Friday, March 9, 2012

Dare to Dream Again: (Ruth 1:1-5)


1 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. 2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah . And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. 3 And Elimelech Naomi's husband died ; and she was left , and her two sons. 4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years. 5 And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.  

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS: 
1) Why did the man take his family from Bethlehem (v.1)? 
2) Who was ruling in Bethlehem (v.1)? 
3) What was happening during the time that the judges ruled (Judges 21:25)? 
4) What happened to Elimelech during their stay in Moab (v.3)? 
5) What did Elimelech’s sons do after their father died (v.4)? 
6) What happened to Naomi’s sons (v.5)? 

APPLICATION QUESTIONS: 
1) Who do you consult with faced with life altering decisions? 
2) Have you ever considered forsaking your faith in God, for any reason? 
3) If so, what was your reason for forsaking your faith in God? 
4) Have you ever married, or considered marrying, someone who was not a Christian? 
5) If so, what happened to your relationship with the non-believer and with God? 

LIFE LESSONS: 
1) When going through a dry season, or another trial (test), it’s always best to seek godly counsel. 
2) The Lord often uses difficulties in our lives to draw us closer, or back, to Himself.