As we enter a new year, we take some time to think together about what the names given to the Christmas child mean for us given the struggles of the year that has passed and the challenges we know lie ahead in the year to come.

Matthews Gospel: The promised Messiah

Pat encourages us to look for and celebrate the foreshadowing of the true and greater redemption we have in Christ through the story of Ruth's redemption by Boaz - and to recognise our roles as the church, His body here on earth, to play our part in that work as we wait for Him.

Finding a resting place in Ruth 3

Naomi's circumstances have made her bitter - is there a balm for bitterness? How do we cope when life "goes wrong" and how do we respond to difficulties and failures - especially when we trust that God is in control as sovereign? When bitterness drives us from him, we need to return to him, listen to him - but we also need to wait for his timing. Listen and explore the passage with Peter.

As Ruth, Orpah and Naomi begin their journey back, they reach a crossroads. Come and explore what it is that leads Naomi to try and turn her daughters-in-law back, and what it is that helps Ruth keep going. Lots to learn.

In a world filled with trouble and difficulty, how are we to respond? Following the story of Ruth - and particularly Naomi - we see the consequences of the choice to walk away from God. We're also reminded of the hope there always is when we turn back to him.

We've come to the end of Acts and we summarised it from the perspective that it's a Spirit-empowered, boundary-crossing GROWTH story. It encourages us in our faith journey of growth, and as we boldly share the gospel.