Faith Over Fame: Rethinking Influence
How Exile & Return Teaches Us To Build Lives of Faith
Hollie Roberts
BSF Executive Director
Every year, we read headlines promoting lists of the world’s “most influential people”—celebrating CEOs, celebrities, and cultural icons. But it always makes me wonder: If God made a list, who would be on it? Who does He consider truly influential?
In Scripture, God gives us the answer. From Genesis to Revelation, God consistently uses unlikely followers and imperfect people to accomplish His plans and purposes. God honors faithfulness over fame and obedience over applause. He challenges us to redefine what it means to live a life of true influence.
This past year, our study Revelation: The Hope brought that truth into sharp focus for me. And as I look forward to next year’s study, Exile and Return: A Time to Build, I see the same pattern. When we place our hope in Christ, He equips us to build a life of faith.
When Christ Is Our Hope
As I have studied Revelation this year, I have been deeply moved by God’s repeated reference to the martyrs—those who gave their lives for the sake of the gospel. Throughout Revelation, it is the martyrs—not the influential, seemingly successful, powerful, and prestigious—whom God upholds as those who overcome. See for yourself, in Revelation 6:9-11:
“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. They called out in a loud voice, ‘How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?’ Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.”
Or again in Revelation 20:4:
“I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”
To live a life that honors Christ is to live a life of faithful commitment to Christ.
In these verses, God doesn’t simply remember the martyrs’ obedience; He highly honors their faithful commitment to Christ. In fact, Revelation 12:11 captures their commitment beautifully:
“They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”
And you know, it makes me wonder—what might God be telling us through the legacy of these martyrs about what He values and how we are to order our lives today? What if we began to uphold faithful individuals like these martyrs as the leaders to follow on this earth rather than the celebrities and CEOs the world so often prefers? What if we began to define influence not by the number of one’s social media followers but by faithfulness?
These verses in Revelation remind me that to live a life that honors Christ is to live a life of faithful commitment to Christ.
But how do we get there? How do we build a life so committed to Jesus that we are willing to sacrifice everything?
Hope Builds Our Faith
In Exile & Return, we will explore the lives of men and women who firmly built their lives on God’s promises. While they certainly weren’t perfect, they were faithful. Like the martyrs of Revelation, these men and women were willing to sacrifice everything to serve the Lord. When the world threatened their comfort, their position, their livelihood, and even their lives—they stood firm.
- Ezekiel built a life of hope in the midst of rejection and isolation.
- Daniel built a life of integrity even when it led to persecution.
- Ezra built with wisdom as he led the returned exiles to properly honor and obey God.
- Esther built a legacy of courage, risking her safety to save God’s people.
- Haggai built with focus, boldly calling God’s people to finish the temple.
- Zechariah built with vision, pointing to God’s redemptive plan.
- Nehemiah built with perseverance, refusing to abandon the work God gave him.
- Malachi built with devotion, calling people back to faithfulness.
These men and women were not praised by their culture, but their legacy of faithfulness still impacts us today.
In a world chasing visibility, we are called to faithfulness. In a culture obsessed with status, we follow a sacrificial Savior.
As we reflect on Revelation: The Hope and anticipate Exile and Return, we’re invited into the same legacy. In a world chasing visibility, we are called to faithfulness. In a culture obsessed with status, we follow a sacrificial Savior.
The world may never see us as influential, but we are living for the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, and the King of Kings.
When we place our hope in Christ, He not only sustains us, He equips us to build lives that influence others for eternity. I hope you’ll join us in this upcoming study. Together, we’ll discover that now—in our homes, our communities, our workplaces, and our churches—is our time to build. How will we respond?
About the Author
Hollie Roberts stepped into the Executive Director role in September 2021 after serving as BSF’s Chief Field Development Officer. Hollie and her husband, Kevin, have two sons, a daughter-in-law, and three grandchildren.
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I don’t mean to be flippant, but put me in coach,I’m ready to play!!! I am at a time in my life where nothing but my relationship with Jesus counts. This means being actively involved and invested in building His Kingdom, spreading His word, and helping lead the lost to their beautiful Savior.
Brilliantly written. It is good to review Revelation and a preview of our new great study. I have been with BSF since 1987. BSF is such a deep dive into the study of Gods word. I can’t wait to start the new version
I tend to internalize what the Word says… not always faithfully in practice I have found, but still a goal. I want to do and be better. I do love the Word and rely on it for answers, but am not always as diligent in my internal, personal relationship with the Lord. I am not always faithful nor obedient, but I want to be. I am looking forward to this year’s study already! It is exactly what I have been searching for. Maybe this will be the year that I come to rest right where He wants me. Unafraid and devoted.
great summary Thanks. Love the reminders from past study and hope for what’s coming. It seems strategic to study God’s faithfulness for those living in dark times who persevere. May we remain faithful. Thank you for your leadership.
I felt much blessed and encouraged in the study of Revelation with my group leader and sisters. I was much inspired and privileged to be the commissioner of God to the needy world. God will equip me with the eternal HOPE to present Him and His Kingdom.
Hollie and all the staff behind the scenes thank you so much for your commitment.
Excited to have the study of Exile and Return. Thank you.
Hi, Good Day Ms Hollie Roberts, I copied it for my own study to understand better, to prepare for the upcoming lesson soon. All of us have much to learn, and your sharing helps!
I was looking for the notes and questions, hopefully to start early, because I really need to pray for the Holy Spirit to help me understand and share the answers during group sharing.
Thank you, Ms. Roberts
Kim
I’m having trouble finding the Exile and Return Word Go preview course
Hi Carol, the course on WordGo actually includes content we won’t study in Exile & Return. It is a short study on Ezekiel!
Translation:
Thank you.
God be with you!
Although this is my first year participating in the BSF Bible Study Class, I want to say that the real experience of this year cannot be expressed in words. Because of the problem-oriented reading and thinking, I have established a sacred thinking mode, which is simply unexpected. I carefully followed the four-fold method to complete the study, but I still made mistakes in the middle, especially when I was immersed in the indescribable heavenly scene at the end. I forgot everything and mistakenly took Lesson 30 as Lesson 29. Is it because I miss the Lord Jesus too much, I can’t wait, “Lord, I want you to come!” Amen! Thank you very much to the backstage servants of BSF, may the Lord remember your hard work and our invisible efforts! May the Lord greatly reward each of you. Hallelujah praise the Lord!
So how best to prepare for Exile and Return?
Hello, Cheryl – the Ezekial mini study in our WordGo would be a great way to help prepare for the new Exile and Return study. You can download the app from your phone’s app store.
I am grateful that in my walk of faith, I am not alone. I have brothers and sisters around the world who are walking and striving together. Whenever I feel discouraged I always think – it matters how we will stand in front of God up there.
Never alone! He is always with us. There are many of us out here who feel the same way. Seek the Lord always… because what we do, does matter. What we seek… we will find. Focus on the Hope He offers, Abha… and know that his timing is not always ours. No matter how discouraged we may feel…what happens around us can always be countered with goodness. Be that goodness. That is the challenge. Standing for God won’t always be easy but surely it will please the one we seek. Have faith… and know that He is God.
Thank you!
I have to think about joining I love these online conversations . I don’t know if it is possible to do that instead of coming in person. I used to do that a few years ago and liked that but found lessons to be very challenging being my first year of BSF.
Will we be getting our lesson plan book from the same place as Revelations Class book?
Revelation changed my life! I can’t wait for the new year to start!
Thanks for your hard work at BFS.
Rina – thank you for sharing! We are grateful for you
Is there any way to have the Principles pre-printed into the lesson plans. I’ attend virtually and find myself scrambling to write them and not paying attention to lesson and often miss something.
Regards.
This… The world may never see us as influential, but we are living for the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, and the King of Kings.
This speaks to me so much. Sometimes I long to be influential. To stand out. But, I’m learning to find comfort in just being me. The me that God wants me to be.
The world probably won’t. It’s focus runs counter to the Word.
This study speaks to me too. I have found over the years that there are many ways to serve God. Internally and externally. Your heart matters. Take good care of it. Sounds like you are on the right track, to me.
Dear Hollie,
Thank you because you help me to continue with Hope I had been studying through Revelation; and Hope builds our faith; Living with faith, the Holy Spirit is powerfully working , so, sometimes even we do not say anything , the glory of God shines so much from us so that someone may be drawn and starts to try to discuss with us: I think it is a way we may be an influencial person God uses so He can save an unbeliever ; For all of us It is very encouraging and joyful to live a life for Jesus and live a life that lead someone to Eternity!
Yvette – thank you for your gentle encouragement to me as I had procrastinated many times to become a part of Bible Study Fellowship. I actually committed and joined the class for the last study group as we studied the Book of Revelation. It was exactly what I needed. Until then, I always avoided studying the book of Revelation but now, I know it was for my edification and education. I am looking forward to our next study class.
Thank-you Hollie for bringing Revelation: The Hope together with the upcoming study Exile and Return: A Time to Build. You are so right that the martyrs were a very important focus and caused me to question my devotion to Christ. It will be great to get into the study this fall to see and develop my influence on those around me with the hope of Jesus. That seems to be such a need now!
Thank you, Holly.
BSF studies have enriched my understanding tremendously over the past several years. Very grateful for all that BSF does for helping us grow in the Bible truth.
Sincerely
Carmen Metzger
Thank you so much Holly for your commitment to leading us in BSF through God’s word as we travail
in our earthly journey towards our Heavenly destination.
“In a world chasing visibility, we are called to faithfulness. In a culture obsessed with status, we follow a sacrificial Savior.”
This has challenged me to always check my motives. I coukd get carried away in this busy world. Thanks Hollie for sharing these insightful comments.
Thank you for this profound reflection on true influence and faithfulness. Your insights into the martyrs and biblical figures remind me that genuine impact comes from commitment to Christ, not societal accolades.
It’s inspiring to see how these faithful individuals overcame adversity, prompting me to rethink my understanding of success. As I prepare for the upcoming study, I look forward to exploring how I can build my life on faith, courage, and obedience, reflecting Christ’s love in my community.
Giving Thanks for Gods Blessings In & Through BSF. What a Glorious Study of God’s Word Exile & Return will be to follow the Hope In Jesus Return revealed in Revelation as He consummates His Eternal Kingdom.
Very thankful the Body of Christ will be learning together
How Should We Then Live as we await Jesus Return
faithfully trusting in His Promises.
When will the next text be available?
This is a wonderful piece Hollie, beautiful and spirit filled. I am truly inspired and encouraged this morning, to live a life of continuous faithfulness and commitment to my Jesus (my loving sacrificial Saviour).
I can’t wait to start the Exile and Return study. God Bless!
I appreciate our group facilitator Ms. Angela Leung of BSF Hong Kong, she asked us questions in the class to challenge us and let us think deeply about what God is saying to us. She also cared, called and prayed for each of us every week.
I’m encouraged, comforted and become more inspired to study God’s Word because of BSF. Knowing and loving more our Sovereign God through the study of His Word and having fellowship with others who loves God and His Word. Thank you BSF. God bless you for your commitment ❤️so excited with the Return and Exile study💓
Thank you Hollie and your team. GOD bless you in abundance for your faithful dedication in serving the lord.the book of revelation has really helped understand living in the a broken world God deliberately ensures the safety of his own people, looking forward to exile and return
Gracias a Dios por todos ustedes que llevan el Evangelion a muchos rincones de este mundo. Gracias a cada lider que con amor nos guian a seguir a nuestro Senor. La palabra no llega vacia.
Translation:
Thank God for all of you who bring the good news to many corners of this world. Thank you to every leader who lovingly guides us to follow our Lord. The word never comes empty.
Looking forward to the study of EXILE & RETURN.
Brothers and sisters in Christ; start your engines!!❤️🌻❤️
Thank you, Hollie, for this transition filler leading to the study of Exile and Return.
The study of Revelation was enlightening and presented an urgency: I must share with my family the truth of the things to come and the need to recommit to following Jesus as our leader in this and into the new life.
Thank you Hollie and your team for all your faithfulness serving the Lord in BSF. Studying Revelation gave me a renewed passion to continue to sow seeds and share the gospel. I want all my family members and friends who have yet to know Jesus to come to know the hope, joy and eternal life that are found in Jesus Christ. Looking forward to the Study of Exile and Return.
I hope everyone will read this blog and get excited for the next study.
It really is going to be hard to wait for September to roll around.
I thank God for your leading and for BSF. I was a Christian before I started BSF in 1991. I only wish I had started earlier so our son could have been in the Children’s program. But, that apparently was not His plan for us. Through BSF I learned about the plumb line as it applied to the Bible, my life and my church. I was taught to check sermons, radio preachers and make sure they were scriptural. May god bless you as you go forth.
Thank you Hollie!
You are so right-faithfulness is what God values the most! The Holy Spirit is, after all, the great influencer! God bless you.
Thank you for such an inspiring message, Hollie. For me, BSF is an answered prayer. I look forward to studying Exile & Return: A Time to Build. God bless you.
Thank you Hollie for a wonderful introduction into the upcoming study
I was worried about how to transition from Revelation to the prophets but it’s fantastic to study examples of people who know their calling and stayed the course.
May the Lord help us run and finish our race
God bless
So well said, Hollie! It is painful to our earthly minds and bodies to think about the possibility of being martyred, but our committment and faithfulness is what our Sacrificial Savior values.
Amen to all Katie posted!!! Excellent blog, great read, & it really gets me fired up & excited for “Exile & Return; a Time to Build”!!! THANK YOU BSF & all who are called, committed, faithful, & obedient to make it happen! Great Blessings to all!
When will the study be available?
I am living in “exile” right now, this world does not belong to me because I do not belong to it. My ultimate return is guaranteed through Jesus’ victory on the cross and He promised He will come back to bring me home one day!
Oh to be the kind of influencer that would be on God’s list. I LOVE that thought… and perspective. Can’t wait for this study.
Gives much to think about as we go through our day…
When can we purchase the book for the Exile & Return study? Shirts?
Dear Sherilyn, materials and books will be available in early July! If you are a registered BSF member you will receive an email notification.
I appreciate this delightful peek into the upcoming study! Thank you.
From India…thank you Hollie. Been part of BSF since the last 4 seasons and currently a group leader. Blessed to be part of BSF. God is good!
Thank God for your message as I anticipate the study of PPER in the coming season. May God help me to live the purposeful life now as I look forward as a citizen of the new Jerusalem!
I do hope we will keep the BSF feeling of studying Scripture line by line. The last OT study, The Divided Kingdom, was overwhelming. It was too much reading.. The last OT study for me before that was from Joshua to David. It was not overwhelming, and I could see the whole history of David without despair.
Anyway, it is going to be my 10th year of BSF, 5th year as group leader. Thank you for all the work you put into the notes.
On a different note, how to get BSF in French? They could use it.
Dear Peter, we don’t currently translate materials into French, but there are French speaking BSF Online groups available! This study will pick up where Divided Kingdom left off – but the nature of the books are very different. We will have time to pause, reflect, and understand how God called, restored, and empowered His people. I hope you enjoy the study!
Thank you for connecting the two studies, reinforcing that all of scripture points us to our Living Hope, Jesus! Looking forward to Exile and Return: A Time to Build.
Revelation will always stick with me, and I love BSF and how it brings out the essence of the Scriptures. The one thing I really miss, though, is the Digging Deeper handouts that were available electronically. Thank you, Hollie, for your leadership and your love for the Lord—it is truly inspiring! I am looking forward to our next study!!
Hi Hollie:
Thank you for serving the Lord through your work and your staffs’ efforts! The men in my BSF group were blessed by reading the Word, hearing the lectures and answering the questions each week in the walk through Revelation.
May the Lord continue to bless you, your family, the BSF staff, the volunteers and the people who participate in Exile and Return.
Blessings,
Nigel
I was blessed and comforted beyond words can express. The study of the book of revelation was the first time i joined BSF. I learn now, i came to this study at God’s perfect time. Four month into the study i heard a news that was meant to destroy and may be to kill me; but because of the lesson in the book of revelation, i was able to stand firm in the faith and to survive the attacks of the enemy. I thank God and BSF leadership for providing a shelter through his word at the time of my greatest need in my life. I am forever grateful.
This was the second time I did a study on the Book of Revelation. This one helped me look deeper and find a better understanding of this powerful Word of God. As a minority and person of color I could not understand how people could take the word of God and use it to discriminate and justify their hate of people of a different race and color of them. Revelation emphasized we all belong to one of the 12 tribes. We are one in Jesus Christ (Jews and Gentiles). It never mentioned any specific religiious affiliation as a preferred form of religion. The 144.000 came from those twelve tribes. All will have to account for their own lives on judgement day. I dont want to just settle for making it to heaven. I want to experience every reward God has for me to the fullest. That means there is kingdom business that needs to be done. Lord use me to fulfill your purpose for my life. To God be the glory forever and ever.
I may not a lot of personal friends because of my beliefs, mycircle may be small but God… is my rock and salvation. I go where He leads and pray for His strength and power to endure. Thank you Jesus, may i heed and listen to your voice and not my own. In Jesus name. Amen, amen!
While I was studying His word I could get up early in the morning and not stop until late in the evening because I was that focused on reading and learning what God was placing on my heart as I studied. I look forward to our new study of Exile and Return. My heart and mind is just overflowing with love and joy and I want to learn more and more. I know God is not done with me yet. I learn as much as I possibly can that I might be a blessing to someone else. This is what learning God’s Word is all about. Not just for our personal gain but to be able to share with others truthfully what thus says the Lord.
Dearest LaVerne, Take heart ❤️. We are not color blind. We are color blessed 🙌. We all bleed red especially Jesus who unites us in His precious blood.
Thank you Hollie for your inspiring words. I have been encouraged after the study of Revelation and looking forward to Exile&Return study.
As believers and blessed participants in the Grace of God move forward daily buffeted by cultural, satanic misdirection, we find it easy to see the thoughtful Truth of the reminders of this blog by Ms. Roberts.
As the scriptural prophecies of Revelation 6:9-11, 20:4 declare to us the cost of devotion; Revelation 12:11 reinforces God’s Truth in achieving victory.
My contribution is Titus 2:12-14 12. training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13. waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14. who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.
I hope, in humility, to use Titus as my roadmap. Maranatha! This is not our home; just waiting for the trumpet.
For years I have been pointing my BSF group to Zechariah as one of the most important understudied books of the Bible. I was excited to see it was included next year (in a crowded field). I am “on the edge of my seat” waiting to see what you do with this book, especially chapters 12-14. God bless.
I’m looking so forward to the new study, Exile and Return. I do the BSF online, Zoom. Love it! And love all my study partners too! I get so much out of these studies and am very thankful for such a blessing! Many blessings and in God’s grace, thank you.
Renee
So excited for this one! Thank you so much to BSF for providing such wonderful bible studies. I am so grateful, and God bless all the people who put all the resources together and to the leaders who help run the Zoom groups! ( big shout out to Donya 😉 )
I love the 4fold approach that BSF uses in teaching Gods word! God has walked me through some hard times with the last 3 studies in BSF and given me His Hope in trying times. He truly does persevere with us! I’m so thankful for our BSF class!! God deserves all the glory! Hallelujah! I so look forward to Exile and Return!!
Amen 🙏🏼
It’s what I tell those I encourage to study God’s word through BSF, that it offers the four paths in study. The children’s program is also excellent.
God bless you and the BSF. I.am waiting to join the next round of Bible exploration Thanks to the BSF team and Hollie Roberts.
Looking forward to study Exile and Return with all of you and praying for more to join. As God’s demonstration of His faithfulness continues thru BSF, drawing more people to His mighty name; our hope ever increasing as we study together The Living Word. BSF helps a lot in edifying my faith as we all prepare to face The King of kings and The Lord of lords. Anchoring my life to The Lord of Hosts. Glory, Honor, Power and Praise be unto Jesus, forevermore.
Thanks Hollie for the reminder that my focus should not be to live a life of earthly influence but faithful commitment to my saviour. He alone is my hope.
Looking forward to the study.
Blessings
The location of your BSF is right near the worst overpass in Modesto. So I don’t attend.
Norm – have you considered BSF Online?
I think this is our time to build in our families, church & community. Looking forward to Exile and Return.
This is exactly the course correction our culture needs. Focusing on Jesus and be faithful and obedient to him is our only calling. In a world of “influencers”, we are called to influence those in our circles.
Thanks to all the BSF staff and volunteers who keep the main thing the main thing. 📖
Holly, you consistently and concisely bring insight and truth about God and his people. Blessings!
The Lord is our shepherd and I think BSF for the years of spiritual growth. The Exile Return of the Minor Profits will be another enjoyable study of the gospel.
Thank you
BSF has been the greatest discovery in my spiritual life. I pray for this organization and its growth and Gods favor. I eagerly await the new study as a Group Leader and I have been blessed in this capacity beyond my expectations. God is so good!
Thank you Hollie for your spiritual insights and faithfulness in serving the Lord through BSF.
The Lessons are always informative and biblical.
May the Lord continue to encourage you and your family.
Tony.
The title: Faith over Fame caught my interest.
This is a little more than a comment. Please allow me to testify. For many years, I have felt that I am an alien/pilgrim traveling through this land, because my faith & hope are built on my Lord Jesus Christ, who has redeemed my soul with His precious blood atonement. He came as the high Priest according to the order of Melchisedec, and the Father gave Him a body to be the perfect sacrifice to take away the sin of the world and mine, once for all. He has delivered me from my sin/lawlessness against God Almighty, and from death (separation from God). He has caused me to be born again with the Spirit of God (I am His temple) and has translated me from this sin-cursed world now and into the kingdom of God/heaven. That is my eternal home forever, eternal life with my God & Savior. I am a royal citizen and priest of my Lord’s and every day my pray is to offer my body ever member as a living sacrifice, that these members would be empowered by the Holy Spirit and used for righteousness that leds to holiness seperated unto God for His good pleasure and purpose for this is my resonable service of worshipping Him; in faithful loving obedience, and loyality, and reverential awe, because of who He is and what He has done for me. I was truly blessed by the study of Revelation this past year. It has heightened my awareness and burden even more so to be a living and verbal witness to those who are still bound in sin and a slave to Satan and his will, and are heading to an eternal doom because of their sin/lawlessness as I once was, but by the grace of God through His promised Messiah I have been set free. I’m looking forward to this next study that you have just written about for this upcoming season. Until our Lord comes or He takes us home to be with Him, let us remeber those great cloud of witnesses who have gone before us, (many of the martyrs you meantioned), and let us shed the weights of this world’s allurements, and the sin/lawlessness that incumbers us and run with endurance the race God has set before us, looking unto Jesus the Christ, the Author, Finisher, and Perfect of our faith, who for the JOY that was set before Him He endured the suffering of the cross and despising the shame has sat down at the right hand of the Father.
Amen!
Amen!
Thank you, Hollie, for your faithful leadership! May the Lord continue to bless you and your family richly and in every way!
Looking forward to being able to order Exile and Return: A Time to Build. I arrived late for the last study on Revelations but still enjoyed the study plus fellowship with other Brothers. Thanks.
Reading this reminded me of John 12:41_43: “Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus’ glory and spoke about him. 42 Yet at the same time, many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees, they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved human praise more than praise from God”.
I find the craving for praise from others is one of the most difficult sins for me to avoid, or even repent because it creeps on me from the inside
I am really looking forward to E&R in the fall. At the same time, I am getting deeper into Revelation over the summer as I seek to connect the lessons! Praying for HQ and all the staff as you finish your final prep through training and rollover of the studies!
Thank you Holly,
A needed encouragement.
Rely on God’s strength only!!
May God richly bless you,
Beth
Is there a scripture reading guide to use this summer in preparation for fall 2025 study ?
Dear Deborah, while BSF does not provide a Scripture reading guide during the BSF break, we do have the WordGo app that includes shorter BSF Bible studies to enjoy. Many of those directly connect with our upcoming study: Isaiah, Hosea, Lamentations, etc. Hopefully WordGo could work for you!
Revelation marked my 15th year of BSF study and each year’s study has strengthened my knowledge and understanding of God’s love for His children, His love for me. I am looking forward to Exile and Return with confidence that the study will show once again God’s unending love for us!
Thank you Hollie.
“The world may never see us as influential,” but we are influential in our settings, whether large or small. More and more I’m aware of the weightiness of my influence.
Also, as I reread Revelation 6:9-11 I see and hear people who have physically died dialoguing with God. That is amazing to me. Present with the Lord!
I look forward to our “Exile and Return” study. Open my eyes Lord, I want to see You. I’m praying for a huge growth for BSF through a sizable registration of faithful men, women and young people. World here we come!
Thank you BSF team, the studies not only enlighten me, but they also encourage me to be part of a larger body of Christ where distance is not a barrier. May God continue to bless everyone involved.
I am really looking forward to E&R in the fall. At the same time, I am getting deeper into Revelation over the summer as I seek to connect the lessons! Praying for HQ and all the staff as you finish your final prep through training and rollover of the studies!
Thanks for EVERYTHING!
I am so looking forward to this study, and being inspired by the men and women who risked so willingly for the sake of Jesus.
Amen sister. It resonated how you connected the cherished martyrs in Revelation to the imperfect faithful we will study in “Exile & Return,” and then applied it to who I cherish in today’s world.
Thank you for encouraging words for next years study. Your comprehensive evaluation of each person we will study “ built their lives on God’s promises” was wonderful
Great discourse ED.
Looking forward to the study.
Blessings
What books are covered in the study Exile and Return?
Yes, the focus on the martyrs is interesting. We live in a time when there are already many martyrs and severely persecuted believers. The sad thing is that, travelling around, I hardly ever hear churches pray for persecuted believers, yet their number one request is for prayer above all other support. Can I ask that we make more of an effort to remember & pray for our persecuted brothers & sisters. They often come from very poor areas and their faith and courage is amazing. If we were in their position, we’d like to think our Christian family was praying faithfully for us.
Thank you for the reminder
My daughter in law lives in Colombia South America. Please could you find her a BSF group. Thank you
She could consider BSF online group, if finding a local one is difficult
https://www.bsfonline.org/mygroup/group
Truly inspiring and encouraging
studying revelation book give me hope that God is true and keep his promises to give me eternal life if I satand firm,and faithful.
Above all the glittering and perfect place which cannot compare with our suffering in this earth1
Am really grateful to BSF international for the opportunity to study Theology systematically and chronologically over the years and especially Revelation -The Hope from 2024-2025
Facing forward , am eagerly anticipating the study of Exile and Return : A Time to Build in the 2025-2026 season
Thanks!
Revelation that made me know a new beginning in my life.
It was the grace of my life that made me know where I came from and where I was going.
The word of God that made me know the way to go from now on. Come, come, tell me to come quickly.
Thank you for making it possible to finish the words of Revelation well. This was the grace of God. Amen!.
Revelation study renewed my focus on life today. It gave me hope to have an eternity view in my valleys and mountains knowing that for those who believe, a wondrous, glorious eternity with God awaits, giving me strength for today and great hope for the future.
BSF Study on Revelation illuminated and reiterated to me, exactly what God desires for us all. I understand how our modern society distractions can and do keep us away from the Discernment of God’s Word. What a honor and privilege to Study God’s Word on a deeper level. Blessings to all. See ya soon
Encouraged by your blog.
My heart is soooo full after this past year’s Revelation The Hope study! Missed BSF already. Looking forward to September!
Your Faith over Fame will be shared with my Family!
Thank you and blessings,
When may I order the next study guide..
Exile and Return???
Thanks
Hi Austin- books and materials will be available in July!
Thank you Hollie for showing me afresh what God values… faithfulness. He is Faithful and True
This is my first time in BSF, I have done disciple study one and two just moved here from Florida a year ago and jump right into a new church, Bible studies on Monday and Tuesday night serving in the community at the Soup Kitchen and trying to find godly friends. thank you for sharing. We did Bible study of revelations took us a year and a half to go through it. I love the outcome; . We’re not gonna be there when all this happens. God bless you all. Looking forward to the study.
Replacing Fame with Faith is a prodding paradigm shift in this day and age where visibility seems critical for the gospel. Just can’t wait to see how this will evolve in this coming study! I have been touched deeply with the Hope that exudes from the Revelation study! I am more than confident there’s a treasure for all of us in the ‘Exile and Return’!
I have attempted bsf many years.
I took Revelation first and again
this past year. Really enjoyed this
Session am looking for Jesus to
Return. Amen
I’m beyond thankful for this past study of Revelation: The Hope and anxiously awaiting the upcoming study, Exile & Return: A time to build!!! Thank you for this blog/message it helps to continue to feed my soul and open my heart to His goodness.
God Bless…
I liked the summary of the different people and how they honored the Lord. TY
I am looking forward to being able to study the words of our savior with people that wants to get closer to my GOD. Showing the love that GOD shows us daily. Revelation open my eyes to things that I had forgotten. HOPE. Builds our cait
Shalom Holly, this study on Revelation was my personal “building inspiration,” as it was my first time of being a GL. I’ve read the book of Revelation many times, “but,” this time it sunk deep into my spirit. Your blog gives me a “boost” for the upcoming study! Thank you for all you do for BSF. Bnkurged (Be Encouraged) always!
I look forward to the Exile & Return series, with our LORD’s blessing 🙏🏽😃
Great blog
I just finished reading “The Fate of The Apostles” by Sean McDowell – Josh’s son……….it was amazing to read of the Apostles martydom and actually some who were not……….
I’m really looking forward to next year’s study. I know I will again learn many things I haven’t thought about or been told before. I learned so much in the “Divided Kingdom” study.
Great blog. Thanks for your insight.
“In a world chasing visibility, we are called to faithfulness. In a culture obsessed with status, we follow a sacrificial Savior.”
What a timely and convicting words of reminder to many of us. Praying I/we will continue to be faithful and follow our Savior Jesus Christ.
Dear Hollie,
Thank you for this wonderful commentary. I have never studied Revelation, and I was so encouraged with this study. Revelation is a beautiful message for us to focus our lives on Christ and be ready for His return.
Holly, your message in your blog resonates with me more than you can know. Soon I will give my testimony to my small group at church. I will gain tremendous inspiration from your words in doing so.
THANK YOU!
Lord, May Kathleen have Your peace and be bold. Psalm 119:74
Prayers for you Kathleen, that the Holy Spirit guides every Word in your heart. That The Lord brings courage to your faith. And thank you Holly for the recap of our study in Revelation. It was such a study that left us hungry for Septembers. God bless BSF.
Thank you, looking forward to learning more and more of God’s Word in the coming days. John 2023/24 and Revelation this past year was Great and I enjoyed studying it with like minded Christians coming together to share. Gods Love and shared Support from each other is a Blessing.
When will the book be available so we can start on it?
You are loved and truly appreciated for your faithfulness to his call for you. We moved to Denver Colo.
God has blessed you with every spiritual gift.
love you,
Sher Marchant-Hoo
Sher,
There’s a BSF group in Boulder, CO. I’m from Colorado and that’s where I originally began in Bible study at BSF. Enjoy your new home.😊
Hollie, thank you for your willingness to serve our Lord at BSF. God has shown me through Revelation how merciful and holy He is. He continues to offer salvation for all who repent and only those made holy by Jesus blood can enter heaven. God Is Faithful and True
Yes! We so need this encouragement in our world and lives today. Thank you for sharing this message.
Will the writer and format for the upcoming study be the same as for the Revelation study?
Hi Susie – yes! The format will be similar. All BSF studies follow the same format – though the content is very different based on what we are studying. We have a global team of theologians and writers who work together on each study, so there is not a single “writer” in BSF. That is one aspect that makes us unique!
I am truly looking forward to the next study of Exile and Return. Thank you Madam Hollies for the overview commentary on the study. May God bless you 🙏
Would really like this series to start. I have been coming to BSF for three years.
Thank you for being so scriptural,
David
Dear Hollie & David
I started with the study at the beginning but was not fortunate to continue and finish , I took illness and hospitalation, I new it was the scheme of no other than Satan himself.,I plan to attend our next study , I will not be cheated .