DISCOVER GOD’S WORD TOGETHER Twenty years of helping women study Scripture with confidence through thoughtful inductive Bible studies, engaging discussion, and trusted biblical insight. SUE EDWARDS (MA, Dallas Theological Seminary; DMin, Gordon- Conwell Theological Seminary) is professor emeritus of educational ministry and leadership at Dallas Theological Seminary. With more than forty years of teaching, pastoring, and directing women’s ministry, she continues to speak at retreats, conferences, and seminars across the country. Visit discovertogetherseries. com for the rest of Sue’s Discover Together Bible series, Bible study videos, and free leader’s guides. S ince 2007 the Discover Together Bible studies have enlightened, encouraged, and equipped women with meaningful devotion, biblical principles, and timeless life lessons. Organized to facilitate either individual or group use, these inductive studies offer timeless teachings on each book of the Bible through lesson introductions, probing questions, inspirational sidebars and historical call-outs. Free leaders guides and supplemental videos enhance the study experience and can be found by scanning the video QR code or visiting www.discovertogetherseries.com. There, students or study leaders can watch historical and cultural background information, discover pertinent truths found in each week’s lesson, and find thoughtful questions to encourage personalized discussion. OVER TOGETHER BIBLE STUDY EDWARDS RUTH Discovering God’s Faithfulness in an Anxious World Sue Edwards RUTH 82 83 RUTH Lesson 7 NOW GOD SPEAKS To oust anxiety, believe your Father’s words. 17. In verses 14 and 15, God reveals several ways he protected Free as she dwelt in his shelter and shadow. What do you think these promises might look like in your life? I will rescue her I will protect her I will answer her I will be with her I will deliver her I will honor her 18. God promised Free that he would satisfy her with long life (91:16). In light of the reality that some faithful Christians die young, what do you think he meant? 19. Finally, God promises Free that he will show her his salvation. Salvation in the Bible has a number of different meanings, so we need to figure out what we think the author meant by the context. See sev- eral examples of different meanings in the sidebar. Which meaning(s) do you think best fits the context? Angels are real, and they aren’t pretty little cherubs with wings who sit around on clouds all day strumming harps. They are powerful wingless majestic beings who carry out God’s desires. My drive into the campus where I teach is often a 45-minute journey on a busy highway. often I pray for God’s angels to surround my vehicle as I come and go, and I sense their presence protecting me. We have no idea how many times during our lives that angels lift us up out of harm’s way or orchestrate situations for our good. It’s incredibly comforting to realize that we are indestructible until our loving heavenly Father determines otherwise. Do you believe that? I have found that truth to be a beautiful antidote to anxiety. —sue salvation in the Bible can mean 1) saved from the penalty of sin by believing in Christ’s work on the cross for eternal life 2) saved in battle 3) saved from physical sickness or physical death in this life 4) saved from the consequences of sin in this life 5) saved out of trials and troubles. —sue The writer recorded God’s promise to deliver those who know and love Him. He will eventually answer the cries for help that His people voice (cf. 50:15; Joel 2:32; Acts 2:21; Rom. 10:13). He will not abandon them in their distresses (cf. Josh. 1:9; Matt. 28:20). The promises of rescue and honor normally find fulfillment in this life, but they always do the other side of the grave. —Tom Constable (Notes on Psalms, 330) DIGGING DEEPER What can you learn about angels from the following passages: Genesis 3:24, 28:10–12; Psalm 148:1–5; Matthew 25:31; Mark 1:12–13; 1 Timothy 3:16, 5:21; Hebrews 1:3–4; 1 Peter 1:12; Revelation 1:17–20, 14:6–20, 15:5–8? The [person] described in this psalm fills out the measure of [her] days, and whether [she] dies young or old [she] is quite satisfied with life, and content to leave it. —Charles spurgeon (Psalms Volume II, 30) 48 49 LUKE LEsson 3 Due to Israel’s mild climate, peoples’ rooftops served as an extension of the home, often cooled by sea breezes. Roofs of simple homes were constructed in three layers: The first was wooden beams, often cypress and sometimes cedar. on top of the beams, straw mats were laid, and on top of these, a layer of clay. The clay would be packed down tight each year before the winter rains, using a stone roller. More expensive homes were roofed with tiles. If you are suffering from a bad man’s injustice, forgive him lest there be two bad men. —Augustine (McKenzie, 14,000 Quips, 143) Corrie’s Story (4:49 minutes). We can learn so much from the story of one faithful, courageous woman. ONLY GOD CAN FORGIVE SINS 18. How did the other guests react (7:49)? 19. On what basis was the sinful woman redeemed (7:50; see also 1 John 5:5)? 20. Simon looked down with disgust on this woman because he consid- ered her to be “a sinner” (Luke 7:39). What was he forgetting about himself (7:42)? 21. How was his sin different from hers? Why was she forgiven and he was not? Read Mark 2:1–12. PROVE IT! It’s one thing to say “your sins are forgiven” and another to actually show that you have the power to forgive sins. Early in his ministry Jesus worked this miracle to authenticate the truth that he could, indeed, forgive sins. 22. Four friends were sure that Jesus could heal their paralyzed compan- ion. What did they do to express their faith (Mark 2:1–4)? 23. What did Jesus say to their friend before he healed him (2:5)? We must not conclude that this woman was saved by her tears and her gift. Jesus made it clear that . . . no amount of good works can pay for salvation (Titus 3:4–7). nor should we think that lost sin- ners are saved by love, either God’s love for them or their love for God. God loves the whole world (John 3:16), yet the whole world is not saved. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Eph. 2:8–9 nkjv). —Warren Wiersbe (Be Compassionate, 97–98)
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