Jesus 120

In this week’s sermon, Pastor Jake finishes the study through the Book of Ruth with Part 6 “Hold Fast to the Redeemer.” As we finish this series, we see the importance of holding on to our redeemer with open hands. We also take a look at the redemption found in the story of Job, to better grasp the unfailing and unending hope and grace that our redeemer gives to us even in our most difficult times if we allow Him.

Life Group Questions:

Recap the Story found in Ruth 4:13-17, and review a few more key passages: Job 1:1-3, 42:12-13, 19:23-26 and Luke 2:10-12 &20.

Then discuss as a group the following questions . . .

1. How has your definition of the word “redeemer” changed since the start of this series? How has it changed the way you see Jesus? Has your attitude about your redemption changed?

2. Whose family line does Ruth and Boaz’s child continue?

a. Why is that significant to:

i. Boaz

ii. Ruth

iii. Naomi

3. Who are some redeemers in your life (people God used for your redemption)? Are there people in your life that you believe Jesus might be calling you to be a part of their redemption story?

4. What happened to Job? How did he react? How did his friends react?

a. How was his reaction significant?

b. Why do you think his friends reacted the way they did?

c. Do you relate to Job or his friends? Why?

5. What is the significance of how God returns Job’s possessions vs. family?

6. Why is it easier to focus on loss than being open to receiving the gifts God has for you? What can you learn from Job’s reaction to loss and how God redeemed him?

7. Jesus had to be protected as a baby. What gifts has God given you that you feel you should protect, but are also a part of your redemption?

8. Where are some places in your life that you feel you could/should loosen your grip, so you can fully receive the gifts that He has for you?

9. What is 1 main thing Jesus is speaking to you through this passage? What is he asking you to do in response?

In this week’s sermon, Pastor Jake continues a study through the Book of Ruth with Part 5 “Hold Fast to the Promise.” Today we are exploring the first several verses of Ruth chapter 4, as Boaz gets to work redeeming Naomi’s land and arranging to take Ruth as his bride. In this passage we see a picture of Jesus’ love for us, and how He works to redeem our lives in the midst of a broken world.

Life Group Questions:

Recap the Story found in Ruth 4:1-10, and review 2 more key passages: Deuteronomy 25:5-10 and Genesis 15.

Then discuss as a group the following questions . . .

1) When Boaz seeks out the near-kinsman to discuss the redemption of Naomi’s land, and marriage to Ruth, what is the near-kinsman willing to do? What is he un-willing to do? Why doesn’t he want to marry Ruth?

2) Let’s talk about what does Boaz to redeem each person in this story:

a. How did Naomi lose her land, what does it cost Boaz to redeem it?

b. How did the near-kinsman fail in his role as redeemer, and what were the potential consequences? What does Boaz do for him instead?

c. What all does Boaz give up in order to marry Ruth? Was she desirable to anyone else? Why did Boaz treasure her so much?

3) Which of the 3 people in this story (Naomi, the near-kinsman, Ruth) do you most relate to? Why?

4) How does the story of God’s covenant with Abram in Genesis 15, relate to this story? How is that a picture of our relationship with Jesus now?

5) In light of these passages, how do you see this parable that Jesus told about God’s Kingdom . . .

Matthew 13:44 (ESV)

The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

What is the field? What or who is the treasure? Who is the man buying the field? How does this reflect the story of Jesus redeeming our lives?

6) How has Jesus redeemed your life? Is there something recently in your life you have watched Him redeem? Is there something you are going through right now that He is in the process of redeeming?

7) What is 1 main thing Jesus is speaking to you through this passage? What is he asking you to do in response?

In this week’s sermon, Pastor Jake continues a study through the Book of Ruth with Part 4 “Hold Fast to Rest.” We explore the story of Naomi instructing Ruth to seek the covering of Boaz. We learn that the way to receive the rest Jesus has for us is to walk in humility by listening, obedience, vulnerability, boldness, and trusting.

Life Group Questions:

Recap the Story found in Ruth chapter 3, and then discuss as a group the following questions . . .

1) What is Naomi’s plan for Ruth?

2) What does this require of Ruth?

3) How does Boaz react to Ruth’s request?

4) What does Boaz message to Naomi mean?

5) There are (at least) 5 ways in this story that required Ruth to have humility. Can you identify them?

a. Listening to Naomi’s instructions

b. Obeying Naomi

c. Risking to be vulnerable with Boaz

d. Boldness to request covering from Boaz

e. Trusting in Boaz character to fulfill his promise to redeem her

6) What does it look like to receive rest from Jesus in your life? Why does that take humility on our part?

7) Of the 5 ways listed above that Ruth walked in humility, which is the hardest for you?

8) What is 1 main thing Jesus is speaking to you through this passage? What is he asking you to do in response?

In this week’s sermon, Pastor Jake continues a study through the Book of Ruth with Part 3 “Hold Fast to Grace.” We explore the story of Ruth gleaning in the fields of Boaz, and learn how it is a reflection of God’s grace in our lives, as His providence, protection, and provision are made available to us.

Life Group Questions:

Recap the Story found in Ruth chapter 2, and then discuss as a group the following questions . . .

1) What is God’s providence?

a. See verse 4: “the Lord be with you, the Lord bless you”

b. Webster’s Dictionary definition: the care and superintendence, which God exercises over his creatures

2) How does providence differ from chance or coincidence? How do we look for God’s providence, the way Ruth did?

a. Can you think of a time when you noticed God’s providence at work in your life?

b. Can you think of a time in your life when you missed His providence, and then realized it later?

3) How does Boaz offer Ruth protection in the story (see verses 8-9)? What does Ruth have to do in order to receive this protection? Ruth gets confused, or just hears what she wants to hear, and changes the instructions (see verse 21). How does she get back on track (see verse 22)?

4) How do we stay close to God, the way Ruth was instructed to stay close to the young women? How can we learn to hear God’s instructions to us? Do you have a “Naomi” in your life that can speak this kind of truth to you? Can you think of an example of when this has happened in your life?

5) How do we see God’s provision for Ruth & Naomi in this story? What part does Ruth play in receiving this provision? How do we do that in our own lives?

6) Once Ruth receives this provision, what does she do with it? What difference does that make in Naomi’s life (see verses 19-20)? How important is it for us to share God’s provision with others?

7) What is 1 main thing Jesus is speaking to you through this passage? What is he asking you to do?

This week Pastor Jake continues a study through the Book of Ruth with Part 2 “Hold Fast to God’s People.” In today’s sermon we will explore three characters, Naomi and her two daughters-in-law Ruth and Orpah, and what we can learn from them about friendship. Enjoy!

Life Group Questions:

Recap the Story found in Ruth 1:6-17, and then discuss as a group the following questions . . .

1) How would you describe Naomi’s relationship with her daughters-in-law? How does she treat them in this story?

2) Do you give the people in your life that kind of freedom in your relationship with them? What’s scary or difficult about living that way? What’s good about approaching relationships like this?

3) How would you describe Oprah’s response to Naomi? Have you ever had someone treat you that way? What can we learn from Naomi about how to respond in that situation?

4) How would you describe Ruth’s response to Naomi? Have you ever had a friend like Ruth in your life? What have you learned about friendship from that experience?

5) What role does Jesus play in our lives in helping us to become a friend like Ruth?

6) Which character from this story do you relate to the most right now?

7) What is Jesus speaking to you through this passage? What is he asking you to do?

This week Pastor Jake starts a new series titled “Hold Fast” a study through the Book of Ruth. In Part 1: “Hold Fast to the King” we will explore what happens when we find ourselves in a season of famine. We need to watch out for the temptation of trying to get fed apart from God’s place and God’s people, because when we do it can lead to much loss and bitter disappointment. However, when we do find ourselves lost along the way, the good news is that Jesus will go to great lengths to bring us back home again.

Life Group Questions:

Recap the basics of the passages from the sermon: Naomi’s leaving & returning, the bitter water turned sweet in Exodus, and Jesus drinking the sour wine on the cross. Then discuss the following questions . . .

1) Have you ever been in a season of famine in your life? (financially, emotionally, spiritually, etc.)

2) If so, can you describe what that experience was like?

3) Moab is where Naomi’s family ran to meet their need (apart from God’s place, His people, and His direction). Have you ever run to your own version of Moab before? If so what was your Moab?

4) Have you ever found yourself “stuck” in a certain place in life? Did it lead to bitterness? How did that look in your life? Who did it affect? How did it affect your view towards God and your relationship with Him?

5) Can you relate to letting a struggle in your life become a part of your identity?

6) What does it mean that Jesus drank the bitter drink so we don’t have to anymore? How is that reflected in the passage from Exodus?

7) Have you ever experienced Jesus bringing back pleasantness or sweetness into your life?

8) How do we experience or receive that from Him?

9) What is Jesus speaking to you through this discussion? What does He want you to do in response?

Special Guest, Rick Meyers takes us through Acts 17 as we look at the differences between the Athenians, Thessalonians and Bereans. We see how real faith causes us to obey, seek and trust Jesus in a way that effects everything in our lives.

Rick is the creator of e-Sword, one of the most widely used Bible software programs in the world. It's been downloaded over 35,000,000 times and is used in 235 countries across the planet! Go check it out: www.e-sword.net/