Authentic Relationships...Week 2

today was another good lesson!

verses for this week were RUTH 1:1-18

what are some times when friends have come through for you?
deaths, divorces, etc

what keeps you from having deep relationships?
busyness/time, pride, risk involved

even God doesn't like to be alone! deep down we all have a hunger for those deep relationships!

why was ruth so loyal to naomi?
how she was treated, naomi's character, naomi's love, loyal to the dead (her husband/naomi's son), respect, compassion/empathy (ruth lost her husband, but knew that naomi lost her husband AND 2 sons)

what do you think of when we say home?
security, safety, love, belonging

culture vs. blood ties:
culture:
~friends:
1. co-workers: don't always see outside of work, see them more than anybody, common thread
2. church family: breaking bread. common thread
3. neighbors:
4. married-in-family:
blood:
sometimes hard to show love, respect, loyalty, etc., to family. however you have no choice in blood ties!

how do you show ultimate loyalty?
death, sacrificing time, giving of self

there is a blessing that comes from loyalty!

***the rest of the story (after ruth 1:1-18): ruth remarried a true man of God who was also wealthy. she had children and was the great-great grandmother of king david and the great x-grandmother of Jesus!***

CHALLENGE FROM GENO:
read ruth. how have you sacrificed for your friends and/or family?

***REMEMBER THAT THE VERSES THAT NEED TO BE READ FOR EACH SUNDAY ARE LISTED TO THE RIGHT!!! THE VERSES THAT ARE BESIDE THE DATE ARE THE VERSES THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED THAT DAY - SO READ THEM THE WEEK BEFORE!***