LESSON #69 (Week ending 05/22011)

Ruth

HISTORY:

“The Book of Ruth gleams like a beautiful pearl against a jet-black background. The action recorded in the narrative took place during the period of the Book of Judges (Ruth 1:1). Those days were the dark ages of Israel’s history. The victories of Joshua had been followed by periods of spiritual declension with but brief periods of revival. As the time of the Judges wore on, the apostasy deepened till the book ended in corruption and bloody civil strife.

The period of the Judges was marked by weak faith and irresponsible conduct. . . . Since Ruth was the great-grandmother of David (Ruth 4:17), who began his rule at Hebron in 1010 b.c., the experiences in the Book of Ruth occurred in the last half of the 12th century. This means that Ruth may have been a contemporary of Gideon.

Against this background of national irresponsibility and weak character Ruth, a Moabitess, and Boaz, a Hebrew landowner, shone as bright examples of purity, faith, and responsible living. The Ruth narrative provided a gratifying reminder that even in the darkest times God was at work in the hearts of His faithful remnant.”^[1]

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Chapt. 1: Naomi and Ruth

Ø Why did Elimelech take his family to Moab? Does God use natural events to lead His people?

Ø What other times in the biblical record did God use famine to accomplish His goals?

Ø What was the relationship between the Israelites and the Moabites?

Ø Some have seen Naomi as a picture of the “remnant” if Israel who God promises to restore to preeminence. Do you agree/disagree and why?

Ø How did Naomi know it was time to return to Bethlehem? Does this account help us understand how God directs His people?

Ø Despite Naomi’s great loss while in Moab, “the basic meaning of the Hebrew verb translated “started” (qum) is to rise up out of a condition of lethargy, sorrow, and discouragement. By this verb, the Narrator tells the reader that Naomi’s response to the disasters was not passive acceptance, but a resolute initiative of faith.” ^[2]

Ø What do you make of the different choices that Orpah and Ruth made? Application?

Ø Was Naomi’s bitterness understandable? Did God later change that bitterness into rejoicing?

Chapt. 2: Ruth and Boaz

Ø Why did Ruth begin gleaning at the field of Boaz?

Ø Why did Boaz take an interest in Ruth?

Ø What is a Kinsman-redeemer? The kinsman-redeemer is a “type” of whom?

Ø Do we still practice “gleaning” today? If so, how?

Ø The Lord blessed Ruth with gleanings that amounted to a week’s worth of meals for her mother-in-law and herself.

Ø Notice Ruth’s sacrificial love toward her mother-in-law by giving her the day’s gleanings and the remainder of her lunch. Application for us?

Chapt. 3: Seeking Redemption

Ø Naomi’s plan calling for Ruth to take immediate action reminds us of Paul’s words to the Corinthians: “See, now is the acceptable time; see, now is the day of salvation!” (2 Cor. 6:2)

Ø Was Naomi being presumptuous by encouraging Ruth in this way?

Ø There is much debate as to the exact meaning of what happened on the threshing floor between Boaz and Ruth. Even with all the ambiguity it is obvious that Ruth’s motivation was obedience to her mother-in-law and the desire to provide security for Naomi and to preserve her husband’s lineage. As a foreigner, she was not acting in an immoral way but was obedient to the customs of her new country.

Ø What did the generosity of Boaz with the “six measures” represent?

Chapt. 4: Ruth Marries Boaz

Ø Why did the nearest kinsman redeemer not redeem Naomi’s land and marry Ruth? Is God a God of the details? Application for us?

Ø Notice that Boaz was very careful to fulfill all the legal requirements necessary to become Ruth’s kinsman redeemer. How does this picture Christ as our kinsman redeemer?

Ø How did God take tragedy and turn it into a blessing, not only for Naomi but for all of civilization? Application?

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^[1] Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). Vol. 1: The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (415–416). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

^[2] Hamlin, E. J. (1996). Surely there is a future: A commentary on the book of Ruth. International theological commentary (13). Grand Rapid, Mich.; Edinburgh: Eerdmans; Handsel Press Ltd.

LESSON #68 (Week ending 05/15/11)

1 Peter

BACKGROUND:

In the closing days of his earthly ministry, Jesus predicted that Peter would one day “strengthen” his fellow believers (Luke 22:32; see John 21:15–17). In this first of his two letters Peter did just that, encouraging Christians who were experiencing persecution (2:12; 3:16; 4:4) and who would soon experience far greater persecution as Nero, falsely blaming Christians for the fire that destroyed Rome in a.d. 64, took vengeance on believers throughout the empire.

Purpose:

• To encourage and instruct Christians concerning persecution (3:13–5:11)

• To instruct concerning salvation (1:1–2:10)

• To instruct concerning subjection (2:11–3:12)

• To confirm Peter’s agreement with Paul (see exposition on 2 Pet. 3:14–18)^[1]

1:1-12: A Living Hope

Ø Who are “God’s elect”?

Ø Who did the electing and how were they elected? What does this say about individual effort needed in order to be one of the elected?

Ø What is the “hope” believers have?

Ø What does Peter teach about whether or not the believer’s salvation is secure?

Ø Will believers suffer trials here on earth? If so, for what purpose?

1:13-2:3: Holiness

Ø Why does Peter begin verse 13 with the word “therefore”?

Ø Even though we can do nothing to earn or gain salvation, what does Peter say our response should be to God’s amazing grace?

Ø What does it mean that we should live our lives “as strangers in reverent fear”?

Ø What is the only thing that brings redemption?

Ø After accepting Christ’s love and returning our love to him, where should we direct our love?

Ø Of what should we rid ourselves and what should we now crave?

2:4-2:12: Living Stones

Ø Who is the Living Stone and what is He building here on earth?

Ø As chosen people, what is the ultimate purpose/ministry of believers?

Ø Why is it so important that our lives/testimonies are pure before the world?

2:13-3:22: Submission

Ø Ultimately when we submit, to whom are we submitting?

Ø Why is submission within society so important?

Ø What is the ultimate purpose of submission?

Ø Who is our example in learning to submit?

Ø Why is submission within the family so important?

Ø What happens to a husband’s prayer life if his does not treat his wife in a godly manner?

Ø What does it mean to “live in harmony” with one another? Is this submission?

Ø Should we submit to those who treat us badly? Who is our example?

Ø How should we respond to those who ask us about our hope in Christ?

4:1-11: Godly Living

Ø What does it mean to “arm yourself with the same attitude” that Jesus had?

Ø If we are so “armed” how does that change us?

Ø Why is it important to be “clear minded and self-controlled”?

Ø Why did Christ give each one of us gifts?

Ø Who is the one who should get the accolades for our gifts?

4:12-19: Suffering for Christ

Ø According to Peter are Christians exempt from suffering?

Ø When suffering comes our way, how should we respond?

Ø If we suffer for Christ we are blessed. However, we need to differentiate between suffering for Christ and suffering because of our own stupidity!

Ø While in the storms of suffering what should our attitude be?

5:1-14: Specific Appeals

Ø Appeals to those who lead:

ü Shepherd the flock

ü Serve the flock willingly and eagerly

ü Don’t “fleece” the flock

ü Don’t “lord it over” the flock

ü Be an example to the flock

Ø Appeals to others:

ü Younger submit to the older

ü Be humble

ü Don’t be anxious

ü Be self-controlled

ü Resist the Devil by standing firm in the faith

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^[1] Willmington, H. L. (1997). Willmington's Bible handbook (767–768). Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers.

LESSON #67 (Week ending 05/08/11)

Judges 9 --21

Judges 9:1-12:15: More Judges

Ø How did Abimelech get into power?

Ø How did God avenge Abimelech’s evil? Are there consequences to sin?

Ø After a series of kings, did Israel return to following the Lord or not?

Ø The most grievous sin that the Hebrews committed was what? Why was this do bad?

Ø How did God respond in Chapter 10 when the Israelites served false gods? Application for us?

Ø Other than being a mighty warrior, what did Jephthah have going for him?

Ø What vow did Jephthah make to the Lord? What does this teach us about making rash vows?

Ø Why did the different families of the Israelites fight against one another? Application?

Judges 13:1-16:31: Samson

Ø Why did God deliver the Israelites into the hands of the Philistines? Any application for us?

Ø Was the birth of Samson unique?

Ø Who was it that Manoah and his wife thought was an angel of the Lord?

Ø If it was against Jewish law to marry outside of the Hebrew nation, why did God allow Samson to marry a Philistine girl?

Ø From whom did Samson get his power to slay the lion?

Ø What was the significance of Samson eating the honey out of the lion carcass? Were there any consequences to this action?

Ø How did God use the impetuousness of Sampson to accomplish His plans?

Ø Why did the Israelites turn against Samson? Application?

Ø What was the downfall of Samson? Did God use Samson’s frail humanity to achieve His purposes?

Ø What does the life of Samson teach us about the grace of God?

Judges 17:1-21:25: “Everyone Did What Was Right in His Own Eyes”

Ø During this time in their history the Israelites had no king, what was the consequence of this?

Ø Did the Levites remain true to God during this time period?

Ø Notice how far the tribe of Dan had moved from God because “everyone did what was right in his own eyes”. Application for us?

Ø What does the account of the Levite and his concubine in Chapter 19 tell of the condition of the Israelites and their relationship to God? Application?

Ø In Chapter 20 we see Israelite fighting Israelite because they have turned every man to his own way. What can we learn from this tragic scene?

Ø Notice in Chapter 21 that after the bloody battle the people cried before the Lord asking why such a thing had happened. When everyone does what is right in his own eyes, the Lord and His commands are ignored. Application for us?