MESSAGE SUMMARY:
Welcome to a new week of Life Groups! This week, our 180 discussion will focus on Ruth’s transformation from a beggar to Boaz’s beloved. God transformed Ruth’s life through her obedience to her mentor and her willingness to prepare. We will explore the steps she took in her journey of preparation and discover tools we can use for our own turnarounds.
Let’s get started!
OPEN IN PRAYER
1. In Ruth 3, Naomi instructs her daughter-in-law to wash herself, anoint herself, and change her garments. These instructions were essential for Ruth’s encounter with Boaz to go well. This process of preparation required humility and accurate obedience.
Read Ruth 3:1-5. Let’s get honest, If you were in Ruth’s situation, would you respond the same? Would you push back, cut corners, or be tempted to skip steps? How does Ruth’s obedience challenge or inspire you?
2. For God to bless us, preparation is essential. Ruth’s obedience prepared her to meet Boaz, her kinsmen redeemer and the physical representation of God’s provision. Meeting him would bring Ruth’s life from poverty to abundance. But this did not happen immediately. Ruth had to take practical steps to prepare her thoughts, emotions, and spirit for her next level.
Read 1 Corinthians 15:46. This verse shows that the natural makes way for the spiritual. How might your thoughts, feelings, and actions prevent you from advancing to the next level? In what areas of your life is God calling for more order, discipline, or diligence?
3. Our downtime is never wasted. In fact, downtime is the best time to prepare for the next level. Following Naomi’s advice distanced Ruth from her past filled with a lack, to embrace her future of more than enough. Ruth’s diligence in the field gave her a favor with Boaz. Before they had even met, He knew that she was a woman of integrity. The same is true for us. God has unimaginable treasures for us, but we must prepare for them now.
Consider your current situation and compare it to what you desire. Are you sowing for the future you are praying for? If God were to answer your prayers now, could your current habits and lifestyle sustain them or would they buckle under the weight?
Is God challenging you to be more faithful in some area? How can you leverage your current situation to prepare yourself for the new experiences and blessings that may come your way?
CONCLUSION
To get ready for the amazing things God has in store for us, we need to pay attention to the everyday, sometimes boring tasks that prepare us to handle those blessings. Ruth was in a tough spot, but she stayed faithful. Instead of relying only on her own ideas, she listened to her mentor, Naomi. Ruth humbled herself, fully embraced her journey, and as a result, she was ready when she finally met Boaz. That time she spent growing wasn’t wasted at all. Let’s make a commitment to stay faithful in the little things so we can be prepared for the new and exciting things God wants to do in our lives!
Challenge: Take note of the areas you are currently struggling to be faithful in. Instead of waiting for your circumstances to change, create a plan to become more diligent and prepare for what you are praying for.
There is power in accountability, so share with the group how they can support your journey toward faithfulness. Then, when things turn around, they can celebrate with you!
END IN PRAYER