Big Idea: The journey from heartbreak to hope begins when we turn to God for redemption. How Do We Demonstrate Worthy Character In Unworthy Times? 1. Ruth Demonstrated Worthy Character Through Loyalty And Hard Work 2 And Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, “Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.” Naomi said to her, "Go ahead, my daughter." 3 So she went out and began to glean in the fields behind the harvesters. As it turned out, she found herself working in a field belonging to Boaz, who was from the clan of Elimelech. Ruth 2:2-3 (NIV) 4 Just then Boaz arrived from Bethlehem and greeted the harvesters, “The LORD be with you!” "The LORD bless you!" they called back. 5 Boaz asked the foreman of his harvesters, “Whose young woman is that?” 6 The foreman replied, "She is the Moabitess who came back from Moab with Naomi. 7 She said, ‘Please let me glean and gather among the sheaves behind the harvesters.’ She went into the field and has worked steadily from morning till now, except for a short rest in the shelter." Ruth 2:4-7 (NIV) If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 1 Timothy 5:8 (NIV) Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV) 2. Boaz Demonstrated Worthy Character Through Kindness And Generosity 8 So Boaz said to Ruth, “My daughter, listen to me. Don't go and glean in another field and don't go away from here. Stay here with my servant girls. 9 Watch the field where the men are harvesting, and follow along after the girls. I have told the men not to touch you. And whenever you are thirsty, go and get a drink from the water jars the men have filled.” Ruth 2:8-9 (NIV) Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.” Luke 6:38 (NLT2) 3. Ruth & Boaz Demonstrated Worthy Character By Trusting In God’s Providence “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 1:16b (NIV) Remember Verse 10 At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She exclaimed, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me–a foreigner?” 11 Boaz replied, "I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband–how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. 12 May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge." Ruth 2:10-12 (NIV) 13 “May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord,” she said. "You have given me comfort and have spoken kindly to your servant–though I do not have the standing of one of your servant girls." 14 At mealtime Boaz said to her, “Come over here. Have some bread and dip it in the wine vinegar.” When she sat down with the harvesters, he offered her some roasted grain. She ate all she wanted and had some left over. 15 As she got up to glean, Boaz gave orders to his men, "Even if she gathers among the sheaves, don't embarrass her. 16 Rather, pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don't rebuke her." 17 So Ruth gleaned in the field until evening. Then she threshed the barley she had gathered, and it amounted to about an ephah. Ruth 2:13-17 (NIV) As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:1-2 (NIV) What steps do I need to take to be of worthy character in unworthy times?* I will choose to be of worthy character by: Working diligently where God has placed me/ being a diligent worker Demonstrating kindness and generosity Being faithful as I trust in God’s providence 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. Begin the session with a prayer, asking God to open your hearts and minds to the lessons from Ruth 2, and to guide the discussion with wisdom and insight. Icebreaker: Share a time when someone’s loyalty or kindness had a significant impact on your life. How did it make you feel and what did you learn from it? Big Idea: The journey from heartbreak to hope begins when we turn to God for redemption. Small Group Discussion Guide: “Worthy Characters: Ruth and Boaz in Ruth 2” How Do We Demonstrate Worthy Character In Unworthy Times? 1: Worthiness Through Loyalty And Hard Work Read Ruth 2:2-7 and Proverbs 31:27 How does Ruth's decision to glean in the fields reflect her loyalty and work ethic? In what areas of your life do you feel called to demonstrate more loyalty and hard work? How can we encourage each other to be more diligent and faithful in our responsibilities? Read Colossians 3:23-24 & 1 Timothy 5:8 How can this verse change our perspective on our daily tasks and work? What practical steps can you take to work “with all your heart, as working for the Lord”? 2: Worthiness Through Kindness And Generosity Read Ruth 2:8-9 What specific actions did Boaz take to show kindness and generosity to Ruth? How does Boaz's example challenge you to be more generous and kinder in your own life? Read Luke 6:38 and Ephesians 4:32 How have you experienced generosity in your own life? How did it impact you? What are some ways we can actively show kindness and generosity in our community? 3: Worthiness Through Trust In God's Providence Read Ruth 2:10-17, Ruth 1:16 and Ephesians 4:1-2 How did Ruth and Boaz demonstrate their trust in God's providence? Can you share a time when trusting God changed the outcome of a situation for you? Read Romans 8:28 and Psalm 37:5 How do these verses encourage you to trust God in your current circumstances? What practical steps can you take to deepen your trust in God's plan for your life? Application: Reflect on the three points discussed: loyalty and hard work, kindness and generosity, and trust in God’s providence. Choose one area to focus on this week. Share your chosen area with the group and discuss specific actions you can take to apply these lessons in your daily life. Prayer Requests: Spend some time sharing prayer requests. Focus on asking God for strength to be loyal, kind, and trusting in His providence, as well as any personal requests group members may have. Closing Prayer: Close the session with a prayer, asking God to help each member of the group to grow in loyalty, kindness, and trust. Thank God for the example of Ruth and Boaz, and ask for His guidance in applying these lessons to our lives.