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April Bible Study Week #1

First Name

Last Name

Loyalty For Life

SCRIPTURE

RUTH 1:6–18

BACKGROUND & CONTEXT

Ruth lived during a difficult time in Israel’s history. Because there was no king in Israel, everyone just did whatever they wanted to (Judges 17:6; 21:25). As you can imagine, this led to rebellion against God, war, and just plain cruelty. There were also times of famine, which, in the Old Testament, were often seen as discipline from the Lord. Surrounded by circumstances like these, it’s easy for people to turn on each other, “but Ruth clung to” Naomi (Ruth 1:14).

Read Ruth 1:6–9 and discuss 1–2 of these questions:

How has the Lord provided for you recently?

When are you most tempted to believe God doesn’t care about you or has even abandoned you?

How is God drawing you to himself through your difficult circumstances?

Read Ruth 1:10–14 and discuss 1–2 of these questions:

When have you seen someone’s grief or bitterness lead them to isolate themselves?

What kinds of difficulties might cause someone to isolate themselves?

What might loyalty look like in your everyday life?

Read Ruth 1:15–18 and discuss 1–2 of these questions:

How do you feel when someone consistently shows up when you’re going through a difficult time?

Why do you think Ruth was determined to stick with Naomi?

CONNECTION:

The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a classic example of loyal friendship during difficulty. Frodo is given the weighty task of carrying the ring of power to Mount Doom and destroying it. During their long journey, Frodo and his good friend Sam—and the others in the fellowship—encounter trial after trial, setback after setback, danger after danger. As the journey continued, all the companions had to drop out for one reason or another, except for Sam. Sam refused to leave Frodo alone and was determined to protect and care for Frodo.

How does hearing stories of loyalty encourage you to be loyal?

APPLY IT

Identify someone in your life who is struggling and might need you to be a loyal friend. Decide how you want to show them the love and care of Christ by sticking by them.

If you have a hard time deciding what to do, think about what you’d want someone else to do for you!

MARK OF A DISCIPLE

Disciples of Christ are loyal friends.

Be Specific:

What are you going to do?

When are you going to do it?

Is there someone who can keep you accountable?

PRAYER:

Take time to pray for each other’s applications in the upcoming weeks.

MEMORY VERSE:

Parent Disscussion Questions.:

*How has the Lord provided for you recently?

*What kinds of difficulties might cause someone to isolate themselves?

*How do you feel when someone consistently shows up when you’re going through a difficult time?