Dec 20&27, 2015
Dec 20&27, 2015
BELONG Consider the personal loss of the following: physical items, relationships, time, and life. As a group discuss the value associated with each type of loss and the difficulty you encounter when seeking to “redeem” the loss in your life. As a group, read together the following quotes from Shane Claiborne; once read, split into 2 groups each taking one of the quotes. Take 5 minutes and have each group consider the quote in light of the 3 qualifications of a KingsmenRedeemer (qualified, capable, willing). Come back together and share together the challenges of each quote. “Perhaps there is no more dangerous place for a Christian to be than in safety and comfort, detached from the suffering from others” “Christianity can be built around isolating ourselves from evildoers and sinners, creating a community of religious piety and moral purity. That’s the Christianity I grew up with. Christianity can also be built around joining with the broken sinners and evildoers of our world crying out to God, groaning for grace. That’s the Christianity I have fallen in love with”
GROW As a group, read together the account of Jesus healing the leper recorded in Matthew 8:14. o Discuss as a group similarities that you see in Jesus in these verses and the picture of Boaz as the KingsmenRedeemer recorded in the book of Ruth. Reread v.3 and as a group discuss the following elements of the verse in the context of being a leper in this time: § “Reaching out His hand” – what emotions do you anticipate the leper having experiencing this? § “He touched him” – what is the value of touch to the human condition? § “I am willing” – how do these words comfort you personally and what can they mean to others seeking to be “redeemed”? § “Be made clean” how do these words comfort you personally and what can they mean to others seeking to be “redeemed”? The Lord has provided redemption to the world through the person and work of Jesus. Psalm 111 lists many reasons He is to be praised. As a group, sift through the verses, identify these reasons, and discuss the implications they have on a believer’s actions towards others and their communities.
REACH To meet the qualifications of a KingsmenRedeemer, a person had to be qualified, capable, and willing. As a group, discuss tangible ways that you can show yourselves to serve as a “KingsmenRedeemer” to your community?
GOINGDEEPER (split out guys and gals) Ruth showed great confidence in approaching Boaz, her KingsmenRedeemer. Are there times you struggle with approaching the Lord with the same confidence to meet specific needs or deliver you from personal sin? How can the group pray for you in the week ahead to realize the truth of God’s complete provision as your KingsmenRedeemer?
