week of November 8

Ruth 3:1-5;4:13-17;

Psalm 127

Mark 12:38-44;

Hebrews 9:24-28

 

1.         Who was Ruth and what was her origin? Who was Naomi and what was her origin? What was the relationship between Ruth and Naomi? What had happened to both Ruth and Naomi? What does Naomi decide to do for Ruth (v. 3:1)? Who was Boaz, and what does Naomi instruct Ruth to do (vv. 2-5)?

 

2.         What eventually happened between Ruth and Boaz (v.4:13)? How did the people in the community react (vv. 14-16)? Who was Obed, and who were his descendants (v. 17)? Do women today have the same cultural issues as in the time of Ruth? Do you know women who have had to use their bodies to stay alive?

 

3.         What does it mean that something is a labor in vain (v. 1)? If you have all the money to build whatever you want and all the people to protect you, do you think all will be well with you (v. 1)?

 

4.         Will working yourself until you are exhausted all the time bring you happiness (v. 2)? Is it possible for a follower of Christ to be misled by trying to fix everyone and everything (v. 2)? What are a heritage and a reward from God (v. 3)? A reward for what? What is the benefit of having many children (vv. 4-5)? What do you think?

 

5.         About whom does Jesus teach the disciples they should beware and why (vv. 38-3)? What does Jesus say they devour and from whom (v. 40)? How would this happen? What will be the consequences for these scribes (v. 40)?

 

6.         Where did Jesus go and what did he watch (v. 41)? Who impressed Jesus the most and why (vv. 42-44)? Why did she give so much? Why do we fear about giving to God—or do we? Who are you in the passage from verses 41-44?

 

7.         Speaking of sacrificing, what did Jesus withhold from God—anything? What ultimate sanctuary did Jesus enter into verses the one where he watched the widow make her offering (v. 24)? Who was Jesus being compared to in verse 25?

 

8.         What did Jesus do for all of us (vv. 26b)? How does the writer of Hebrews describe why Jesus sacrificed himself (v. 28)? How does the writer portray what Jesus will eventually do (v. 28)? Do you think God would limit Jesus from appearing more than one more time? What did Jesus say at the end of the Gospel of Matthew about his return? What are ways Jesus may appear to people? How has Jesus appeared to you?

 

Twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost, November 15, 2015

1 Samuel 1:4-20

1 Samuel 2:1-10

Mark 13:1-8;

Hebrews 10:11-25