Session: 8

Providence in Action

Ruth 2
When Ruth gleans in Boaz’s field and he shows kindness, God’s provision through human generosity is celebrated, motivating trust in His care as the story unfolds.
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Welcome

Greet everyone warmly by name to make them feel welcome.

Check-in

Encourage group members to share their week’s experiences: What positive events occurred that they are thankful for, and what difficulties arose that they need prayer to address?

Prayer

Close this step with prayer.

Purpose

The purpose of this section is to connect the group and prepare them spiritually.

Facilitator Notes

Each group member should share. Allow time to share experiences during the check-in time including feedback on applying Scripture, sharing personal devotions, etc.

Read: Ruth 2

Introduce the day’s lesson and why it matters. Read the Bible passage together, taking turns or following along.

Reflect

What stands out to you in this passage?

Discuss

Discuss the lessons and reflections drawn from the Scripture

  1. Discuss the development of the story in chapter 2
  2. What is the picture of Ruth in this chapter?
  3. Is this the type of person you would like to be?
  4. What is the good example in the life of Ruth that you can follow?
  5. How is Ruth treated by the foreman and the workers in the farm?
  6. Who is Boaz?
  7. How does Boaz treat Ruth? How different is it from the others?
  8. Describe Boaz in detail. Look at every statement about Boaz:
    • What are you learning from the life of Boaz?
    • What activities took place on Boaz farm that usually take place in Church?
    • What pastoral care, fellowship… did Ruth receive in Boaz farm?

Purpose

The purpose of this section is to help the group understand and reflect on God’s Word.

Facilitator Notes

First allow members to read the Scripture and reflect on what stands out for them without any guiding question.

Use the Discussion Questions to enrich the study and bring forward insights that did not come through the initial reflections.

Do not rush any discussion to complete a set of questions. There are no time limit to complete the studies. Even if only one question was discussed during a session, just continue with the others during the next session.

S.P.E.E.D. Method:
  • Is it a Sin to confess?
  • Is it a Promise to claim?
  • Is it an Error to avoid?
  • Is it an Example to follow?
  • It is a Divine knowledge to keep in your heart?

Application

How can we apply what we’ve learned from today's lesson? What challenges might we face? (You may wish to use the SMART Method to help you).

  1. Draw a lesson on who could be Boaz, Naomi, Ruth, the foreman, women workers in the field, male workers:
    • Who represents the church, caregiver and the BMB in your context?
    • What was the role/responsibility of every person/group upon entry into the community in Bethlehem?
    • What is your expectation of the church in relation to you as a BMB?
    • What can you learn from Ruth, as BMB in a new faith community?
    • Compare her actions to your expectations and discuss the first steps you can take to be integrated into a new faith community (church).
  2. Discuss creative ways in which you can integrate discipleship/fellowship in livelihoods as a cover story:
    • What are the traditional livelihood practices in your community?
    • What are the creative things that you can do in your context to step out to make a living?
    • List all activities that can be done to earn money and still have fellowship, have discipleship groups and do evangelism. Examples are braiding hair!
    • How do you start small and grow?
    • How do you support one another and other groups as practical economic development?
  3. What are the key lessons you learned in this chapter?

Sharing

Who can you share this lesson with this week?

Purpose

The purpose of this section is to turn understanding into action – leading to life transformation.

Facilitator Notes

Use the SMART method to help group participants to create meaningful applications in their lives:

S.M.A.R.T. Method:

  • Specific,
  • Measurable,
  • Achievable,
  • Relevant,
  • Time-bound steps

(e.g. “I’ll pray for 5 minutes daily this week”).

Memory Verse

Review last week’s memorized verse: Recite it together or in pairs. Assign the new memory verse:

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:19

Prayer

Invite prayer requests, then pray together, thanking God for the lesson.

Purpose

The purpose of this section is to encourages sharing and living out the lesson with prayer and next steps.

Facilitator Notes

Provide a simple guidelines for the group participants for the next week:

  • The passage for the next meeting
  • Next verse to memorize,
  • Next meeting time and place
  • Passages for daily devotion.
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