If you're leading a small group along our series in Ruth, I've put some possible discussion questions in bold, below.
Someone once said, I want God to save me and to be with Him in heaven, but I don't want God to do anything wrong to get me there. He had a clearer view of himself, and how unfit he was for relationship with God, than m ost of us do. If we really are that bad (you are), how can God forgive us, remove our guilt, without being an unjust, or at least unforgivably lenient judge? Could there be anyone so bad or evil that God would not redeem them?
She's the lady Boaz wants, yet he won't do anything wrong to make her his. The scene at the city gate is carefully played so that all is done justly and above board, out in the open, no back-room deals. And, he's willing to do what another will not: pay the price to gain the her, even though it costs him. How does this compare to our salvation in Romans 3:23-26; 4:5; 5:6-10?
What about the other guy, Mr. No-name? What happens to him? Exactly! The one who would not preserve his relatives name among God's people--his own name is purposely not mentioned--in a story full of names! How does this compare to our participation in God's saving work? If that's true, how can I get started, where can I get started? I had better get started! To whom am I God's ambassador (2 Cor 5:12-21)? Compare Mr. Shoeless to Romans 10:15...
Before we rush on, scan back over the first couple of chapters. Find Naomi's prayer for God's blessing on Ruth in chapter 1 and Boaz's in chapter 2. Did either of them see how this was going to work out? I remember a line about shooting in a movie: aim small, hit small. Maybe in praying we should pray big, hit big? Yet, even when I pray small, maybe I don't even think God's really listening--God just might answer big! What does this tell us about God?
On more thought, if you've still got time. What's with the blessing like Rachael and Leah, like Perez born to Tamar? Had they read those stories? These are some of the classic dysfunctionalities in the Bible. "May your family be really messed up like these were!" What kind of blessing is that? Maybe it is the blessing of grace? Maybe even my family could be........great? Why do we so easily think God will do his work through someone else? Is this false humility or just a not knowing God's grace? Is our God to small, that he needs strong workers and competent helpers? Why do we pretend we have it more together than we do, and then stay back in the shadows so no one will see any different?
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Romans - Living in God's Great Work
The book of Roman's is perhaps the apostle's opus, Paul's great work about God's great work. God's great work through history is the restoration of humanity. Our series in the book of Romans will take us deeper into God's great work. As you follow the series, join the conversation by adding your comments below.
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2. Type you comments in the the Leave your Comment box.
3. Under "Choose an Identity" section underneath the comments box, select "Name/URL" and type in your name as you want it to appear after your comment.
4. Click the orange "publish your comment" button.
That's it, you're in and part of the conversation!
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