Day 2: Light in Our Families

Day Two: Monday, August 2nd

Light in Our Families

Before you start into God’s Word, take some time in prayer to prepare your heart for what God is speaking to you. Open it to the presence of God’s Spirit and allow His Word to challenge your ideas of what He wants from you...

Read Ruth 1:1-1:22.
What emotions do you think Naomi was experiencing as she told her daughters-in-law to go back to their home countries?

Why would it be such a big deal that Naomi wanted Orpah and Ruth to return home?

What is your impression of Orpah since she chose to go back to her home? Why do you say that?

Read Ruth 2:1-9.
Why would Boaz react in this manner? She was literally stealing from him…

How do you think the servants of Boaz reacted to Ruth’s presence?

Read Ruth 2:10-13.

After reading a bit into the story of Ruth, what elements of her character stand out to you? Why?

Which is the most impressive to you?

Which of the people in these verses is closest to who you are on a daily basis? Naomi? Ruth? Orpah? Boaz? Why do you think that?
 Read Psalm 56:10-13.
What kind of “vows” do people enter into with God? Why do they do that?
How do they usually turn out? Why?
How do thank offerings play a role in the writer’s praising of God?

Why would they be so important for them?


Today’s readings involve different reactions to grieving and supporting those in our family. For today, spend some time thinking about your relationship with your family. Think about your attitude toward them and what that creates for your life. As you relates these stories and this wisdom to your life, contemplate and journal these questions...
• On a scale of 1-10 (1 = who? and 10 = best friends) how would you rate your relationship with your family?

• How does this number change based on the individuals in your family?

• Who has the highest rating with you? Who do you have the lowest with?

• What are some things that come into conflict with you improving that “lowest” relationship?

• What would it look like for you to actively work to create an environment of healing or growth for each of your relationships with your family?

• How would an improved life with your immediate family translate and affect the rest of your relationships?



Today is your opportunity to seek out moments for you to practice relationship. Understand that your small is group has been specifically constructed for a reason– for you. Those in your group are your family in Christ, so what can you do to work towards that? Whether that means introducing yourself to someone new and asking them about their life or maybe that means praying for the people in your small group and their experience on the Trip. It could even mean that you spend the remainder of this time thinking about sharing your gratitude with the individuals on this Trip, even if that means mending bridges or building new ones along the way. Today is the day for inward reflection while connecting with God’s family…
One Person I am praying for today is:
One change in me I am praying for today is: