Articles
4 Questions Christian Leaders Should Ask
LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM EXILE & RETURNBSF Guest ContributorWhether we lead in our homes, at the office, or elsewhere, God has placed each of us in a position of influence. After decades in business, I’ve read countless books about leadership. But one book, more...
Four Ways to Resist the World’s Influence
LEAVING BABYLON BEHINDJanuary 5, 2026BSF Guest ContributorAs we look ahead to a new year, a fresh start, we long to leave the old behind. We embrace the new and step forward in confidence, but old patterns can still get in our way. As Christians, we often expect to...
Is God Still Here?
FINDING ANSWERS IN THE OLD TESTAMENTDecember 28, 2025BSF Guest ContributorThere are moments in life that stop us in our tracks—a sudden loss, an unexpected diagnosis, a change we never saw coming. But more often, it’s not one big disaster that wears us down. It’s the...
Starting a Gospel Conversation
Three helpful reminders when sharing the gospelFrom the Editorial TeamWe all know people who seem to have a natural gift for evangelism. They appear to weave Jesus and the gospel into every conversation, and they make it look effortless. You can often find them...
Simple Steps to Follow God’s Plan
HOW TO FIND CONFIDENCE IN GOD'S CALL TODAYFrom the Editorial teamHow can we know we are following God’s plan day by day? And when we sense His calling, how should we respond? Throughout Scripture, we read about men and women who answered God’s call with courage and...
Overwhelmed By The World? Pray Like Daniel
3 Steps to Pray with PurposeOctober 28, 2025BSF Guest ContributorWhen my church participated in a global prayer week, a few friends signed up for the “prayer room” at my home. That evening, we were scheduled to pray for the different states in our country. Yet, after...
Exile & Return: Artwork Explained, Part 2
October 27, 2025From the Editorial TeamFor the past few years, BSF’s creative team has developed illustrations for each lesson of a study. The aim is to give insight into key aspects of a person, story, or theme for that section of the study. As we were developing the...
God Has Not Forgotten You
Lessons on Faith from the Fiery Furnace BSF Guest ContributorHave you ever felt stuck in the midst of suffering? Or faced a circumstance and wondered, “How can I ever move forward?” I certainly have. During seasons like this, my husband and I find comfort in Daniel 3....
Does My Past Define Me?
A Story of Faith and RebuildingFrom the Editorial TeamWhen Aina heard the gospel for the first time, he felt betrayed. At a Christian camp outside his hometown of Antananarivo, Madagascar, he was suddenly confronted with years of buried pain. “The man who preached...
Exile & Return: Artwork Explained
From the Editorial TeamScattered. Broken. Exiled. God’s people saw their home and temple destroyed, yet God promised to rebuild what sin had ruined. Exile & Return traces their journey through hardship and restoration, showing how every trial was part of His...
Finding God When Life Crumbles
God's Message of Hope in EzekielBSF Guest ContributorHow do you act when life makes no sense? When the things that you depend on have crumbled? Where do you look? What do you think? Maybe you lost the job that you thought you would have forever. Maybe the unthinkable...
You Shared The Gospel! Now What?
three questions to move your gospel conversation forwardFrom the Editorial TeamYou’ve just shared the gospel with a friend. Your voice was shaky, and your heart is still pounding, but you did it! God gave you courage and words to share the beautiful truth that Jesus...
Why Build in a Broken World?
TRANSCRIPTGrowing up, one of my dad's favorite songs was called This World Is Not My Home, and he would go around the house singing, “This world is not my home. I'm just a-passing through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue. The angels beckon me from...
Dare to Live Differently
What Exile & Return Teaches About Living for Christ BSF Guest ContributorI’m sure this is not news to you: we are in the midst of a very tumultuous cultural moment. How do we live in today’s culture for Christ? How do we avoid a Christianity that is...
Is My Ordinary Faith Enough?
Finding Courage through Exile & Return BSF Communications Manager Daniel in the lion’s den. Ezra leading a nation. Nehemiah’s men with a sword in one hand while building with the other. Extraordinary moments. Unforgettable courage. We love studying the heroes...
Sharing the Gospel: The Basics
truths to remember for sharing the gospelFrom the Editorial TeamSharing the gospel can be intimidating. What should we say? How should we say it? Throughout Christian history, evangelists have unlocked time-tested techniques for sharing the gospel. Whether you decide...
How the Old Testament Speaks Today
3 Reasons to Study BSF's Exile & ReturnBSF Media DirectorBack when I still had a full head of hair, I wrote skits for youth ministry. One of my favorites was called It’s Malachi! In it, the character Kevin—a recently departed snowboarder—arrived in heaven to be...
5 Tips for Better Group Conversations
Encouraging deep and meaningful Bible study discussionsIn a small group Bible study, the goal is always to create a healthy, secure space where open and honest conversations flow and everyone feels equally free to contribute. Some groups find their groove from the...
How History Brings Exile & Return To Life
Why Context MattersFrom The Editorial TeamHave you ever read a passage in Scripture and felt like you were missing something? You understood the words but sensed there was more meaning to discover. When we understand the historical context behind our Bible study, we...
4 Strategies to Build Stronger Relationships
We believe certain aspects of spiritual growth happen in community! When we share openly with our groups, we discover support, encouragement, and the opportunity to learn from one another. But being vulnerable in a small group can be difficult. It may not always feel...