Is My Ordinary Faith Enough?
Bennett Rolan
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 of our faith. We marvel at how they stood firm for God in the face of overwhelming opposition. But deep down, we wonder: Would I do the same? For those of us walking through seemingly ordinary days, is our faith enough?
This year’s study will reveal a powerful truth: The courage we admire wasn’t forged in dramatic moments but shaped through daily faithfulness.
The courage we admire wasn’t forged in dramatic moments but shaped through daily faithfulness.
For those seeking purpose for a seemingly “ordinary” life, this year’s study, Exile & Return, is for you. For those who are overwhelmed by life’s challenges, God can use Exile & Return to strengthen your courage. For the moments we are called to step out in faith to share the gospel, the eight books of the Bible featured in Exile & Return can reinforce our resolve. And for those called to lead God’s people, the lessons we will learn this year will show you the way.
Because Exile & Return isn’t really about the heroes of our faith. It’s about our extraordinary God who calls and equips ordinary people.
So how can we build upon our faith today like Ezra, Esther, or Daniel? Consider these three takeaways.
In Ezra 7, we’re introduced to a man who played a key role in leading God’s people back to Jerusalem to renew their devotion to God. Through his wisdom and teaching, Ezra inspired an entire generation to devote themselves wholeheartedly to the Lord. Scripture could have introduced Ezra with a list of achievements and accomplishments. Instead, Ezra 7:10 highlights this defining trait:
“For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.”
The word translated as “devoted” in this verse can also mean “set his heart toward.” When we consider this deeper meaning, we see that Ezra wasn’t just interested in knowing Scripture—he was determined to know the God behind it.
This year, “Exile & Return” will challenge us to ask, “What have I set my heart toward?”
Ezra’s daily devotion to Scripture shaped his character as he faithfully pursued God in the quiet rhythms of everyday life. And when the time came to lead, he stood with confidence—not in himself, but in the God he knew.
This year, Exile & Return will challenge us to ask, “What have I set my heart toward?” We can faithfully pray for God to use our daily study, weekly discussion, and lecture to change us, equip us, and build our faith. In a world consumed by accomplishments and achievements, Exile & Return can give us the courage to live a life defined by Christ.
Take your prayer life further.
When we meet Daniel, Scripture describes him as “without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace” (Daniel 1:4).
Daniel was gifted in every way—intelligent, capable, and respected. But his true strength didn’t come from his abilities. It came from his trust in God. Living in a foreign culture, overwhelmed by competing influences, Daniel sought God’s wisdom through prayer.
In Daniel 2, when faced with an impossible situation, Daniel asked his friends to join him in pleading “for mercy from the God of heaven” (2:18). And when God answered, Daniel didn’t rush forward into action. He paused once again to pray.
In Daniel 6, when continued prayer meant facing the lion’s den, the Bible tells us, “Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before” (6:10b).
Prayer wasn’t simply a ritual for Daniel; it was a lifeline.
In Daniel 9, we get a firsthand account of why and how Daniel prayed. In verse 2 we learn that Daniel “understood from the Scriptures.” Daniel took God at His Word and responded in prayer.
Prayer wasn’t simply a ritual for Daniel; it was a lifeline.
As God’s Word stirred his mind and his heart, Daniel recalled God’s character. He confessed sin and pled for mercy—not based on his own righteousness but on God’s:
“We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name” (Daniel 9:18b–19).
Daniel held nothing back. He laid his sin and shame before the Lord, fully confident that God would hear and respond. His prayer was bold because his trust in God was complete. Daniel didn’t find courage in his intellect or his position; he depended on God and sought Him in prayer.
As God reveals unexpected facets of His character and promises this year, how might we take our prayer life further? When Bible study inspires us to pray, God builds our faith and moves in ways we never could have imagined.
Place ordinary faith in our extraordinary God.
Through Exile & Return, we will walk alongside faithful followers, including Ezekiel, Ezra, and Daniel.
Like us, they were human. Like us, they were flawed. They faced fear, uncertainty, and opposition. Yet day by day, they built lives on the foundation of God’s Word and depended on Him in prayer.
For He alone can shut the mouths of lions, change the hearts of kings, restore what was broken, and replant what was destroyed.
Exile & Return will remind us that when God builds our faith, it is never simply ‘ordinary.’ We too can trust our extraordinary God for courage in everyday life and in challenging times. As we set our hearts on His Word, let us pray that this BSF study year will not just be “a time to build” but our time to build.
About the Author
Bennett Rolan joined the BSF staff in 2017 after working for several publications, Christian ministries, and nonprofits. She loves to combine her passion for God’s Word and her journalism and history background to share stories of God’s work in and through BSF. As a wife to a busy college football coach and a mom to four young children, BSF studies keep her relationship with the Lord grounded and focused. She loves to learn from fellow believers as God faithfully grows her each day.
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BUILD WITH PURPOSE
Thank you for the encouragement it gave me.Keep it going.God bless you!
Thanks for the explanation of the art work, it’s fantastic and gives us even more knowledge of the world we are studying.
I have loved the article,,really good eye opener into the indepth of God’s word.
I love this article and I pray I grow more with my ordinary faith and putting my trust in the extraordinary God I have.
My prayer life will move further than before because I want to know God more and more and serve him till eternity. I pray this BSF study year will not just be “a time to build” but “our time to build”
I love these new BSF blogs. I am already a member of a BSF group and have learned so much through the study. I struggle understanding some of what I read in His word but am working hard to get a better understanding. I have a great leader and the group discussions help a great deal. Thank you BSF.
I was especially struck by the phrase “ let us pray that this BSF study year will not just be “a time to build” but our time to build.” That will be my goal with God’s help.
Thank you for the reminder and encouragement to keep praying and watching the Lord work His purpose out in our ‘ordinary’ faith. I look forward to what the Lord will do through this study this year!
Very encouraging! I look forward to the study with a clearer perspective knowing that these were ordinary men who trusted God completely and prayed.
The Article by Benett Rolan, was a confirmation to me about my prayer life and gave me the re-assurance that God still is in Control, Looking forward the class
Very encouraging !
Well worded article to read. Very encouraging too.
I am always filled with wonder to think of Nehemiah ‘rebuilding the broken walls’ ….. Nehemiah’s men with a sword in one hand while building with the other… fills me with awe for the work of the LORD was done with such dedication.
May the LORD strengthen us and guide us to build for Him. “Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done, on Earth ! Amen”.
It’s great to getting into God’s word and how fantastic BSF is in there outreach to all
I am Looking Forward to this next Study…getting Deeper into the Word!!
Thank You BSF!!!
Agreed with the reading. We are flawed and we fail most of the time because of the inherent sin indwelling in us.
It is only by committment into the WORD OF GOD, TRUSTING in HIS MERCY, we are not consumed!
God has provided a way for human beings to come to HIM only through the name of JESUS CHRIST.
Amen
After doing a Bible study with other women at our church this summer, The Daniel Prayer by Anne Graham Lotz, I can see how God is preparing my heart for BSF this fall. What an awesome God!!
I am encouraged by your insights and introduction to this year’s BSF. I look forward to reading the books and knowing more the God of Daniel, Nehemiah Ezra and many other men and women of faith.
Prayer and the word as our lifeline 100%
Went to my BSF group today, 1st for this new series and excited to get into it!
” Ezra wasn’t just interested in knowing scripture-but he was determined to know the God behind it.” Praise God! Lord, help us to be devoted to studying your word and get to know you more. Thank you for sharing.
WOW! This was so encouraging to me! Every time I read it, I am inspired by the faith of Ezra and the prayer life of Daniel! This fall I want to challenge myself and my BSF group to devote ourselves to the Word of God by answering the question, “What have I set my heart toward?”
Thank you for lighting the fire for our study this fall.
This blog set my heart for the upcoming study. Thank you for sharing this.
thank you for your insights. I am looking forward to a refreshing study this year. History of Israel and the Minor Prophets has always been a favorite study for me – having it divided into 3 courses allows for deeper insights.
Thank you for sharing Exile and Return with me. I appreciate what you had to say. I look forward to studying this book.
These daily reflections have given me a desire to stay focused on the BSF study this year. They are a challenge and a reminder for me to remember what a loving, caring, and great God I serve! He deserves my all.
Thank you
This introduction to our coming Study is awesome.
Looking forward to resumption and deeper clearer knowledge of our God through it
The Lord is always faithful. This is just what I need to study for this particular time in my life.
great information!! thank you for these great blogs!!
I have faithfully attended BSF for 13 years. I stopped attending for many of the wrong reasons. I just found BSF blog.org and I cannot wait to rejoin and hear from you. May God bless us all.!
Welcome. So glad to have you back. I pray God meets you here, in His word and within the BSF family.
Thank you bsf
All broken things in our lives should be restored and this temple of God alluded them.
Our good, our lives, our family, our relationship, our nation, our world, all should be restored in God’s way if broken.
And these books of heroes gives us the God’s way to help us and advise us what to do.
So I wonder a lot from this study and invite the friends to attend this study.
Comes, BSF is a very nice study able to provide us with the lesson needed!
I am a beginner for use of mailing and Internet here. So I might have a difficulty to send my reply. My phone is not very good.
But I hope that I can stay till the end of this study.
BSF is very important for me.
I feel like I have regressed in my faith over the past year, due to circumstances including the death of my mother.
Exile and Return couldn’t have come at a better time for me. I pray for God to rebuild my life again through this study.
Yes am praying to my extraordinary god for this season will be more blessed and really help to build me …
I’m looking forward to learning more about my faith and I open my heart to understanding.
I already go you BSF in Grandville, Mi.
I was excited when my book came in, but now I want to crack it open early!!
Looking forward to it! Thanks for the preview!
This blog brought me to be excited and encouraged. A great follow up after Revelation and the HOPE it instilled in me. But I have a purpose hear on earth to fulfil and it takes courage and faith to be an disciple of Jesus. This Exile and Return a time to build will help me remain strong and believe in the tools I have been given to bring others to becoming believers as well. Looking forward to this fall.
Very inspiring, I am so excited for this year’s study.
As God reveals unexpected facets of His character and promises this year, how might we take our prayer life further? When Bible study inspires us to pray, God builds our faith and moves in ways we never could have imagined.
Great encouragement for us who will be attending this year BSF!
Bennett’s article is just what I need to get me excited for this year’s BSF study. Thanks!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts pointing to the importance
of those who walked out their journey with God It is an example for me
Such a great blog! Can’t wait for this study!
Yes, Yes, Yes!
“extraordinary God who calls and equips ordinary people”
I loved how you put this. Just as you said they were not any different than us. How they felt about God is what made them different. Relationship matters. Hope to hear more from you.
Please help me pray that my Jewish friend will come to know Christ through this study.
Excellent article, thanks to Bennett Rolan. I have sent this to my men’s group, three of my brothers, and others, as encouragement for the upcoming study as well as to those who might be looking for a study this Fall. I will also post it on LinkedIn, and in our Leader’s group WhatsApp forum. Good stuff!
There came a time where I sat down one day and looked at myself in the mirror and realized I needed to find better ways to live my life! I prayed and asked our Lord Jesus about a Bible Class or go back to volunteering at the church….
as I looked out from my window, I see the neighbor with her 3 girls and could see a bible and wondered- where they go every Monday evening?
When I saw them the next day, I felt the Holy spirit leading me toward my neighbor I was so excited, “”I asked and received” Until this day 8 years or more I’ve been a part of BSF and excited for our 2025-26 New Study.
Hi, in our next BSF study, ‘Exile and Return’, where are they Exiling from and where are they Returning to?
Hi Helen, the people were exiled from Jerusalem. When God called them to return, they rebuilt God’s temple stone by stone! We discover that God is always working to draw His people back to Himself. Through this study we will see that God looks beyond our outward appearance, examines our hearts, and helps us set our minds on Him.
Hello Helen. The Israelites were exiled to Babylon, Media/Persia, Greece and Edom (Rome). To the best of my knowledge, in all instances, they returned to their homeland, Israel (I am still learning about this). I am just finishing a WordGo study of Ezekiel, and we studied Daniel (WordGo) earlier in the summer, and some of the answers to your questions were covered in these Books. The upcoming study is surely to bring many questions and hopefully many more answers.
very encouraging message
BSF has changed my life in so many ways. I thank God for His leading.
I look forward to the next study.
I look forward to this study, it has come at the right time in my life where I feel like my feet are wandering aimlessly.
What a fantastic blog. So grateful for BSF, the staff, the volunteers, and, most importantly, God’s word!!! Praise the Lord for His faithfulness!
I can hardly wait! This is right in my wheelhouse. It is my passion to do more than I am doing through God’s direction & I love sharing with and hearing opinions from other women. BSF is such a blessing.
Thank God for making BSF available for people all over the world. I am particularly inspired and convicted how early some of these women have to get up for their weekly meeting. Remember that our weekly bible study is an appointment with God. Please do not let us keep God waiting. I pray that God will help us show up weekly so we can empower each other. Let us each ask ourselves how much priority do we give to these weekly bible studies? I pray that we will not only be charged by the word of God but changed. I pray that when people interact with us we would be a good representation of the aroma of God. I pray that each Bible study meeting we attend this coming year will bring us closer to who God wants us to be. I pray that the love of God will radiate through our heart as we interact with people who are very different from us. For HIS glory.
amen to this thanks for sharing
I am enoying the Exile and Return blogs and the 10-day devotional emails. They are great resources as I prepare my heart for this year’s study. I look forward to how God will use the men, women, and children of BSF to Build ourselves through His word, Build our classes as we teach and learn His word, and Build our communities as we share His word.
Thanks BENNET, as a vessel of our Father GOD, your introduction excited me and as for LORA, I do not know how we are going to be able to wait for start. I will catch up with EZR, EST, EZE and Dan and focus on prayer and THE WORD (JESUS)
This is so inspiring and awesome. I feel so persuaded and eager to learn exile and rebuild. My heart is burning with excitement of what the next lesson holds. Thank you for putting the preamble across so clearly 🙏. Truly blessed by the 7day devotion. Powerful words
i am so great full since i joined bible study my relationship with God have grew to next level my faith have come strongly
i have knew the word of deeply also i have understood the plans of God have toward our lives.
i have got encouragement where i have lost hope
I love that Brian. I’m just joining it
I so much enjoyed this blog. It was very encouraging and made me more excited to study Exile & Return this coming season. Thank you for sharing.
A very inspiring blog.
I’m looking forward to the study of Exile and return. I can’t wait to learn more about Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah,Esther and many others.
This introduction to Exile and Return was awesome, a great way to get us ready for this year’s study! Thank you.
Thank you for your devotion and service to our LORD.
Enjoyed your introduction and am excited to begin this year’s study.
Thank you for reminding me of the application through our study – that it will be a “building” time for me. I love BSF for that. I lead a group in Spanish and would love the opportunity to share this message with them – is it available in Spanish?
Hi Della – thank you! Unfortunately our blogs are not translated but I am adding your request to our member support log so we can consider that for this year! So grateful for your encouragement
DAILY prayer is our lifeline! Looking forward to growing along side my BSF Community in 25/26.
It is very encouraging, and I am looking forward to joining the study.
we live one day a time, trust God one step a time. it is not about what we can do, but who is the one we trust – the great I AM.
Thank you for this blog. It has been a blessing to me. I am so looking forward to seeing what Our True and Living God will do in my life through this study, Exile and Return. Thank each one of you for all You do.
Wow! So many great directives for enhancing my relationship with the LORD: Learn to know GOD; build my faith; define my life by Christ; take my prayer life further; my true strength comes from my trust in GOD; seek GOD’s wisdom through prayer; give thanks to GOD by getting down on my knees; prayer is my lifeline; confess my sins and shame before the LORD; trust in GOD completely; how can I take my prayer life further?; place ordinary faith in my extraordinary GOD; build my life on the foundation of GOD’s WORD!
Cynthia Bingo! I like your list of highlighted points. It’s exactly what I was thinking and noting.
Excellent explanation and layout in your commentary, Bennett, thank you.
I wrote down Daniel’s prayer as a guide for myself
great introduction and reminder of how dependence on God’s word and prayer always helps us go through our struggles as shown in the lives of the Daniel, Ezra and Ezekial. Looking forward to growing in prayer, dependence on God and faith.
I am inspired by the above article, especially the commitment of Daniel, investing his time to prayer, as he faced life in a lion’s den.
This encourages me to take all my challenges to God in prayer, trusting that He listens to all my requests. Looking forward to learn more from Exile and Return.
Excellent approach to start our new year of study. May we all see the humble ordinary work of Christ in all we say and do this year as we study together. Little is Much when God is In It!!!
Dear BSF sisters and brothers
Eternally thankful for all the studies …and looking forward to meeting
Miss A. WETHERELL jOHNSON ….the founder of this Bible Study Fellowship ….in HEAVEN one day …
BSF is a challenge to study the Bible not just read it ….meditating on it and ask the HOLY SPIRIT to help me to apply what the word of GOD says ….
Thank you BSF HEADQUARTERS for continuing this Ministries
SEGENGSGRÜSSE
Marlise
As I read this blog,I felt excited about the study and look forward with anticipation to what God will work in my life. I am very much in need to a more consistent and passionate prayer life and a deeper trust in God. Thank you for this encouraging blog.
Yes! Prayers is the most powerful gift has given us, Amen.
What a wonderful reminder & encouragement for our upcoming study. Thank you ! Enjoyed reading your thoughts. Looking forward to BSF to begin, my “lifeline”…… I do so miss it & my sister’s in Christ.
I Love the BSF study and our zoom leader,Madeline Mikel
Really appreciate the statement and encouragement in walking deeper with God,not by my efforts but totally dependence on God.
There is always light in the darkest places; there are times in our life we have to strain a bit more to see it.
My son underwent his 3rd surgery in a year on his intestines. I summoned up all the prayer cover I could round up, including the faithful men in our Orland BSF group.
While gathered with the doctor and nurses and Greg minutes before he would heD to surgery, I asked if I could say a brief prayer. The doctor seemed rushed due to some early delays, and it seemed somewhat reluctantly said yes.
My prayer started out with a story of very good friends of ours whose daughter had to have open heart surgery at around r to 5 years old. Gary was a paramedic, and he and his wife Natalie were allowed in the operating room. After the surgery, while in the recovery room, Gary asked Julia if she remembered who was in the operating room that day. Julia, who generally is as quiet as a church mouse said, “You, mom, the doctor, the nurses and the lady with the white dress in the corner.
Shivers went down Gary’s spine. He told Julia that there wasn’t any lady in a white dress in the corner, but Julia was steadfast in her observation. As Horatio Spafford penned so many years ago, amidst the pain and worrying, her healing came with the sudden hush of peace like a river.
After I told the story, tears rushed into my eyes as I prayed Greg would see the lady with the white dress in the corner, or at least feel her presence.
Greg’s surgery lasted 8 hours. I wonder if my little pregame testimony had the medicL staff looking around the room?! I almost kept the prayer to myself, when really I think it was God speaking through me to others. An ordinary man, as you so beautifully pointed out, growing in faith and courage.
How comforting to know we are not alone in our struggles.
Let the billows roll.
It is well….
Amen,wow so inspiring.
After doing the 10 day study I am super excited about this upcoming study.
Now that got me excited for our new study this year!!!
My favorite sentence was about Daniel…” His prayer was bold because his trust in God was complete.”
That is going to be my personal goal this year…
Complete trust in God resulting in bold prayer!
Thank you, Bennett.
I too had the same reaction to this blog after the 10 day study!
I’m excited to jump into this study. Thank you for continuing this study, just like Miss Johnson had envisioned all those years ago!
BSF is a blessing .It helped me to grow spiritually and have a deeper understanding.
Each session revealed something new and slowly my perceptive moved from simply reading to truly living
I’m old enough now to be able to look back on the challenges I’ve faced in life and see how God used those to shape me into the man I am today. I’ve changed my prayer from ‘God, please get me out of this!’, to ‘God, what do you want me to learn through this?’ I can’t wait to see what I’ll learn through this year’s study.
This was an excellent post. The only thing I would add is that we are ALL called to share the Gospel! Looking forward to a great year of study.