Creekside Community Church
I am the Kinsmen Redeemer: The Book of Ruth - Sermon 5
Creekside Community Church Loyal: The Book of Ruth July 1st, 2018 Neal Brower, EFCA Western District Superintendent
Locations & Times
Creekside Community Church
951 MacArthur Blvd, San Leandro, CA 94577, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Mystery #1: Redemption requires death. (Ruth 1-3)
Mystery #2: God’s redemptive plans incorporate human frailty. (Ruth 4:1-6)
Mystery #3: My redemption is accomplished for future generations. (Ruth 4:7-12)
Mystery #4: Redemption is in the hands of the unlikely. (Ruth 4:13-17a)
For further thought and discussion:
Getting Started
1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?
2. What’s the boldest request you’ve ever made (if you’re married, try to think of a request other than your marriage proposal)? Why did you make this request? How did the person respond?
Getting Started
1. What was helpful to you in this week’s sermon? What didn’t you understand?
2. What’s the boldest request you’ve ever made (if you’re married, try to think of a request other than your marriage proposal)? Why did you make this request? How did the person respond?
Going Deeper
3. How does Naomi attempt to secure Ruth’s future (vv. 1-4)? What motivates Naomi (v. 1)? Why is her plan for Ruth so risky? How could Boaz have interpreted Ruth’s actions (see Genesis 19:30-38; Numbers 25:1-5; Hosea 9:1)? What does his response demonstrate about his character (and Ruth’s)? How does this narrative defy expectation?
4. What common cause do Boaz and Ruth have in pursuing marriage (vv. 9-10; cf. 2:20)? How would their marriage bless her entire extended family? Why is Boaz’ gift to Ruth significant (v. 15)? What does it symbolize (see v. 17)? How does this gift demonstrate that Boaz is concerned not simply with Ruth, but with Naomi, and her family line?
5. Why is Ruth’s request (v. 9) so shocking? How does it go against what we’d expect to happen (see v. 4)? Why is Boaz’ response so surprising (vv. 10-12)?
6. What plot twist does Boaz introduce at the end of the chapter (vv. 12-13)? As readers, what question are we asking at the close of this act in the story?
3. How does Naomi attempt to secure Ruth’s future (vv. 1-4)? What motivates Naomi (v. 1)? Why is her plan for Ruth so risky? How could Boaz have interpreted Ruth’s actions (see Genesis 19:30-38; Numbers 25:1-5; Hosea 9:1)? What does his response demonstrate about his character (and Ruth’s)? How does this narrative defy expectation?
4. What common cause do Boaz and Ruth have in pursuing marriage (vv. 9-10; cf. 2:20)? How would their marriage bless her entire extended family? Why is Boaz’ gift to Ruth significant (v. 15)? What does it symbolize (see v. 17)? How does this gift demonstrate that Boaz is concerned not simply with Ruth, but with Naomi, and her family line?
5. Why is Ruth’s request (v. 9) so shocking? How does it go against what we’d expect to happen (see v. 4)? Why is Boaz’ response so surprising (vv. 10-12)?
6. What plot twist does Boaz introduce at the end of the chapter (vv. 12-13)? As readers, what question are we asking at the close of this act in the story?
Application:
7. Why is purity crucial to romantic love? How does a framework of purity allow romance to flourish? Why does romantic love need a greater purpose (i.e. one that transcends the relationship)? What happens when such a purpose is lacking? How does Boaz demonstrate the posture of romantic love? What posture must spouses have towards each other? Which of these points stood out to you? Why?
8. What’s one thing you can do this week to apply this passage?
7. Why is purity crucial to romantic love? How does a framework of purity allow romance to flourish? Why does romantic love need a greater purpose (i.e. one that transcends the relationship)? What happens when such a purpose is lacking? How does Boaz demonstrate the posture of romantic love? What posture must spouses have towards each other? Which of these points stood out to you? Why?
8. What’s one thing you can do this week to apply this passage?