Grit & Grace: A Decent Proposal

GRIT & GRACE

A Decent Proposal
Pastor Aaron Sutherland  

SERIES SCRIPTURE:
The book of Ruth

I. GODS PLANS ARE INITIATED BY OUR OBEDIENCE 
Ruth 3:1-5 (CEB) "Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, 'My daughter, shouldn’t I seek security for you, so that things might go well for you? Now isn’t Boaz, whose young women you were with, our relative? Tonight he will be winnowing barley at the threshing floor. You should bathe, put on some perfume, wear nice clothes, and then go down to the threshing floor. Don’t make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. When he lies down, notice the place where he is lying. Then go, uncover his feet, and lie down. And he will tell you what to do.' Ruth replied to her, 'I’ll do everything you are telling me.'”

II. GOD’S PLANS ARE ACTIVATED THROUGH OUR FAITH  
Ruth 3:6-9 (CEB) "So she went down to the threshing floor, and she did everything just as her mother-in-law had ordered  Boaz ate and drank, and he was in a good mood. He went over to lie down by the edge of the grain pile. Then she quietly approached, uncovered his legs, and lay down. During the middle of the night, the man shuddered and turned over—and there was a woman lying at his feet. 'Who are you?' he asked.She replied, 'I’m Ruth your servant. Spread out your robe over your servant, because you are a redeemer.'”
 

III. GOD’S PLANS ARE CULMINATED IN OUR HONOR  
Ruth 3:10-11 (CEB) "He said, 'May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter! You have acted even more faithfully than you did at first. You haven’t gone after rich or poor young men. And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I’ll do for you everything you are asking. Indeed, my people—all who are at the gate—know that you are a woman of worth.'"

 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Have you ever experienced stepping out towards a plan only to watch God change it into something better?  How important were those first steps even though God ultimately did something different?
2. When have you watched God meet you in steps of faith that allowed you to experience what you never could have accomplished on your own?
3. How have you watched God’s hand move as you chose to walk in honor regardless of the circumstance? When have you seen dishonor remove people from God’s best?