Series: Jesus Story                             Week #1

Message: Reckless Love (Ruth #1)

Communicator: Pastor Kevin Geer

Big Idea: God’s love for us is full of grace and unconditional and our love for others should be the same. 

Central Text/s: Ruth 1

Wins of the Week: Take time to share WINS, what God did that moved you and others forward and closer to Jesus.

Ice Breaker: Where is the farthest place you traveled? What was the highlight of your trip? 

Questions to Consider and Discuss: Choose questions that will work best for your group. Don’t feel you need to “get through” all the questions like a grocery list. Feel free to add to or ask a question in a different way than is written. Trust God for the robust discussion and fruit in your group.  

1. Who do you know and admire because of their high moral character? What is one example that you hope to emulate? 
2. Read Ruth 1:1-22. What are some key observations you see in this chapter? 
3. Why do you think there was such a draw towards Naomi from her two daughters in law? What might we speculate happened to Orpah? What did she miss out on by not going with Ruth and Naomi?   
4. Read Ruth 1:16-17. Do you see any similarities between Ruth’s love and commitment towards Naomi and our love and commitment towards Jesus? If so, what are they? 
5. Ruth was “all in” with her love for Naomi. What does being “all in” look like in your relationship with God and with others?  Be specific.
6. Read John 13:34. Discuss how Jesus loves us? How do we translate God’s love for us towards loving others? 
7. Who is someone this week you could show God’s love towards? How may your actions speak louder than your words? What specifically will you do? 
8. One of the best ways to tell how well you express love for God is to look at your close relationships. How do you love those within your circle of influence? How do you treat those easy to love and those who are difficult to love? Is it the same or different?  Can you give us some examples? 
9. Read Matthew 7:12. We all love to be valued by those we care about. How do you like to be shown value? What do you wish someone would do for you that you could do for someone? Be specific. 
10. “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”John 13:35. Discuss ways you will live this verse out this week. How can you as a group live this out? 

Group Prayer Options: 

• • Prayer Question: “What’s going on in our lives that we can involve Jesus?”
  • Ask:  What was one praise and one challenge you experienced this week? Celebrate the praises and pray for the challenges. 
  • Ask if anyone has a need or knows of a need, you can also offer “unspoken” prayer requests. 

• Pray for the person on your right, it can be out loud or in silence, if in silence nudge the person next to you letting them know you are done. 

• Prayer Clusters: Groups of two or three (by gender) and share your week together. Pray together and for each other. Send them a text, or leave a message letting them know you have prayed for them this week. 
• Have someone in your group keep a list of both requests and answers then celebrate the answers.

Are you interested in the Bible and in helping Life Groups benefit from the weekend message? We have a team for you! Canvas members like you create these discussion guides each week. If you are interested in joining the team, please email rickz@canvas.church