Monday - Philippians 4:2-9

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1 Verse 2 Verse 7 Monday - Philippians 4:2-9 Let the peace of the gospel be evident in your lives Euodia and... Syntyche They were two prominent women in the congregation who became involved in some dispute. The peace of God, which transcends all understanding. The fullness of God s grace and the peace that results from that grace cannot be grasped by the mind but must be revealed by the Holy Spirit. (See Ephesians 3:16-19.) 1. How did Paul propose that Euodia and Syntyche be reconciled? Paul here gives us a pattern of Christian encouragement. 2. The Lord is near. That s why Paul encouraged the Philippians to put on certain virtues and act in certain ways. List the things Christians should do in light of the fact that the Lord is near. 3. What did Paul encourage the Philippians to think about? Why? 4. Agree or disagree: Members of the church will never disagree with one another. Why? 5. What is God s solution to disagreements among Christians? Summary - Paul encouraged the church to help two women in the congregation not to argue but to work together in service to the Lord. He encouraged the whole congregation to rest in the Lord and live in a spirit of prayer as they went about their day-to-day lives. 1) He encouraged the women to work together in the Lord (verse 2). By saying this, he pointed these women to the one on whose behalf they were working and he hinted at the gospel message the Lord gave them. He asked for the help of a loyal yokefellow in Philippi. (Note: This may also be a personal name, Syzygus.) He also touched the women s hearts with the gospel by reminding them they had worked by his side for the advancement of the gospel. He reminded them that their names are written in the book of life. Notice all the gospel motivation going on here! 2) We should rejoice in the Lord always. We should not be strong willed and pushy but gentle. We should trust in the Lord at all times and not worry. We should go to the Lord always and present our requests to him in prayer. We should always include thanksgiving in our prayers. We should trust that God will protect our hearts and minds by his peace, which puts us at rest in his presence. 3) They were to think about whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable. The kind of thought-life the Philippians maintained should have shown itself in words and actions that were modeled after Paul and fitting for Christ s people. 4) Disagree. It s natural that we will disagree in areas of adiaphora matters that the Lord neither commands nor forbids. He leaves those decisions up to us. Debate over adiaphora can be healthy. Because of sin, however, Christians might disagree in matters pertaining to God s Word as well. This is not healthy, and we need the Lord s grace to overcome it. 5) God reminds us that we share in the same gospel and have the same gospel goals. We don t want to let our opinions hinder those goals. In matters pertaining to God s Word, the Word alone is the final solution.

2 Verse 10 Verse 20 Verse 22 Tuesday - Philippians 4:10-23 Joyful thanks for gifts of love You had no opportunity to show it. Perhaps on account of Paul s tenuous circumstances in Rome or their lack of a candidate to send to Paul or poverty in Philippi, the Philippians were not initially able to aid Paul. Be glory This is an appropriate way to end any discussion about the Christian faith. The glory for everything that has been accomplished belongs to God. Those who belong to Caesar s household Evidently some members of Caesar s household had come to faith. By exchanging greetings, Paul strengthened Christian fellowship. 1. What was Paul s secret of being content (verse 12)? 2. On Paul s second missionary journey, he first preached the gospel in Philippi. Then he went to Thessalonica, where he experienced bitter persecution. He then went to Berea, and hostile Jews from Thessalonica pursued him there. Finally, he left for Rome. How had the Philippians helped Paul during this difficult time? 3. Why did Paul value these gifts from the Philippians? (verses 17,18) 4. How would God reward the Philippians generosity? 5. Paul said, I have learned to be content (verse 11). What comfort do we find in this? 6. What do you think is more dangerous to our faith, having too much or too little? Why? Summary - Paul concluded his letter to the Philippians by thanking them for their gifts and, in the process, explaining his contentment in any situation and his joy over the fruits of their faith. 1) He knew that Christ would supply all his needs. Christ was in Paul s heart and life. Paul was able to handle every situation through Christ who gave him strength. 2) The Philippians had sent Paul aid again and again, especially during his stay in Thessalonica. They had also helped him when he set out from Macedonia. 3) He valued them not just for his own sake, but because they were fruits of faith. These fruits of faith would be credited to their account, not in the sense that they earned salvation but because Paul knew that the Lord would give them rewards of grace in eternal life. Paul also saw these gifts as a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God (verse 18). 4) God would meet all their needs, already in this life giving them a reward of grace. 5) Paul had to learn to be content. It was not something that came naturally to him. We also need to learn this as the Lord puts us through times of plenty and times of want, in the process showing how he cares for us. The Lord will teach patience to us as he taught it to Paul. 6) Certainly having too much can cause Christians to trust in their wealth. Scripture repeatedly warns against the dangers of wealth. On the other hand, having too little can cause Christians to distrust God s providence. Both can be dangerous. That s why we focus on Christ.

3 Wednesday - Ruth 1 God leads Naomi and Ruth on a difficult path Judges and Ruth were probably written by the same author. Jewish tradition ascribes both to Samuel. The account of Ruth takes place during the days of the judges. This account could have been included in the book of Judges. However, from a study of Judges we realize that its author was presenting the pattern of Israel s rebellion, God s grace, and Israel s subsequent rebellion. The final chapters of Judges tell us about two events in the life of God s people that display the lawlessness of the times. However, amid the constant thorns of war and unfaithfulness throughout the book of Judges, the account of Ruth blooms like a beautiful rose. While the book of Judges revolves around God s salvation of his wayward people, Ruth focuses on the crown jewel of God s plan of salvation for the world the history of the ancestors of King David and his heir, our Savior Jesus Christ. The author chose to separate the story of Ruth from the book of Judges and highlight its message of hope. Verse 11 Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? Naomi s words refer to the opportunity of a Levirate marriage. (See Deuteronomy 25:5.) If a wife did not have children when her husband died, the man s brother was to be given to her. The child she had by him was to be counted as the original husband s heir. 1. In what circumstances did the women find themselves when Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem? 2. When she was returning home, Naomi urged her daughters-in-law to remain in Moab. Orpah does. Ruth, however, refuses, and she made one of the most beautiful statements of faith in Scripture. How did each part of her statement show her faith? 3. Do you sense that Naomi is a negative, cup-half-empty person? How do you view her words in verses 20,21? Summary - As the Lord led Naomi and Ruth down a difficult path in life, he gave them faith and their mutual friendship to sustain them. 1) Use this question to work through the first verses of the chapter. Make sure everyone has a basic understanding of the people and the situation. 2) Don t urge... : Ruth knew that Naomi offered her far more than her own family and her own gods. Where you go... where you stay : Ruth put herself entirely in Naomi s hands. In addition to love for Naomi, these phrases showed that Ruth trusted Naomi. Your people... : Ruth was willing to be numbered among God s people. Your God... : Ruth trusted in the true God she had come to know through Naomi. Where you die... : Ruth had faith that Naomi would not desert her. Ruth took an oath by God not to forsake Naomi. 3) The hardships that Naomi faced were extremely difficult. We should be careful about judging her words here. She may simply be stating a fact, trusting at the same time that God has a purpose for this bitterness in her life.

4 Verse 3 Verse 20 Thursday - Ruth 2 God brings Naomi and Ruth under the care of their kinsman-redeemer Glean in the fields Through provisions like this, the Lord provided for the widowed and the needy in Israel. (See Leviticus 19:9,10.) Kinsman-redeemers This principle ensured that the land the Lord had assigned to each family would remain in the family. If for some reason a family was forced to sell or give up its property rights, it was the duty of the nearest relative to redeem this property and keep it within the family. (See Leviticus 25:10,13-16,24-28.) 1. Verse 3 states, As it turned out, she [Ruth] found herself working in a field belonging to Boaz. Then verse 4 states, Just then Boaz arrived. Was this just an incredible consequence? 2. In the book of Judges, we hear about much idolatry and rebellion. Yet faith was alive at that time. How can we see this in the relationship between Boaz and his workers? 3. Why was Boaz so good to Ruth? 4. In verse 12 Boaz speaks of the Lord rewarding Ruth for all that she had done for her mother-in-law. He views her as a woman of faith because she came to take refuge under the wings of the God of Israel. What does that tell us about Boaz faith? 5. In the last part of verse 12, Boaz speaks of Ruth taking refuge under the wings of the God of Israel. Why is this a beautiful and important picture for us? (See Deuteronomy 32:1-12.) Summary - Although they may have thought the Lord had abandoned them, both Ruth and Naomi began to see the Lord s hand of blessing once again at work in their lives. Ruth began to glean in the field of Boaz. 1) Nothing in our world happens by chance. Everything is under the direction of our gracious and loving God. It is clear that God intended for Ruth and Boaz to marry. 2) The workers and Boaz greet each other with The Lord be with you! What an act of faith! What a fine thing for workers and employers to greet each other in that way. 3) In verse 11 Boaz commends Ruth for the great sacrifices she had made to help out her mother-inlaw. Perhaps Boaz is taking pity on her by making her work easier. More than compassion, however, we see the faith of Boaz on display. Certainly his treatment of Ruth is a fruit of his faith. 4) Boaz asked the Lord to reward Ruth, that is, to bless her and encourage her for giving up everything in her homeland and coming to live with God s people. Boaz was the first in line to give an answer to his own prayer. That day, he gave Ruth and Naomi much food. He also protected Ruth against anyone who might want to take advantage of her. 5) As a young eagle finds food, shelter, protection all it needs under the big, strong wings of its parent, so we have all that we need (and more!) under God s protecting wings.

5 Verses 4,7 Friday - Ruth 3 Ruth and Boaz are engaged (The People s Bible, Judges, Ruth, pages ) The rather peculiar custom of uncovering and lying at the lower part of Boaz body was a proposal of marriage. Knowing Ruth and Naomi s character, there was nothing impure about their motives. 1. There were a number of dangers involved in sending Ruth to the threshing floor at night to propose marriage to Boaz. What might those dangers be? 2. On what was Naomi depending when she sent Ruth to propose marriage? 3. Why does Boaz say that this kindness of Ruth (that is, proposing marriage) was greater than the kindness Ruth showed earlier in caring for Naomi? 4. Why did Boaz keep Ruth there through the night and then tell her to go home before dawn? 5. What possible obstacle stood in the way of Ruth s plan to have Boaz serve as a kinsman-redeemer? 6. Both Ruth s and Boaz reputations are important if the events are to progress in a positive way. In which of his Ten Commandments does God deal with character and reputation? Can you see how God uses this commandment to bless us? 7. Notice the text says that Boaz was in good spirits and not drunk. What does the Bible teach about the use of alcohol? Summary - Naomi sent Ruth to propose marriage to Boaz. At the center of her proposal was Boaz right and duty as Naomi s kinsman-redeemer. 1) Boaz might take advantage of Ruth. Boaz might misinterpret Ruth s intentions. Ruth s character might be sullied by doing this. 2) Naomi was relying on the honorable character of Boaz not to take advantage of Ruth or misinterpret her actions. Also, she was counting on the fact that Boaz love for the Lord would move him to fulfill his duty as a kinsman-redeemer. 3) As a young woman, Ruth could certainly have pursued a younger man. Yet her love for Naomi and the laws of God moved her to seek to marry Boaz. This is not to say that there was no attraction between Ruth and Boaz, but Ruth s statement about Boaz being a kinsman-redeemer put Ruth s motives on a higher level of wanting to help Naomi maintain her line and someday reclaim her property. 4) Boaz was concerned about Ruth s reputation. 5) There was another man who was an even closer relative. 6) God protects our reputation and the reputation of others in the Eighth Commandment. Our sinful natures seem to revel in lifting ourselves up by bringing other people down. Much damage can be done with our gossip and lies. 7) Alcohol can be consumed in moderation by God s people for their enjoyment.

6 Saturday - Ruth 4 Ruth and Boaz marry The heart of this section is Boaz love for the Lord and how he carried through on his promise to act as the kinsman-redeemer for Naomi. This section, however, contains some customs and interpretations of Moses laws that were familiar to the people of that day but may not be clear to us. Technically, the law of the Levirate marriage did not apply to Boaz. Since Ruth s husband had died after the death of her father-in-law, she was free to return to her father s house as Orpah did. Yet Boaz chose to fulfill the spirit of the law and provide an offspring for Naomi, who would inherit her land. Otherwise, she would have had no male offspring and would permanently lose her land. There is also a question about what the closer kinsman was thinking when he agreed to purchase Naomi s land, as was his right. Most likely he saw that Naomi had no offspring to whom the land would revert someday, so he imagined the land would become a permanent part of his inheritance. As is pointed out in the People s Bible commentary, there are two readings in the Hebrew in verse 5. You acquire is the reading used by the NIV. I acquire is another reading. According to the reading you acquire, Boaz was telling the man that he would have to marry Ruth if he redeemed Naomi s land. There is a problem with this interpretation. The man technically would not have had to fulfill the law of the Levirate marriage, as noted above. If the law specified he had to marry her, it is hard to understand why he didn t know about it beforehand. This seems to be the case because he eagerly accepted Boaz proposal to redeem the land but then quickly turned it down when the issue of Ruth arose. The reading I acquire, however, meant that Boaz was going to marry Ruth and raise up an heir who someday would lay claim to Naomi s land. When the other man found out this piece of information, he changed his mind lest his own inheritance be jeopardized in some way. This seems the more natural reading. It was new information, something he could not have been aware of. 1. What s the point of the phrase The LORD enabled her to conceive? 2. How does the concluding genealogy stress that this child was a greater blessing than anyone could imagine? 3. God turned Naomi s bitterness into joy. How might this truth encourage us? Summary - The Lord turned Ruth and Naomi s bitterness into great joy as Ruth and Boaz are married and blessed with a son. 1) Childbirth is a gift from the Lord, accomplished by his power. It may appear to be a natural thing, but it is a miracle performed by God. 2) This child would be the grandfather of David and the ancestor of the Savior. 3) Whatever bitterness we may be dealing with, we can be sure that God has the power to work everything out for our good.

7 Verse 1 Verses 11,12 Sunday - Matthew 1:1-17 The genealogy of Jesus of Nazareth A record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ the son of David, the son of Abraham Matthew wrote his gospel primarily for Jewish converts to Christianity. His purpose here was to point out that the line of Jesus of Nazareth was traceable to David and Abraham, thereby identifying Jesus of Nazareth as the bona fide Messiah promised to both Abraham and David. The genealogy omits certain names. Fourteen names from each of the three major divisions of Israel s history were chosen, probably to make remembering them easier. At the time of the exile to Babylon... after the exile to Babylon The Messiah s line was still eminently intact and traceable, even from a time of great national collapse and confusion. 1. The people listed in each section of the genealogy teach us lessons. Of what did the great men of faith remind Matthew s readers? (verses 2-6) Of what did the list of kings remind Matthew s readers? (verses 6-11) Of what did the list of unknowns remind Matthew s readers? 2. Find the four women mentioned in the genealogy. Discuss the story of each of these women. Why do you think they were included? (Extra credit: Why did Matthew not record Bathsheba s name but rather label her Uriah s wife [verse 6]?) 3. The listing of Jesus ancestors includes highborn and lowborn persons, kings and commoners, wealthy and poor, men and women. Where would you fit in? How so? Matthew traced Jesus family line from Abraham to David, from David to the captivity in Babylon, and from the return from captivity to Christ. God is in control of human history. 1) Of what did the great men of faith remind Matthew s readers? (verses 2-6) Their faith was centered on Jesus, whom they knew to be their Savior. 2) Of what did the list of kings remind Matthew s readers? (verses 6-11) That Jesus descended from David, and that he was a king as they were. Of what did the list of unknowns remind Matthew s readers? During the turbulent time of the exile and the years afterward, the Lord still kept David s line alive until Christ, the Savior, was born. 3) Consider the relation of Judah to Tamar or the way by which Salmon s mother, Rahab, once gained an income. Ruth was from Moab and, therefore, a Gentile. The woman who bore Solomon to David is described as one who had been another man s (Uriah the Hittite s) wife. (Note: By labeling Bathsheba Uriah s wife, Matthew is turning his accusing finger from Bathsheba and pointing it at David. David was the sinner who committed adultery and murder.) Jesus came to save sinners. He came to save Gentiles. He came from men who had sinful relations with women. (Consider the fact that Matthew was a tax collector when Jesus found him.) 4) Barriers of race, gender, wealth or poverty, education or lack of it are removed in Christ. All are sinners, and we all need forgiveness.

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