Embracing Compassion: Lessons from Ruth's Story
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound themes of compassion, inclusion, and redemption as illustrated in the Book of Ruth. We began by acknowledging the challenges of time changes and celebrated the creativity within our community through our gold frame artists. We also looked forward to our upcoming events, such as the grilled cheese cook-off and the Community of Hope Gala, which serve as opportunities for fellowship and fun.
Our focus then shifted to the story of Ruth, a narrative set against a backdrop of famine and despair. Naomi, having lost her husband and sons, decides to return to Bethlehem, urging her Moabite daughters-in-law to stay behind for their safety. Ruth, however, chooses loyalty and love over safety, declaring her commitment to Naomi and her God. This act of devotion sets the stage for a story of redemption and inclusion.
We examined the societal parallels between Ruth's time and our own, particularly the fear and prejudice that can arise against those perceived as "other." The story of Ruth challenges us to see beyond these fears and to embrace the stranger, as Boaz did when he welcomed Ruth into his fields. This act of kindness was rooted in the ancient laws found in Deuteronomy, which commanded the Israelites to care for the alien, the orphan, and the widow, reminding them of their own history as strangers in Egypt.
The narrative of Ruth and Boaz serves as a powerful reminder of God's inclusive love, which extends beyond borders and prejudices. It calls us to reflect on our own lives and the ways we can use our strength and resources to support those in need. As we navigate a world filled with fear and division, we are encouraged to embody the radical hospitality and compassion that God demonstrates throughout scripture.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of Loyalty and Love: Ruth's decision to stay with Naomi, despite the risks, exemplifies a profound loyalty and love that transcends cultural and familial boundaries. Her commitment challenges us to consider how we can show steadfast love to those around us, even when it requires sacrifice. [26:26]
2. Welcoming the Stranger: Boaz's kindness to Ruth, a foreigner, reflects the biblical mandate to care for the alien and the marginalized. This story invites us to examine our own attitudes towards those who are different from us and to extend hospitality and compassion, recognizing that all people are beloved by God. [30:50]
3. God's Inclusive Love: The Book of Ruth reveals a God who cares for all people, not just a select group. This challenges the notion of exclusivity and calls us to embrace a broader understanding of God's love, which includes those who may seem frightening or different. [37:29]
4. Using Strength to Serve: Boaz's actions demonstrate how those in positions of power can use their resources to protect and uplift the vulnerable. We are reminded that our influence and strength should be used to serve others, reflecting God's heart for justice and mercy. [43:37]
5. Overcoming Fear with Love: In a world often driven by fear, the story of Ruth and Boaz encourages us to let love guide our actions. God's perfect love casts out fear, enabling us to build bridges of understanding and peace in our communities. [45:28]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [13:26] - Time Change Reflections
- [14:09] - Celebrating Creativity
- [14:57] - Upcoming Events
- [17:10] - Children's Time
- [18:32] - Introduction to Ruth
- [19:11] - Modern Parallels
- [22:03] - Ruth's Story Begins
- [23:03] - Naomi's Journey
- [24:06] - Ruth's Loyalty
- [26:43] - Seeking Provision
- [28:19] - Boaz's Kindness
- [30:50] - Biblical Mandates
- [32:21] - God's Radical Love
- [37:29] - Embracing the Other
- [43:37] - Strength in Service
- [45:28] - Overcoming Fear with Love
- [46:11] - Communion Preparation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Book of Ruth
Bible Reading:
1. Ruth 1:16-17 - Ruth's declaration of loyalty to Naomi.
2. Deuteronomy 24:17-22 - Commandments regarding justice and care for the alien, orphan, and widow.
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Observation Questions:
1. What motivated Ruth to stay with Naomi despite the risks involved? How does her decision reflect the themes of loyalty and love? [26:26]
2. How did Boaz's actions towards Ruth demonstrate the biblical mandate found in Deuteronomy to care for the alien and the marginalized? [30:50]
3. What societal fears and prejudices were highlighted in the sermon, and how do they compare to the challenges faced by Ruth and Naomi? [19:11]
4. How does the story of Ruth and Boaz illustrate God's inclusive love that extends beyond cultural and societal boundaries? [37:29]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does Ruth's loyalty to Naomi challenge contemporary views on cultural and familial boundaries? How might this influence one's understanding of commitment and sacrifice? [26:26]
2. How does Boaz's kindness to Ruth serve as a model for how individuals can use their resources and influence to support those in need? What does this say about the role of power and privilege in society? [43:37]
3. How does the sermon suggest that fear and prejudice can be overcome by love and compassion? What role does faith play in this transformation? [45:28]
4. How does the command in Deuteronomy to care for the alien, orphan, and widow reflect God's heart for justice and mercy? How is this relevant to today's societal issues? [30:50]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you had to choose between safety and loyalty. How did you make your decision, and what did you learn from that experience? [26:26]
2. Identify a "stranger" or someone different from you in your community. What practical steps can you take this week to extend hospitality and kindness to them? [30:50]
3. Consider the resources and influence you have. How can you use them to uplift someone in need, similar to how Boaz supported Ruth? [43:37]
4. Think about a fear or prejudice you hold. How can you actively work to overcome it with love and understanding, as encouraged in the sermon? [45:28]
5. Reflect on the biblical command to care for the marginalized. What is one action you can take this month to support a local organization or initiative that aligns with this command? [30:50]
6. How can you cultivate a mindset of radical hospitality in your daily interactions, inspired by the story of Ruth and Boaz? [37:29]
7. In what ways can your small group collectively embody the themes of compassion, inclusion, and redemption in your community? What specific project or outreach could you undertake together? [37:29]
Devotional
Day 1: Loyalty Beyond Boundaries
Ruth's decision to stay with Naomi, despite the risks, exemplifies a profound loyalty and love that transcends cultural and familial boundaries. Her commitment challenges us to consider how we can show steadfast love to those around us, even when it requires sacrifice. Ruth's loyalty is not just a personal choice but a spiritual declaration, as she aligns herself with Naomi's people and God. This act of devotion is a testament to the power of love that goes beyond mere obligation, inviting us to reflect on our own relationships and the depth of our commitments. [26:26]
"But Ruth said, 'Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.'" (Ruth 1:16, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs your unwavering loyalty and love today, even if it requires personal sacrifice?
Day 2: Embracing the Foreigner
Boaz's kindness to Ruth, a foreigner, reflects the biblical mandate to care for the alien and the marginalized. This story invites us to examine our own attitudes towards those who are different from us and to extend hospitality and compassion, recognizing that all people are beloved by God. In a world where fear and prejudice often dictate our interactions, Boaz's actions remind us of the importance of seeing the humanity in everyone and offering a welcoming hand. [30:50]
"When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God." (Leviticus 19:33-34, ESV)
Reflection: How can you extend hospitality to someone who is different from you this week, showing them the love and kindness of God?
Day 3: God's Love Knows No Borders
The Book of Ruth reveals a God who cares for all people, not just a select group. This challenges the notion of exclusivity and calls us to embrace a broader understanding of God's love, which includes those who may seem frightening or different. God's inclusive love is a powerful force that breaks down barriers and unites people across divides. As we reflect on this, we are encouraged to let go of prejudices and embrace a love that is as boundless as God's own. [37:29]
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28, ESV)
Reflection: What barriers in your heart need to be broken down to fully embrace God's inclusive love for all people?
Day 4: Strength in Service
Boaz's actions demonstrate how those in positions of power can use their resources to protect and uplift the vulnerable. We are reminded that our influence and strength should be used to serve others, reflecting God's heart for justice and mercy. In a world where power is often used for self-gain, Boaz's example calls us to a higher standard of using our gifts and resources for the benefit of those in need. [43:37]
"Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him." (Proverbs 14:31, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you use your resources and influence to serve and uplift someone in need today?
Day 5: Love Overcomes Fear
In a world often driven by fear, the story of Ruth and Boaz encourages us to let love guide our actions. God's perfect love casts out fear, enabling us to build bridges of understanding and peace in our communities. As we navigate through life's challenges, we are called to choose love over fear, trusting that God's love is powerful enough to transform even the most difficult situations. [45:28]
"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love." (1 John 4:18, ESV)
Reflection: What fear is holding you back from loving others fully, and how can you invite God's perfect love to overcome it today?
Quotes
"Ruth, however, chooses loyalty and love over safety, declaring her commitment to Naomi and her God. This act of devotion sets the stage for a story of redemption and inclusion. We examined the societal parallels between Ruth's time and our own, particularly the fear and prejudice that can arise against those perceived as 'other.'" [00:18:32]
"Naomi decides to go back, but she tells her daughters, 'Don't come back with me. You stay here.' Why? Obvious answer: there's a famine. I would like if my daughters-in-law don't die of starvation. Yes, and also they are Moabites, and Moabites were seen as the enemy, right?" [00:25:06]
"Ruth says, 'No, I'm coming with you. Your people will be my people, your God will be my God.' She basically converts to Yahweh at that point. She goes back with Naomi, and that's where chapter one ended, and that's what Josh talked about last week." [00:26:34]
"Boaz comes, the owner of the place. He sees her and the other people that she's been gleaning food with, other foreigners, whether Moabites or elsewhere. They're all getting food too because they're all starving because there's a freaking famine, and so they're all gathering food." [00:28:59]
"Boaz did not need to care, right? When someone has a sob story, no matter how sobby, it's not a word, it is now, thank you. No matter how sobby your sob story is, if you tell it, the person doesn't always react well, right? Because they don't have to." [00:29:51]
"Boaz uses his strength for the sake of Ruth, for the sake of caring for the one who needs it. There will always be people in our lives who need help, who need support. There will always be that, and we always have the opportunity to help or to harm." [00:43:37]
"God even from the beginning is taking care of all the people, not just his people. We tend to hear folks say, 'Hey, God was only taking care of Israel.' God takes care of God's country, God's people first and foremost, but what we see in here is that God's taking care of everyone." [00:37:29]
"God setting up a radical standard, one that says, 'Hey, if someone's coming to you, you take care of them no matter how dangerous you think they are. You make sure they're okay because I love them too.' Now, does that mean safety is not important?" [00:38:28]
"Boaz saw that he saw someone who they wouldn't live peacefully with, right? And yet Boaz, a person of God, saw Ruth and he was like, 'No, no, don't go to another field. Don't do it because you could be hurt there. I'm here. This place is safe. You're taken care of here.'" [00:41:04]
"All of us have people that we influence. All of us. There are people that are looking to us. There are people that we care for. There are people that need us. There is always a relationship with the strong and the weak that we have. Sometimes we're the weak, and sometimes we're the strong." [00:42:58]
"God has compassion and love for the people that scare his people. God has compassion for those who are frightening. God has compassion for those who are different than the people they normally see. God has compassion for those who've lost things." [00:44:29]
"Your word says perfect love casts out fear. May your perfect love cast out our fear today. Amen." [00:45:28]
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