Well it’s almost time to begin my posts of People of the Promised Land – Kingdom Divided. I will begin around September 12. As you know I follow Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) lessons as I do my weekly posts. I won’t be the first to say that this study is hard and at times very confusing. There are so many kings (mostly bad ones) and prophets that it’s hard to keep them all straight, but I will try to do my best.
Exactly what is BSF? BSF is an interdenominational, in-depth Bible study. It is for everyone. It helps us know God and equips us to serve the Church throughout the world. Hundreds of thousands of people of all ages across the world come together to study God’s word. They study chapter by chapter together. People meet weekly in all kinds of places – in churches or online in homes.
BSF is unique taking a four-fold approach to studying – weekly printed lessons, small group discussions, listening to a lecture, followed up by reading the lesson notes. All this is done for each lesson. There are classes for women, men, young adults, students, and children. You print your weekly lesson online and then answer the questions during that week. Then on the designated time of your class, you attend the class of about 15-18 people for a discussion of the questions. After class discussion, you meet together with all the classes (sometimes about 500 people) for a lecture on that week’s study. You pick up your lesson for the following week which includes the lesson notes. You see the four-fold approach?
To find a BSF class near you go to www.bsfinternational.org
Why study the Old Testament? The OT lays the foundation for the teachings and events found in the New Testament and it prophecies about the coming Messiah Jesus. The NT is only truly understood when you see its foundation and promises of the OT. It details numerous prophecies that have come true showing the Bible is God’s Word and it tells of many prophecies yet to come. It teaches us many lessons as we observe its characters. In these characters we find guidance for our own lives.
The OT is made up of primarily of the Mosaic Law, the history of the nation of Israel, and prophecy of the Jewish people. We should study the OT because it’s part of God’s Word. It answers questions like, ‘Where did we come from?’ and ‘Who is God?’. It brings credibility to the NT, it’s the beginning of our story, and it shows God’s authority and His love for people.
The study of Israel’s kings and prophets show us our need for a Savior. It reveals God’s character and humanity’s struggle with sin. Through these people we learn that sin isn’t new to God and He takes sin seriously. We can place ourselves in Israel’s shoes. We have gone after idols, have become captive by sin, but it doesn’t have to end there. We see that God offers a path to salvation thousands of times in the OT. Paul declares, “A scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuked, correcting and training in righteousness” – 2 Tim. 3:16.
Join me for the study People of the Promise Land - Kingdom Divided (Sept 12). Hope to see you here. -- I encourage you to trust in Jesus.
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