Hey all!
I’m just curious how many of you attend BSF online and how many of you attend in-person?
Take the quick poll below!
Tag: free online bible study
What is BSF?
“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!
Summer Bible Study: WordGo’s Study of Ruth: Week 3, Day 2: Ruth 3:1-4
SUMMARY OF RUTH 3:1-4
Naomi desires Ruth to be provided for. She tells her to go down to the threshing floor where he will be winnowing barley. Get all clean and washed and put on your best clothes. She tells her to note where Boaz lies down and then uncover his feet when he does and lie down at his feet. Boaz will then tell her what to do. Ruth agrees.QUESTIONS FOR RUTH 3:1-4
3 ) Naomi desires Ruth to be provided for. The reward is that Ruth and her will be provided for if Boaz agrees to marry Ruth. The risk is that Ruths reputation could be tarnished by being there and that Boaz could become angry, reject her, and quite provided for the two women as he has been. 4 ) Naomi deeply cares about the well-being of her daughter-in-law. In addition, Ruth cares for and respects Naomi because she immediately agrees without question. She’s trusts Naomi’s wisdom and has faith in her. Furthermore, Ruth is willing to have Boaz as a husband so it shows she cares. 5 ) Someone whom you respect , you will listen to. Someone whom you don’t trust, you will take their advice with a grain of salt. Most people wouldn’t take any major risk on the advice of someone they don’t have faith in. Friendship, trust, and experience with that person matters , too.CONCLUSIONS TO WORDGO RUTH 3: 1-4
I love how Naomi knows exactly what to do. If it weren’t for her, it may have taken a lot longer for Boaz to ask for marriage (if at all) because Ruth does not know the practices of God’s people. Great example too of someone taking the advice of their elders. So many young people don’t do that these days. Contact me if you have questions on the Ruth Bible study today!
Summer Bible Study: WordGo’s Study of Ruth: Week 3, Day 1: Ruth 3
SUMMARY OF RUTH 3
Naomi desires Ruth to be provided for. She tells her to go down to the threshing floor where he will be winnowing barley. Get all clean and washed and put on your best clothes. She tells her to note where he lies down and then uncover his feet when he does and lie down at his feet. Ruth agrees.
Ruth follows Naomi’s instructions. Boaz wakes up in the middle of the night and asks her who she is. She says she is Ruth and asks him to spread his garment over her as he is her kinsman-redeemer.
Boaz blesses her for her kindness and for choosing him over others. Everyone knows she is of noble character. However, there is a kinsman-redeemer before him who has the first right to redeem. He will ask if he is willing; otherwise, Boaz will accept her.
Ruth left early so no one would know she was at the threshing floor. He gave her barley to take home. Ruth told Naomi all that happened and now they wait for Boaz’s word.
QUESTIONS FOR RUTH 3
1 ) I see a couple things. One, Ruth asks Boaz to marry her, which is against ancient culture at the time. She is claiming her right under the law since he is a distant relative of Naomi’s. Two, Ruth goes to the threshing floor, which apparently is a bit scandalous if Boaz sends her away before others see her. So here, Ruth takes a risk. Three, Boaz still provides for her and Naomi with grain.
2 ) We have a lot of changes at work so everyone is helping with that.
CONCLUSIONS TO WORDGO RUTH 3
This Ruth bible study is great so far. I love this chapter of Ruth asking Boaz to marry her. So sweet of a scene. Boaz is so tender with her, too. I think there is real love and caring between them, and it’s obvious Boaz wants to care for her and Naomi. Can’t wait to dive in a bit deeper here. Contact me with questions!
Summer Bible Study: WordGo’s Study of Ruth: Week 2, Day 1: Ruth 2 With Psalm 13
SUMMARY OF RUTH 2
Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side named Boaz. Ruth goes out to the fields to pick up the leftover grain (this was an ancient Israelite law so that the poor and widows would be provided for). She found herself working in Boaz’s fields.
Boaz arrived back from a trip to Bethelehem one day and noticed Ruth in the fields and asked about her. The foreman told him that she was a Moabitess who came back with Naomi and has been working steadily in the fields all day.
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. Ruth threshed the barley after she had gathered it and brought it back to Naomi, as well as her extra food from dinner.
Naomi asked Ruth where she had worked. She replied in the fields of Boaz. Naomi exclaims he is one of her kinsman-redeemers. Naomi told her to stay with Boaz’s servant girls because she will be safe there. Ruth worked in the fields until the harvest was over.
SUMMARY OF PSALM 13
David asks the Lord how long he will forget him or turn away from him. How long must he have sorrow in his heart and his enemies triumph over him? David pleads with the Lord to answer him and to give him light to see by. He trusts in God’s unfailing love, and he rejoices in God’s salvation. He will sing to God.
QUESTIONS FOR RUTH 2 WITH PSALM 13
1 ) Life still goes on. Ruth goes to the fields to provide for her and Naomi. They don’t lie down and quit.
2 ) Pray. I pray a lot. I still have faith like these two women. Life is what it is; you cannot change it. All you can do is go on.
CONCLUSIONS TO WORDGO RUTH 2 WITH PSALM 13
This should be a fun week studying Ruth’s diligence in providing for her and Naomi and how hard work gets noticed by Boaz. Great lesson relevant to today’s times of hand-outs instead of work.
A kindsman-redeemer is someone in Old Testament times who had a right and a responsibility to redeem or avenge for a relative.
Summer Bible Study: WordGo’s Study of Ruth: Week 1, Day 6: Ruth 1:21
PASSAGE IN RUTH
“I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty.”
Ruth 1:21
REFLECTION QUESTIONS FOR RUTH 1:21
15 ) God gives us others to walk our paths with so we are not alone. You can find support in others. In the midst of hardship, there is hope around the corner.
16 ) You do keep moving in the hard times. The alternative is to stop living. You have to keep living each day as it comes and what comes with it. This will look different for everyone.
CONCLUSIONS TO WEEK 1 AND WORDGO’S STUDY OF RUTH 1
Very much looking forward to next week to see what happens to these two brave women. Love the classic, “Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay.” This should be our answer to God’s calling every time. Join us for week 2 of this Ruth Bible study, and contact me today!
Summer Bible Study: WordGo’s Study of Ruth: Week 1, Day 5: Ruth 1:19-22
SUMMARY OF RUTH 1:19-22
Naomi and Ruth traveled to Bethlehem where the people were excited to see Naomi return. Naomi changes her name to Mara because the Lord has afflicted her and made her bitter. They arrived as the barley harvest was beginning.
QUESTIONS FOR RUTH 1:19-22
12 ) She is bitter. She believes the Lord has afflicted her and brought misfortune upon her. She renames herself to reflect her feelings.
13 ) When life hands you many misfortunes, most people are jaded, bitter, and angry. They do blame God for their losses and hardships, and Naomi’s reaction is one most of us would have. It’s human nature. Who wants to suffer and lose as much as Naomi has?
14 ) Financial troubles mainly.
CONCLUSIONS TO WORDGO RUTH 1:19-22
You can tell the Bible is real because nothing is sugarcoated. We read Naomi’s true feelings of bitterness and feel how hopeless she has become. She is not joyful that she has returned to her homeland — only bitter. This is how most of us would feel. Now, we’ll see God turn all of this around from sadness to joy.
Summer Bible Study: WordGo’s Study of Ruth: Week 1, Day 4: Ruth 1:6-18
SUMMARY OF RUTH 1:6-18
After the famine was over in Bethlehem, Naomi and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home. Naomi sends her two daughters-in-law back to their families in hopes they will find another husband. They ask to stay, but Naomi points out that she will have no more sons for them to marry.
Orpah left, but Ruth says no. She says that wherever Naomi goes, she will go and her God will be hers, too. Only death will separate them.
QUESTIONS FOR RUTH 1:6-18
9 ) Orpah leaves and Ruth stays. It shows the power of God to stitch people together and touch hearts with his will. Ruth loves Naomi more and is willing to stay with her to the very end.
10 ) She tells her that where she goes, she will follow and that her God will be hers, too. She swears that only death will separate them.
11 ) Ruth gave up a husband and a life amongst her people. Also, an easier life. Unsure if Ruth thought about the gains. It seems she was driven by love for Naomi and helping her survive in life rather than herself.
CONCLUSIONS TO WORDGO RUTH 1:6-18
We witness a powerful love and conviction in these verses. Ruth is determined to stay with Naomi till death separates them. This is a very powerful love that few experience I think today, especially for someone who is not flesh and blood. It also shows the power of conviction to do what you believe is right despite what others say.
Summer Bible Study: WordGo’s Study of Ruth: Week 1, Day 3: Ruth 1:2-5
SUMMARY OF RUTH 1:2-5
The man’s name was Elimelech, his was was Naomi, and his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion fro Bethlehem who lived in Moab. Elimelech died, and the two sons got married to Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. Both sons died, and Naomi was alone.
QUESTIONS FOR RUTH 1:2-5
6 ) We learn their names, and that all died in Moab except Naomi, the wife.
7 ) Marriage signals fullness and joy. Death symbolizes emptiness and sorrow.
8 ) “Why?” is the first question most ask. Then it’s a matter of pressing on to discover the why.
CONCLUSIONS TO WORDGO RUTH 1:2-5
The author of Ruth sets this story up beautifully, so that we have to keep reading. Family moves; men die. Now what? This story is ripe with possibilities, and it will be fun to see it unfold!
Summer Bible Study: WordGo’s Study of Ruth: Week 1, Day 1: Ruth 1
SUMMARY OF RUTH 1
In the time of the Judges in Israel, there was a famine that forced Elimelech and his wife Naomi and two sons to live in Moab. Elimelech died, and about 10 years later, the two sons died. Both of the sons had wives of Moabite descent. Naomi heard that Judah now was bountiful, so she set out with her two daughters-in-law there.
She told her daughters-in-law to return home to their home of Moab to find husbands again. They refused, but Naomi said there was no hope for them of her having any more sons to marry. Orpah returned, but Ruth stayed.
Ruth famously says, “Wheere you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay.” Both women travel to Bethlehem. Naomi renames herself Mara, meaning bitter cause she has returned empty-handed, believing the Lord has afflicted her. They arrive in Bethlehem as the fall barley harvest begins.
QUESTIONS FOR RUTH 1
1 ) Judah is once again plentiful for Naomi to return to her homeland. She doesn’t go home alone; Ruth accompanies her.
2 ) In my work, my life, where I may move to, my kids’ lives, and my husband’s business. I think about God everywhere in my life.
CONCLUSIONS TO WORDGO RUTH 1
I am looking forward to this study because it’s the ultimate example of how God has got your life no matter the depths of where you have fallen.
Fun Fact: this is the only book of the Old Testament named after a foreigner or one not of Jewish descent.