Ruth Week 8

Question 1

The sermon highlights Naomi's transformation from "Mara" (meaning "bitter") to one of renewal and fullness. Can you think of a time in your life when you felt "empty" or "bitter" and how God brought you to a place of renewal or "fullness"? What role did trust in God play during that process?

Suggested Verses:

• Ruth 1:20-21: Naomi's initial declaration of bitterness.

• Ruth 4:13-15: The women's praise and acknowledgment of Naomi's renewal.

• Psalm 30:11-12: "You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever."

• Isaiah 61:3: "to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning,

Question 2

The sermon states, "God takes broken, empty lives and fills them with purpose and joy... but we need to be close to our redeemer." What does "being close to our redeemer" practically look like in your daily life when you're experiencing hardship or feeling lost?

Suggested Verses:

• James 4:8: "Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

• Psalm 73:28: "But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds."

• John 15:4-5: "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing."

Question 3

Ruth, a Moabite and an outsider, is fully welcomed into God's covenant family. How does Ruth's inclusion foreshadow God's grace for "all nations" as discussed in the sermon? What does this mean for us today in how we view and welcome others into the church community?

Suggested Verses:

• Ruth 4:13, 21-22: Ruth's marriage and her place in the genealogy leading to David.

• Matthew 1:5 specifically mentions Rahab (another Gentile woman) and Ruth in Jesus' genealogy.

• Ephesians 2:13, 19: "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ... Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household."

• Galatians 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Question 4

Deuteronomy 23:3-6 outlines restrictions for Moabites entering the assembly of the Lord. How does God's unconventional plan to include Ruth, despite these laws, demonstrate His sovereignty and expansive grace?

Suggested Verses:

• Deuteronomy 23:3-6: The specific prohibition against Moabites.

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

• Romans 9:15-16: "For he says to Moses, 'I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.' It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy."

Question 5

The sermon emphasises that your "background, your ethnicity, your past sin does not disqualify you from God’s grace." How does this truth, particularly as seen in Ruth's story and the genealogies of Jesus, encourage you in your own walk of faith?

Suggested Verses:

• Ruth 2:12: Boaz blesses Ruth for her faithfulness, despite her background.

• Romans 5:8: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

• 1 Timothy 1:15-16: "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life."

• Ephesians 2:4-5: "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."

Question 6

The family line from Perez to David, and ultimately to Jesus, shows "God’s faithfulness across generations." How does understanding this long view of God's promises impact your trust in Him, especially when His plans or promises for your life don't seem to be unfolding as quickly as you might expect?

Suggested Verses:

• Ruth 4:18-22: The genealogy from Perez to David.

• Hebrews 10:23: "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."

• Hebrews 11:1: "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

• Lamentations 3:22-23: "Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Question 7

The sermon encourages us to "invest in our family and community" and "focus on ministry and serving God" because "God's promises are sure." How can focusing on God's enduring faithfulness empower you to live a life more dedicated to "kingdom priorities" right now?

Suggested Verses:

• Matthew 6:33: "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

• Colossians 3:1-2: "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things."

• 1 Corinthians 15:58: "Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."

Question 8

Boaz is presented as a kinsman-redeemer, pointing to Jesus as "The Greater Boaz, Our True Redeemer." In what specific ways did Boaz act as a redeemer for Ruth, and how does Jesus's redemption for us go infinitely beyond what Boaz could do?

Suggested Verses:

• Ruth 4:9-10: Boaz's public act of redemption, acquiring the land and Ruth.

• Titus 2:14: "who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."

• Ephesians 1:7: "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace."

• 1 Peter 1:18-19: "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect."

Question 9

Titus 2:11-14 talks about the grace of God teaching us to say "No" to ungodliness and live godly lives. How does understanding that you have been "bought at a price" by Jesus motivate you to live a life that reflects His redeeming love?

Suggested Verses:

• Titus 2:11-14: The passage cited in the sermon about grace and living godly lives.

• 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."

• Romans 12:1-2: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Question 10

The sermon concludes that "God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary purposes" and that "we are to live our lives as part of God’s redemptive story." How can you actively participate in God's ongoing redemptive story in your own sphere of influence this week?

Suggested Verses:

• Matthew 28:19-20: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

• Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

• Ephesians 2:10: "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."