Speaker: Andrew Farr
Date: 13/06/2021

This week, we continue our Sermon Series on the Book of Ruth, with Chapter 2 and invite you to join with us, as we go through this amazing story.

Online Service

Digging Deeper Resources

LISTEN & READ Ruth Chapter 2

COMMENTARY – Enduring Word, Ruth Chapter 2 (Ruth’s work as a gleaner)

VIDEO & OVERVIEW of The Book of Ruth by the Bible Project

GOT QUESTIONS: Who were the Moabites?

GOT QUESTIONS: What is the significance of Moab in the Bible?

BLOG Gleaning Today

BLOG What Is Gleaning in the Bible? Does it Still Apply Today?

SPEAK LIFE: Reading Between the Lines – Sheltering Under His Wings

Read our BLOG POST, The Book of Ruth Sermon Series.

(Questions 1-6 from “Borders & Belonging” by Glen Jordan and Pádraig Ó Tuama).

Can you think of an occasion in your own life when a real-life encounter with someone considered as ‘other’ changed your opinion of them in a positive direction? What elements in the encounter brought about the change?
In what ways have liturgy and the regular practices of your faith helped keep your gaze focused on the suffering of the world?
In what ways have recent crises we’ve faced turned our attention towards mutual self-reliance? Kindness towards the other? Selfishness?
In this part of the story the reader is struck both by Boaz’s capacity to see Ruth (2.5) and Ruth’s surprise, relief or joy at being noticed, and not in a predatory way (2.10). Take a moment to review your day. Is there anyone you failed to notice at the time?
Ruth’s surprise is related to being recognized for more than her foreignness. How can we ensure that our recognition of neighbours consists of nothing more than their difference from us?
Who are the people that go unnoticed in our world? How can we turn our eyes and our favour toward them?
What do you make of the gleaning laws?
Boaz goes above and beyond the gleaning laws of Leviticus. In what areas do you think you should go beyond the minimum required to help others?

Challenge:

What is one thing we can do this week to let others know we see them and they are valuable in our sight?