Ruth: Call Me Mara

The Rock Church: Fenton

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Ruth: Call Me Mara

Ruth 1:15-22

September 27, 2022 • Samantha Marsh

In seasons of hardship, it might feel natural to shift our focus from the Lord and His faithfulness to our negative feelings about the situation. We can begin to see them as facts. Feelings can be misleading, and when left unchecked, we leave our hearts open to cultivating bitterness. Bitterness is blinding, and it prevents us from seeing our Hope. Join us for session three as we discuss how to prevent it from taking root in our hearts and take back the ground bitterness has stolen.

Verses Used:
Ruth 1:15
Ruth 1:16-18
Colossians 3:12-17
Ecclesiastes 7:9
James 1:19-20
Lamentations 3:22-24
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Ruth 1:22

Discussion Questions:
1. What causes us to be bitter and how do those infected by it act?
2. Do you currently or have you ever struggled with bitterness toward God about something He has allowed?
3. Is there anyone in your life with whom you are bitter? How do you feel about that person and how does it affect your behavior toward them?
4. Why do we allow bitterness to rule in our hearts?
5. How can we actively battle against bitterness, forgive and gain freedom from it?

Ruth: Restorer of Life

December 6, 2022 • Erin Morris

As the story of Ruth and Naomi concludes we see God bring restoration to the brokenness and loss the women experienced at the beginning of the story. He brings new life and the promise of redemption through the birth of a son, Obed. This baby foreshadows a greater redemption that will take place through Christ's death on the cross and the ultimate restoration we, as believers, gain upon entrance into eternity. Join us for our closing session of Ruth as we reflect on a God who is able to restore even the most broken of circumstances. Verses Used: Genesis 2:8-17 Genesis 3:16-19, 22-24 Ruth 4:15-22 Isaiah 61:4 Psalm 27:13 Revelation 21:3-5, 22-23 Revelation 22:1-5 & 14 & 20 Discussion Questions: 1. How do we see God restore both Ruth and Naomi throughout the course of this story? 2. How does knowing this story give you hope for restoration in your own wasteland? 3. How did God work through Ruth and Naomi’s wasteland to bring restoration not only for them, but also, ultimately for the whole world?Why is it that this world can only provide an incomplete restoration? 4. Where and when is our final restoration? Do you truly long for that day?

Ruth: I Have Acquired Ruth

November 29, 2022 • Paula Thorp

For all of us our identity is formed in a variety of ways, some have been good, others have been difficult and painful. Ruth was a Moabite, a widow, and an impoverished gleaner of another's field. However, when Boaz redeems her she gains a new identity as a wife and an accepted part of the Israelite community. Though we may have pieces of our past that attach themselves to us, when we are redeemed we too gain a new identity in Christ. He declares we are washed, sanctified and justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Join us for session eleven as we discover how knowing Christ impacts our identity. Verses Used: Ruth 4:9-14a Psalm 30:5b Psalm 40:2 1 Corinthians 6:11 2 Corinthians 3:2-4 Discussion Questions: 1. Are there any areas of your life in which you feel overlooked, forgotten or undervalued? Do you allow these areas to speak to your identity? How so? 2. What things in your life that were beyond your control negatively affect your identity? 3. Do you struggle with a sense of shame, unworthiness, or guilt? If so, why? What is the source of these feelings? 4. Read 1 Corinthians 6:1 and Romans 8:1. How do these verses combat guilt, shame and condemnation? 5. When we accept Christ we receive a brand new identity. Why is it such a struggle to walk in confidence in this new identity? What can we do to better stand firm in this truth and not allow the enemy to lie to us about our identity?

Ruth: Redeem it for Yourself

November 15, 2022 • Mary Ann Olson

The moment has finally come for Boaz to act as Ruth's kinsman redeemer and seek to buy back Naomi's land and acquire Ruth as his wife. This passage acts as a direct spiritual parallel to us. Just as Ruth stood far off and was unable to redeem herself, we, too, are spiritually far off and unable to secure our redemption. Join us for session ten as we reflect on the incredible gift of redemption we are granted through the blood of Christ and because of the lavish grace of God. Verses Used: Deuteronomy 25:5-6 Ruth 4:1-6 Deuteronomy 25:7-10 Ruth 4:7-8 Discussion Questions: 1. Ruth is a foreigner in the land, also sometimes called an alien or stranger. How is this similar to our status, spiritually speaking, before we know Christ? 2. Why do we stand in need of redemption? What do we need to be redeemed from? 3. What was the purchase price of our redemption? 4. What part did Ruth play in her own redemption process? How is this a direct parallel to our redemption in Christ? 5. God used Boaz as an agent of redemption. Everyone you know has either been redeemed or has not. There is no middle ground. How can we, like Boaz, act as agents of redemption to those around us who may not yet know Christ?