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Hope Preserved

November 8, 2015 • Michael Wilburn

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
• Naomi and Ruth deal with the same emptiness and loss. They are both widows in poverty. How do they react differently to their circumstances?
• Is Naomi bitter or discouraged? How would you know the difference?
• How will you protect your heart against bitterness as you age?
• What does Ruth's opportunity to glean the field tell you about Boaz's business ethics according to Lev. 23:22 and Deut. 24:19?

Hope Perpetuated

November 29, 2015 • Michael Wilburn

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • Compare the genealogy in Ruth 4:18-22 to the genealogy in Matthew 1:1-5. What is significant about the similarities? • Does God love bitter people? How does Naomi's story serve as an example? • What does "May the Lord make the woman, who is coming into your house, like Rachel and Leah" (vs. 11) mean? • Why do the neighborhood women say, "A son has been born to Naomi" (vs. 17) when it is Ruth's baby?

Hope Regained

November 22, 2015 • Michael Wilburn

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • Was Naomi's plan a risk worth taking? How do you vet a risky decision in your own life? • Why doesn't Boaz pursue Ruth? • What is Ruth asking from Boaz when she says, "Spread your wings over your servant, for you are a redeemer" (vs. 9)? Hint: see Ruth 2:12. • Naomi and Ruth trusted God through trusting Boaz (vs. 18). How do you trust God through another person?

Hope Deferred

November 15, 2015 • Michael Wilburn

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: • What does Ruth 2 teach about living within your financial means? • Is God's provision for Naomi and Ruth miraculous or providence? Distinguish the two. • What does Ruth do with her leftovers (vs. 14, 18)? What does this reveal about Ruth's relationship to Naomi? • What is a kinsman redeemer (vs. 20) in light of Leviticus 25:24-28, 47-55?