Episode The Gospel of Ruth | Week 2
Ever think of Naomi as a courageous overcomer and Ruth as a gutsy risk-taker? Tune in and discover there’s more insight to glean from the story of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz than you might have thought.
Chapter 6
Sometimes loving God with all your heart, looks a lot like you’re “breaking the rules”! In this edition of Discover the Word, Mart DeHaan, Elisa Morgan, and special guest Carolyn Custis James gather around the table to continue a study of the life of Naomi, told in the Old Testament book of Ruth. Are there times when it seems like the letter of the law is in conflict with the spirit of the law?
Chapter 7
Many people view God’s law as a list of “dos and don’ts.” But the story of Ruth reveals a bigger perspective on God’s instructions. In this Discover the Word conversation, Mart DeHaan, Elisa Morgan, and special guest Carolyn Custis James discuss what Ruth teaches us about the spirit of God’s law. Is there a difference between being good . . . and being changed?
Chapter 8
In her season of pain, Naomi asked, “Where are you God? Why have you forsaken me?” And the way God answered was completely unexpected! Join the Discover the Word group as special guest Carolyn Custis James points out how Naomi heard from God . . . through her daughter-in-law Ruth.
Chapter 9
You can’t give what you don’t think you have. So how do we offer God’s love to others when we feel empty of it ourselves? Be part of the Discover the Word group as Mart DeHaan, Elisa Morgan, and special guest Carolyn Custis James discover how Naomi went from hollow emptiness to overflowing fullness!
Chapter 10
Traditionally, it’s the guy’s job to get down on one knee to ask for a woman’s hand in marriage. But in this Discover the Word conversation, Mart DeHaan, Elisa Morgan, and special guest Carolyn Custis James run into a surprising biblical scene with a woman proposing! And honestly, it looks a little, well, indiscrete. What’s that all about?
Chapter 11
Sometimes it can feel like we serve an unseen God. Yet if we were to look closer, we’d find that God is nearer than we think! His fingerprints are actually all over our lives! In this Discover the Word conversation, Mart DeHaan, Elisa Morgan, and special guest Carolyn Custis James discover in the story of Naomi and Ruth the visible fingerprints of God.
Chapter 12
We’re not in control of the hand we’ve been dealt. But we do have a choice in how we play the cards we have! Join the Discover the Word group as special guest Carolyn Custis James concludes a study of Naomi’s story in the Old Testament book of Ruth . . . with a biblical challenge. How does God want us to respond to the life He’s given us?
About This Episode
- Show Notes
Receive
When Naomi’s world fell apart, she may have felt that she had lost God’s “hesed,” or His sacrificial, costly, voluntary love. But God used Ruth and Boaz to show Naomi He had not abandoned her. Bolstered by God’s hesed love, Naomi can then pour out that love on Ruth, Boaz, and her grandson.
As we ponder the blessed alliance between Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz, we see how God provided and protected this humble family that was in the lineage of King David and His Son Jesus. We also get a beautiful picture of how God wants His daughters and sons to work together to build His kingdom on earth.
Reflect
- How did Ruth “break the rules” to show God’s hesed love to Naomi in Ruth 1:22–2:7?
- How did Boaz join Ruth in “breaking the rules” in Ruth 2:4–17? What do we learn about Boaz’ character and about the power of men and women working together to serve God?
- How can we see God’s fingerprints in Naomi’s life based on Ruth 1:6, Ruth 1:20 and Ruth 2:17–23?
- How do we see God at work in the lives of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz in Ruth 3:1–13?
- Based on Ruth 3:1, Ruth 3:5–13 and Ruth 4:13–22, how does Ruth’s story embolden you to step out, take responsibility for needs you see, and live more courageously for Jesus?
Respond
(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)
“Dear God, thank You that You are always at work in my life. Help me to look for Your fingerprints in every season of my life. Help me to live boldly for Jesus and to share Your hesed love with others.”
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This Week's Featured Resource
The Gospel of Ruth
The Gospel of Ruth: Loving God Enough to Break the Rules covers more than just the Ruth you thought you knew. This book, by Carolyn Custis James, includes startling new insights from a well-worn story that will help you discover life-changing implications for today.