Ruth - You Have A Future
Thursday, July 27, 2017
Day 1: Read Ruth 4:1-6. What motivations do you notice at work between “Kinsman-Redeemer: Mr. No Name” and Kinsman-Redeemer: Boaz? What drives their approach to being a kinsman-redeemer?
Day 2: Read Ruth 4:7-10. What is one thing you want to take away about how Boaz negotiates, about how he does business at the city gate?
Day 3: Read Ruth 4:11-13. Think to the beginning of this story in Chapter 1. How has God changed the story of Naomi and Ruth? What challenges might you be facing that you need to remember God knows the rest of the story?
Day 4: Read Ruth 4:14-15. God has not left you without a redeemer. When the village women say that this child will be a “restorer of life.” The word “life” is nefesh, the Hebrew word for “soul.” “God restores my soul” is shuv nefesh. “God returns my soul”. The soul that waits on God is always returning, resting in Him. Hardwired in the DNA of David's family is a sense of God restoring our soul. Perhaps that will inspire Naomi’s great-grandson David to write in Psalm 23 about the LORD, our shepherd “as one who restores my soul”. Where do you need some soul restoration? Where might God desire to use you “as a “soul restorer” like Boaz and Ruth?
Day 5: Read Ruth 4:15. What you think is a burden, God can turn into a blessing. How have you seen God do that in the past? Where do you need God to turn a burden into a blessing? Spend time praying for His blessing power at work in your life, and another person you know going through a challenging time.
Day 6: Read Ruth 4:16-17. God has a big picture, and you’re in it. How does the story of Naomi and Ruth cast a bigger vision for God’s calling on your life today – the call to join his rescue operation for the world? How can you live more courageously for Him?
You can GO DEEPER this week by reading the books The Gospel of Ruth: Loving God Enough to Break the Rules by Carolyn Custis James and A Loving Life in a World of Broken Relationships by Paul Miller.
You can also listen to this week's message or read the full PDF of the message & GPS.