"It Just So Happened...." / Ruth 2 / Jim Rosenquist

1. Every believer has a story where looking back we see God’s providence, where it just so happened, where we didn’t recognize God’s hand at the time. What’s your story?

2. There were several examples used from Scripture of God’s providence - Joseph, Moses, Mary, Paul. Which one stood out to you? Can you think of other examples? Are there practical or theological limits to God’s providence? Why don’t we see them?

3. What do we know so far about Boaz? What do we know so far about Ruth?

4. Why does Boaz address Ruth as ‘my daughter’? What about Ruth does Boaz find attractive?

5. Naomi calls Boaz a ‘Kinsman Redeemer’, What is that? Why is that important to her? What does this prefigure about Jesus?

"Some Graces Grow Best in Winter" / Ruth 1 / Jim Rosenquist

1. If faced with famine or poverty or lack of work, any of us would move to where things are better for the sake of caring for our family. So, why was it wrong for Elimelech to leave Bethlehem and immigrate to Moab? What should he have done? What options did he have?

2. How was the process of Elimelech’s move to Moab similar to Lot’s move to Sodom? How was Ruth’s move to Israel like Abraham’s move to the promised land? How were each of these people changed by the move?

3. What does Ruth say that tells us she has abandoned her gods and become a worshipper of Israel’s God? Where does she learn that? From whom? How?

4. This chapter highlights the sorrows and struggles of Naomi, but it’s not really about her. Who is it about? Why? What is the author preparing us for?

"Requiescat in Fide" / Hebrews 4:1-13 / Hanson Rosenquist

With this passage we are presented with the second half of warning passage that began in 3:6b. The author urges his readers to continue in faith and strive to enter God’s rest. Remember this context as you begin your discussion.

1. What was the ‘good news’ that the Israelites received, which is mentioned in v.2? What is the good news we have received?

2. What is the place of faith in receiving the promise of rest? (see also: Gen.15:6; Gal. 3:6, 11-14)

3. What does the author mean by “Today”? How does this relate to v. 1 saying, “the promise…still stands”?

4. What does this passage (including the example of Israel in Psalm 95) tell us about God?

5. In what ways are you trying to find rest apart from faith in God’s promises?

6. What does it mean (in theory and in practice) to strive to enter God’s rest?

"You Had Me At Hello" / Romans 16:1-27 / Jim Rosenquist

1. Who do you recognize from the people Paul greets in the church at Rome? What do you know about them?

2. Why does Paul interrupt his cordial greeting with such a solemn and stern warning? What is he warning them/us about? Has is this a danger for our church? What does Paul tell us to do? What is this difficult?

3. How does Genesis 3 help us understand Romans 16:19-20? What is Paul saying here? How is this encouraging?

4. As informative as this letter has been, what is its ultimate purpose? What is the ultimate purpose for gathering together as a church?

5. How has this study through the book of Romans helped you? What did you find difficult? How has it changed you?

"Nearing the End" / Romans 15:14-33 / Jim Rosenquist

1. In verse 14 what does Paul list as three indicators of a mature church? How do we measure up?

2. In verse 15 Paul says he has made some ‘bold reminders’ in his letter. Like what?

3. Who is the High Priest of Christianity? Why? What priestly activity does he perform? See v 16. Why does Paul say he has provided priestly service? As a priest, what does he offer to God? In what way are we all priests? See 1 Peter 2:5.

4. In verse 25 Paul is writing from Corinth with his travel plans to visit Rome. Why doe he go in the opposite direction to Jerusalem? What happened?

5. Paul encourages Christians to ‘strive’ (agonize) in prayer for him. What three things does he ask them to pray for? What happened? See v 30. Why is prayer described as ‘agonizing’? How can we give God space in answering our prayers?

"Unbelief" / Hebrews 3:7-19 / Hanson Rosenquist

With this passage we are presented with a warning against the dangers of unbelief. The author writes out of love and concern for Christians wavering in their faith. It’s a message of loving pastoral concern. Remember this context as you begin your discussion.

1. Begin by reading the entire text. Then, read 3:7 and 4:7. What is the author of the book of Hebrews communicating to us by listing both David and the Holy Spirit as the authors of Psalm 95?

2. What is the significance of the Holy Spirit’s authorship of this text (see also 2 Tim. 3:16-17)?

3. What is the main warning to Christians in this passage?

4. What does this warning (including the example of Israel in Psalm 95) tell us about God?

5. In what ways, and for what reasons, does unbelief, or heart-hardening, present itself in a Christian’s life?

6. The author calls an unbelieving heart ‘evil’ in v. 12. Why do you think unbelief is evil? What’s the difference between doubt and unbelief?

7. What’s the danger of unbelief? What does it mean that sin is deceitful (v. 13)?

8. How does this passage instruct Christians to combat unbelief?

9. What does it mean to ‘exhort one another’? How will you exhort other Christians “as long as it is called ‘today’”? Are you honestly and humbly open to the exhortations of other Christians? Why or why not?