Faith Talk – February 8, 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: Home at Last
Scripture: Ruth 1:19–2:1
Overview: Naomi returns to Bethlehem after years of loss and hardship, accompanied by Ruth. Though the town welcomes her home, Naomi openly acknowledges the bitterness she feels from her suffering. The passage closes by introducing Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s late husband, quietly setting the stage for God’s unfolding plan of redemption.
Main Points:
Discussion Questions:
For Kids
For Students & Adults
Application: This week, take a moment to bring your honest emotions to God—whether joy, grief, or uncertainty—and trust that He is still working in your story.
Scripture: Ruth 1:19–2:1
Overview: Naomi returns to Bethlehem after years of loss and hardship, accompanied by Ruth. Though the town welcomes her home, Naomi openly acknowledges the bitterness she feels from her suffering. The passage closes by introducing Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s late husband, quietly setting the stage for God’s unfolding plan of redemption.
Main Points:
- Naomi’s return shows that God welcomes His people even when their stories are marked by pain and loss.
- Honest acknowledgment of suffering is not a lack of faith but an invitation to trust God again.
- God’s provision often begins quietly, long before we recognize what He is doing.
Discussion Questions:
For Kids
- Why was Naomi happy to come home, even though she was sad?
- What does it mean to be honest with God about how we feel?
- Who are people God uses to help take care of us?
For Students & Adults
- Why do you think Naomi was both welcomed and weary when she returned home?
- How do you typically respond to God after disappointment or loss?
- Where might God already be at work in your life, even if you don’t see the outcome yet?
Application: This week, take a moment to bring your honest emotions to God—whether joy, grief, or uncertainty—and trust that He is still working in your story.
Life Group
Scripture: Ezra 7–10; Nehemiah 8
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 – Like Ezra, Jesus also taught people about God’s rules. But Jesus did even more! He obeyed all of God’s rules perfectly, died for our sins, and came back to life.
Kids – Ezra taught God’s law, and the people recognized their sin. Jesus came to fulfill the law and gives us power to turn away from sin through His death and resurrection. Through faith in Jesus, our hearts are changed so we can love and obey
Students – Ezra taught God’s law, and the people recognized their sin. Jesus came to die for our sin and give us power to turn away from sin. Through faith in Jesus, our hearts are changed so we can love and obey God.
Adults – The reading of Scripture is important, individually and corporately. Through the study of Scripture, we discover together who God is–His holiness, goodness, grace, and mercy. Scripture points to Christ and His wondrous works of salvation. Hearing and studying it together leads to the growth of God’s kingdom.
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 – Like Ezra, Jesus also taught people about God’s rules. But Jesus did even more! He obeyed all of God’s rules perfectly, died for our sins, and came back to life.
Kids – Ezra taught God’s law, and the people recognized their sin. Jesus came to fulfill the law and gives us power to turn away from sin through His death and resurrection. Through faith in Jesus, our hearts are changed so we can love and obey
Students – Ezra taught God’s law, and the people recognized their sin. Jesus came to die for our sin and give us power to turn away from sin. Through faith in Jesus, our hearts are changed so we can love and obey God.
Adults – The reading of Scripture is important, individually and corporately. Through the study of Scripture, we discover together who God is–His holiness, goodness, grace, and mercy. Scripture points to Christ and His wondrous works of salvation. Hearing and studying it together leads to the growth of God’s kingdom.
Discussion Questions:
For Kids
- Why was it important for the people to hear God’s Word?
- How does Jesus help us do what is right?
- What is one way you can obey God this week?
For Students & Adults
- What does your daily life reveal about what you treasure most?
- How does God’s Word shape repentance and renewal in us?
- In what ways does Jesus empower us to live differently?
Pray Together
- Thank God for welcoming us and speaking to us through His Word.
- Commit to listen and respond when God shows us areas that need change.
- Ask for a heart that treasures Christ above everything else.
Activity
Mapping God’s Faithfulness
Supplies:
Instructions:
- Paper
- Pens or markers
Instructions:
- Draw a simple timeline of your life (or your family’s story).
- Mark moments of joy, hardship, and change.
- Talk together about where you can now see God’s faithfulness—even in hard seasons.
- Thank God for continuing to work, even when the story isn’t finished yet.
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