Mountain Life Church/Life Pack/January 25-26, 2014

I ThinkHe Likes Me!

I Think He Likes Me!Sermon Notes

January 25-26, 2014

I. Boaz, the Jesus Kind of GuyA. Laws regarding gleaning in ancient Israel

(Leviticus 23: 22)1. Corners of the fields were to be left for the poor 2. Anything left by the reapers was fair game for gleaners 3. Apparently, the reapers were known to harass the gleaners

(Ruth 2: 9)4. Sometimes, gleaning could be dangerous, especially for a

woman (Ruth 2: 22)

B. The chance meeting of Ruth and Boaz1. Ruth just happened to glean in Boaz’s field2. Boaz’s instant and lavish grace on Ruth

He asked her to stay and glean in his field only - in order to protect herHe told her to stay right behind his female servants - to protect herHe ordered his male servants to not harass herHe invited her to eat with all the workers and to drink wine as wellHe told his servants to purposely drop some of their stalks of grain for her to gleanShe ended up with more grain than expected

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Table TalkTeens

Read Ruth Chapter 2 Question One:

What is your first impression of how Boaz treated the widow Ruth and Naomi?

 Question Two:The status of a widow in the ancient Middle East was difficult at best.  That was why God commanded His people to care for the widows and the orphans. 

By demonstrating great concern for Ruth’s provision and protection, what does this say about Boaz’s character?

 Question Three:

Describe in your own words what “character” means. Question Four:Naomi praised the Lord for His kindness.  God had not abandoned Ruth and Naomi.  Instead, He had faithfully provided for their needs.  After utter despair, Naomi once again placed her hope in God.

Why do you place your hope in the Lord?

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C. Boaz and Ruth are like Jesus and me1. He pursued me and invisibly drew me to Himself2. He had instant and lavish grace on me (Unlike Ruth, I

had no great character traits for Him to appreciate)He asks me to stay and abide in Him as the True VineHe will protect me from evilHe stands against the enemy of my soul and defends meHe invites me to His table to eat as His family memberHe encourages others to love me and care for meMy cup overflows!

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Table TalkElementary

Focus: Clothe YourselvesScripture: Colossians 3:12(adapted from Big Book of No Object Talks by Tim Simpson) Day 1 – To start things off, I would like for you (and your family) to hold a fashion show.  Choose one person from your family to be the volunteer “model” & pose in front of the family.  You narrate the fashion show…(example: “Bob” is wearing a dazzling shirt.  He is wearing a mint green button down that screams, “I am fashion!”  This shirt is the perfect color for “Bob” to wear while he helps his grandfather.  Thank you, “Bob”.) Just like the model showed what they were wearing on the outside, our actions can show what we are like as followers of God.  Instead of being clothed with a dress or a shirt, the Bible tells us in Colossians 3:12 to “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”  This means that, as follows of God, we can show, or “put on,” clothes of kindness and caring. Day 2 – Write a list of ways a kid your age can show the actions described in Colossians 3:12.  For example, for patience one might write examples of when he/she can display patience (waiting for Mom/Dad to finish talking after church!). Day 3 – Read Ruth 2:6-7, 17-18.  What do Ruth’s actions help you learn about her?  Which word from Colossians 3:12 do you think best describes Ruth?  When might you be kind and caring? Ruth’s kind and caring actions made a big difference in her life, but also in the life of Naomi.  Ruth had compassion for Naomi and showed kindness to her.  We can show our love for others with our kind and caring actions. 

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Life Group Questions for January 25-26, 2014

Message = I Think He Like Me!Ice  Breaker:    Tell  about  a  teacher  or  preacher  that  influenced  you      in  your  childhood  and  how  they  influenced  you.    

Read  Ruth  chapter  2.

1. What  do  you  observe  about  this  passage?

2. What  do  you  observe  about  Boaz’s  character?

3. Like  a  follower  of  Jesus,  Ruth  began  as  a  servant  of  Boaz.    Later,  in  chapter  3,  she  will  become  a  part  of  His  family.    Does  your  relationship  with  God  resemble  more  of  a  servant  or  of  a  close  family  member?    Please  explain.

4. What  do  you  think  the  primary  differences  are  between  a  servant  and  a  family  member  in  the  kingdom  of  Heaven?  

5. See  if  you  can  name  the  benefits  that  Boaz  gave  to  Ruth  as  she  gleaned  in  His  field.    

6. Does  Jesus  give  you  these  benefits  as  you  follow  Him?

7. Ruth  shows  us  how  a  person  of  faith  is  to  pursue  Jesus.    How  did  Ruth  boldly  pursue  Boaz  in  chapter  2?    (The  evidence  is  that  she  boldly  accepted  what  Boaz  gave  her!)

8. Pray  for  one  another.

Table TalkPreschool & Nursery

Scripture: Ruth 1: 16-18, 22 and Ruth 2: 1-7 Day 1: Read Ruth 1: 16-18Ask your child(ren) to tell you some ways they like to show their love for you.  Discuss some additional ways to honor and love our family members.    Day 2: Read Ruth 2: 1-7Talk about Ruth’s decision to go out and work in the fields.  Discuss reasons why she did this.  Ruth was able to honor Naomi by doing the hard work in the fields so that they could have grain for food.  Boaz was also helping Naomi and Ruth by favoring Ruth so she did not have to work so hard or be in danger.  Families take care of one another as well as caring for our neighbors or other people we do not know.  This is what Jesus did and He wants us to do it, too. Memory Verse:“honor your father and mother, and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”  - Matthew 19: 19 Day 3:As a family, discuss some ways each person can help take care of the family.  Ask your child(ren) what they can do to help others, too.  Activity:Everyone line up and play "follow the leader."  Do little tasks and even serve someone along the way.  Each person must do as the leader does.  When finished, serve one another a snack that everyone must prepare and serve to someone else.   

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Personal Devotion PagesThe following pages are designed to help you enjoy a regular time alone with God. We have divided up the curriculum to help us grow wherever we are at in our relationship with God and in our knowledge of His Kingdom.

LEVELS: Since we are a Colorado church, we use skiing imagery to communicate the different levels of intensity and time involved in relating to God.

BEGINNER: If you are new in your relationship with God, we encourage you to try the exercises under this symbol:

INTERMEDIATE: If you have walked with God for some time and would like a little more challenge and more time involvement, try the exercises under this symbol:

ADVANCED: These exercises are for people who have walked with God for some time and display maturity in their relationship with Him.

These exercises provide a practical way to encounter God and His truth on a regular basis. There are no rules here. Please don’t hurry through the process. Slow meditation and memorization seems to soak in better than cramming.

Enjoy!

Day One1. Take  some  time  to  praise  the  Lord  for  who  He  is  and  enjoy  

thanking  Him  for  what  He  has  done  in  your  life  lately.

2. Read  Ruth  2.  

3. Write  down  some  ways  that  you  see  Boaz  as  a  picture  of  Jesus.

4. Ask  God  to  draw  you  into  a  deep  relationship  with  Him  starting  NOW!

Memorize  Psalm  37:  3.  

Memorize  Psalm  37:  3-­‐‑5.

Memorize  Psalm  37:  3-­‐‑6.

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So Ruth worked alongside the women in Boaz’s fields and gathered grain with them until the end of the barley harvest. Then she worked with them through the wheat harvest, too. But all the while she lived with her mother-in-law.

~Ruth 2:23, NLT

Ruth has been welcomed into the workforce on Boaz’s land. She is treated just like one of his servants. She has been given permission to work all through the entire barley and wheat harvest and Boaz himself has told all the workers not to harass her or bother her, something very unusual for gleaners in that day and time.

I like how the Holy Spirit writes, But all the while she lived with her mother-in-law. He is telling us that, though Ruth has been accepted and welcomed by Boaz, the Lord still has much, much more in store for her - and for Naomi! Working alongside Boaz’s workers is overwhelmingly productive and living with Naomi is wonderful; just as working for the Lord is productive and living as an outsider in His fields is good. However, God would like us to be a part of His family, living out a righteous life with Him at the center.

The plan of God through Jesus is to bring us into a close, abiding relationship with Him that causes us to bear much fruit for His kingdom and brings glory to Him (John 15). Each of us must move past being a worker for God into being a child of God, from being a slave to being the Bride of Christ.

Father, draw me close to You. Lead me in Your paths and teach me Your truth. Lead me to victory over those who would destroy my soul and draw me into the Holy of Holies to enjoy You!

Day Five

Day Five1. Take  some  time  to  praise  the  Lord  for  who  He  is  and  enjoy  

thanking  Him  for  what  He  has  done  in  your  life  lately.  

2. Read  Ruth  chapter  2  again  today  and  write  down  what  you  learn  by  re-­‐‑reading  it.    

3. Take  time  to  pray  for  God  to  give  you  a  deeper  passion,  devotion,  and  discipline  in  pursuing  Him.          

4. Finish  your  Bible  memorization  today.

Day OneNow there was a wealthy and influential man in Bethlehem named Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi’s husband, Elimelech.

~Ruth 2:1, NLT.

The author now introduces us to Boaz, a close relative of Naomi’s late husband, Elimelech. The Holy Spirit, who authored this book, would like us to see Boaz as a character that foreshadows Jesus. He is a Christ figure in this story.

Like Jesus, Boaz is a man of character. He’s a respected leader in the region. He’s wealthy, but that doesn’t make him arrogant or selfish. Gracious is a good word to describe him. He doesn’t judge a book by its cover. He sees Ruth, a woman from Moab, and judges her by her character, not by her race. What’s more, he’s impressed with Ruth’s faith. Throughout the story, Ruth shows undaunted willingness to pursue Boaz’s favor and kindness - - and he gives it to her.

As you continue to read this story, take time to observe and think about Boaz’s character. Meditate on the sense of integrity and wisdom that he portrays, as well as his willingness to give grace, protection, and kindness to Ruth.

It’s easy to see Naomi’s sense of grief, as she has lost a husband and both sons. However, we must also think of Ruth’s grief after the death of her husband. Not only will Boaz serve to redeem Naomi, but he will turn Ruth’s sackcloth into gladness, and turn her mourning into gladness (Psalm 30). All this will happen as Ruth makes the simple choice of loyalty to God and loyalty to her mother-in-law.

Father, as I choose to abide in You, will you continue to redeem me and bring me into joy?

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Day Two1. Take  some  time  to  praise  the  Lord  for  who  He  is  and  enjoy  

thanking  Him  for  what  He  has  done  in  your  life  lately.  

2. Read  Ruth  chapter  2  again  today.

3. Do  you  see  yourself  as  a  servant  in  God’s  field,  or  as  a  beloved  child  working  WITH  Him  in  a  united  loving  relationship?  

4. Think  about  how  God  has  lavished  grace  and  acceptance  on  you  lately  and  thank  Him  for  it.  

5. Continue  memorizing  and  meditating  on  the  scriptures  for  this  week.

Day FourAt lunchtime Boaz called to her, “Come over here and help yourself to some of our food. You can dip your bread in the wine if you like.” So she sat with his harvesters, and Boaz gave her food--more than she could eat. When Ruth went back to work again, Boaz ordered his young men, “Let her gather grain right among the sheaves without stopping her. And pull out some heads of barley from the bundles and drop them on purpose for her. Let her pick them up, and don’t give her a hard time!” So Ruth gathered barley there all day, and when she beat out the grain that evening, it came to about half a bushel.

~Ruth 2:14-17, NLT

As Ruth came to work at Boaz’s field, she found overwhelming favor with him. She came expecting to be treated as a leech, a pest, and an irritation, but found him to be warmly hospitable.

Somehow, most of us come to Jesus with Ruth’s expectations. We expect Him to have His arms crossed, his eyebrows furled, and His voice cross. We come expecting to be treated as a pest, a leech, and an irritation, but He welcomes us with open arms! Not only do we get what we need from Him, but He lavishes us with too much! We don’t even know what to do with our overflowing cup!

Ruth’s response is so healthy! She responds with gratitude and humility. Read the passage again. You won’t find an entitled woman in these pages. She responds in a way that warms Boaz’s heart, just as our humble, grateful response warms the heart of God when we receive from Him.

Ruth also acted in true humility, not false humility. She did not act as if she were not worthy and refuse Boaz’s kindness. In humility, she received His grace and thanked him for it.

Jesus, I receive Your grace!Thank You!

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Day TwoSo Ruth went out to gather grain behind the harvesters. And as it happened, she found herself working in a field that belonged to Boaz, the relative of her father-in-law, Elimelech.

~Ruth 2:3, NLT

Ruth represents you and me. More than that, she’s you and me when we pursue Jesus by faith. As Naomi and Ruth settle near Naomi’s hometown of Bethlehem, Ruth goes out to see if she can scrounge up some food. You see, in their culture, the reapers were told to leave the corners of the fields available for the poor to be able to glean for themselves. They were also to leave any stalks of wheat or barley that were dropped by the reapers as they gathered them to be winnowed.

BY CHANCE, Ruth happens to choose Boaz’s field to glean the leftover barley. BY CHANCE, Boaz happens to come by that day and sees her resting after working hard all day. BY CHANCE, He immediately bestows favor upon her and invites her to stay in his field and work beside his own female servants. It’s not because he is attracted to her, it’s because he has already heard of what a great friend she had been to his relative, Naomi.

God’s favor comes to us as we cultivate faithfulness. Psalm 37: 3 says, Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness. As we walk in faithfulness God rewards us: He’ll validate your life in the clear light of day and stamp you with approval at high noon. Psalm 37: 6.

Father, as I go through this little day ahead of me, help me be faithful so that there will be a BIG day ahead when you reward me with Your nearness and goodness!

Day Four1. Take  some  time  to  praise  the  Lord  for  who  He  is  and  enjoy  

thanking  Him  for  what  He  has  done  in  your  life  lately.    

2. Meditate  on  Ma_hew  7:  7-­‐‑8.

3. In  Ma_hew  7:  7-­‐‑8,  Jesus  promises  that,  through  diligent  seeking  and  pursuit,  we  will  find  God.    Ask  the  Holy  Spirit  to  show  you  your  diligence  level  in  pursuing  Him.

4. Continue  meditating  on  and  memorizing  the  scripture  for  this  week.

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Day Three Day Three1. Take  some  time  to  praise  the  Lord  for  who  He  is  and  enjoy  

thanking  Him  for  what  He  has  done  in  your  life  lately.    

2. Read  Ma_hew  13:  44-­‐‑45.

3. Bring  at  least  three  friends  or  loved  ones  to  the  Lord  and  ask  Him  to  bring  them  to  repentance  and  faith.    Ask  Him  to  show  you  how  you  can  boldly  love  them  and  speak  the  words  of  Jesus  into  their  lives.      

 4. Continue  meditating  on  and  memorizing  the  scripture  for  this  

week.

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See which part of the field they are harvesting, and then follow them. I have warned the young men not to bother you. And when you are thirsty, help yourself to the water they have drawn from the well.” Ruth fell at his feet and thanked him warmly. “Why are you being so kind to me?” she asked. “I am only a foreigner.”

~Ruth 2:9, 10, NLT

Boaz volunteers great kindness and protection to Ruth. He warns his young men who are harvesting to not harass her as she gleans behind them. This statement implies that it was common for workers to harass the poor who came behind them. Boaz would have none of that and he warned them to leave her alone.

If we see this relationship through spiritual eyes, Ruth and Boaz picture the relationship between a seeker and Jesus. As we pursue our needs to be met by Him, He welcomes us with open arms and gives us protection at His hand. He also waters our soul with His word. We are welcome. Though we don’t fully understand the greatness of Jesus’ grace, we go to work for Him as a servant, not knowing that His full purpose is to bring him into sonship.

Sonship implies for both men and women the idea of a family working together, just like the sign Johnson & Sons implies. The full revelation of sonship comes at some point for us when we continue to seek Him, just as Ruth continued to pursue Boaz.

Thank You, Lord, that, though I am Your servant, You have welcomed me into the house as Your child. Thank You for lavishing grace on me and inviting me to be more than just a worker, but a family member with You! Your love is amazing! I worship You!

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