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Week of July 7, 2024

Introduction:

Ruth makes a choice to follow Naomi into an unknown future, but in the confidence that God will provide: Your God will be my God, you people, my people. Ruth marries Boaz who will be the great grandfather of King David

Scripture:

Exodus 14:1-4, 19-31

1Then the LORD said to Moses: 2Tell the Israelites to turn back and camp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall camp opposite it, by the sea. 3Pharaoh will say of the Israelites, 'They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has closed in on them.' 4I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them, so that I will gain glory for myself over Pharaoh and all his army; and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD. And they did so.

5When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, the minds of Pharaoh and his officials were changed toward the people, and they said, "What have we done, letting Israel leave our service?" 6So he had his chariot made ready, and took his army with him; 7he took six hundred picked chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them. 8The LORD hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt and he pursued the Israelites, who were going out boldly. 9The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh's horses and chariots, his chariot drivers and his army; they overtook them camped by the sea, by Pi- hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.

10As Pharaoh drew near, the Israelites looked back, and there were the Egyptians advancing on them. In great fear the Israelites cried out to the LORD. 11They said to Moses, "Was it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us, bringing us out of Egypt? 12Is this not the very thing we told you in Egypt, 'Let us alone and let us serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness." 13But Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the LORD will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again. 14The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to keep still."

15Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward. 16But you lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the Israelites may go into the sea on dry ground. 17Then I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they will go in after them; and so I will gain glory for myself over Pharaoh and all his army, his chariots, and his chariot drivers. 18And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gained glory for myself over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his chariot drivers."

19The angel of God who was going before the Israelite army moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from in front of them and took its place behind them. 20It came between the army of Egypt and the army of Israel. And so the cloud was there with the darkness, and it lit up the night; one did not come near the other all night.

21Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. The LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night, and turned the sea into dry land; and the waters were divided. 22The Israelites went into the sea on dry ground, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left. 23The Egyptians pursued, and went into the sea after them, all of Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and chariot drivers. 24At the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and cloud looked down upon the Egyptian army, and threw the Egyptian army into panic. 25He clogged their chariot wheels so that they turned with difficulty. The Egyptians said, "Let us flee from the Israelites, for the LORD is fighting for them against Egypt."

26Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, so that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots and chariot drivers." 27So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and at dawn the sea returned to its normal depth. As the Egyptians fled before it, the LORD tossed the Egyptians into the sea. 28The waters returned and covered the chariots and the chariot drivers, the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea; not one of them remained. 29But the Israelites walked on dry ground through the sea, the waters forming a wall for them on their right and on their left.

30Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31Israel saw the great work that the LORD did against the Egyptians. So the people feared the LORD and believed in the LORD and in his servant Moses.

Questions for Reflection

1. What was it like meeting the first time the parents/family of your spouse OR of a close friend? What was unexpected?

2. At the time of Ruth, how was it vulnerable for a women to lose a husband? Why does Naomi go back to Bethlehem? What does she hope for?

3. Why does Orpah stay in Moab? What was her economic interest or safety in doing so?

4. Why do you think Ruth went with Naomi? What was her inner motivation? What might have been the greater risk in staying in Moab?

5. How much is Ruth willing to give up in vs 16-17? How much of culture? Of religion? Of family?

6. What do you recall of the rest of the story? What happens to Ruth? Who is Boaz?

7. The story of God works its way through these very narrow or very contingent events. Ruth, a foreigner, becomes great grandmother of King David. What does this say of how God works in the world? Are you surprised?

8. The Holmes/Raha stress scale measures situational stress. How stressed would Naomi &

Ruth be? How do Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah cope with stress and loss?

9. How do you cope with stress and loss?

10. Like Ruth, have ever had to cross over to another ethic or cultural group? Were you able to assimilate? Or did you remain an outsider? What was that like?

11. What would it be like to change to another church? How comfortable would you be? In turn, How is it for someone to come to FLC the first time? What makes for something comfortable or less so?

12. Who is like Ruth for you? Loyal in a time of loss or emptiness? What does it mean to be like Ruth for someone else?

Discover More about the Message

Reflect on the message you heard in person or on-line. You can listen to the message online here.

https://firstlutherancr.org/resources/sermons

1. What is something you heard that was interesting or engaging?
   
2. Is there anything that raised a question or needed more explanation?
   
3. What is one thing you take with you? It may be something to do, something to trust, or a wisdom of insight to have.
   

Together with God in Prayer

OPTION 1: ONE WORD. Take time to reflect about your day, your concerns, and how God may be speaking to you. As you reflect about your day, what is one word that summarizes how you are feeling? What might God be saying to you in this word?

OPTION 2: Reflect on the past 24 hours

• Step 1: Ask God to calm your self and help you see your life from God’s perspective.
• Step 2: Review the last 24 hours. What happened? What stands out? What captures your attention? What is a High and Low of this time? When did you experience God’s presence? When did you feel apart or distant from God?
  
• Step 3: Give your day to God your day. Ask for forgiveness where needed. Give thanks.
  
• Step 4: Look forward. How might you be more loving this day? What is God calling you to do?
  

Prayer

Who or What can you pray for today?

Close in the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

Five Minutes with God

INTRODUCTION: The story of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz is touching in the devotion and care each has for the others. What we may not realize is that Ruth is an outsider, a foreigner with a different faith and culture than Naomi and Boaz. Ruth didn’t belong. Or did she? Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz show us what can happen when we see others with eyes of kindness and compassion rather than contempt and judgment: the blessings of new beginnings, belonging, and family. Even more, Ruth, the “outsider,” is not only embraced by the family of Naomi and Boaz, but the family of God’s people. In fact, her great-grandson is King David, and even more significant, she is a foremother of Jesus, born centuries later. (Matthew 1:5)  

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: Who is your outsider, your “foreigner” of a different faith or culture? Is your “foreigner” someone who votes differently than you? Or perhaps someone who just rubs you the wrong way? This week see your “foreigner” with eyes of kindness and compassion rather than contempt and judgment. Practice seeing the person behind the differences. Practice seeing the person as someone God created and breathed the breath of life into.

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Together in Community

Check in with one another. 

If there are 6 or more in the group, then share high’s and low’s in small groups of 2 or 3.

• If there is a new person, welcome them and introduce group members.
• (High) Share something good or eventful that you give thanks and praise for?

Open in Prayer

We thank you God for bringing us together. We give thanks and praise for the good gifts you have given us. For the concerns and challenges we experience, help us to give them to you in the confidence of your loving care for us. In our sharing and listening, open us to your presence. Amen. 

5 Minutes with God—Spiritual Practice

(Optional)

INTRODUCTION: The story of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz is touching in the devotion and care each has for the others. What we may not realize is that Ruth is an outsider, a foreigner with a different faith and culture than Naomi and Boaz. Ruth didn’t belong. Or did she? Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz show us what can happen when we see others with eyes of kindness and compassion rather than contempt and judgment: the blessings of new beginnings, belonging, and family. Even more, Ruth, the “outsider,” is not only embraced by the family of Naomi and Boaz, but the family of God’s people. In fact, her great-grandson is King David, and even more significant, she is a foremother of Jesus, born centuries later. (Matthew 1:5)

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: Who is your outsider, your “foreigner” of a different faith or culture? Is your “foreigner” someone who votes differently than you? Or perhaps someone who just rubs you the wrong way? This week see your “foreigner” with eyes of kindness and compassion rather than contempt and judgment. Practice seeing the person behind the differences. Practice seeing the person as someone God created and breathed the breath of life into.

Introduction: 

Ruth makes a choice to follow Naomi into an unknown future, but in the confidence that God will provide: Your God will be my God, you people, my people. Ruth marries Boaz who will be the great grandfather of King David

Scripture:  

Ruth 1:11-18

1In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to live in the country of Moab, he and his wife and two sons. 2The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion; they were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there3But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. When they had lived there about ten years, 5both Mahlon and Chilion also died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.

6Then she started to return with her daughters-in-law from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the LORD had considered his people and given them food. 7So she set out from the place where she had been living, she and her two daughters-in- law, and they went on their way to go back to the land of Judah. 8But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go back each of you to your mother's house. May the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 9The LORD grant that you may find security, each of you in the house of your husband." Then she kissed them, and they wept aloud. 10They said to her, "No, we will return with you to your people." 11But Naomi said, "Turn back, my daughters, why will you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? 12Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me, even if I should have a husband tonight and bear sons, 13would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, it has been far more bitter for me than for you, because the hand of the LORD has turned against me." 14Then they wept aloud again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

15So she said, "See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law." 16But Ruth said,

 "Do not press me to leave you

or to turn back from following you!

Where you go, I will go;

where you lodge, I will lodge,

your people shall be my people,

and your God my God.

17Where you die, I will die —

there will I be buried.

May the LORD do thus and so to me,

and more as well,

if even death parts me from you!"

18When Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.

Questions:

Opening Discovery

1. What was it like meeting the first time the parents/family of your spouse OR of a close friend? What was unexpected? 

Discover More

1. At the time of Ruth, how was it vulnerable for a women to lose a husband? Why does Naomi go back to Bethlehem? What does she hope for?

2. Why does Orpah stay in Moab? What was her economic interest or safety in doing so?

3. Why do you think Ruth went with Naomi? What was her inner motivation? What might have been the greater risk in staying in Moab?

4. How much is Ruth willing to give up in vs 16-17? How much of culture? Of religion? Of family?

5. What do you recall of the rest of the story? What happens to Ruth? Who is Boaz?

6. The story of God works its way through these very narrow or very contingent events. Ruth, a foreigner, becomes great grandmother of King David. What does this say of how God works in the world? Are you surprised?

Discover More Together

1. The Holmes/Raha stress scale measures situational stress. How stressed would Naomi &

Ruth be? How do Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah cope with stress and loss?

2. How do you cope with stress and loss?

3. Like Ruth, have ever had to cross over to another ethic or cultural group? Were you able to assimilate? Or did you remain an outsider? What was that like?

4. What would it be like to change to another church? How comfortable would you be? In turn, How is it for someone to come to FLC the first time? What makes for something comfortable or less so?

5. Who is like Ruth for you? Loyal in a time of loss or emptiness? What does it mean to be like Ruth for someone else?

Together in Prayer

1. As you look to the coming week, what is one word that summarizes how you are feeling.

2. Do you have any prayer concern that you would like to share? What is it?

Closing Prayer

Pray for the concerns shared in the group. Close in the Lord’s Prayer.

You may also use this prayer.

O God, we thank you for this time we have shared. We bring before you the joys and concerns of our heart. We pray especially for….. Grant us your healing and peace, in Jesus name. Amen.

Lord’s Prayer

Lord remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

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Together in Community

• If there is a new person, welcome them and introduce group members.

Turning Points in the Bible

Week of June 23, 2024

Open in Prayer

We thank you God for bringing us together. We give thanks and praise for the good gifts you have given us. For the concerns and challenges we experience, help us to give them to you in the confidence of your loving care for us. In our sharing and listening, open us to your presence.

Introduction: 

Ruth makes a choice to follow Naomi into an unknown future, but in the confidence that God will provide: Your God will be my God, you people, my people. Ruth marries Boaz who will be the great grandfather of King David

Scripture: 

Ruth 1:11-18

1In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land, and a certain man of Bethlehem in Judah went to live in the country of Moab, he and his wife and two sons. 2The name of the man was Elimelech and the name of his wife Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion; they were Ephrathites from Bethlehem in Judah. They went into the country of Moab and remained there3But Elimelech, the husband of Naomi, died, and she was left with her two sons. 4These took Moabite wives; the name of the one was Orpah and the name of the other Ruth. When they had lived there about ten years, 5both Mahlon and Chilion also died, so that the woman was left without her two sons and her husband.

6Then she started to return with her daughters-in-law from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the country of Moab that the LORD had considered his people and given them food. 7So she set out from the place where she had been living, she and her two daughters-in- law, and they went on their way to go back to the land of Judah. 8But Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, "Go back each of you to your mother's house. May the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead and with me. 9The LORD grant that you may find security, each of you in the house of your husband." Then she kissed them, and they wept aloud. 10They said to her, "No, we will return with you to your people." 11But Naomi said, "Turn back, my daughters, why will you go with me? Do I still have sons in my womb that they may become your husbands? 12Turn back, my daughters, go your way, for I am too old to have a husband. Even if I thought there was hope for me, even if I should have a husband tonight and bear sons, 13would you then wait until they were grown? Would you then refrain from marrying? No, my daughters, it has been far more bitter for me than for you, because the hand of the LORD has turned against me." 14Then they wept aloud again. Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth clung to her.

15So she said, "See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law." 16But Ruth said,

 "Do not press me to leave you

or to turn back from following you!

Where you go, I will go;

where you lodge, I will lodge,

your people shall be my people,

and your God my God.

17Where you die, I will die —

there will I be buried.

May the LORD do thus and so to me,

and more as well,

if even death parts me from you!"

18When Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more to her.

Question—Choose 1 (If there are 6 or more in the group, breakout in groups of 2 or 3.)

1. What was it like meeting the first time the parents/family of your spouse OR of a close friend? What was unexpected?

2. At the time of Ruth, how was it vulnerable for a women to lose a husband? Why does Naomi go back to Bethlehem? What does she hope for?

3. Why does Orpah stay in Moab? What was her economic interest or safety in doing so?

4. Why do you think Ruth went with Naomi? What was her inner motivation? What might have been the greater risk in staying in Moab?

5. How much is Ruth willing to give up in vs 16-17? How much of culture? Of religion? Of family?

6. What do you recall of the rest of the story? What happens to Ruth? Who is Boaz?

7. The story of God works its way through these very narrow or very contingent events. Ruth, a foreigner, becomes great grandmother of King David. What does this say of how God works in the world? Are you surprised?

8. The Holmes/Raha stress scale measures situational stress. How stressed would Naomi &

9. Ruth be? How do Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah cope with stress and loss?

10. How do you cope with stress and loss?

11. Like Ruth, have ever had to cross over to another ethic or cultural group? Were you able to assimilate? Or did you remain an outsider? What was that like?

12. What would it be like to change to another church? How comfortable would you be? In turn, How is it for someone to come to FLC the first time? What makes for something comfortable or less so?

13. Who is like Ruth for you? Loyal in a time of loss or emptiness? What does it mean to be like Ruth for someone else?

Together in Prayer

Connect with one another before prayer. Choose one of these options.

Option 1: One word—As you reflect about your day, what is one word that summarizes how you are feeling.

Option 2—Share High’s and Low’s

(If there are 6 or more in the group, then share high’s and low’s in small groups of 2 or 3.)

Prayer—We thank you God for bringing us together. We give thanks and praise for the good gifts you have given us. For the concerns and challenges we experience, help us to give them to you in the confidence of your loving care for us. In our sharing and listening, open us to your presence. Amen.

Lord’s Prayer—Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

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FIVE MINUTES WITH GOD

INTRODUCTION : The story of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz is touching in the devotion and care each has for the others. What we may not realize is that Ruth is an outsider, a foreigner with a different faith and culture than Naomi and Boaz. Ruth didn’t belong. Or did she? Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz show us what can happen when we see others with eyes of kindness and compassion rather than contempt and judgment: the blessings of new beginnings, belonging, and family. Even more, Ruth, the “outsider,” is not only embraced by the family of Naomi and Boaz, but the family of God’s people. In fact, her great-grandson is King David, and even more significant, she is a foremother of Jesus, born centuries later. (Matthew 1:5)

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE: Who is your outsider, your “foreigner” of a different faith or culture? Is your “foreigner” someone who votes differently than you? Or perhaps someone who just rubs you the wrong way? This week see your “foreigner” with eyes of kindness and compassion rather than contempt and judgment. Practice seeing the person behind the differences. Practice seeing the person as someone God created and breathed the breath of life into.