Ruth

Welcome!

Hey Friend. You landed here to engage the discipleship tools for our Ruth: Ordinary People | Ordinary Acts | Extraordinary God sermon series. We are so glad you are here. Amid difficult circumstances that threaten despair, how might God, though seemingly veiled, be at work in extraordinary ways through ordinary people in very ordinary ways? Here you will find the weekly resources – a reading plan, scripture questions, sermon discussion questions and an opportunity to give and receive kindness.

Engage these tools personally, in your life group or invite a few others to join you in a triad/group for six weeks to engage this series together as we did last fall.

Additional Random Acts of Kindness

Additional Resources

Week 1 | January 10-16

Ruth 1:1-5

How did Naomi’s life unravel in Moab?
What is the impact of the unraveling of Naomi’s life? How was she now at risk?
What similarities can you see between your world and Naomi’s? (politically, culturally, religiously)
How might you be experiencing a “famine” of sorts?
What are the implications of “famine” – physically, metaphorically, spiritually?
Thinking about Naomi’s life, what kinds of things cause you to experience or be “left without”? (vs. 5)
As Naomi’s issues and struggles shape her view of God, how do these things shape your view of God?

1. Think about a person, a relationship, or a set of circumstances in your life that God used to provide for your needs and/or help you grow. How did you experience God’s care and loving kindness in ordinary ways?
2. In what ways can the pressure to be “extraordinary” or do “big things for God” blind us to God’s presence and work right in front of us?
3. What really stood out for you about Ruth 1:1-5? Try to put yourself in Naomi’s shoes. What do you imagine she was thinking and feeling while suffering so many losses? In what ways is Ruth a “female Job?” What questions does this raise for you about God and his character?
4. What are some losses that people in our church and community have endured over the past year? What losses have you experienced in your own life? How has that impacted you (and your family)?
5. What might be an idol in your life right now? Is there anything God has stripped you of (or may be stripping you of) in order to help you find your ultimate security, value and worth in him alone?
6. Is there anything in your life that is keeping you from stepping into the new thing God has for you? What do you need to bury and let go of today in order to move forward? (shame, hurt, self-doubt, resentment, expectations, a plan, control, etc.)

Week 2 | January 17-23

Ruth 1:6-22

1. Naomi is adamant about her daughters-in-law turning back. Why?
2. How does Naomi’s honesty invite you to be honest with God about your grief, doubts, and anger?
3. In what ways have you wrestled with bitterness? How have you dealt with the bitterness? What do you need to do with your bitterness?
4. In the face of profound lack and bitterness, what compels Ruth to speak and act on words of such marked commitment in vs. 16-17?
5. Ruth’s determination is radical and remarkable, what is the significance and consequence of Ruth’s determination?
6. In what way have you made a remarkable commitment or promise like Ruth? How has your commitment impacted you and those to whom you promised and committed?
7. What is surprising to you or what wonderings do you have about the text? Pray, dialogue and journal with Lord about that.

1. Think about some of the ordinary relationships in your life. Have you ever experienced steadfast love given to you by another the way Ruth shows steadfastness to Naomi?
2. Notice Ruth’s words to Naomi (16-17), and Naomi’s response to the women of Bethlehem (20-21). What strikes you as you read them? What stirs in you when you read Naomi’s honest words?
3. When have you felt like Naomi? Have you ever been overcome with sorrow or bitterness that your name became “Mara” and bitterness became your identity?
4. Have you been able to truly practice lament with God over the course of this season? How has that been for you? How has God showed up in that for you?
5. Are there people, relationships, or other examples of God’s steadfast love for you that pain, loss, and bitterness of this season might be causing you to overlook, miss, or forget?
6. How are you practicing gratitude in this season? If not, what might you need to begin doing so? If you are, how is that going and what do you notice in yourself as you practice gratitude regularly?

Put 25 paper hearts, index cards, or notecards in a box/gift bag. On each one, write something that is special about a family member, spouse, or a friend. Or, on each one, write an encouraging word, truth, or Scripture verse. Give the person the box/gift bag and tell them to pull one out each morning and evening for the next two weeks.

This week when someone offers you a thank-you, a compliment, a gift, or even looks lovingly into your eyes, NOTICE how you feel inside. What's happening? Are you relaxed or are you tightening up? How are you receiving the care and connection? With self-compassion, allow yourself to freely receive. Be present to the kindness. Receive the care and gift you are given. Reflect on it. Journal about it. Pray and give thanks for it. If appropriate, tell the other person how it was for you and how you received it.

(Find additional/alternative kindness prompts & ideas on the top of this page.)

Week 3 | January 24 - 30

Ruth 2:1-23

1. In Ruth 1, Ruth presents as tenacious and determined. What other words might describe Ruth in Ruth 2 as you look at her words and actions?
2. Describe Boaz. What did he do for Ruth? How did he treat her?
3. As compared to Ruth 1, what shifts are happening in Ruth 2?
4. In what verses is the LORD referenced? What do these verses tell us about God?
5. In what ways is the verse Ruth 2:12 significant?
6. How would you contrast the end of Ruth 1 with Ruth 2? With what kind of perspective does Ruth 2 end?

1. In what ways does Ruth express and display hesed or loving kindness?
2. Boaz took notice of Ruth (vs. 10, 19, 20). Of what or who have you taken notice? Of whom or what have you failed to take notice that God may be inviting you to take notice?
3. Boaz was inspired by Ruth’s example. How have you seen kindness be contagious?
4. In what ways have you seen God’s loving and sovereign providence played out through human agency and responsibility?
5. In vs. 20 Naomi’s demeanor changes. She is able to recognize God’s kindness even though it has been present the whole time. What things prevent us from seeing God’s kindness?
6. How might the kindness of God through you impact those in your neighborhood, workplace, church and beyond? Are there people that come to mind for whom God wants to use you as His channel (instrument) of kindness?

Three times this week ask the question, “How can I serve you?” Ask a friend, a co-worker, family member, a stranger, how you might serve them. Asking this question makes people feel supported and heard. It gives others a chance to ask for help they might need.

How can you practice self-kindness? Three times this week spend 30 minutes doing something you love. Nourish yourself in the Lord. Be still, sit in silence, listen. Create. Exercise. Sing. Get outside for a short walk. Offer the time back to Lord. What did you experience? In what ways did you sense God present with you?

Week 4 | January 31 - February 6

Ruth 3:1-18

What is Naomi's plan for Ruth?
Name the motivation for Naomi's plan.
What are the implications and consequences of Ruth’s bold and risky actions?
Notice the word “redeemer” in the text. What might it mean that Boaz is a “redeemer”? How would Boaz’s “redeemer” role affect Naomi and Ruth?
How does Boaz respond to Ruth’s presence at the threshing floor?
What word/s does Boaz use to describe Ruth in 3:11? How does this compare to the description of Boaz in Ruth 2:1? What significance might there be in these descriptions of Ruth and Boaz?
Characterize Boaz’s words and actions in Ruth 3.

1. Think back to a time when you had to step out and take a risk—a time when you felt vulnerable and you didn’t know how things would unfold. What was that experience like? How did it feel? What did you learn about God, yourself, and others?
2. In this part of the book of Ruth, we see all three of our main characters (Naomi, Ruth and Boaz) each having to practice a “risky faith.” In what ways do you see each of them taking risks? What did each have to lose? Which of the three do you most identify with?
3. The entire Book of Ruth shows us how God most often works “incognito” through human actions. Instead of writing signals in the clouds or dropping gifts directly from heaven, God tends to rescue and provide through our human acts of love. How does this truth shape the way we think about what it means to be the church?
4. How does the interaction with Ruth and Boaz at the threshing floor give us a powerful picture of the gospel? How does it show us a countercultural way (then and now) that men and women might relate to another?
5. Augustine of Hippo once said, “Without God, we cannot. Without us, God will not.” What do you think he meant by this?
6. What is one way that God is calling you to step out beyond your comfort zone and practice a “risky faith” right now? What is holding you back? How might you find rest in this holy risk-taking?
7. What else did you hear the Spirit of God saying to you today in the Scripture and/or sermon? What did you hear God saying to us (as a church)? Remember: God honors movement. How make you make a move this week, in his grace?

Expand your use of the “L” word this week. Each day tell someone different, “I love you” or “you are loved”. In Scripture God says He loves us, and He calls us to love one another. Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz model God’s love/hesed. Saying “I love you” is usually second nature around family. It becomes automatic in romantic relationships. But what about the other people in your life? Who needs to know they are loved? Who in your life needs to HEAR they are loved? Maybe it’s a dear friend? Maybe longtime colleague? The guy standing on the street corner? The developmentally disabled grocery worker? Let them know. Express it to them using the word “love” if you're comfortable with it, or other words if you aren't. Expressing that sentiment produces a level of connection that is powerful for all.

Receive love this week. Ponder it. Be present to it, intentionally acknowledge and name it. Who loves you? In what ways are you loved? How have others shown you love? In what ways does God love you?

Week 5 | February 7-13

Ruth 4:1-12

1. Ruth and Naomi are left waiting in Ruth 3, trusting that Boaz “will not rest” until the matter is settled. What do we see Boaz doing to settle the matter in Ruth 4:1-6?
2. The “nearer” redeemer/kinsman happens to show up, how does the “nearer” redeemer respond to Boaz?
3. What might be the significance that the “nearer redeemer” is not mentioned by name in the text?
4. Once again Boaz acts in a worthy manner in Ruth 4:7-10 by doing what? (see also Ruth 3:13) How do his actions differ from the “nearer” redeemer/kinsman?
5. What role to the those gathered around the city gate play in this scene?
6. How do the people and the elders at the gate respond to Boaz’s willing redemption?

The nearer kinsman/redeemer says, “I will redeem” and then says, “I cannot redeem”. How do you make sense of this? What is the difference between the words “will” and “can” and what are the implications of those two words?
When it comes to your “willingness” to step up and into the need, what trips you up into “unwillingness” or what propels you forward to “willingness”?
What does it mean that Jesus is your Redeemer?
Redemption provides a way for someone’s name to be perpetuated, maintained, carried-on. What does that mean for Ruth and Naomi? What does it mean and what the implications for those who are redeemed in Christ?
What practical ways is God calling you to sacrifice or boldly help redeem people out of brokenness?
The book of Ruth is a wonderful story of God’s faithfulness. Where have you seen God faithfully at work in your life in the past? Where do you need to trust his faithfulness now?

Give focused attention to others by maintaining eye contact. Put your phone away while in the company of others. Choose an entire day, several days, an evening, several hours and put the phone away. This one sounds easy, until we try it. So often we are distracted. We check the time, glance at the television, otherwise look away from the person we’re speaking with. Not only can this be inconsiderate, but a subconscious indication that we aren't fully engaged. When someone gives you all their attention, it is a gift. By showing that we’re not chained to our device, we show real interest and respect. It’s easy to practice with anyone, from the person bagging our groceries to co-workers, to our family and significant others.

When you hear that discouraging voice in your head, tell yourself the truth, truth rooted in Scripture that you are loved, redeemed, and spoken for by the One who gave His life for you. Jesus is a compassionate redeemer. He is slow to anger, gracious and abundant in mercy. Write it on a “truth card” and carry it with you. Take it out. Look at it. Rehearse it. Believe it.

Week 6 | February 14-20

Ruth 4:13-22

1. Ruth is mentioned in vs. 13 but is not mentioned again. The women in the neighborhood speak only to Naomi. What might be some possible meanings around this?
2. The word “redeemer” in vs. 14 references or points to whom? Who is the redeemer?
3. Why do the women regard Ruth as “better than seven sons?”
4. The women say, “a son has been born to Naomi” when clearly Ruth bore him. What does this mean?
5. This child named Obed is related to what renowned king? And those coming after Obed ultimately point to who, in the NT, that comes after him?
6. Throughout the book of Ruth, what have been the main take-aways?

1. The beginning of this last section of Ruth begins with a joyous occasion, the marriage of Ruth and Boaz, and even a baby! The women and Naomi celebrate what God has done in these things. Take some time to reflect and look back on your life; how has God shown his steadfastness (hesed) to you?
2. With that steadfastness in mind, when is the last time you celebrated with joy God’s showing up in your life, and his unwavering love and care for you? What did that celebration look like?
3. In verse 15, a woman says to Naomi, “your daughter in law who loves you, who is more to you than seven sons….” What do you think that means? Do you have a relationship with another disciple of Jesus that you might assign that sort of deep value to? Who is that for you? And if you don’t have that, what steps might you be able to take to enter into that sort of community with another person?
4. We began the series on Ruth by looking at the tragedy that Naomi faced, and we wondered together, “is tragedy all there is for Naomi and in this story?” Verse 18-22 reminds us that the answer is a resounding “no,” and that there is much hope! What stirs in you as you think about God using these ordinary people’s lives, and tragedies, as part of the story and genealogy that points directly to Jesus Christ?
5. Read Matthew’s genealogy in Matthew 1:1-17. Notice Boaz and Ruth. After walking through the book of Ruth, and seeing the story that these ordinary people were a part of, what story are you a part of?

Once a day this week comment on someone’s emotions. Even if you're not always able to read other people's moods and feelings, chances are you have noticed occasions when your coworkers, friends, and family members seem more happy, sad, relaxed, or frustrated than usual. By commenting on these observations, you can make a person feel seen. Sharing your observations gives them a chance to feel heard, too. A short exchange like this can deepen relational connections.

Take some time to ponder what it means for you that Jesus Christ is your Redeemer. In what ways has Jesus shown great hesed to you and on your behalf. On this Valentine’s Day, receive fully the weight and depth of Christ’s love for you and write Him a letter or prayer of gratitude.