Recommended Reading for May 11 – 17
Sermon Series: Stronger Together Week 2Sermon Title: Naomi and Ruth: Strong Family Bonds delivered on May 11, 2025
Day 1 READ: Read: Ruth 1. Who in your life is like Ruth, who is loyal to you in your emptiness? How can you be like Ruth to someone else in their desolation?
Day 1 PRAY: Take a moment to pause and pray, thanking Jesus for His Ruth-figure provision in your life, or ask Him for provision of such if needed. Ask Him to reveal how you might play that role in the lives of others.
Day 2 READ: Read: Ruth 2. When have you shared Naomi’s experience of God using a Ruth to show His kindness to you (as in vv. 11, 12, 20)? How did this unmerited act of kindness change you?
Day 2 PRAY: Take time to pray and thank Jesus for His unmerited favor granted to us. Ask Him to reveal situations that would benefit from your Ruthian response.
Day 3 READ: Read: Leviticus 19:9-10, Deuteronomy 25:5-10. What mechanisms do you see locally that are designed for coping with the hungry and the homeless? What is your view of ‘beggars’? Of welfare programs? What do you think God’s view is?
Day 3 PRAY: Spend time in prayer reflecting on your inner and outward response to those in need. Is there anything the Lord would have you amplify/alter?
Day 4 READ: Read: Ruth 3. Naomi instructs Ruth to engage in the culturally appropriate action for revealing her willingness to pursue Boaz as her kinsman-redeemer. Does the account reflect some kind of romantic love, or a proper sense of duty to an ethical code of conduct? How does v. 11 impact your answer?
Day 4 PRAY: Spend time thanking God (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) guardrails and guidelines provided for proper relationships. Ask Him to reveal His assessment of your code of relational conduct.
Day 5 READ: Read: Ruth 4. The Kinsman-Redeemer had to meet 4 criteria: The right to redeem, the freedom to do so, the ability to do so, and the desire to do so. Do you recognize Jesus as your kinsman-redeemer? Do you understand His qualifications in each of these areas? Does anything cause you hesitation in accepting His gift of redemption?
Day 5 PRAY: Pause and thank Jesus for the ultimate expression of humility and His saving work on your behalf to allow you to become a child of God and part of His eternal family.
Memorize and Reflect
Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, consider others better than yourselves, not looking to your own interests, but each of you to the interests of the others.
Life Challenge
Life Challenges for Growing in Your Friendships
- Select one friend to whom you can level up your loyalty. Make a list of 3 ways that can be accomplished. Act on at least one idea.
- Set up a ‘coffee connect’ with someone with whom it has been too long since your last conversation. See how long you can keep the conversation on them before mentioning anything about yourself. Think “tell me about…”
- Send a handwritten note of appreciation to a friend.
Series Challenge
Stronger Together Series Challenge:Stronger Together Challenge: (Life-Changing Challenge for the Series)
- Strengthen an Existing Friendship
- Reconnect with a Former Close Friend
- Make a New Friend