Creekside Community Church
Means of Mercy - Loyal: The Book of Ruth - Sermon 3
Creekside Community Church Loyal: The Book of Ruth June 17th, 2018 Jeff Bruce, Lead Pastor
Locations & Times
Creekside Community Church
951 MacArthur Blvd, San Leandro, CA 94577, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
1.God Pursues Through Us (2:1-7, 9, 11-13, 14)
2.God Protects Through Us (2:8-9, 15-16, 22)
3.God Provides Through Us (2:14-18)
For further thought and discussion:
Getting Started
1.What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?
2.Think of a person who has helped you better understand God’s character. How is this person like God? How does their character help you see God’s character more clearly?
Going Deeper
3.Why is the phrase, “…she happened to come…” (v. 3) so significant? Why is it humorous? What is the author saying about God’s involvement in this story? How does this comment impact our understanding of this chapter? How might this little editorial note encourage you, as you think about God’s providence in your own life?
4.What does the Old Testament teach about gleaning (see Lev 19:9-10; Deut 24:19-22)? Why is Ruth’s request in verse 7 surprising? What does it reveal about Ruth’s character?
5.What needs do Ruth and Naomi have at the beginning of chapter 2? Which of these needs does Boaz meet? At the end of chapter 2, which of these needs still hasn’t been met (see vv. 17-23)? Why is the ending of this chapter anti-climactic (see v. 23)? As readers, what question are we left asking as the chapter concludes (see vv. 1, 20, 23)?
3.Why is the phrase, “…she happened to come…” (v. 3) so significant? Why is it humorous? What is the author saying about God’s involvement in this story? How does this comment impact our understanding of this chapter? How might this little editorial note encourage you, as you think about God’s providence in your own life?
4.What does the Old Testament teach about gleaning (see Lev 19:9-10; Deut 24:19-22)? Why is Ruth’s request in verse 7 surprising? What does it reveal about Ruth’s character?
5.What needs do Ruth and Naomi have at the beginning of chapter 2? Which of these needs does Boaz meet? At the end of chapter 2, which of these needs still hasn’t been met (see vv. 17-23)? Why is the ending of this chapter anti-climactic (see v. 23)? As readers, what question are we left asking as the chapter concludes (see vv. 1, 20, 23)?
Application:
6.What practical steps does Boaz take to pursue Ruth and bring her into his community? What practical steps does he take to protect her? What practical steps does he take to provide for her needs? How does Boaz embody God’s heart for the vulnerable (Deut 10:17-18)? Which of these actions stands out to you? Who has God placed on your heart to pursue, protect, or provide for? How could you demonstrate God’s heart for this person through your actions?
7.What’s one thing you can do this week to apply this passage?