Advent 2025 Part 2 with Discussion Guide

Advent 2025 Part 2 Discussion Guide

Summary

This sermon explores the connection between the Book of Ruth and the Christmas story, focusing on the character of Boaz as a parallel to Joseph. The pastor explains how both men were righteous individuals who showed kindness, protection, and provision to women in need. Through the concept of gleaning, we see how God uses ordinary people who choose to do the next right thing to bless others and make a lasting impact. The message emphasizes that true joy comes from living righteously and that God delights in using ordinary people who simply choose to follow Him and do what’s right in each moment they’re given.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You today with grateful hearts, knowing that You are Emmanuel – God with us. As we gather together to study Your Word, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to what You want to teach us today. Help us to be receptive to Your Spirit’s leading and to see how we can apply these truths to our daily lives. Lord, we want to be people who live righteously, doing the next right thing in every situation. Guide our discussion and help us to encourage one another as we grow in our faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ice Breaker

What’s one act of unexpected kindness that someone has shown you recently, or that you’ve witnessed someone else receive?

Key Verses

Ruth 2:10-12
Matthew 1:18-25
Matthew 5:6-10
Deuteronomy 24:19

Questions

How do you see God’s providence working through what seemed like coincidences in Ruth’s story when she ended up in Boaz’s field?
What does it mean to be a ‘righteous person’ in practical, everyday terms? How can we pursue righteousness without falling into legalism?
Compare and contrast how Boaz treated Ruth with how Joseph responded to Mary’s situation. What common characteristics do you see?
The sermon mentions that ‘God uses righteous people to bless others.’ Can you think of a time when God used you or someone you know to bless another person?
What cultural barriers did Boaz have to overcome to show kindness to Ruth? What barriers might we need to overcome to show Christ’s love to others today?
How does the concept of ‘doing the next right thing’ help us live out our faith in practical ways?
Joseph didn’t know his obedience would help bring the Savior into the world. How does this encourage you when you can’t see the bigger picture of what God is doing?
The pastor said that people around us aren’t looking for perfect Christians, but for someone who will show kindness and notice them. How can we be that person in our daily interactions?

Life Application

This week, intentionally look for opportunities to show kindness, protection, or provision to someone in need around you. It could be as simple as offering encouragement to a coworker, helping a neighbor, or showing hospitality to someone who feels like an outsider. Ask God each morning to help you ‘do the next right thing’ and be open to how He might use your ordinary acts of righteousness to bless others.

Key Takeaways

God uses righteous people to bless others, and righteousness means living by trying to do the next right thing
True joy is found in living righteously and being in right relationship with God and others
God delights in using ordinary people who simply choose to do the next right thing, not perfect or powerful people
Both Boaz and Joseph demonstrate how righteous men show kindness, protection, and provision to those in need
Small acts of righteousness can have generational impact, even when we can’t see the bigger picture

Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for the examples of Boaz and Joseph who showed us what it looks like to live righteously. Help us to be people who hunger and thirst for righteousness, who show mercy, and who make peace. Give us eyes to see the people around us who need kindness, protection, or provision. Help us to say yes to You each day and to trust that You can use our ordinary acts of obedience to make an extraordinary difference. May we find our joy in following You and doing the next right thing. Transform our hearts so that we want what You want more than what we want. Use us to be Your light in this world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.