Ruth: The Hidden Hand of God - A Survey of the Bible
Ruth: The Hidden hand of God
A Survey of the Bible
For a bulletin in PDF form click here.
Ruth Chart - Wilson
Context: Who, When, Where, and Why?
• Who composed Ruth?
• When did he write?
• Where were he and his audience?
• Why was he writing?
Content: How and What?
• How is Ruth organized?
• As Story:
• Prologue: In the Dark Days of the Judges (1:1-2)
• The Plan: From Moab to the Fields of Boaz (1:3-2:3)
• The Provisions: Gleaning in the Fields of Boaz a Near Relative (2:4-23)
• The Proposal: Ruth and Boaz on the Threshing Floor “at Night” (3:1-18)
• The Problem Solved: Boaz Redeems Ruth and Naomi (4:1-17)
• Epilogue: The Birth of the Future King—Light at the End of the Tunnel (4:18-22)
• As a Reversal Story (Chiastic Literary Masterpiece)
In the Dark Days of the Judges (1:1-2)
A. Naomi-Too Old to Conceive (1:3-22)
B. The Possible Redeemer is Introduced (2:1)
C. Ruth and Naomi Make a Plan (2:1)
D. Ruth And Boaz's Field (2:3)
E. Boaz Comes from Bethlehem (2:4)
F. Boaz Asks: "Whose Young Woman is that?" (2:5-7)
G. Ruth Becomes Part of the Boaz Clan (2:8-18)
• Ruth Brings One Ephah of Barley to Naomi (2:18)
H. Naomi Blesses Boaz (2:19)
I. Boaz The One Who is in Position to Redeem (2:20) I know the text is too small to read.
J. Ruth Joins Boaz's Workers (2:21-23) The point is the structure.
Turning Point-The Plan Laid By Naomi and Ruth (3:1-8)
J'. Ruth Identifies Herself as Boaz's Handmaid (3:9a)
I'. Ruth Challenges Boaz to Act as a Redeemer (3:9b)
H'. Boaz Blesses Ruth (3:10)
G'. Boaz Promises to Marry Ruth (3:11-15)
• Ruth Brings 6 Measures of Barley to Naomi (3:17)
F'. Naomi asks: "Who are You?" (3:16-18)
E'. Boaz Goes to Bethlehem (4:1)
D'. Ruth and a Field (4:2-12)
C'. Ruth and Naomi's Plan is Fulfilled, Marriage (4:13)
B'. The Redeemer was not Denied (4:14-16)
A'. A Son was Born to Naomi! (4:17)
With the Bright Future of David (4:18-22)
• What is the message of Ruth?
Conviction: So What?
• What should we believe?
• God’s sovereign hand is behind every event working to accomplish His purpose.
• God uses people of integrity and character to be a blessed part of His story.
• How should we behave?
• Live as men and women of hesed and virtue because this is not your story!
• Where does this fit?
• A demonstration of the hand of God moving toward a Monarchy ultimately led by the Son of God.
Next Steps
• Think about what it means to see your story as a part of God's bigger story rather than God being a part of your story.
• Consider how you can be a blessing to those around you.
This Week’s Growth Guide
God’s Word is both central and critical to your spiritual growth. We invite you to utilize the Growth Guide during the week to further your application of the Truth from the message.
•. Monday - Ruth 1
•. Tuesday - Ruth 2
•. Wednesday - Ruth 3
•. Thursday - Ruth 4
•. Friday - Philemon
Home Church
Our Home Churches meet weekly to facilitate quicker relational depth, study the same passage taught Sunday to help apply Scripture in the context of community, and pray with one another. Home Church helps our body seek God’s best for one another.
Home Church Questions
• Read Ruth 2:1-3:18.
• Was there anything new or insightful in this message?
• Was there anything you know you can or should immediately apply?
• What did you struggle with in this message? What did not make sense or cause you to evaluate your own life more deeply?
• How would your life personally, or the life of your family, be different if you fully live out the truths in this message?
• There are multiple purposes of this book. Which one resonates with you the most?
• Boaz and Ruth are excellent examples of “hesed”. What about their lives inspires you?
• Naomi is actually the topic of the book as you see her life turned around for the purposes of God. What can you identify with in Naomi? How does that encourage you?
• How have you seen your life being a part of what God is doing?
Finances
Weekly Budget 31,390
Giving For 01/15 28,609
Giving For 01/22 25,353
YTD Budget 941,692
YTD Giving 892,150
OVER/(UNDER) (49,542)
Get Connected in a Home Church
Fellowship’s desire is for everyone to be relationally connected. The primary way we do this is in Home Churches – small groups that meet in living rooms to apply God’s Word, pray, and to serve together.
Go to fellowshipconway.org/home church for more information.
New to Fellowship?
We are so glad that you joined the Fellowship Family to worship this morning. If you are joining us for the first time or have been checking us out for a few weeks, we are excited you are here and would love to meet you. Please fill out the “Connect Card” and bring it to the Connection Center in the Atrium, we would love to say “hi” and give you a gift.
Fellowship Equipping
• Tactics - Sundays, January 22 - February 26, 10:45 a.m. Room 2110
• The Gospel of Opportunity - Mondays, January 30 - March 20, 6:00 p.m. Room 2110
For more information and to register fellowshipconway.org/register
Josiah Venture Spring Conference virtual Yard sale
In 2023, Fellowship is taking a team to the Czech Republic (April 29 - May 9) to serve missionaries. Drop your items by the Fellowship Ministry Office during the week. For more information, scan the QR.
Fellowship Kids Baptism Class
February 5, 12, 26 and March 5 - 10:45 a.m. - Room 2202
Is your child asking questions, or have they decided to follow Christ? Join us for our baptism class. Contact Heather McKinney for more information at hmckinney@fellowshipconway.org.
Women’s Fellowship Spring Bible Study - led by Mindy Chouinard
Precept Study on Spiritual Gifts. Tuesdays, starting February 14 - May 16, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Child care by RSVP, text Shanna at 501-336-0332. Register at fellowshipconway.org/register.
Bethlehem House Soup-er Bowl Food Drive Sunday, February 12!
Let’s join together to help bless others through our Soup-er Bowl Sunday! Go to fellowshipconway.org/register for a list of items to help restock the pantry of Bethlehem House. Bring the items with you to church Sunday, February 12th.
Father-Daughter Dance February 18, 7-9:00 p.m. - Renewal Ranch
Dads, grab your dancing partner for “Boots and Bling”(5th-12th grade) and plan an evening featuring country line dancing, instructor-led. Register at fellowshipconway.org/register.
Men’s Muster
Guys, April 21-23 is the date for this year’s Men’s Muster, and the place is Shepherd of the Ozarks. More details to come!