Pulpit Curriculum - Extended Generosity
Derek A. Ward
June 25, 2023

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June 25th – Jul 1st, 2023

Sermon Summary

“Ruth benefitted from Boaz’s generosity, and extended that generosity to her mother-in- law, Naomi. Wherever we may fall on the spectrum of wealth, we have all received much from God arising from His love, compassion, generosity, and grace toward us. As such, we can take comfort in the fact that God has not and will never
forsake us. Even as we encounter challenging circumstances in life, our needs should not blind us to the needs of others. Instead, we should actively look for opportunities to be blessings to other people in all situations.”

Verse of the Week

Ruth 2: 20
20 “And Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “May he be blessed by the Lord, whose kindness has not forsaken the living or the dead!” Naomi also said to her, “The man is a close relative of ours, one of our redeemers.”


Going Deeper

Review Ruth 2: 14 – 23

1) Verse 14 described an ordinary mealtime occasion that Boaz “transformed into a demonstration of compassion, generosity and acceptance”.

a) Using Scripture, point out some other scenarios where ordinary situations were used to demonstrate God’s generosity and acceptance.

b) Compare and contrast those occasions with your own life. How often do you demonstrate God’s generosity while engaging in mundane acts?

2) In the scene described in verses 14 to 17, Boaz’s generosity went beyond the requirements of the Law in respect of foreigners and strangers.

a) What are the similarities between this act, and Jesus’ all-encompassing statement about family in Matthew 12:48-50?

b) How does this broader conception of family (i.e. those we have a relationship with and should show love and concern for) challenge your attitude about generosity?

3) The Pastor explained that New Testament Jews refused to eat with Gentiles in an attempt to preserve their culture and not compromise their beliefs. While this approach stemmed from practical considerations, it led the Jews to close themselves off from others and limit their witness and generosity (the parable of the Good
Samaritan is a classic example).”

a) What habits have you maintained, based on your attempts to follow God, that limit your generosity in sharing your time, resources, and testimony with others?

b) In what areas do you need God to adjust your perspective so that your behaviour becomes better aligned with His character?

4) A common approach in today’s world is for people to give favours to people with the expectation of calling in those favours at a later time. However, Scripture (e.g. Luke 14:12-14) offers a different perspective; that of being generous to those who have no means of repaying us.

a) How does this alternative view of generosity challenge your current perspective?

b) As a member of God’s family here on Earth, what can you do to commit to becoming more generous?

Assess Your Life

1) How generous are you towards others?

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a) I cannot be generous to others, I am struggling & life is too hard for me to give away anything.

b) I try to be generous, but it is hard to do when I am confronted by the realities of my own.

c) I am getting better at being generous especially when the church is making special collections for the poor.

d) I look for opportunities to bless others and I give when I think I have enough to be generous.

e) I am consistently generous to others: I trust God’s provision, and I share extravagantly out of the abundance of what He has given me.


2) How can you demonstrate more generosity with the resources you currently have access to?

Application

1) List three changes you can make today to be more proactive in blessing others according to your circumstances.

a)

b)

c)

2 Of the list above, which one(s) will you be intentional about working on this week?

I will ask

to hold me accountable to this.

Sermon Main Points

As believers, when taking stock of our circumstances, whether we have abundant
means or we were once down and out and God provided for us, we shoulkd:

I) Bless others from our abundance And remember that

II) As God has blessed us, bless others

Sermon Reflection

  1. Boaz took an ordinary occasion and transformed it into a glorious demonstration of compassion, generosity, and acceptance.

  2. The wings of God are not only comforting to Israelites; they offer protection even for despised Moabites (… and any other nationality we may be)

  3. A biblical perspective of money leads people to be generous.

When the truth of who you are captivates you, so that you truly see deep down inside who you are, then you will see Jesus for who He is. —Derek A. Ward

5 Day Study Plan

Use the Inductive Bible Study method to study these scriptures this week and remember to share with someone else.

Follow these steps
1. Observe the text.
(What do you see in the text? Look for answers to questions like: Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?)
2. Interpret the text.
(What did God and the human author of the text want the original people reading this text to understand/do? Why?)
3. Apply the text.
(How do I need to change in my thinking, my affections, my attitudes, and/or my actions?)

Day 1 - Matthew 23:11-12

Day 2 - Leviticus 19:9-10

Day 3 - Luke 14:12-14

Day 4 - Isaiah 58:7

Day 5 - Proverbs 11:24-25


For best results, this content should be read and prepared privately and then discussed in your small group or with family / friends. We were not created to do life alone - get connected with a small group and grow together.

Harvest Bible Chapel Barbados - 2023