Redeeming Ruth - The Fulfilled Promises of God

Introduction:

The Fulfilled Promises of God... (Ruth 4):

1. Come at a Cost . (Ruth 4:1-12)

   Colossians 3:2 - Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth.

   Colossians 3:16 - Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly.

2. Exceed my Own Expectations . (Ruth 4:13-17b)

   Romans 8:28 - And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.

3. Are bigger than Me . (Ruth 4:17c-22)

   Judges 21:25 - In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

   2 Samuel 7:16 - "And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever."

   Luke 1:32-33 - "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will no end."

   2 Corinthians 1:20 - For all the promises of God find their Yes in Him.

   Number 23:19 - "God is not man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?""

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Small Group Discussion
Read Ruth 4:1-22

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Talk through all that Jesus had to sacrifice to fulfill His Father’s promises. How would your life be different if you meditated upon these truths multiple times a day?
   

3. What does the average American expect from life? What should the Christian expect from life?
   

4. How do you see yourself holding God to promises that He never made in His Word?
   

5. Why is it freeing to know that life isn’t about you and that you’re important but not THAT important?

Breakout
Share any frustrations or disappointments that you are experiencing in this current season of life.

Read Romans 8:28 and pray for each other in light of the truths found in this verse.

Redeeming Ruth - The Redemption of God

Introduction:

The Redemption of God... (Ruth 3):

1. Cannot be earned by my efforts but Only Received by Faith . (Ruth 3:1-5)

   Isaiah 64:6 - All of us have become like one who is unclean and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.

2. Brings me guaranteed Rest and Protection . (Ruth 3:6-14)

   Philippians 1:6 - And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

   Jude 24 - Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy.

3. Reveals itself in my life in Tangible Ways . (Ruth 3:15-18)

   2 Corinthians 13:5 - Examine yourselves, to see if you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless indeed you fail to meet the test!

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Small Group Discussion
Read Ruth 3:1-18

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. What does it mean to be redeemed? How can we stay passionate about our redemption and not lose sight of how awesome it truly is?
   

3. How do you see the sin of pride showing up in your life right now? Why should we never view ourselves as better than unbelievers in our lives and in our culture?
   

4. Do you ever struggle with an assurance of your salvation? How can true believers fight against their doubts and lack of assurance?
   

5. If the Holy Spirit lives within you, what evidence will show up in your life? In other words, what are the marks of a changed life?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Redeeming Ruth - The Kindness of God

Introduction:

The Rudeness Quiz:

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The Kindness of God... (Ruth 2):

1. Puts me in the Right Place at the Right Time . (Ruth 2:1-7)
2. Transforms my Character . (Ruth 2:8-10)
   1. I should help those who cannot Repay Me . (Ruth 2:8-9)
   2. I should humble myself instead of Embracing Entitlement . (Ruth 2:10)
3. Rewards my Faithfulness . (Ruth 2:11-23)

   Psalm 23:6 - Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

   "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

   Psalm 63:3 - Because your loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you. Thus, I will bless you while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name.

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Small Group Discussion
Read Ruth 2:1-23

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. How has the Lord put you in the right place at the right time in the past?
   

3. Why do we often fail to thank and praise the Lord for the gifts of kindness that He has given us? Share what you are most thankful for right now.
   

4. How do you see yourself struggling with unkindness and entitlement? How can you fight against these trends in your life?
   

5. What rewards does the Lord give to His faithful and obedient servants?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Redeeming Ruth - The Providence of God

Introduction:

Providence: God's purposeful direction of Human history, every single human life, and every single thing that He has created .

The Hand of God... (Ruth 1):

1. Draws back His Wandering People . (Ruth 1:1-7)

   Judges 21:25 - In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

   Revelation 2:4-5 - "But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first."

2. Reaches out to grab Hold of the Lost . (Ruth 1:8-18)

   Romans 10:9 - If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

3. Directs the bitterest of paths towards His Sweetest Blessings . (Ruth 1:19-22)

   Romans 8:18 - For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

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Small Group Discussion
Read Ruth 1:1-22

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. What is providence? How do you see God’s providential hand at work in the first chapter of Ruth? How do you see His providential hand at work in this world and your life?
   

3. What is repentance and why is it so essential for living the Chrisian life? Why do many churches and professing Christians ignore the biblical call to repentance?
   

4. How have you seen the Lord direct a bitter path towards His sweet blessings in your own life?

Breakout
What is the Lord calling you to repent of right now? What steps need to be taken to turn away from your sin and turn towards true change?

Pray that every member of your breakout group will humble themselves and walk in repentance.