For those who often feel forgotten, it is good to be reminded that our God doesn’t forget us. In this brief topical study, we consider three people in the Bible who called out to God that He remember them, and we see what He did in response to their cry.

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If you ever struggle with feeling forgotten, it’s good to remember that our God doesn’t forget us. God has promised to never leave or forsake us.

As we consider three people in the Bible who called out to God and we see that He remembered them, we get a beautiful picture of how God hears our cries and remembers us.

How could trusting that God hasn’t forgotten you help you, especially in your times of trials?

Reflect

• How does Hannah’s story in 1 Samuel 1 comfort you knowing that God remembers you even in your pain, sorrow, and heartache?
• How does Samson’s story found in Judges 16 encourage you that God remembers you even in your times of weakness and failure?
• How does the story of the thief on the cross in Luke 23 encourage you that Jesus remembered you when He was on the cross?

Respond

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)

“Dear God, thank You that You always remember me and never forget me! Help me to trust that You are always with me. Help me to know You are near no matter what trials I’m facing.”

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources

Mentioned in this episode:

• Discover the Word Podcast Archive

Listen:

• In God's Presence
• Are You There God? (with Sally Lloyd Jones) on God Hears Her Podcast
• The Rebel Next to Jesus

Read:

• Where Is God When I feel lonely?
• Answered Prayer | Hannah
• When You Pray and God Doesn’t Answer: 4 Simple Things to Practice

Watch:

• Where Is God? - Psalm 25:6
• Let's Talk About Prayer

Traditionally, the Old Testament book of Ruth has been viewed as a love story. But in this series of 12 conversations with author Carolyn Custis James, Mart DeHaan and Elisa Morgan discover that this story of Naomi and Ruth and Boaz is not all about romance. It’s about God’s ability to make much of broken lives, and how he calls men and women to serve together to build His kingdom.

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When Naomi’s world fell apart, she may have felt that she had lost God’s “hesed,” or His sacrificial, costly, voluntary love. But God used Ruth and Boaz to show Naomi He had not abandoned her. Bolstered by God’s hesed love, Naomi can then pour out that love on Ruth, Boaz, and her grandson.

As we ponder the blessed alliance between Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz, we see how God provided and protected this humble family that was in the lineage of King David and His Son Jesus. We also get a beautiful picture of how God wants His daughters and sons to work together to build His kingdom on earth.

Reflect

• How did Ruth “break the rules” to show God’s hesed love to Naomi in Ruth 1:22–2:7?
• How did Boaz join Ruth in “breaking the rules” in Ruth 2:4–17? What do we learn about Boaz’ character and about the power of men and women working together to serve God?
• How can we see God’s fingerprints in Naomi’s life based on Ruth 1:6, Ruth 1:20 and Ruth 2:17–23?
• How do we see God at work in the lives of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz in Ruth 3:1–13?
• Based on Ruth 3:1, Ruth 3:5–13 and Ruth 4:13–22, how does Ruth’s story embolden you to step out, take responsibility for needs you see, and live more courageously for Jesus?

Respond

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)

“Dear God, thank You that You are always at work in my life. Help me to look for Your fingerprints in every season of my life. Help me to live boldly for Jesus and to share Your hesed love with others.”

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Gospel of Ruth

Listen:

• God Is At Work—The Story of Ruth Part 2—A “Chance” Meeting
• God Is At Work Part 3—A Strange Proposal
• God Is At Work—The Story of Ruth Part 4—The Providence of God

Read:

• Transformed by Love
• Keep Yourselves in the Love of God

Watch:

• God Loves YOU!
• God's Daily Love

Traditionally, the Old Testament book of Ruth has been viewed as a love story. But in this series of 12 conversations with author Carolyn Custis James, Mart DeHaan and Elisa Morgan discover that this story of Naomi and Ruth and Boaz is not all about romance. It’s about God’s ability to make much of broken lives, and how he calls men and women to serve together to build His kingdom.

Receive

What do we do when life doesn’t follow the Cinderella script? How do we respond when the life we get doesn’t seem to have the happily-ever-after ending that we hoped for?

Traditionally, the Old Testament book of Ruth has been viewed as a love story. But there’s so much more to the story than meets the eye. As we dig deeper into the stories of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz, we get a picture of God’s ability to make much of broken lives, and how He calls men and women to serve together to build His kingdom.

How can the story of Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz encourage you as you face hardships in your life?

Reflect

• Based on Ruth 1:1–5, how is Naomi’s story similar to Job’s story of suffering? How was Naomi’s situation perhaps even more dire than Job’s?
• How does the end of Naomi’s story in Ruth 4:13–17 remind us that God gives us beauty for ashes?
• How can we relate to Naomi’s laments in Ruth 1:6–13 and Ruth 1:20–21 when we’re going through times of sorrow, grief, or hardship?
• Based on Ruth 1:14-18, why did Ruth refuse to leave Naomi? Who was she really clinging to?

Respond

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)

“Dear God, thank You that You are close to the brokenhearted. Help me turn to You even in the midst of any sorrow or pain I’m experiencing. Help me feel Your comfort and love during any trials I face.”

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Gospel of Ruth
• Where Ya From? Podcast - Fighting Battles Together (Carolyn Custis James)

Listen:

• The Book of Naomi
• God Is At Work—The Story of Ruth Part 1—The Worst of Times

Read:

• Journeying Through Grief to Find Healing
• A Season of Suffering – Meeting Jesus in Our Pain

Watch:

• Running on Empty - Ruth 1:21
• Unshakable Moxie

Do you ever enjoy a good argument? In the scriptures, there are a surprising number of folks who argue with God. This week we'll consider several of the people in the Bible who argued with God, and try to see what motivated them to argue with the Lord and the result of that argument.

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Fear, insecurity, arrogance, and unbelief are just some of the reasons why people argue with God in the Bible. Maybe you’ve argued—or are arguing—with God over similar feelings?

As we look at the Bible accounts of Moses, Peter, and Ananias, and times they questioned/argued with God, let’s also reflect on the powerful portrait we get of our God for their experiences. God is patient and doesn't simply override our human resistance, but often works through it toward ends that we could never have anticipated.

How can you trust God even when you don’t understand or agree with your circumstances?

Reflect

• Why was Moses arguing with God in Exodus 3–4? How did God respond?
• Why did Peter argue with Jesus in Matthew 16:22?
• In Luke 22:31–34, why did Peter argue with Jesus?
• What caused Ananias to argue with God in Acts 9:13–14?
• How did Peter justify arguing with God in Acts 10:14?

Respond

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)

“Dear God, thank You for being so patient with me! Help me not to argue with You when I don’t understand or agree with what You’re doing in my life. Help me to trust that You have the best plan for my life.”

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources

Mentioned in this episode:

• Our Daily Bread Ministries App

Listen:

• The Times of the Judges | Week 1
• The Times of the Judges | Week 2

Read:

• Why Should I Trust God?
• To the Spiritual Rebels

Watch:

• John 11 - Arguing with God
• Jeremiah 33:3 - Getting Real with God

Is there someone you think would never respond positively to the gospel? Join us and our guest Jennifer Greer as we explore if Jesus was playing a form of the "Most Likely/Least Likely To . . ." game in Luke 17 to show us we can never guess who is the most/least likely to receive Him.

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The “Most Likely/Least Likely To . . .” game is a fun icebreaker activity in which players guess which group member is most likely or least likely to do something. Have you ever played this game? As we read Luke 17 and ponder the deeper meaning behind the 10 leprous men being healed, we discover that Jesus likes to surprise us when it comes to who is most likely/least likely to respond to the gospel. How can we, like Jesus, welcome those who seem like the least likely to receive Him?

Reflect

• Why was it so significant that Jesus was traveling between Jerusalem and Samaria in Luke 17:11–13?
• Why did Jesus instruct the men to go to the priests after being healed in Luke 17:14?
• How does knowing that it was the Samaritan man who returned to worship Jesus in Luke 17:15–16 help remind you that Jesus welcomes the ones who may seem like the least likely to respond to Him?
• What did Jesus say made the Samaritan man well in Luke 17:17–19?
• After reading about the Samaritan man in Luke 17, who was the only one to return and praise God, how does that inspire you to reach out to people who are far from Jesus? What could your next step toward reaching out to the least likely with the love of Jesus look like?

Respond

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)

“Dear God, thank You for calling me to follow You even when I seemed like the least likely to respond. Help me to remain grateful that you saved, redeemed, and cleansed me. Help me to reach out to those who may seem like the least likely to follow You.”

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Story of Dan Week 1
• The Story of Dan Week 2
• How to Read the Bible in Its Ancient Context | Baker Academic

Listen:

• The Untouchable
• The Woman at the Well

Read:

• When the Good News Includes Our Enemy - Luke 10:27–37
• Samaria & the Israelites: The Good Land Goes Bad

Watch:

• Samaria: The Good Land (The Holy Land)
• Love Others Like Jesus Does (John 13:34-35)

Some time ago Elisa led us in conversations about "tables" and how certain mealtimes moved the story of the Bible forward. For these two weeks Bill wants the group to consider the opposite—how famines (or the lack of food) was a catalyst for biblical events and a force for change in the lives of the characters of the Scriptures.

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As we ponder why God allowed His people throughout Scripture to experience famines, we can see that God was still working to draw them closer to Him. God is at work in our life as well. When we face hardships and difficulties in our life, let’s remember that God is near.

How does reading about how God provided for men and women throughout the Bible help remind you that He is faithful to help you through any trial you may face?

What could drawing closer to God even during difficulties look like for you?

Reflect

• Why did God allow someone as faithful as the prophet Elijah to suffer through a famine as we read in 1 Kings 18:2?
• During famines, how did God provide for Elijah in 1 Kings 17:7–11 and Elisha in 2 Kings 4:38– 41?
• Why did the four men with leprosy mentioned in 2 Kings 7:3–5 respond to the famine the way they did?
• Why did Jesus mention a famine in His parable of the Prodigal Son found in Luke 15:14?
• Based on Romans 8:35, not even famine can separate us from God’s love. How does knowing that truth encourage you during difficult times?

Respond

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)

“Dear God, thank You that You love me and provide for me even during the most difficult times. Please help me to draw closer to You, even when I’m experiencing a famine or lack in my life. Help me to trust Your unending goodness, grace, and mercy.”

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources

Mentioned in this episode:

• Joseph by Bill Crowder
• Tables in the Story of God Week 1
• Tables in the Story of God Week 2
• The Book of Naomi
• The Gospel of Ruth
• Inseparable
• God Is At Work—The Story of Ruth Part 1—The Worst of Times

Listen:

• The Miraculous life of Elisha | Part 1
• The Miraculous Life of Elisha--Part 2

Read:

• Faithful to the Faithful: 2 Kings 4
• Why Should I Trust God?

Watch:

• Trusting God in the Dark with Katie Lewis (Unshakable Moxie)
• God Is at Work in All Things | Romans 8:28-29

Some time ago Elisa led us in conversations about "tables" and how certain mealtimes moved the story of the Bible forward. For these two weeks Bill wants the group to consider the opposite—how famines (or the lack of food) was a catalyst for biblical events and a force for change in the lives of the characters of the Scriptures.

Receive

When we stop and consider that so many men and women in the Bible experienced various hardships, including famines, we see how God was still working in their lives to draw them closer to Him. From Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and his family to Naomi and Ruth and King David, they all found themselves in challenging situations. Some of their circumstances may raise some difficult questions, but they also offer some helpful insights into what it means to be people of faith, who in spite of any questions, learn to trust God even in life's most difficult times.

How does reading about how God helped well-known Old Testament figures even during times of famines help you trust God despite your circumstances?

What could your next step toward trusting God during hard times look like?

Reflect

• How might Abram’s response to a famine in Genesis 12:10 have influenced how his son Isaac response to the famine in Genesis 26:1?
• How did the famine mentioned in Genesis 42:5 work out for good for Jacob and his family?
• How did God give Naomi beauty for ashes after the famine mentioned in Ruth 1:1?
• Why did King David want to avoid the famine mentioned in 2 Samuel 24:13?

Respond

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)

“Dear God, thank You for being with me even in difficult times. Help me to trust You despite my circumstances. Help me to love and serve You whether I’m in a season of feast or famine.”

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources

Mentioned in this episode:

• Joseph by Bill Crowder
• Tables in the Story of God Week 1
• Tables in the Story of God Week 2
• The Book of Naomi
• The Gospel of Ruth

Listen:

• Inseparable
• God Is at Work

Read:

• It's Not Fair - Trusting God When Life Doesn't Make Sense
• Navigating the Wilderness

Watch:

• Never Out of God’s Sight - Genesis 41:1
• Running on Empty - Ruth 1:21