INTRO: Share names of people from your lives (family members, friends, colleagues, etc.) who you feel live lives of “ordinary faithfulness”. (No need to explain. Just say their names for now.)
READ: Ruth 1:6-22
DISCUSS
1. What circumstances in the life of Naomi might have been legitimate cause for bitterness? Who could have been on the receiving end of Naomi’s frustrations? In other words, to whom do the voiceless voice their frustrations?
2. (Read Ruth 1:8-13) What is Naomi’s three-part message to her daughters-in-law?
3. What would be the consequences of this decision for a widowed mother-in-law?
4. What circumstances in the life of Ruth might have been legitimate cause for bitterness? Who could have been on the receiving end of Ruth’s frustrations?
5. (Read Ruth 1: 15-17) What is Ruth’s three-part message to her mother-in-law?
6. What would be the consequences of this decision for a widowed daughter-in-law?
7. Think of a situation in your life where you feel that “the Lord’s hand has turned against you” ? If able, share it with your group.
8. How do you deal with the idea that many faithful people have terrible challenges in life?
9. Are there people in your world you would like to impress with your faith walk? What does Naomi’s example (and that of Eric) teach you?
10. Think back to those lives of ordinary faithfulness you evoked earlier. How do their examples affect you?
PRAY
Lord, we want to be your faithful people both in fat and lean times. We want to be faithful to you whether we are surrounded by the like-minded or by enemies. We want to be faithful whether we are in happy homes or in homes that grieve. This is impossible for us alone. Take our hands, precious Lord and lead us both here and home..
SHARE & PRAY
- Share one thing for which you need prayer. (That area where you feel “the Lord’s hand has turned against you” would be perfect…)
- Take time to pray for one person at a time
- Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your time
- Listen to the Lord for guidance in how to pray for one another and then pray