We had the first regular study this week for People of the Promised Land 2, which will be studying from the time of Solomon through the prophets, until the end of the Hebrew (Old) testament. The study for this week was more of an introduction and overview study to get things going.
The way BSF structures the study has four parts:
- Study on your own during the week, to focus first on the Bible, with questions to guide your study.
- Discuss the passages and questions with others who have also been studying.
- Listen to a lecture to bring together the passage(s) from the week.
- Read notes (like a commentary) on the passages from the week.
Repeat as we work our way through the Biblical book or books that we are studying that year (30 weeks).
For more about BSF or to find a group near you, go to www.bsfinternational.org.
The following are my notes from the first week. They are set to rhyme to help me pay attention and process while listening to the lecture, and to make for a fun review later and to share with my family.
2022/09/19 BSF Week 1 – Cary Michalak – Genesis – Malachi
Don’t go to seminary and lose your faith.
Facts are good, Heart is great.
Israel many inventions has, Immigrants more per capita than any land.
The Holy Land, small and quite obscure, but great things come from this small, rugged band.
God chose Israel, his people to be
Jesus Messiah, from them, to set the world free
Israel’s part in God’s plan matters to believers today. [AIM]
This is true, no matter what men may say.
God reveals himself in two ways: General, Creation, and Special, the Son.
God’s special was varied, to the people and prophets he knew each one.
God doesn’t just want us to know figures and facts,
But to know him in person and to see his loving acts.
The Bible is God’s filter for our minds he has given.
It’s the way we can know, and be open with him living.
God reveals himself so we can know him. [Principle 1]
But why choose Israel if he knew we would fail him.
Why not just send, Jesus straight out?
It’s a continual story, of restoration, no doubt.
Why people? Why Israel? Why you and me?
When we sinned and rebelled, why not just cut us free?
God made a way, to bring us all back.
Promised to crush the head of the serpent’s attack.
God in his grace chose Noah, Abraham, Moses.
Through Israel to all bring the gospel. Let them all know this.
Those of faith, of all Abraham’s sons.
Blessed by God, through them, his purpose still runs.
How did God bring it? Through Israel come?
A Savior, new Israel, God’s one true son.
Jesus repeated Israel’s time.
Egypt, wilderness, tempted, He came out just fine.
Jesus fulfilled, obeyed God all the way.
He came to bring grace, not just law to obey.
Why the law? What’s the purpose? Why did God send?
To point to our sin. Our knees in repentance to bend.
On our own we’re unable to trust and obey.
The law shows us God and our weakness each day.
The Law cannot save us. Only Christ can.
He sent us a Savior, Christ the perfect God-man.
The church continues the mission, though doesn’t replace.
We’re not seen by our blood line, but the blood on his face.
The church to point to him, to know and obey.
Our purpose in life to yield and to worship each day.
Other purposes lacking, they always fall short.
They can distract us, but in the end fall apart.
As we know him and follow, he redeems us from sin.
God redeems the world so we can be with him. [Principle 2]
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