Ruth - Week 1

Question 1

The sermon introduced the concept of "covenant" as a foundational theme. How does understanding biblical covenants, particularly their relational and personal nature, deepen your appreciation for God's interaction with humanity?

Suggested Verses: 

• Genesis 15:18 (God making a covenant with Abraham, showing personal interaction)

• Jeremiah 31:33 (The New Covenant's relational aspect: "I will be their God, and they will be my people.")

• Hebrews 8:10 (Echoing Jeremiah 31:33, highlighting the personal nature of the new covenant)

Question 2

The "berit" (to cut) symbolism of ancient covenants was linked to Jesus' words about the New Covenant in His blood. How does this imagery enhance your understanding of communion and Christ's sacrifice?

Suggested Verses: 

• Genesis 15:9-10, 17 (God passing through the divided animals with Abraham, symbolising the cutting of a covenant)

• 1 Corinthians 11:25 (Jesus' words about the cup being the new covenant in His blood)

• Hebrews 9:22 (Highlighting that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness)

Question 3

The sermon briefly outlined several Old Testament covenants (Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic). Which of these covenants resonated most with you, and why? How do they collectively point to God's ultimate plan of redemption?

Suggested Verses: 

• Genesis 3:15 (The first promise of a Redeemer within the Adamic Covenant)

• Genesis 12:1-3 (Abrahamic Covenant, "through you all the families of the earth would be blessed")

• 2 Samuel 7:12-16 (Davidic Covenant, promising an eternal kingdom and throne)

• Luke 1:68-70 (Zechariah's prophecy connecting God's promises to David and Abraham to the coming salvation)

Question 4

Ruth is set during the dark period of the Judges, where "everyone did as they saw fit." How does this historical context highlight the significance of God's faithfulness and the personal stories of redemption found in Ruth?

Suggested Verses: 

• Judges 21:25 ("In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.")

• Judges 2:16-19 (The cyclical nature of sin, judgment, and God raising up deliverers during the Judges period)

• Ruth 1:1 (Setting the scene "in the days when the judges ruled")

Question 5

Elimelek and his family leave Bethlehem ("house of bread") due to famine. The sermon posed the question: "Can we say that we would trust God's provisioning power in the season of starvation? Even when the 'house of bread' is empty?" Discuss a time in your life when you faced a "famine" (financial, relational, health, spiritual) and how you navigated the temptation to seek "worldly solutions."

Suggested Verses: 

• Psalm 37:25 ("I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging for bread.")

• Philippians 4:19 ("And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.")

• Matthew 6:33 ("But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.")

Question 6

Naomi experiences profound loss in Moab, leading to a seemingly hopeless situation. How can Naomi's experience relate to personal seasons of loss or disruption in our own lives? What might it mean to trust God's unseen faithfulness in such times?

Suggested Verses: 

• Ruth 1:3-5 (The record of Naomi's losses)

• Psalm 34:18 ("The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.")

• Romans 8:28 ("And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.")

Question 7

The sermon emphasises that God is not explicitly mentioned much in the book of Ruth, yet His "providence" is evident. How does this "quieter, more subtle" working of God encourage you to see His hand in the "mundane and even the tragic" aspects of your life?

Suggested Verses: 

• Proverbs 16:9 ("The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.")

• Psalm 139:16 ("Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.")

• Esther 4:14 (While not mentioning God directly, Mordecai's question to Esther points to divine purpose in seemingly coincidental events)

Question 8

The analogy of the tapestry was used: "Our lives, especially in suffering, often feel like the tangled back of the tapestry, but God is faithfully weaving His beautiful design." Share an example from your own life where, in hindsight, you could see God's design at work through a difficult situation.

Suggested Verses: 

• Isaiah 55:8-9 ("For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.")

• 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 ("For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.")

Question 9

Boaz is introduced as a "kinsman-redeemer" who foreshadows Jesus Christ. What qualities of Boaz as a redeemer (willing, able, qualified, right to redeem) help you understand Jesus' role as our ultimate Kinsman-Redeemer?

Suggested Verses: 

• Ruth 2:20 (Naomi refers to Boaz as a "kinsman-redeemer")

• Ruth 4:1-12 (Boaz's actions in redeeming Ruth and the property)

• Philippians 2:5-8 (Jesus' willingness to humble Himself and take on human form)

• Hebrews 4:15 (Jesus being fully human and tempted, yet without sin, qualifies Him)

• Matthew 28:18 (Jesus having "all authority in heaven and on earth," demonstrating His ability)

Question 10

The sermon concluded by stating that the book of Ruth shows "the big picture of God’s plan of salvation... in a personal, touching story." How does seeing God's faithfulness and redemptive plan at a personal level in Ruth inspire you to offer hope in Christ to others in your own community?

Suggested Verses: 

• 1 Peter 3:15 ("but in your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.")

• Colossians 1:27 ("To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.")

• Romans 15:13 ("May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.")