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REFLECT | 'What is going on in our life right now?’

Discuss

Did you manage to implement the ONE THING you said you were going to do differently this week? Why/Why not? (Not supposed to be condemning, just an acknowledgement)
What has been out of your control this week? How have engaged with that emotionally?

ENGAGE | ‘How do we engage with what God is saying to us?

Discuss

Naomi loses both her husband and her Son’s. How have you responded to hardship and tragedy in your life?
- What have you learnt from your experiences?
What did Jesus mean when he said
- “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Naomi blames God for her situation saying the, ‘Lord’s hand has turned against me’…. and ….’I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted[e] me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.’
- Have you ever blamed God for something that was happening in your life? What happened?
  - Why do things go wrong?
Amazingly despite all that Naomi was going through she was quick to bless those around her!
- How quick are you to bless others during times of hardship in your own life?
At the end of the chapter there is a glimpse of hope, ‘the barley harvest was beginning’.
- What is God saying to you about what is round the corner?

INSPIRE | - 'How do we inspire change in each other? What are we going to do / change / do differently this week?'

Discuss

How can we INSPIRE each other to bless those around us in the midst of our pain and hardships. What could that look like?!

Go Deeper

Do a quick word study of what Jesus says about hardship and tragedy? (You can use BibleGateway as a search tool to help)