Sermon Outline:
- Introduction: The God who visits
- Forsaking all others
- Who gives you your identity?
- Where will you seek rest?
Family Discussion Questions:
- Why did Naomi go back again to Bethlehem?
- What two things could Scripture mean when it says that God "visited" people?
- Was Ruth allowed to add the Lord to the list of gods she worshipped, just in case He would let her down?
- There are many ways to add to the Gospel. Have you been more tempted to downplay your need to be rescued or to add extra reasons (sincerity, good deeds, length of time between "major" sins, church attendance, prayers, etc.) for God to accept you other than upon Jesus' work alone?
- From a human perspective, was Ruth or Orpah's decision more wise? What makes Ruth's decision actually more wise?
- Did Ruth think that there was a way to have the Lord her as her God and yet not have His people to be her people? What does that mean for your life?
- What behaviors which belong to your earthly identity (culture, family, your own natural desires, your pre-conversion self) are actually in conflict with your new identity in Christ? Would Scripture agree?
- Think back to the last time when you were confronted with your sin. Did it cause your heart unrest? Did you arrive again to a place of "rest" for your soul? How did you do that? Read 1 John 1-2.
