Group Discussion Guide
Ruth, Part 3
This guide is designed to help your group create a space for genuine connection and conversation within your discussion time. Don't feel pressured to address every question each week. Instead, allow the Holy Spirit to guide you as you lead your group in uncovering what God intends to communicate during your time together.
This guide comprises three sections: Loving, Learning, and Living. Each section aims to steer your conversation towards meaningful discussions about spiritual growth as individuals and as members of the body of Christ.
This guide comprises three sections: Loving, Learning, and Living. Each section aims to steer your conversation towards meaningful discussions about spiritual growth as individuals and as members of the body of Christ.
LOVING
First moments together as a group to connect and pray (approx. 10-15 min).
Open with prayer and invite God to be part of your conversation and relationship.
- How have you seen God at work in your life since the last time we met?
- What has been one high and one low since the last time we met?
- How did you do with living out what we talked about last time we met?
Open with prayer and invite God to be part of your conversation and relationship.
LEARNING
Share with the group a time when you were in a period of waiting. Maybe it was something like waiting for a big event coming up in the future, or for a package to arrive. What made the waiting difficult? What, if any, were there things you did to prepare while waiting? Is there a difference between active waiting and passive waiting?
Read Ruth 3 together as a group. Part of the story centers around a bit of an awkward thing to talk about. Pastor Tyler mentioned that in Hebrew, to “uncover his feet” is a euphemism. How does that change your view of the story? In what ways does the decision to keep the euphemism instead of translating the meaning, help or hinder your understanding of what’s happening in the story?
We’ve heard a couple of times now the concept of a “kinsman redeemer”. Found in Leviticus, it was a provision for the people of God. But, in Ruth’s case, we see this provision being made for her, who is not an Israelite, from an “enemy” nation, and of a different religious background. What do you think this story communicates about who God cares for in the world, and ultimately, who we should care about? Who outside your tribe or clan can you show God’s kindness to?
The BIG QUESTION this week was, “What part of your life are you praying for change but not stepping in faith toward it?” If you feel comfortable, share what that is with your group. In what ways might God be inviting you to take faith filled action while also waiting?
Read Ruth 3 together as a group. Part of the story centers around a bit of an awkward thing to talk about. Pastor Tyler mentioned that in Hebrew, to “uncover his feet” is a euphemism. How does that change your view of the story? In what ways does the decision to keep the euphemism instead of translating the meaning, help or hinder your understanding of what’s happening in the story?
We’ve heard a couple of times now the concept of a “kinsman redeemer”. Found in Leviticus, it was a provision for the people of God. But, in Ruth’s case, we see this provision being made for her, who is not an Israelite, from an “enemy” nation, and of a different religious background. What do you think this story communicates about who God cares for in the world, and ultimately, who we should care about? Who outside your tribe or clan can you show God’s kindness to?
The BIG QUESTION this week was, “What part of your life are you praying for change but not stepping in faith toward it?” If you feel comfortable, share what that is with your group. In what ways might God be inviting you to take faith filled action while also waiting?
LIVING
The challenge for the week ahead is to grow in our faith and lovingly hold each other accountable through the community.
One of the challenges of following Jesus can often be discerning what the next right step should be. Sometimes, we might sense the need to be still and wait, and other times to blaze a trail ahead with confidence. This week, pray for God’s wisdom to be able to learn when to choose to actively wait, or when to choose faith-filled action.
One of the challenges of following Jesus can often be discerning what the next right step should be. Sometimes, we might sense the need to be still and wait, and other times to blaze a trail ahead with confidence. This week, pray for God’s wisdom to be able to learn when to choose to actively wait, or when to choose faith-filled action.