Faith Talk – March 1, 2026
Faith Talks are designed to help you keep the conversation going beyond Sunday morning. Use this guide with your family or friends to reflect on the sermon and Life Group lesson, pray together, and put God’s Word into practice. Think of this guide as a starting place—then let God shape the conversation.
Sermon
Title: The Unfolding Plan of God
Scripture: Ruth 4:1-12
Overview: As the book of Ruth comes to a close, Boaz fulfills his role as kinsman-redeemer by legally securing the right to redeem Elimelech’s land and marry Ruth. What appeared to be ordinary legal proceedings at the city gate were actually part of God’s sovereign plan to preserve a family line that would ultimately lead to King David—and to Jesus. Through an awaited conversation, an acknowledged condition, and an affirmed commitment, we see that God’s redemptive purposes unfold with intention and power.
Main Points:
Discussion Questions:
For Kids
For Students & Adults
Application: Take time this week to identify an area of your life that feels uncertain or unresolved. Surrender it to the Lord in prayer and remind yourself that God’s plan is often unfolding behind the scenes—even when you cannot yet see the outcome.
Scripture: Ruth 4:1-12
Overview: As the book of Ruth comes to a close, Boaz fulfills his role as kinsman-redeemer by legally securing the right to redeem Elimelech’s land and marry Ruth. What appeared to be ordinary legal proceedings at the city gate were actually part of God’s sovereign plan to preserve a family line that would ultimately lead to King David—and to Jesus. Through an awaited conversation, an acknowledged condition, and an affirmed commitment, we see that God’s redemptive purposes unfold with intention and power.
Main Points:
- An Awaited Conversation
- An Acknowledged Condition
- An Affirmed Commitment
Discussion Questions:
For Kids
- What does it mean that Boaz was a “redeemer” for Ruth?
- Why do you think God planned for Ruth to be part of Jesus’ family line?
- How can we trust God when we don’t understand what He is doing?
For Students & Adults
- Where do you see God’s sovereignty most clearly in this passage?
- Why was the city gate the right place for this redemption to happen? What does that tell us about public faithfulness?
- How does Boaz’s willingness to redeem Ruth point us to Jesus?
Application: Take time this week to identify an area of your life that feels uncertain or unresolved. Surrender it to the Lord in prayer and remind yourself that God’s plan is often unfolding behind the scenes—even when you cannot yet see the outcome.
Life Group
Scripture: Luke 1; John 1
Christ/Gospel Connections:
All of Scripture points back to Jesus. In our study each week, every age group’s lesson includes a note about how the message connects to Christ. Use these Christ/Gospel Connections as a springboard for meaningful discussion about who Jesus is and what He has done for us.
Preschool – John told people to get ready for Jesus, the Savior coming to be our Rescuer and King forever.
Kids – God spoke through His prophets in the Old Testament, like Isaiah and Malachi, and shared His plan to send Jesus into the world to save people from sin. When the time had come, God called John to be a witness for Jesus. Anyone who trusts in Jesus will be saved.
Students – God spoke through Old Testament prophets, like Isaiah and Malachi, and shared His plan to send Jesus into the world to save people from sin. When the time had come, God called John to be a witness for Jesus.
Adults – God is not abrupt in His ways but has planned all along to send a Savior for His people. That includes sending messengers to prepare the way to ready hearts to receive Him.
Discussion Questions:
For Kids
For Students & Adults
Christ/Gospel Connections:
All of Scripture points back to Jesus. In our study each week, every age group’s lesson includes a note about how the message connects to Christ. Use these Christ/Gospel Connections as a springboard for meaningful discussion about who Jesus is and what He has done for us.
Preschool – John told people to get ready for Jesus, the Savior coming to be our Rescuer and King forever.
Kids – God spoke through His prophets in the Old Testament, like Isaiah and Malachi, and shared His plan to send Jesus into the world to save people from sin. When the time had come, God called John to be a witness for Jesus. Anyone who trusts in Jesus will be saved.
Students – God spoke through Old Testament prophets, like Isaiah and Malachi, and shared His plan to send Jesus into the world to save people from sin. When the time had come, God called John to be a witness for Jesus.
Adults – God is not abrupt in His ways but has planned all along to send a Savior for His people. That includes sending messengers to prepare the way to ready hearts to receive Him.
Discussion Questions:
For Kids
- Why did God send John before Jesus?
- What does it mean that Jesus is the “True Light”?
- How can you help someone learn about Jesus?
For Students & Adults
- How does John the Baptist’s role mirror what we see happening in Ruth 4?
- What does this week’s study teach us about God’s timing?
- In what ways can your life prepare the way for others to know Christ?
Pray Together
- Thank God for always having a plan—even before we see it.
- Commit to trust His timing and purposes in your life.
- Ask God to use you to point others to Jesus this week.
Activity
Redemption Story Chain
Supplies:
Instructions:
- Strips of colored paper
- Markers
- Tape or stapler
Instructions:
- On the first strip, write “Ruth Redeemed.”
- On the next strip, write “David Born.”
- On the next strip, write “Jesus Came.”
- Add additional strips for “John Prepared the Way” and “We Point to Jesus.”
- Link the strips together to form a paper chain.
- Talk about how each link represents part of God’s unfolding plan. Remove one link and notice how the chain breaks—then explain how every part of God’s story matters.
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