#1 GOD IN MY SUFFERING Lessons from Elimelech: …and a man of Bethlehem in Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. 2 The name of the man was Elimelech Ruth 1:1-2 FORSAKES SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY DEATH IS IN GOD’S HANDS, NOT OURS Mega-Theme of the Book of Ruth: Then she arose with her daughters-in-law to return from the country of Moab, for she had heard in the fields of Moab that the Lord had visited his people and given them food. Ruth 1:6 THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD The Two Hands of God’s Providence:

1. THE VISIBLE HAND OF MIRICLE

2. THE INVISIBLE HAND OF PROVIDENCE Two Truths of Providence

1. GOD IS SOVEREIGN

2. GOD IS GOOD Lessons from Naomi: No, my daughters, for it is exceedingly bitter to me for your sake that the hand of the Lord has gone out against me.” Ruth 1:13 HOLDS GOD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PAIN AND SUFFERING IN HER LIFE EVERYTHING PASSES THROUGH THE HAND OF GOD BUT NOT EVERTYTHING COMES FROM THE HAND OF GOD

Lessons from Orpha: And she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” Ruth 1: 15 LIFE WILL TEST YOUR FAITH Lessons from Ruth: 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 THE POWER OF THE SECOND FAMILY

• Your Family of BIRTH

• Your Family of NEW Birth RUTH’S VITUE IS FAITH, NAOMI’S VIRTUE IS HONESTY Going Deeper: Want to join a Life Group contact frank@waipunachapel.com

• Think of a time when you like Elimelech have not considered the spiritual ramifications of decisions that you have made for yourself and your family. What have you learnt from this?

• Discuss your understanding of God’s sovereignty and the scriptures that have informed your understanding.

• How important is it to hold the doctrines of God’s goodness and his sovereignty together? • Discuss times when you have observed God’s “invisible hand of providence” in your life. • Can you identify with Naomi when she hold’s God responsible for the pain and suffering in

here life? Discuss. • Discuss the statement “everything passes through the hand of God, but not everything is from

the hand of God.” • Read Romans 8:28. How does this help clarify the statement above? • Read the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13 How do you see this apply to Orpha? Where do

you see yourself in this parable? • Ruth 1:16 Is one of the most endearing quotes in all of the scriptures. Share your story of

conversion when God’s people became your people (email me your stories I would love to hear them)

• Do you feel you can be honest about your faith and your struggles amongst the family of God? Why or why not?

Sources:

• Mark Driscoll “Redeeming Ruth” Mars Hill, Seattle • John Piper “Ruth –Sweet & Bitter Providence” • ESV Study Bible

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