1 In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. 2 The man's name was Elimelech, his wife's name Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there. 3 Now Elimelech, Naomi's husband, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4 They married Moabite women, one named Orpah and the other Ruth. After they had lived there about ten years, 5 both Mahlon and Kilion also died, and Naomi was left without her two sons and her husband. Ruth 1:1-5 (NIV) 6 When she heard in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, Naomi and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. 7 With her two daughters-in-law she left the place where she had been living and set out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah. 8 Then Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother's home. May the LORD show kindness to you, as you have shown to your dead and to me. 9 May the LORD grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.” Then she kissed them and they wept aloud 10 and said to her, "We will go back with you to your people." 11 But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? 12 Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me–even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons– 13 would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the LORD's hand has gone out against me!” 14 At this they wept again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-by, but Ruth clung to her. 15 "Look," said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.” Ruth 1:6-15 (NIV) 16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Ruth 1:16 (NIV) Remember Verse 17 Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me." 18 When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her. 19 So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?” Ruth 1:17-19 (NIV) Big Idea: The journey from heartbreak to hope begins when we turn to God for redemption. How Do You Move From Bitterness To Hope? 1. Acknowledge Your Pain 20 “Don't call me Naomi,” she told them. "Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. 21 I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me." Ruth 1:20-21 (NIV) The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 (NIV) 2. Embrace God’s Provision In Community 16 But Ruth replied, "Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Ruth 1:16 (NIV) Remember Verse Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: 10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NIV) “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” “For we are each responsible for our own conduct.” Galatians 6:2 & 5 (NLT2) 3. Trust God’s Redemptive Plan 6 When she heard in Moab that the LORD had come to the aid of his people by providing food for them, Naomi and her daughters-in-law prepared to return home from there. Ruth 1:6 (NIV) 22 So Naomi returned from Moab accompanied by Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter-in-law, arriving in Bethlehem as the barley harvest was beginning. Ruth 1:22 (NIV) And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) What would it look like for you to Trust God’s Redemptive Plan? I will Trust God’s Redemptive Plan by: Acknowledging My Pain Embracing The Community Of God Accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior Signing up for baptism July 21, 2024 Silver Strand Beach Family Corner: [Choose one day this week to ask questions to go deeper in faith as a family. Try this over dinner. Keep it to 12 minutes or less.] Open in Prayer. Icebreaker: What has been your most difficult move in your life? Why? Big Idea: The journey from heartbreak to hope begins when we turn to God for redemption. How Do You Move From Bitterness To Blessing? 1. Acknowledge Your Pain Read Ruth 1:1-22 What were the circumstances that led Naomi and her family to move to Moab? How did Naomi’s losses affect her view of God and her life? Ruth 1:13, 20,21 Why do you think it’s important to acknowledge our feelings of bitterness and grief? Reflect on a time when you experienced significant loss or hardship. How did you feel, and how did you express those feelings to God or others? Read Psalm 34:18 What promise do you find here? 2. Embrace God’s Provision In Community Read Ruth 1:16 and Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 What reasons did Naomi give for urging Ruth and Orpah to stay in Moab? What does Ruth’s response to Naomi tell us about her character and faith? How can we demonstrate loyalty and commitment in our own relationships, especially during difficult times? Think of someone who has been loyal to you during a challenging time. How did their support impact you? Consider ways you can show loyalty and support to someone in your life who may be struggling. Write down a specific action you can take this week. 3. Trust God’s Redemptive Plan Read Ruth 1:22, Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 29:11 How does the timing of Naomi and Ruth’s arrival in Bethlehem contribute to the theme of hope? What are some “seeds of hope” you have seen in your own life during difficult times? How can recognizing small signs of hope help us trust in God’s larger plan for our lives? Reflect on a time when you felt a sense of new beginning or hope after a difficult period. How did this experience shape your faith and outlook? Activity: Create a “Hope Jar.” Write down moments of hope or blessings you experience each day on small slips of paper and place them in the jar. Review these slips regularly to remind yourself of God’s faithfulness.