At the CafĂŠ With Karen
Ruth Karen Hollon I
Scripture used in this study was taken from the Holy Bible New International Version (NIV) or the English Standard Version (ESV). Resources of Study: Holy Bible Faithlife Study Bible Commentary Holman Concise Bible Commentary Matthew Henry Commentary Opening Up Ruth Commentary The Bible Guide Commentary The New American Commentary www.AtTheCafeWithKaren.com ISBN: 978-0-9889980-0-1 Library of Congress Control Number: 2013902881 Copyright 2013 Karen Hollon Printed in the United States of America by Mennonite Press, Inc. Newton, KS, www.mennonitepress.com
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I thank God, that He is not finished with me yet, and that I am still a work in progress. I thank my loving husband, Keith, who always believes in me and strengthens me with words of love and encouragement.
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About the Author
Karen Hollon was taken to church by her parents from the time she was only a few days old. She and her family attended a Pentecostal Holiness Church in the small town where they lived in Georgia. As a young child, Karen loved to sing and “play church” at home. At the age of nine she publicly accepted Christ as her personal Savior. Karen suffered some adversities in her life, but always came back to her roots in God. She has written poetry, music and Bible Studies. Both Karen and her husband Keith, of twenty nine years, are Ordained Ministers. They Pastor at Crossroads Light to Life in Wichita, Kansas. God led them to plant this church in an inter-city community in 2006. They both have a BA in Biblical Studies from Faith Bible College in Bossier City, Louisiana. They have been involved in various ministries including Prison Ministry, Music Ministry, Children’s Ministry, Street Ministry and Missions Work. Karen is dedicated to her family that she has been blessed with. She is thankful for the godly heritage that was passed down through her parents and preceding generations. Karen loves being a wife, mother and Meme. She loves the Lord with all of her heart and it is her desire to lead others into a fulfilling life in Christ Jesus. Thus, she developed “At The Café With Karen.” It is her prayer that lives will be filled with hope and a deepened relationship with Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV) Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
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Table of Contents
Introduction and Goals Week One: Adversity, Our Value, Love, Bitterness Week Two: Commitment, Humility, Favor, Protection Week Three: Preparation, Servant, A Noble Woman, Anticipation Week Four: Integrity, Redemption, A New Identity, Kingship
This study can be used individually or in a group setting. The answers to “Our Goals� are listed in the back of the book. It is important to look up the scripture references contained in each lesson as to give greater insight and relevance.
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Introduction
As we begin this study together on the book of Ruth, I believe that we will uncover some simple truths that will help us in our daily personal lives. Some of the things we will talk about are adversity, humility, serving and redemption. There are many stories in the Old Testament that parallel God’s love and the sacrificial life that Christ lived. Ruth is one of those beautiful portraits of the love of God in Christ Jesus. It is important for us to understand that there is a larger picture outside ourselves. Sometimes we have to sacrifice, for the sake of others. God showed his love for us, by sending his Son, to be the sacrificial lamb for all mankind. I am reminded of John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” (ESV) What a beautiful picture of love. We are part of God’s wonderful plan. As we have received we must freely give. Our daily lives should be a reflection of God’s love to those around us. Our family, friends, coworkers, neighbors and the people that our lives touch every day that we don’t even know. The homeless person we pass on the street, the cashier that we look across the counter into their eyes. Let’s choose today to live our lives with purpose. That we are going to purposefully, see through the eyes of Jesus, and make the most of every moment and opportunity that God gives us. Don’t miss the small stuff, every opportunity won’t be a grandeur moment. It may be as simply as a smile, a helping hand or even a silent prayer. Ask God today to let you see through his eyes, to be filled with the love of God and be willing to share his sacrificial love wherever you go.
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Week One Adversity Our Value Love Bitterness
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Adversity
Read Ruth 1:1-7 Identify and name the adversities that were encountered in these verses.
The name Elimelech means “My God is King” so it is a little strange that he would chose to leave Bethlehem which means “House of Bread”, because of the famine, and not trust God in his situation. If he would have trusted God and stayed where God had placed him, even in adversity, God would have supplied his every need. (Philippians 4:19) and (1 Kings 17:8-16) The reason for the famine is not known for sure. However, it was probably a form of judgment on the Israelites due to the worshipping of false gods. (Lev 26:18-20) “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (Judges 17:6 & 21:25) It is possible because Elimelech went his own way, he suffered death, and his two sons Mahlon and Chilion also died. In earlier times Abraham went to Egypt to escape a famine. There he made a decision that could have caused him to loose the wife of God’s promise. (Genesis 12:10-20) In later years, his son Isaac also experienced a famine in the land and fled. Although God allowed Isaac to go to Gerar and prospered him there, God said to him “Do not go down to Egypt.” Some of us have went through difficult situations that caused us to loose our trust and confidence in people. Therefore, it can be hard to trust again. Sometimes it is a slow process, but Jesus can heal us from those hurtful situations. We know that Jesus will never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5-6) So we begin there, allowing him to hold us close and teach us to trust again.
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Reflection On a personal level have there been times that you did not trust God in your situation and took matters into your own hands?
How could you have done things differently?
What did God want you to learn in that situation?
Pause to Pray... Dear God, I ask you to teach me your ways and to lead and guide me by Your Spirit. Bring healing to my life in areas that I need your touch. Help me to trust you even when I don’t understand. I thank you, that you are always faithful. In Jesus Name, Amen.
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Our Value
In the backdrop of the Biblical era of history, women gained their identity and security, from their relationship with their father and their husband. A woman gained her value in counting her sons. In that day, marriages were arranged, and a price was set. Two examples are as follows: Abraham sent his servant to get a wife from his country, from his relatives, for his son Isaac. The servant took jewelry of silver and gold, and garments so he could give them to Rebekah. He also gave to her mother and brother Laban costly gifts. (Genesis 24) We also read in Genesis 29 about Jacob. He worked for Laban for a total of fourteen years so he could marry Rachel. Acquiring Rachel, was his wages. After Elimelech died, his sons, Mahlon and Chilion, became his heirs. They took Moabite wives, which was not looked on kindly, to any upstanding Israelite. No Ammonite or Moabite was permitted in the assembly of God because they denied the Israelites bread and water on their way up out of Egypt. (Nehemiah 13:1-2 & Deuteronomy 23:3-4) Now after living there about ten years Mahlon and Chilion both died. Their wives were barren so there were no heirs to carry on the family line of Elimelech. It is possible, that if God would have allowed Orpah and Ruth to have children by Mahlon and Chilion, Ruth and Naomi may have never went back to Judah. If Orpah and Ruth would have bore children, they would have been susceptible of being lead astray by the Moabites in their worship of false gods. God had a greater plan for their heritage to be preserved and to bring them back to Judah. On a personal level, each one of us are accountable for our relationship with God. He values each one of us and we were made with unique qualities. Just because we are women, does not make us any less important in life, or in God’s plan. There were many women that surrounded Jesus’ life. Each one was equally important and valued by Him. (Luke 10:38-42 & John 20:1-2)
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Reflection As a woman of today, how do you gain your value and security?
Read Psalm 139:13-16; Proverbs 31:10; Proverbs 31:29 How do you think God views you?
Pause to Pray‌ Dear God, help me to see myself through your eyes. Help me not to be consumed by what others say, that try to tear me down. I am a woman with a heart after you, and I want to have my value and security in you alone, knowing that you love and care for me. Help me to realize the truth, that you will never leave me or turn your back on me. Thank you Lord, that you are showing me who I am in you. I ask you to use me Lord, for the purposes that you desire, performing your will in my life and not my own. Leading me into all truth and righteousness. In Jesus Name, Amen.
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