Group Discussion Guide
Ruth, Part 4
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
Scripture References from Message: Ruth 4
Big Idea: God’s redemption rarely comes in a straight line, but it always comes.
Early in the story, Naomi requested to be called Mara, because she felt God’s hand was against her. Now, she returns to the name Naomi. What transpired to prompt the name change again? Can you share a time in your life when God answered your prayers in unexpected ways?
The Big Idea this week was “God’s redemption rarely comes in a straight line, but it always comes.” How does this statement hit you? How has this been true, or yet realized, in your experience?
Read Romans 15:13 and Romans 8:28. Pastor Tyler said “God may not redeem our story in the way we hope.” What role does hope have in your redemption story?
Pastor Tyler also said “ You may not see the full picture right now, but God is writing a bigger story.” Are there any practical things you can do to help gain a greater perspective of that bigger story even when you can’t see it?
The BIG QUESTION this week was, “Will you anchor your hope in God’s final redemption even when today still hurts?” What does that look like for you? What areas of your life need to be redeemed in some way, that if you’re willing to share, can be prayed about as a group? What hurts of today can be shouldered by this group together?
Big Idea: God’s redemption rarely comes in a straight line, but it always comes.
Early in the story, Naomi requested to be called Mara, because she felt God’s hand was against her. Now, she returns to the name Naomi. What transpired to prompt the name change again? Can you share a time in your life when God answered your prayers in unexpected ways?
The Big Idea this week was “God’s redemption rarely comes in a straight line, but it always comes.” How does this statement hit you? How has this been true, or yet realized, in your experience?
Read Romans 15:13 and Romans 8:28. Pastor Tyler said “God may not redeem our story in the way we hope.” What role does hope have in your redemption story?
Pastor Tyler also said “ You may not see the full picture right now, but God is writing a bigger story.” Are there any practical things you can do to help gain a greater perspective of that bigger story even when you can’t see it?
The BIG QUESTION this week was, “Will you anchor your hope in God’s final redemption even when today still hurts?” What does that look like for you? What areas of your life need to be redeemed in some way, that if you’re willing to share, can be prayed about as a group? What hurts of today can be shouldered by this group together?
LIVING
The challenge for the week ahead is to grow in our faith and lovingly hold each other accountable.
This week, spend time praying about the ways you need God to come through for you or answer your prayers. Be honest and tell God where you struggle with letting God be God even when our prayers aren’t getting answered the way we want. Be sure to also acknowledge the ways God has been faithful to redeem parts of your story, even in the unexpected ways. Reflect on both the thing you’re praying for now AND the past faithfulness of God. Check in on your group members and encourage each other!
This week, spend time praying about the ways you need God to come through for you or answer your prayers. Be honest and tell God where you struggle with letting God be God even when our prayers aren’t getting answered the way we want. Be sure to also acknowledge the ways God has been faithful to redeem parts of your story, even in the unexpected ways. Reflect on both the thing you’re praying for now AND the past faithfulness of God. Check in on your group members and encourage each other!