Sermon Discussion Guide: 5/5/24
Sermon Recap:
Text: Ruth 1
Big Idea: The world is broken, but God is near.
Summary: The book of Ruth is famed as one of the sweetest, most idyllic love stories in the history of literature. However, the beauty of the redemptive kindness of God and within the characters can only be adequately understood against the backdrop of supreme brokenness and despair. The first chapter of Ruth concludes with two widows, one of whom is a Moabite woman. Naomi goes from fullness to empty. From the the name Naomi, meaning pleasant, to Mara, meaning bitter.
However, in the midst of terrible circumstances, God is known to be a God of hesed lovingkindness. While no overt miracles happen, He is clearly working His providence to in the background to orchestrate a supreme act of hesed kindness to these two women who feel that God has worked only calamity toward them.
Ultimately, in every case of suffering, we can know that God is not distant because He is a God who has entered into our pain by becoming human and dying on the cross. While we can't always make sense of God's path, we can always trust His that He is near, He cares, and He will work goodness even out of the most difficult of pain.
Questions for Discussion:
1. What is the tone and feel of Ruth 1?
2. What does Naomi get right about God's character and where does she have misunderstanding?
3. What do you make of a story where God is operating in "quiet providence" behind the scenes?
4. Describe a difficult season that you have been through. Are you still recovering from it? Did it distort the way you see God? What did healing look like?
5. The Christian practice of lament is one of embracing the brokenness of this world that we cannot change. Have you heard much teaching on this? Do you feel you have a good understanding of how to do this well?
6. What have been helpful aids to you in the midst of painful seasons? Do you have things that you would recommend.or advise against?
7. Spend time listening and praying for various situations that may have been expressed in your home group.
Text: Ruth 1
Big Idea: The world is broken, but God is near.
Summary: The book of Ruth is famed as one of the sweetest, most idyllic love stories in the history of literature. However, the beauty of the redemptive kindness of God and within the characters can only be adequately understood against the backdrop of supreme brokenness and despair. The first chapter of Ruth concludes with two widows, one of whom is a Moabite woman. Naomi goes from fullness to empty. From the the name Naomi, meaning pleasant, to Mara, meaning bitter.
However, in the midst of terrible circumstances, God is known to be a God of hesed lovingkindness. While no overt miracles happen, He is clearly working His providence to in the background to orchestrate a supreme act of hesed kindness to these two women who feel that God has worked only calamity toward them.
Ultimately, in every case of suffering, we can know that God is not distant because He is a God who has entered into our pain by becoming human and dying on the cross. While we can't always make sense of God's path, we can always trust His that He is near, He cares, and He will work goodness even out of the most difficult of pain.
Questions for Discussion:
1. What is the tone and feel of Ruth 1?
2. What does Naomi get right about God's character and where does she have misunderstanding?
3. What do you make of a story where God is operating in "quiet providence" behind the scenes?
4. Describe a difficult season that you have been through. Are you still recovering from it? Did it distort the way you see God? What did healing look like?
5. The Christian practice of lament is one of embracing the brokenness of this world that we cannot change. Have you heard much teaching on this? Do you feel you have a good understanding of how to do this well?
6. What have been helpful aids to you in the midst of painful seasons? Do you have things that you would recommend.or advise against?
7. Spend time listening and praying for various situations that may have been expressed in your home group.
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