Week 19 - The Old Testament
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Family Life - Small Group Warm Up Question:
What is the craziest food you have ever tried? Would you eat it again?
The Old Testament
Judges 18-21 ~ Ruth 1-4 ~ 1 Samuel 1-7
1. The book of Ruth has some amazing aspects of womanhood. What inspires you or stands out to you from the story of Ruth? Who are some women in your life in which you have seen similar characteristics?
2. In Ruth 1 we are introduced to Naomi who has lived in Moab for over a decade as a foreigner and is now grieving over the death of her husband and two sons. What challenges would come with living in a foreign country? What particular challenges do you think she face as a widow? In losing her two sons? Have you experienced similar challenges or grief? In those experiences, how did God provide for you? Grow you? Use you?
3. When Naomi returns home to Bethlehem, she refers to herself as “Mara” which means “Bitter” as she says “I went away full, and the LORD has brought me back empty” (Ruth 1:21). Is Naomi correct in blaming God for her loss? Why or why not? Is Naomi correct in remaining bitter? What are the dangers of bitterness? What are the roots of bitterness? How do we overcome bitterness?
4. We see God use Naomi to provide wisdom and counsel to Ruth towards her eventual marriage to Boaz, through which the Lord provides for the lineage of both King David and Jesus. Naomi’s friends refer to this blessing by crediting the Lord for providing a “redeemer” and as a “restorer of life” and “nourisher” (Ruth 4:14–15). Do you have a friend who is an encourager to you even in life’s most difficult times? How can we be better encouragers to help others see the Lord’s many blessings in the midst of our struggles and troubles?
5. Read Ruth 1:16. What do you think it took for Ruth to make such a statement and commitment? In Israel, Ruth gains a reputation as a “worthy woman” (Ruth 3:11). How can we aim to have such a “worthy” reputation among our community? How does our reputation reflect upon the name of Christ?
6. While the particular aspects of gleaning and redeeming in the book of Ruth may be strange to our culture today, what can we learn from them? Read Boaz’s statement in Ruth 2:8-13. How did the Lord “repay” and “reward” you abundantly when you have sought out the good of others? How does this encourage your faith? Why do you think the book of Ruth ends with a genealogy?
7. Read 1 Samuel 1:10. Does this summarize the pain of infertility? Why do you think God provides so many stories of infertility across the Bible? How have those stories ministered to you or your family?
8. What is your favorite part about Hannah’s song? (1 Samuel 2:1-10) Why?
9. How are Eli’s sons described? (1 Samuel 2:12-17) While Eli does rebuke his sons about their treatment of the Lord’s sacrifices and their sexual immorality (1 Samuel 2:22) it was too little and too late. God confronts Eli through a “man of God” (1 Samuel 2:27- 36) and Samuel (1 Samuel 3:10-14) because Eli has honored his sons above God by not restraining them from their evil choices. Why is godly parenting so difficult? Why is godly parenting so important? How do you see people honoring their children above God today?
10. Both Eglon (Judges 3:17,22) and Eli (1 Samuel 4:18) are referred to as overweight in the midst of their deaths. Why is maintaining a healthy weight often so difficult? Why is it important?
11. What stands out to you from the Philistines’ suffering during their possession of the Ark of the Covenant (1 Samuel 5 & 6)? What does their experience remind us about God?
General Discussion Questions
• What did you learn about humanity or yourself in the readings this week? About your identity, character or purpose as a Christ-follower?
Application Questions:How do you need to respond to and apply these truths to your life? (Is there a sin to avoid? A command to obey? An example to follow? A prayer to offer? A truth to remember or memorize? An attitude to change? A teaching to share?)