
It’s important to note the differences here. You must be willing to sell everything to follow Christ. However, do so smartly. For Christ, we are worth it. Is he worth it to you?
Great resource!
In the parable of the hidden treasure, the man is Jesus and the field is the world. Jesus gave everything to purchase his treasure (believers). At the time, whoever owned the land would get the treasure; not the one who found it.
Consider how rare it is to find buried treasure. That shows how valuable we are to Jesus.
So we go from corruption to value added in Jesus’s parables.
In the parable of the pearl, Jesus is the buyer of the pearl, and the believer is the pearl that is so valuable to him that he would be happy to sell everything to have it. A pearl in ancient times was extremely valuable and desired. People would have instantly recognized this value. This shows you just how much Jesus values you.
Fun Fact: “Kingdom of heaven” appears more than 60 times in the Gospels.
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Boaz tells Ruth to stay in his fields where she will be protected and have all of the wheat she will need, as well as water. No harm will come to her here. Ruth asks him why he is showing her kindness, and he replies that he has heard all that she has done for her mother-in-law. He asks the Lord to reward her richly for it.
Boaz called Ruth over at mealtime and gave her bread and wine vinegar, as well as roasted grain. Boaz ordered his men to leave her extra bundles of grain to glean.
9 ) Boaz tells Ruth that he will protect her and for her to stay in his fields where he will ensure she will be provided for. He blesses her and tells her he is doing this because of everything she has done for her mother-in-law. Ruth thanks him, and he invites her to dinner. Boaz orders his men to take care of her and keep watch over her.
10) Boaz provides for Ruth based on what she has done for Naomi. He invites her to dinner even though she is a foreigner. He shows every kindness to her.
11) He blesses her for what she has done for others and for her reliance on God like God does. I can pray for those who have done good and gone unrecognized.
I love how even back then people broke social norms in order to do the right thing. Ruth deserved to be taken care of. After all, she was caring for Naomi and her. She works hard and is God-fearing. Boaz goes out of his way to talk to her, include her, and provide for her, as he should as a kinsman-redeemer, even is she is a foreigner. Contact me today!
James warns us against boasting about tomorrow since we could be dead tomorrow. Instead, let God lead you every day to His will. Do the good you know you should do, or you sin.
7) People boast about anything and everything, from their ability to do something others can’t to the car they drive. They even boast about their special kids or pets.
8 ) The key is giving God the credit for everything we do and listening to His will for our lives. Planning is good and wise, but, as we all know, things don’t always go as planned, and that’s ok.
9) Keep in mind to do good always and for others. That’s all you can do really.
Every talent, gift, and material possession is from God. Believers get in trouble when they forget that and think it’s all them. As long as you know how blessed you are to have the things you do and to do the things you can do, that is all God asks. Acknowledge Him in all things.
Joseph was Israel’s/Jacob’s favorite son, being the oldest son of Rachel. At age 17, he attended the flocks. He was given a rich robe as his father’s favorite, which made all of his brothers hate him. Joseph had a prophetic dream where his sheave of grain rose up and his brothers’ sheaves gathered around him and bowed down to it. This angered his brothers who understood the meaning and said he would never rule over them. Joseph had another dream where the sun, moon, and 11 stars bowed down to him. He told his brothers this dream and his father who rebuked him, saying that does he expect his mother, him and his brothers to bow down to him? His brothers again grew jealous, but Jacob knew it was from God and remembered it.
3) His dreams
4a) God planned for Joseph to be the leader of Egypt.
b) God is good and great.
5) Jacob knew this dream was from God.
Joseph is my absolute favorite person in the Bible (after Jesus, of course). I love this story!
Unsure why Joseph would tell his brothers his dreams, especially his second dream. Either 1) he was bragging or 2) he was utterly clueless how everyone hated him. Then again, he is a teenager. He has A LOT to learn about the world and how it works.
We immediately notice that the family of Jacob is dysfunctional with kids from four different women, Jacob playing favorites amongst his kids and his wives, and the brothers murdering a whole town over the reputation of their sister. Yet, the story of Jospeh, Jacob, and Abraham is about God’s triumph over sin. He uses all of us despite our sins.
Joseph tattled on his brothers, which did not help his case.
The coat of many colors was probably not a work coat but one meant to show privilege.
The first dream of Joseph conveyed the fact that he would rule over his brothers with the sheaves bowing down to him. Note the symbolism of the sheaves since Joseph will meet his brothers in Egypt when they come for grain during the famine.
Joseph’s second dream revealed that Joseph would be over his father and mother, as well as his brothers. This made everyone angry. This illustrates that sometimes keeping information to yourself, even if it’s from God, is best for all involved.
Note that here Rachel seems to still be alive Genesis 35:16-20,. This shows that Genesis is not in chronological order, probably to keep the story of Joseph as one whole here.
Note that most likely Jacob is ending his tale here and Joseph is picking it up so Joseph is telling his remembrances. Genesis 37:2: This is the genealogy of Jacob. You’ll see these transitions elsewhere in the book of Genesis Genesis 5:1, 6:9 and 25:19.
The sun, moon, and stars represents those from Jacob. We see this again in Revelation 12:1 as we Jesus coming from Israe.
Jacob sent his two wives, two maid servants, and 11 kids across the Jabbok River. He also sent all of his possessions as well. He then wrestled with God in his sleep. The man touched his hip socket, leaving Jacob with a permanent limp as a sign of this struggle with God and with men. Jacob called the place Peniel, or “he struggles with God.” God renames Jacob Israel, or “God rules” Jacob saw God face-to-face and lived. The Israelites do not eat the hip socket where Jacob was touched.
10a) Jesus because Jesus is God in human form. No one can see God’s face and live, but they can see Jesus’s
Exodus 33:20 But,” he said, “you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.”
John 1:18 No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.
Exodus 33:23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen.”
b) To depend on him alone and to give up himself.
11) The man touched his hip socket, leaving Jacob with a permanent limp as a sign of this struggle with God and with men. It was to remind Jacob of God’s centrality in his life. Jacob responded with humble blessings and knew he only survived because of God’s infinite grace.
12) The fact my life could be and has been worse. The fact I know I am a mere human and that the world does not revolve around me. God is the one and only.
I love this physical representation of surrendering to God. God uses any means to have all of us, including sending Jesus to wrestle. This gives me faith that God won’t let go of me, either.
Jacob sent his family over the river to protect them in case there was an attack. Jacob was alone with God, which would be his very last on the east side of the Jordan River. He prayed.
Note that a man wrestled with Jacob, not Jacob with the man. God was working on Jacob still. God wanted all of Jacob’s heart, and He had come to take it.
Jacob pleas to be let go, to surrender, to end it. We all must come to this same place with God, with force if necessary or circumstances that bring us to our knees.
Jacob is not making any demand here. He is asking God to bless him out of desperation Hosea 12:3-5
All Jacob had was God, and that is all Jacob held on to. This is God’s answer to his previous prayer. He was being rescued from himself.
Israel is a compound word of two Hebrew words, one meaning fight or struggle and one meaning God. It correctly means God rules, not he struggles with God as most Bibles will tell you.
Note that the Bible will still refer to Jacob as Jacob at least twice as often as Israel. This indicates that Jacob is still human and will make mistakes.
Jacob overcame because he knew he was defeated. He also know exactly who defeated him. The new name is the blessing Jacob is asking for.
Jacob knew he should have been killed for wrestling for God, but in God’s mercy, he was allowed to live. As a reminder, he’d have a limp. And what a reminder!
Jacob prayed to God to save him from Esau. He praises God and admits how unworthy he is. Jacob then reminds God of His promise and covenant to preserve him and his family. He sent gifts of animals ahead to meet Esau in an effort to pacify him.
6) He calls God the God of Abraham and Isaac. He praises God and admits how unworthy he is. Jacob then reminds God of His promise and covenant to preserve him and his family. I love reminding God of His promises in prayer.
7) He sent gifts of animals ahead to meet Esau in an effort to pacify him.
8 ) His prayer to God praises God, admits how unworthy he is, admits his fears, and reminds God of His promises to him. He also is giving Esau many gifts as well
9) Fear of the unknown. Praying and reading my Bible helps.
I love Jacob’s prayer here. It’s an example for all of us to follow:
Jacob’s gifts can be seen as ways to earn favor or to bribe his brother not to harm him. Still, it’s a big improvement from stealing his brother’s birthright. Jacob is still trying to use human means to save himself here when it is always God who saves us. Instead of going out ahead to meet his brother, he waits, hoping his gifts will placate.