Thursday, June 20, 2019

Ruth 4- Small Group Questions


Our church is currently studying the book of Ruth. For four weeks we're walking through the book and talking about the redemptive story of God. For this series I volunteered to write the small group questions that go along with each sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS…HEART FULL, HANDS FULL…RUTH 4


Ruth 4 opens with the connecting word, “meanwhile…” While Ruth and Naomi are eating breakfast Boaz gets to work on what he promised to do. What one thing do you need to get done this week that God is asking you to do?

Joel taught us about the public conversation Boaz had about redeeming Ruth and Naomi. Read Ruth 4:10 and talk about the celebration that would have taken place. What do you need to celebrate that God is doing in your life.

The entire crowd blessed/prayed for Boaz after he redeemed Ruth. They speak words of encouragement, hope, and blessing on him. Do you speak more blessing or curses in your daily life? Who do you need speak words of affirmation to this week?

Throughout the book of Ruth we’ve read about the purity, character, and integrity of Ruth and Boaz. In Ruth 4:13 we read that after their marriage they made love and had a child. Why do you think more people don’t wait to have sex till marriage?

The story of Ruth teaches us about God’s heart to reach all people. The Kingdom of heaven was always meant to be multiethnic. Read Acts Acts 15:10-11, Acts 17:1-4, and Ephesians 2:19-22. Talk about why some people are still racist and how we can help people see that the Gospel is for everyone.

Read Ruth 4:18-22 and Matthew 1:1-17. What sticks out to you in the lineage? What do you see that enhances the deep love of God for all people?

As we close the page on the Old Testament book of Ruth share what has been the most meaningful part of the sermon series, Bible study, or what God has taught you through these last four weeks about His wild love.

Close your time in prayer

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

The Grandson of an Immigrant

In the 1900’s my grandmother immigrated from Germany to Los Angeles. She came over to take care of her aunt. She was only a teenager but her parents knew a better life waited here for her. She lived in a small German community in Los Angeles. In this community Maria Kraus met Julius Hettler. They were married and had two children: Irene Bertha and Rosemary.

When their children were little they moved to Big Bear Lake, CA. One day Julius and Rosemary were driving up the hill to their home. A drunk man, who had been skiing at Snow Valley, pulled out and t-boned their car. Rosemary didn’t survive the accident and the parents experienced a period of depression. Their second daughter, the younger one, was left to pay the bills and keep the family going.

Irene later went to college, her parents grieved the loss of their daughter but pressed on in life. While in college, Irene met Don. They eventually got married and had two children: Beth Marie and Neal Charles Benson. The marriage lasted around ten years but divorce was in the future.

My grandmother was an immigrant.
My mom spoke German in the home.
She traveled to Germany to visit her relatives.
When I was in first grade I flew with my family to Germany to visit my relatives.

With all the fighting about immigration I am reminded that I am the grandson of an immigrant. My grandmother left her home country. She traveled to a new land of opportunity. This land brought her freedom to express her faith. This land is where she met my grandpa. This land is where she raised her kids. This is the land of the free and the home of the brave. My grandma exemplifies that.

I am also reminded that God’s word tells me I am foreigner traveling in this land. This land is not my final home. This life is but a vapor compared to eternity. Abraham was an immigrant and God gave him some land.

Before any of us start judging immigrants I think we need to look to our roots.

Thursday, June 06, 2019

Ruth 3- Small Group Questions


Our church is currently studying the book of Ruth. For four weeks we're walking through the book and talking about the redemptive story of God. For this series I volunteered to write the small group questions that go along with each sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone.

Small Group Questions…Trust and Obey…Ruth 3


The book of Ruth is a pearl in a dark time in the history of Israel. Ruth and Naomi arrived back in Bethlehem with their heads down and hearts empty. As the story continued we read that God blessed them through Boaz. Boaz showed unending kindness to the women who were in need of food and family. As we approach chapter 3 we see that Naomi is ready for this relationship between Ruth and Boaz change from scavenger and landowner to something more. Ruth acts in obedience to all that Naomi instructs her to do and Boaz responds in character and integrity. The entire story in Ruth 3 takes place in the nighttime hours but God continues to shine His light in the darkness.  

1) The sermon began with the story of Naaman and his initial hesitation to obey what Elisha asked of him (You can read the story in 2 Kings 5). Share of a time when you obeyed what God asked you to do and how it turned out. 

2) Neal taught us that God blesses our obedience. Ruth was obedient to all that Naomi instructed her to do (read Ruth 3:5). What is something God is asking you to be obedient in your life right now? Explain the emotions involved in this choice.   

3) Knowing this was a dark time in Israel’s history, it was typical for women to prostitute themselves to men at the threshing floor. Talk about the character and integrity of Ruth and Boaz and the importance of remaining sexually pure before marriage. (Ruth 3:11, Ruth 2:1, Hebrews 13:4, Colossians 3:5, and 1 Corinthians 6:18-20).

4) Boaz was a man of action. He woke up early to follow through on what he committed to do in his relationship with Ruth. Do you find yourself being more motivated or more of a procrastinator? How can you improve on getting things done in a timely basis? (These verses might help Matthew 5:33-37 and Ecclesiastes 5:4) 

5) Read Ruth 3:1 and 18. It’s evident that Naomi has a strong love for Ruth. How is your relationship with your parents or children and what can you do to improve that?   

6) In Ruth 3:15 Boaz measured a large amount of grain out for Ruth. Why do you think Ruth said it was meant as a gift for Naomi? 

7) The relationship between Ruth and Naomi is not your typical family relationship. When you think about the family of God, who are you investing your life in and who is investing in your life to help you be obedient to God? 

Close your time in prayer