Digging Deeper Study January 2021

DIGGING DEEPER STUDY JANUARY 2021 For everything that was wri en in the past was WRITTEN TO TEACH US, so that through the ENDURANCE taught in the SCRIPTURES and the ENCOURAGEMENT they provide we might have HOPE. Romans 15:4 (NIV)

As disciples of Jesus, God’s Word is central for teaching us how to live by faith both through the good as well as the difﬁ cult times. We are reminded in Scripture of God-stories that reveal the Creator’s faithfulness in seemingly impossible situations. While people and circumstances and history continually changed, God’s promises and presence have always remained constant.

In the ﬁ rst two weeks of 2021, Pastor Gus taught how our faith’s foundation is based on One Scripture, One Story, One Savior.

We discovered what is in the Bible, how it was protected and advanced over the centuries, and ultimately how God’s Word is a light for our everyday path.

Join us as we continue this journey through Scripture. As we will discover, no matter what century in history, including our present day—the odds are never too high for God. However discouraging our present situation may look, we will learn that God’s promises and presence continue to shine through. As followers of Jesus, let’s learn together how to— PUT FAITH INTO ACTION, WORDS INTO PRACTICE, AND LOVE INTO SERVICE. HOW TO USE THIS STUDY PRAY WRITE Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of My heart overﬂ ows with a good theme; I address my your miracle-wonders. Psalm 119:18 (The Message) verses to the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. Psalm 45:1 (NASB) When you open up your Bible, you are not reading alone, even if you are the only person in the room! The Holy Use this guide to write down thoughts, concerns, prayers, Spirit is with you and always faithful to teach each of us. and next steps. The Scriptures teach us that we always Before you read the Bible verses, pause, and pray! Thank want to be doers of the word, not just listeners. Look for the Holy Spirit for being with you and illuminating your practical ways to share God’s love with others. Let’s be heart with God’s Word. light to the world through our actions. LISTEN LOVE Come, children, listen closely; I’ll give you a lesson in “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I God worship. Psalm 34:11 (The Message) have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you Often when we read the Bible, we can easily get lost as love one another.” John 13:34-35 (NIV) our mind wanders. It’s totally normal for our minds to drift! Instead of getting frustrated, use those thoughts Reach out to someone and encourage them from what to direct you towards listening to the Holy Spirit. Those God teaches you through your time in prayer and the are often the people and circumstances we need to pay Scriptures. Serve in every practical way possible so that attention to the most! others can experience the love of Christ. INTRODUCTION Against All Odds launched 2021 with a focus on our primary source for wisdom, counsel, and life application— God’s Word. From Old Testament to New Testament we are a people under One Scripture, One PEOPLE OF Story, and One Savior.

THE BOOK Pastor Gus reminds us of the amazing way the Holy Spirit watched over, guarded, and advanced God’s Word from one generation to the next. For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, WE LEARNED THE BIBLE... it penetrates even to dividing > Is the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21). soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the > Was written in three languages: Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek. thoughts and attitudes > Totals 66 books: 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the of the heart. New Testament. Hebrews 4:12, NIV > Was authored by kings, prophets, leaders, and followers of Jesus

> The ﬁ rst completed book printed on the printing press in 1455. > Was assembled from over 5,600 New Testament Greek manuscripts that still exist today. ADDITIONAL > Conﬁ rmed in it’s reliability in a discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls RESOURCES showing very little variants. FOR READING > Was translated into 7 languages by AD500, over 2,462 languages GOD’S WORD: by 2006.

How to Read the Bible as Literature by Leland Ryken JESUS TAUGHT HIS DISCIPLES THAT HE IS THE LIVING WORD: The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God “The Word became ﬂ esh and made his dwelling among us. We have and His People seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the by Max Lucado & Randy Frazee Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14, NIV) The Invitation by Eugene H. Peterson Eat This Book JESUS WAS THE FULFILLMENT OF ALL THE by Eugene H. Peterson, STORIES TOLD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:

What the Bible Is All About NIV: “Don’t suppose for a minute that I have come to demolish the Bible Handbook Scriptures—either God’s Law or the Prophets. I’m not here to demolish by Henrietta C. Mears but to complete. I am going to put it all together, pull it all together in God’s Story in 66 Verses: a vast panorama. God’s Law is more real and lasting than the stars in Understand the Entire the sky and the ground at your feet. Long after stars burn out and earth Bible by Focusing on Just One wears out, God’s Law will be alive and working.” (Matthew 5:17-18, The Verse in Each Book Message) by Stan Guthrie Northlanders— Let us continue to be a people of the Book, God’s Word. The Bible Jesus Read Remember that it is alive and active and ready to transform us more by Philip Yancey and more into the image of Jesus. All Scripture is GODBREATHED and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

To view the study guides on the introductory weeks of this series and the sermons they correlate with, visit NORTHLANDCHURCH.NET/DIGGINGDEEPER. JANUARY 16-17 WHAT DOES IT SAY NOAH Before you read today’s Scripture, ask the Holy Spirit to open up your mind PART 1 and heart to hear how the story of Noah is meant for you right now as you read the ﬁ rst part of Noah’s story in Genesis 5:1-2 and 6:5-22, highlight words Genesis 5-9 and phrases that jump out at you. Lastly, answer and reﬂ ect on the following questions that connect the story of Noah to your story today. When you see a rainbow in the sky, what comes to your According to Genesis 5:1-2, how did God create male and female? What does this say about our identity as people? mind? For many of us, that spectrum of light takes us ______to the story of Noah. We remember the promise of ______God’s words always to love and care for His children. ______

As you read and reﬂ ect these After God created man, what did God do to them? What does this say about next two weeks on the life of God’s heart toward what He created? Noah, pay careful attention to ______how God shows up. Look for the ways that Noah remained ______obedient against all the odds and voices of those who ______opposed him. Consider ways that we, as disciples of Jesus, When you look back at Genesis 6:5-22, list several things that had happened can walk in obedience to over time with those God had blessed? God’s commands and help ______others do the same.

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What was God’s response to all that He created?

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How is Noah described in these verses? What stands out to you about the description of his character and actions? What was God’s response to Noah’s life?

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______Noah wasn’t perfect, but he was described as being WHAT DOES IT MEAN righteous. Instead of walking away from God’s instruction, Noah was obedient and did everything God commanded him. The Scriptures describe God having grief and pain over what people were doing, the very people God had blessed. Some people view God as distant, distracted, ______and disinterested in what He created. How do these deep reactions from God paint a different picture? ______Describe a speciﬁ c way that the enemy is tempting you to ignore God’s instruction for your life today. How have you ______allowed that sin to become a roadblock in obeying Christ? In addition to these Scriptures helping us understand what God detests, we also get a clear picture of what ______God desires. Based on what you read, describe what God noticed in Noah. ______God’s great love for us is held together by His covenant and promise always to watch over and shepherd us. God is the Why do you think this caught God’s attention? initiator and pursues us with great interest and care.

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According to Genesis 6:18, what action does God initiate Who has the Holy Spirit placed in your life that can help with Noah? Why would that have been so important for you walk a path of obedience this year? Write their name Noah as he built the ark? down and share with them what you are learning and processing from this week’s study. Ask if they will pray with ______you and help you turn away from sin and walk a path of righteousness.

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WHAT DOES IT MEAN AS A PRAYER DISCIPLE TODAY God, You have gone through such great lengths, truly In what ways do you see wickedness today pulling us away against all human odds, to show us Your amazing love. from focusing on God? Jesus, by Your grace, You paid the ultimate price of death on a cross to display Your passion for us. Holy Spirit, would You help me today to remember the everlasting ______promise of Your love for me. Would the covenant You made with us, Your people, motivate me to walk in ______obedience today as a disciple of Jesus. Help me walk in righteousness and walk alongside those around me to do the same. In Jesus’ name, Amen. JANUARY 23-24 WHAT DOES IT SAY NOAH Once again, pause before reading today’s Scriptures and ask the Holy Spirit to PART 2 help you hear what you need to hear today. This prayer does not need to be long and fancy. Simply ask for God’s Spirit to teach you in this moment. Genesis 5-9 Take the time to read Genesis chapters 7 and 8. As you do, note the amazing details of the story and highlight key parts of the story that jump out to you. Last week we began to What did the Lord command Noah to do, and what was Noah’s response? journey through the life of Noah. The fl ood of ______wickedness was over all the earth, and soon a fl ood of ______water would rush over all of creation. In the midst of ______God’s grief and pain over humanity’s sinful ways, Noah What did God do to bring so much water to the earth? How many days does it say stood out as a person who the rain fell on the earth? How many total days was the earth fl ooded? was choosing to walk in ______obedience.

______As we will soon discover, much was stacked against ______Noah. As the fi rst recorded shipbuilder, imagine the Genesis 8:1 starts with an incredible statement. What does the fi rst part of that blueprints that had to be verse say, and how does it connect to last week’s theme of God’s promise? drawn up! Think about all the ______resources needed to make the ark, a boat that spanned ______the size of one and a half football fi elds! As you pay ______attention to this story, watch how Noah responds and what How did Noah know that the water had receded from the earth? he does. Even more-so, see ______how God shows up and holds His promise. ______

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When Noah and his family exited the boat, what did he do? What was God’s response?

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______As a disciple of Jesus, what does it look like for you to WHAT DOES IT MEAN choose following God’s commands at home? At school or work? In our community? In these chapters, the amount of interaction and intimacy between God and Noah is truly extraordinary. What words did you highlight or note that showed God’s ______interest for Noah? ______

There’s no better way to close this week’s study than ______with the incredible promise that God made to Noah in Genesis 9:8-17. Read these verses carefully and consider In spite of God’s grief and pain over all the wickedness He the following: observed, what does it say about God’s request for Noah to collect all the animals? ______

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Based on the promise that God made with Noah, all creation, ______and including us today— What should our response be to the beauty of God’s declaration in these verses? From the beginning of time, humans have wondered about God’s nature and character and asked the question: Who is God? The Scriptures are one of our primary sources for ______knowing the answer to this important question. ______

Spend some time writing down all the ways that God ______continues to uphold His promises. Think of ways that you see God’s continual provision today in your own life. Reﬂ ect What do the verses in chapter 8:21-22 reveal about on that list and spend time praying and thanking God for God’s character? His love shown through those unique ways.

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From Noah’s story, how would you summarize God’s feelings toward sin and wickedness? How would you PRAYER summarize God’s love for His people? God, Your promises to us are beyond what we can truly measure or comprehend. Your goodness and consistent ______grace to us is more than we could ever possibly repay. Thank You, Jesus, that you eternally hold these promises to us and that your selﬂ ess love watches over all creation, ______day and night. Holy Spirit, help me never forget Your provision for me and help me this week to worship You as WHAT DOES IT MEAN AS A the one who holds all things together. DISCIPLE TODAY In Jesus’ name, Amen.

In our world today, in what ways do you see wickedness pulling us away from focusing on God’s call toward righteousness and obedience?

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______God said- "When the rainbow appears in the cloud, I'll see it and remember the ETERNAL COVENANT ars in the between God and everything living, mber the every last living NANT creature on earth." Genesis 9:16(NIV) ing living, e on Earth.” JANUARY 30-31 WHAT DOES IT SAY ABRAHAM Take time to ask the Holy Spirit to open up God’s Word and do the powerful work of transforming your life today. Ask that you would be courageous in & SARAH hearing what God is asking of you as a disciple of Jesus in the relationships PART 1 around you. Read Genesis 12 and note what God does as well as what Abraham does. In Genesis 12 these verses, Abraham is referred to as Abram, and Sarah is Sarai. Only later does God change Abram’s name to Abraham and Sarai’s name to Sarah, which The story of Abraham and you will discover next week. Sarah is fi lled with great What gigantic step of faith was God asking Abram to take? odds stacked against them. As you will discover, God ______made an incredible promise to Abraham as well as a ______humanly impossible promise What was Abram going to receive, and what was he to be to the world? to Sarah. Just as God was faithful in our previous story ______of Noah, you will learn more about the extraordinary ways ______that God shows His love to As Abram set off to travel, he embraced what God had promised to him. God His people. continued to appear to Abram and reaffi rm His covenant. While following God’s command to leave his home country of Ur, Abram faltered. There is more to the story When entering Egypt, how did Abram react toward the power of Egypt and of Abraham and Sarah than Pharaoh? we can cover in two weeks, but these two studies will ______give you a snapshot of an unshakable truth: Nothing ______can ever stack against God. Out of fear, what did Abram ask his wife Sarai to do? In spite of our failings and struggles, our Creator always ______fulfi lls His promise to us. ______

What was the result of Abram lying to Pharaoh?

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______WHAT DOES IT MEAN How we view God greatly impacts the way we live our God’s plan to make a great nation through Abram began a everyday lives. As a follower of Jesus, in what practical lifelong journey of tests and challenges. ways would your speech, attitudes, and actions change, believing that the full promises of God are real today? God blessed Abram to be a blessing to others. What does ______that command to Abram teach us about God’s character?

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What is one way you are allowing fear to trust your ______solutions rather than trusting in God’s promises for you? When God called Abram out of his home country of Ur to travel to Canaan, a bigger theme undergirds this story. ______What was God ultimately calling Abram away from and asking him to follow? ______How is that fear and your reaction to that fear affecting your relationship with God? With others? ______Often, it is easy for Christians to think of the Bible full of perfect characters in idealized stories. What does Abram’s failure in lying to Pharaoh teach us about our humanity? ______

Confess that fear and your reactions to that fear to God. ______He knows your heart and knows your struggle. Be honest and ask the Holy Spirit to replace that fear with a spirit of ______courage and obedience to trust in God rather than your power. Think about what Abram and Sarai must have been feeling. Write down the rollercoaster of human emotions you imagine they felt from the story in Genesis 12. Prayer

God, you blessed Abram and called him to be a blessing ______to others. You called him and Sarai to a new place where your promise would be fulﬁ lled. Thank you for showing ______your great love through this story, and thank you for the call to me today to live my life as a blessing to others around me. Jesus, you are the reason we can have a WHAT DOES IT MEAN AS A personal relationship with our Creator. You’re the reason DISCIPLE TODAY we are blessed beyond measure. Holy Spirit, as I live a life of worship and obedience to you, help me always to pay So far in this study, we have learned of a promise God attention, and serve those around me. made to Noah as well as to Abram. How do these two In Jesus’ name, Amen. stories shape the way you understand what God desires from us?

______FEBRUARY 6-7 WHAT DOES IT SAY ABRAHAM As you turn to Genesis 17, take a moment to thank God for the provision of His Word. Thank the Holy Spirit that the Scriptures are “alive and active” & SARAH and always ready to do heart-work, just as it says in Hebrews 4:12. Before answering this week’s questions, read Genesis chapter 17 as well as chapter PART 2 18:1-15. Make a list of what jumps out at you from these verses. Genesis 17 What are the ﬁ rst words that God speaks to Abram, and why do you think God would use those words ﬁ rst, and how did Abram physically react to those words? As we are learning, God’s promises and blessings ______are established on His faithful character. Through ______stories like Noah, Abraham, and Sarah, we see how This is the third time that God emphasizes His covenant with Abraham (previously stated in Genesis 12 and 15). What were the key points God said to Abraham? they listened, obeyed, and trusted in God. We also see ______their fears, struggles, and moments where they lapsed ______in judgment yet still held onto God’s promise. How did Abraham react similarly and yet quite different to God’s news about the news that Sarah would have a son?

The Bible is ﬁ lled with ______stories of ordinary people who trusted in the ______extraordinary God from cover to cover. Even as they Abraham and Sarah reacted the same when hearing the news that she would have a son. According to the Scriptures, how were the odds stacked against sometimes stumbled, the Sarah having a child? Creator showed great love, compassion, and grace. As ______we will continue to discover, God’s power breaks through ______no matter the human odds. ______How we view God greatly impacts the way we live our WHAT DOES IT MEAN everyday lives. As a follower of Jesus, in what practical ways would your speech, attitudes, and actions change, While the challenges faced by Abraham and Sarah believing that the full promises of God are real today? seemed insurmountable, clearly nothing is impossible with God. ______

Abrahams ﬁ rst reaction to God’s statement, “I am God ______almighty,” was to fall facedown. Why does the holiness, beauty, and grandeur of God evoke worship from us? What is one way you are allowing fear to trust your solutions rather than trusting in God’s promises for you? ______What words does God use in reemphasizing His covenant with Abraham to declare His promise for all time and all How is that fear and your reaction to that fear affecting God’s people? your relationship with God? With others?

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What does it say about God that He chose to make Confess that fear and your reactions to that fear to God. Abraham a father of many nations with Sarah, who could He knows your heart and knows your struggle. Be honest not bear children? and ask the Holy Spirit to replace that fear with a spirit of courage and obedience to trust in God rather than your power. ______

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The verses you read today are fi lled with complex God, you blessed Abram and called him to be a blessing emotional responses. There is a very human side to the to others. You called him and Sarai to a new place where reactions from both Abraham and Sarah to God’s news. your promise would be fulfi lled. Thank you for showing How is their story a foreshadowing and fulfi llment of what your great love through this story, and thank you for the would take place with Jesus in the future? call to me today to live my life as a blessing to others around me. Jesus, you are the reason we can have a ______personal relationship with our Creator. You’re the reason we are blessed beyond measure. Holy Spirit, as I live a life ______of worship and obedience to you, help me always to pay attention, and serve those around me. In Jesus’ name, Amen. WHAT DOES IT MEAN AS A DISCIPLE TODAY

So far in this study, we have learned of a promise God made to Noah as well as to Abram. How do these two stories shape the way you understand what God desires from us? ______

______“I will make you into a great reat nation, nation,and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. reat, I will bless those who bless g. you, and whoever curses ss you, you I will curse; and ALL PEOPLES ON EARTH ill curse; WILL BE BLESSED THROUGH ARTH YOU.” GENESIS 12:2-3 HROUGH YOU.” FEBRUARY 13-14 WHAT DOES IT SAY RUTH As you turn to Genesis 17, take a moment to thank God for the provision of When fi rst reading the details and background of this story, it is sometimes easy to get & NAOMI lost in the unusual names and city names. As you read the story, it will help to write down who is who and what is taking place in the setting. Before you read Ruth chapters 1 and 2, ask the Holy Spirit to help you draw out the beautiful and PART 1 powerful themes so that you can apply them to your life today. Ruth 1-2 As you read these chapters, write down the details below to help understand The word “love” embodies the whole situation: many defi ning traits: care, Elimelech: ______selfl essness, compassion, Naomi: ______warmth, tenderness, and sacrifi ce. In the Old Bethlehem, Judah: ______Testament, a beautiful story Orpah & Ruth:______is told of deep love between a Moab: ______daughter-in-law, her mother- in-law, and a man of integrity Boaz: ______who is moved toward action. This is the story of Ruth, Though it is diffi cult to pinpoint this story’s exact date, the reference in the Naomi, and Boaz. fi rst chapter to “the days when judges ruled” gives us a possible idea. In the Old Testament, the book of Judges records a dark time in Israel’s history when “everyone did as he saw fi t.” The story of Ruth shines even brighter when Only four chapters long, the understanding the darkness of that time period. book of Ruth is worth reading Describe the character of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz. What stood out to you? in its entirety. This study will look at chapters 1 and 2 this ______week and chapters 3 and 4 next week. While the story’s ______setting and environment may seem very foreign at fi rst, the ______themes in this book reach us How does the Bible describe the struggle Ruth was having toward God? in our twenty-fi rst context. ______

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Boaz had heard all about Ruth and Naomi’s situation. From chapter 2 verses 11-12, what caused Boaz to be taken aback regarding their circumstances?

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______WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHAT DOES IT MEAN AS A DISCIPLE TODAY The odds were certainly stacked against Naomi. As a widow in a foreign land, she needed to get back to her Can you think of a time where you shared similar hometown. conﬂ icting feelings toward God that Naomi expressed? On the one hand, she acknowledged God’s provision of What does it say about Naomi’s heart and relationship to food during extreme famine. On the other, she was very her daughter-in-laws based on her initial words to Ruth bitter towards God and blamed Him for her situation. and Orpah in 1:8-10? Write down a time where you struggled to understand a ______certain situation in your life. ______Imagine Naomi’s hopes and dreams as she traveled with her husband to Moab. What do you imagine she What or who helped bring your perspective back to felt on that outbound trip versus the way she returned to acknowledging God’s love and care for you? Bethlehem? ______

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Even through this tragedy and terrible loss, God was It is easy for us sometimes to believe the enemy’s lies: watching over Naomi. Her love, words, and actions put in That God is distant, that He has left, that our lives don’t motion Ruth to be a central part of the lineage of Jesus. matter, or that our situation is unknown to our Creator. Read Matthew 1:5. The story of Ruth and Naomi are powerful reminders that God is near and that we should pay attention to and love ______well those near us. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you have a similar attitude of kindness to those struggling, being ______faithful in our friendships in the same way God is faithful to us. ______PRAYER Who do you notice as one of only fi ve women mentioned in Christ’s genealogy? God, you magnifi cently watch over the whole universe. You hung every star in place, you hold all things ______together, and that includes your incredible attention to my life today. Thank you for watching over me. I’ve seen you do it time and time again. Jesus you are the ______Great Shepherd, and you have called me to watch out for others as well. Help me to engage the world around ______me the way that you did. Holy Spirit, thank you for the gifts you have given me to live as salt and light in my community. Help me today to give sacrifi cially as a way of refl ecting my Creator. In Jesus’ name, Amen. FEBRUARY 20-21 WHAT DOES IT SAY RUTH Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you listen well to the Scriptures. Ask for wisdom in & NAOMI understanding and applying God’s Word to your life today. Read Ruth chapters 3 and 4.

PART 2 While Naomi’s suggestion to Ruth may seem peculiar to us, there is an Israelite Ruth 3-4 custom that Naomi knew to use in that particular moment. This subtle gesture was informing Boaz that he could be Ruth’s kinsman-redeemer. In this tradition, Last week we saw the Boaz would then be able to either help Ruth ﬁ nd someone to marry her or marry her himself. These customs were a way of protecting vulnerable widows who had extraordinary faithfulness no inheritance from falling into irreversible poverty. As we discover in chapter 4, and deep affection between while this was initially a way of simply conducting family business, the relationship Ruth and Naomi. Their love between Boaz and Ruth turned into something much greater. and friendship are inspiring What does Naomi instruct Ruth to do? for how we can practically live out those same qualities. We ______were also introduced to Boaz, a successful businessman ______who noticed Naomi and What does Boaz say in response to Ruth? Ruth’s difﬁ cult situation and was generous in helping out. ______

As the story unfolds, we ______discover that Boaz is a When Boaz gathered the kinsman-redeemer and ten of the elders, how does kinsman-redeemer, which, Boaz’ strategy show what he had in mind all along? according to the Law, meant he could voluntarily take ______responsibility for the care of extended family. As we ______will discover, the kinsman- redeemer theme is one ______that extends to every one In the closing verses of chapter 4, what is so signiﬁ cant about the lineage of Ruth? of us today as disciples of Jesus— Christ is our ultimate ______kinsman-redeemer. ______

______WHAT DOES IT MEAN WHAT DOES IT MEAN AS A DISCIPLE TODAY The Old Testament stories foreshadow what the primary and central them in the whole of Scripture. Story after story, Look up the word redeem and write down the deﬁ nition.\ God’s blessings, promises, mercy, love, and grace ultimately point to the one who will sacriﬁ ce His life to ensure our ______redemption and restoration with our Creator.

How do you think the kinsman-redeemer principle speaks to ______the greater theme of Christ as our ultimate redeemer? ______As a follower of Jesus, how does this word ultimately connect everything back to Him as our Savior? ______What are other ways that God has established the Church to shepherd and watch out for those who are in vulnerable What types of practical ways can you as a part of God’s local situations? church live as salt and light through works of redemption?

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Looking out for others is the work of shepherding that we ______are all called to do. Who is someone in your life right now who needs encouragement in their faith that you could Faith and obedience are signiﬁ cant themes in the book of provide? Write their name down and ﬁ nd a tangible way you Ruth. Why do you think this story is important for Christians can do something for them that shows both your care and today? God’s great care for them.

______Prayer ______God, you magnifi cently watch over the whole universe. You hung every star in place, you hold all things together, ______and that includes your incredible attention to my life today. Thank you for watching over me. I’ve seen you do it time and time again. Jesus you are the Great Shepherd, and ______you have called me to watch out for others as well. Help me to engage the world around me the way that you did. Holy Spirit, thank you for the gifts you have given me to live as salt and light in my community. Help me today to give sacrifi cially as a way of refl ecting my Creator. In Jesus’ name, Amen. ______

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______CONTRIBUTORS:

Writer ...... Sean Cooper Executive Dir for Community Life ...... Rebecca Lang Communications Manager ...... Bradley Nolff Editors ...... Katie Crawford Bethany Durys Graphic Designer ...... Addie Cooper 530 Dog Track Road Longwood, FL 32750 407-949-4000 NorthlandChurch.net