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.

Intentional Faith: A "How To" Guide - How to Rescue a Stray

Introduction:

1 John 2:19 - They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

How to Rescue a Stray (James 5:19-20):

1. Learn how to Recognize a stray. (Jas 5:19a, 20a)

   Matthew 9:13 - For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.

   Romans 5:8 - but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us...

2. Remember what's at stake. (Jas 5:20b)

   Revelation 21:8 - But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.

3. Take Responsibility . (Jas 5:19b, 20a)

   2 Corinthians 5:18, 20 - All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation... Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.

4. Encourage Repentance . (Jas 5:19b, 20)

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Small Group Discussion
Read James 5:19-20

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

2. How do you know when someone is “wandering from the truth”? How do you know when to stop pursuing a stray?
   

3. What is the motivation behind rescuing a stray? How much does this motivation move you?
   

4. Why is repentance a necessary part of receiving Jesus? Can you receive Jesus without repenting? Why or why not?
   

5. Have you been going after a stray? Share your experience with the group (no names!).

Breakout
Who do you know who has “wandered away” from Harvest? Pray for them, and call / text them NOW.

Intentional Faith: A "How To" Guide - How to See Prayer Answered

Introduction:

How to See Prayer Answered (James 5:13-18):

1. Make prayer the Norm . (Jas 5:13)

   1 Thessalonians 5:17 - pray without ceasing…

2. Call for Help . (Jas 5:14-15)
3. Deal with Sin openly. (Jas 5:16)
4. Believe that prayer Works . (Jas 5:17-18)

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Small Group Discussion
Read James 5:13-18

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

2. Why do you think most of our prayer requests are about physical needs, and relatively few are about spiritual needs?
   

3. Why does James instruct us to call on church leaders for prayer (Jas 5:14)? What do you think is the purpose of the oil?
   

4. How would you respond to someone who says “I tried praying - and it didn’t work.”?
   

5. What was the point of the Elijah illustration (Jas 5:17-18)? What does this teach us about answered prayer in our lives?

Breakout
Pray for one another.