Sermon Cloud

Redeeming Value

What is this passage about? (1-4)

Why did the relative not redeem? (5-6)

There is a visual to remind the witnesses of the value (7-8)

What Boaz saw was love. (9-12)

Sermon Questions for Ruth 4:1-12

If you have feedback, please let David Fuquay know at dfuquay@jacksonvillechapel.org.  As a side note, its actually harder doing the questions for my own sermon than someone else’s.

SPECIFIC PRAYER  (suggestions)

            In the sermon, there was talk of those who do not feel valued, worth while, or even esteemed in any way.  Pray for those in our midst.  Pray for those who feel like something is wrong but it cannot be expressed.  Pray for those who need to know they are valuable. Pray also for someone to be a first responder in those people’s lives.  Pray someone will reach out and touch them in a loving way and share with them the ultimate act of love, sacrifice.

SCRIPTURE AND SHARING

Crawl:

Has there been a time in your life when you felt like you were in a depression, feeling like something was wrong, but could not explain it to someone else?  What triggered that time?  What helped you get out of this circumstance?

Everyone is talking about the economy and bailouts, and the horrible things going on in our society. How are you dealing with it?  How are your finances holding up?  Are you making it emotionally as well as financially?

Was there a time in your life where God’s will was so clear, you could not wait to accomplish it? (Men, think marriage)

Walk:

As a group, read Ruth 4:1-4

Why do you think it was so important for Boaz to do everything right in this process?  Do you think he was be completely honest we he suggested the relative buy the land?

Read Deut 25:5-10.  What was significant about someone’s name in Jewish society?  Why was this name shameful?

What are some ways people try to find significance, a sense of identity today?  In what ways are you known?  Where is your identity?  Do you agree that we all “crave to be known for something?”

Do you think being remembered or leaving a legacy, is a big deal today?  Do you think normal, everyday people worry about the legacy they leave?  Why or why not?

What is the significance of having 10 elders vs 2-3?  (the greater the number, the more witnesses to verify the transaction).  How does this relate to Jesus picking 12 (or 11) to be His first witnesses?

Do you understand the difference between redemption and a bailout? (redemption means someone has responsibility and ownership, lost it, and is getting back. Bailouts or loans or outsiders giving you something). Did God redeem us, or bail us out?

Read Ruth 5-8 as a group

Why do you think the relative changed his tune when he found out Ruth was connected to the land?  Is there more going on here than his excuse?  Why would he have NOT known about Ruth and Naomi, since they were the talk of the town?

Do you think it is fair to call the relative a “dead beat dad” because he would not redeem Ruth?  Were his concerns legitimate or overly cautious? (I think it is ironic that 3,000 plus years later, we remember Boaz and have no name for the relative)

What would you be willing to risk it all for (everything you have now)? (Matt 13:44-45)

The removing of the sandal was a visual to remind all that were present of the value of what was taking place.  In an oratory society, visuals or object lessons were key.  Thinking about our own society, do we need more visual reminders?  Why or why not? Why are some people hesitant to use object lessons for reminders?  What is the danger of using objects in linking value? (I am thinking here how the symbol sometimes suddenly becomes more important than what it originally stood for)

What is something we give each other as a symbol to show value?

Read Ruth 4:9-12 as a group

In what ways are you a witness? Matt 10:18 (Luke 21:13), Luke 24:48, Acts 1:8, 2:32, 22:15, 1 Cor 15:15, 1 Thess 2:10, 1 Timothy 5:19, and Hebrews 10:28, 12:1

In what sense are we spiritual debtors? (Psalm 116:12; Rom 1:14, 15:27; 1 Cor 4:7, 6:20; 2 Cor 8:9; Philemon 1:19; and 1 John 3:16)

Do you feel valuable?  Read the following verses and talk about your value and new identity in Christ.  Romans 5:8, Galatians 4:3-7, and 1 Peter 2:9-10

Do you recognize your own redemption? Matt 20:28, Mark 10:45, Rom 7:14, 1 Cor 6:19-20, 7:23)

Here are some other significant verses you could spend time reading and discussing.  Acts 20:28, Rom 3:25, 1 Cor. 7:22-24; 2 Cor. 5:14-17; Ephes. 1:7; Col. 1:14; 1 Tim. 2:6; Titus 2:14; Hebrews 9:12, 15; 1 Peter 1:18, 2:9; and 2 Peter 2:1

Run:

Has your life ever “fell apart” because of something you could not control, something or someone mistreated you or made you feel worthless?  Would you like to share with us and how can we help you today?

When learn something about each man’s priorities from this story. Where are your priorities? Do you have the right priorities from God’s view?  What would He say about them?  Does your money and time reflect the priorities you claim?

If there was one insight or thing that you need to change base upon this lesson, what would it be?

Key Words and Further Study:

redemption, a term associated in current English usage with a transaction involving the release of an item (or person) in exchange for some type of payment. This association is not at all foreign to biblical understandings of redemption. The contexts of usage in the Old Testament and the New Testament, however, add important dimensions that help in grasping the theological implications of the concept. (1)

Kinsman-Redeemer. Male relative who, according to various laws found in the Pentateuch, had the privilege or responsibility to act for a relative who was in trouble, danger, or need of vindication. (2)

SERVICE (fodder for ideas)

Think of ways we can show value to others who are not in our group.  Could we send them a letter?  Provide a meal? Who needs to be thanked, valued, or appreciated that we normally would take for granted?