Sermon Discussion Guide: 5/12/24
Sermon Recap:
Text: Ruth 2
Big Idea: God's hesed kindness comes in many ways.
Summary: Chapter 2 picks up with Naomi and Ruth having entered Bethlehem at the time of the barley harvest. These two destitute widows, one of whom is a hated Moabite, have no other option than to rely on the compassion and generosity of harvesters as they gather their crop. Ruth sets out to labor in the fields to gather left behind barley and "happens" upon the field of a good man named, Boaz. The happen-chance is readily observed as God's providential kindness being worked out in what seems to be normal circumstances. This is a recurring theme throughout the book—that God is at work orchestrating all things to accomplish His good purposes.
God's hesed kindness is displayed in the "chance" circumstances, but also in the way His people live out His law. The Mosaic covenant has many provisions for the care of the impoverished, including the orphan, the poor, the widow, and the foreigner. However, God's good law must be adhered to by His people for it to have its beautiful effect. Here is where Boaz stands out. He not only observes the Mosaic law, he goes further than what it demands by displaying radical hospitality and generosity to Ruth. In her suffering and loss, God shows His kindness to her in all of these ways. They are easy to overlook if we are conditioning ourselves to see His hand in all things.
Discussion Questions:
1. How do you normally talk about "chance," "luck," or "blessing"?
2. Do you feel that you are keenly aware of God's providence in the ordinary circumstances of life or are you more likely to overlook it? Why do you think that is the case?
3. What is an example of God using something difficult in your life to shape or mold you into a more Christlike person?
4. What thoughts or feelings do you naturally have when you think about God's law? (ex. burdensome, boring, moral, good, hard, etc.)
5. How does seeing the goodness of God, manifest through His law, reshape your disposition toward the life God calls His people to live?
6. How should we reflect and respond to Boaz's radical hospitality and generosity? Does he go too far? Is it too much to suggest that we all should follow his example?
7. The hesed kindness of God runs all throughout the book of Ruth. How has God recently shown His hesed kindness to you?
Text: Ruth 2
Big Idea: God's hesed kindness comes in many ways.
Summary: Chapter 2 picks up with Naomi and Ruth having entered Bethlehem at the time of the barley harvest. These two destitute widows, one of whom is a hated Moabite, have no other option than to rely on the compassion and generosity of harvesters as they gather their crop. Ruth sets out to labor in the fields to gather left behind barley and "happens" upon the field of a good man named, Boaz. The happen-chance is readily observed as God's providential kindness being worked out in what seems to be normal circumstances. This is a recurring theme throughout the book—that God is at work orchestrating all things to accomplish His good purposes.
God's hesed kindness is displayed in the "chance" circumstances, but also in the way His people live out His law. The Mosaic covenant has many provisions for the care of the impoverished, including the orphan, the poor, the widow, and the foreigner. However, God's good law must be adhered to by His people for it to have its beautiful effect. Here is where Boaz stands out. He not only observes the Mosaic law, he goes further than what it demands by displaying radical hospitality and generosity to Ruth. In her suffering and loss, God shows His kindness to her in all of these ways. They are easy to overlook if we are conditioning ourselves to see His hand in all things.
Discussion Questions:
1. How do you normally talk about "chance," "luck," or "blessing"?
2. Do you feel that you are keenly aware of God's providence in the ordinary circumstances of life or are you more likely to overlook it? Why do you think that is the case?
3. What is an example of God using something difficult in your life to shape or mold you into a more Christlike person?
4. What thoughts or feelings do you naturally have when you think about God's law? (ex. burdensome, boring, moral, good, hard, etc.)
5. How does seeing the goodness of God, manifest through His law, reshape your disposition toward the life God calls His people to live?
6. How should we reflect and respond to Boaz's radical hospitality and generosity? Does he go too far? Is it too much to suggest that we all should follow his example?
7. The hesed kindness of God runs all throughout the book of Ruth. How has God recently shown His hesed kindness to you?
Recent
Archive
2024
March
April
May
June
August
September
October
No Comments