Favored

Redeemed Day 7 Favored Not Forsaken: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Favored Not Forsaken!

The Questions

1) What does the exchange between Boaz and his workers reveal in verse 4?

2) In this passage, why was Boaz able to demonstrate God’s characteristics?

3) How does hospitality connect with the gospel?

Ruth 2:1-17

Now Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side. He was a prominent man of noble character from Elimelech’s family. His name was Boaz.
2 Ruth the Moabitess asked Naomi, “Will you let me go into the fields and gather fallen grain behind someone with whom I find favor?”
Naomi answered her, “Go ahead, my daughter.” 3 So Ruth left and entered the field to gather grain behind the harvesters. She happened to be in the portion of the field belonging to Boaz, who was from Elimelech’s family.

4 Later, when Boaz arrived from Bethlehem, he said to the harvesters, “The Lord be with you.”
“The Lord bless you,” they replied.
5 Boaz asked his servant who was in charge of the harvesters, “Whose young woman is this?”

6 The servant answered, “She is the young Moabite woman who returned with Naomi from the territory of Moab. 7 She asked, ‘Will you let me gather fallen grain among the bundles behind the harvesters?’ She came and has been on her feet since early morning, except that she rested a little in the shelter.”

8 Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Listen, my daughter. Don’t go and gather grain in another field, and don’t leave this one, but stay here close to my female servants. 9 See which field they are harvesting, and follow them. Haven’t I ordered the young men not to touch you? When you are thirsty, go and drink from the jars the young men have filled.”
10 She fell facedown, bowed to the ground, and said to him, “Why have I found favor with you, so that you notice me, although I am a foreigner?”

11 Boaz answered her, “Everything you have done for your mother-in-law since your husband’s death has been fully reported to me: how you left your father and mother and your native land, and how you came to a people you didn’t previously know. 12 May the Lord reward you for what you have done, and may you receive a full reward from the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.”

13 “My lord,” she said, “I have found favor with you, for you have comforted and encouraged your servant, although I am not like one of your female servants.”

14 At mealtime Boaz told her, “Come over here and have some bread and dip it in the vinegar sauce.” So she sat beside the harvesters, and he offered her roasted grain. She ate and was satisfied and had some left over.

15 When she got up to gather grain, Boaz ordered his young men, “Let her even gather grain among the bundles, and don’t humiliate her. 16 Pull out some stalks from the bundles for her and leave them for her to gather. Don’t rebuke her.” 17 So Ruth gathered grain in the field until evening. She beat out what she had gathered, and it was about twenty-six quarts of barley.

Original Intent

1) What does the exchange between Boaz and his workers reveal in verse 4?
Boaz was quite a wealthy man with many fields, many workers, and many overseers over those fields and workers. He certainly didn’t “need” to visit his fields as he had trusted overseers to keep a keen business eye on all things related to his harvest. The simple fact that Boaz even came to the field in person speaks highly of his character. As further evidence of his kind character, he did not come only to privately engage his overseers to ensure everything was going as planned. He was not visiting to be controlling. The first exchange recorded as Boaz approaches the worksite is a kind greeting that honors both the Lord and the people working for him. Neither did Boaz view his workers as objects to do his bidding, nor did he view himself as above the authority of God. Ancient preserved documents, called Targums, were written in Aramaic as a sort of explanatory commentary of Scripture for Jews who had, over time, forgotten how to speak or understand the Hebrew language. Today, the Targum can provide insight for us into cultural understanding when it comes to studying Scripture. For this specific exchange between Boaz and his workers, the Targum expands our understanding to include the idea that Boaz was pronouncing a genuine blessing from the Lord to the people, which included a prayer for their health, well-being, and safety as they labored. In reciprocity, the harvesters responded in like blessing by also praying prosperity over Boaz.

2) In this passage, why was Boaz able to demonstrate God’s characteristics?
Boaz’ life mirrored the character of God because He had grown up knowing and loving the God of the Bible, Yahweh. Boaz himself was a foreigner being the son of the Gentile prostitute, Rahab, and her Jewish husband, Salmon. (Matthew 1:5) While he could have been excluded because he wasn’t a full-blooded Jew, he experienced the inclusion of a God who lovingly draws in all people. This God so kindly grafted Boaz in that he became a key player in the family lineage of Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph! Because Boaz was so radically loved, his life naturally reflected the attributes of love as first portrayed by God. The Lord God was a refuge and protector to His people Israel (Psalm 3:3-4), and we find Boaz specifically speaking to his workers to not bother Ruth. (Ruth 2:9) The Lord God provided food and drink, exactly the amount needed for Israel as they wandered in the desert. (Exodus 16:11-12) Likewise, Boaz went out of his way to provide food and drink to completely satisfy Ruth and Naomi. (Ruth 2:14-17) Pointing forward to Jesus, only in Him can a soul find protection from the consequence of sin, which is death. (Romans 10:13) Only in Jesus, can we be sheltered from the chaos of everyday life by finding peace with God. (Romans 5:1) Jesus calls Himself the “bread of life” (John 6:35) and the source of “living water” (John 7:38-39) because only in Christ can anyone find true satisfaction that will never leave us empty or dissatisfied. (John 10:10)

3) How does hospitality connect with the gospel?
It’s simply not possible to read this account of Boaz and not be impressed by his humility, generosity, and hospitality, especially when we keep in mind that Ruth was a non-Jew Gentile living, and working, in a very Jewish town. She should have most-definitely been the city’s outcast. She was the proverbial black sheep. Her clothes were different. Her speech and tonal inflections were different. Her growing up experiences were different. Her religious background was different. Surely, these factors created too great of a divide to bridge for one community! Boaz proved otherwise with his lavish hospitality. He noticed her, as she obviously stuck out to everyone, but he responded to her apparent differences with humility and kind graciousness. In the face of her extreme minority, Boaz did not use his majority power and influence either to ignore or mock her, instead he elevated her. He sat with her during meal time, giving her the best of the noon meal. (verse 14) He spoke with her face to face when he could have easily sent a male overseer with a message, (verses 8-9) and he went above and beyond by encouraging her heart with a good report he’d heard of her and prayed a blessing over her. (verses 11-12) Then, Boaz blessed her house with more meals to share between her and Naomi. (verse 17) Boaz demonstrated true hospitality, not because he was wealthy, but because he was humble and loved the outcast.

Everyday Application

1) What does the exchange between Boaz and his workers reveal in verse 4?
Not only do we see God’s character so sweetly reflected in Boaz in this exchange, but we also have a wonderful model for engaging others around us! Just as Boaz didn’t see himself as too lofty to associate with the common workers in his hot, dusty fields, so the Lord Jesus humbled Himself to come and dwell with us in order to sacrifice Himself for us. Boaz specifically spoke to his workers and offered prayers over them with genuine sincerity, how much more does Jesus do for us! Constantly He is interceding for us in prayer to the Father through the Spirit, and never once are we abandoned and removed from His presence, though we are so unworthy of such a lavish gift! What a refreshing gift to see such a good example of Jesus in someone else! Doesn’t it encourage you to live more boldly and loving as an example to others as well?! In our culture, the common exchange is, “How are you?” to be responded with a hearty, “Good! And you?”. Even among believers, sometimes we throw around words like “blessings” or “Lord bless you”, but how much more meaningful would these exchanges become if we accompanied a genuine prayer for the other person along with our words? Take the challenge and pray specifically for the next person you share a common greeting! For a little deeper dive, take a look at the short letters towards the end of the New Testament to catch a glimpse of Paul’s prayers of blessings over those who read his letters!

2) In this passage, why was Boaz able to demonstrate God’s characteristics?
Paul wrote in his letter to the church in Corinth, “Imitate me as I also imitate Christ”. (1 Corinthians 11:1) He had just finished explaining to the Corinthians how he quite intentionally lived his life for the purpose of sharing the hope and love of Jesus to all people, regardless of what he was doing. Even down to what he ate and drank, Paul wanted those around him to know he loved them and was putting them above himself because that is exactly how Jesus loves us. (1 Corinthians 10:23-33) Boaz clearly demonstrates this same principle. Loving others with generosity and genuine kindness wasn’t something he did for show or in attempt to somehow “win favor” either from God (pride because it’s impossible) or people (pride because it’s self-focused). Boaz loved others like God had loved him. Jesus said of the woman who sacrificially anointed Him in Bethany, “her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why she loved much.” (Luke 7:47) When we realize how far away our sin removes us from the loving presence of God, we understand how deeply we need to be forgiven. The chasm between us as sinful human beings and the perfectly holy God is impossibly wide. Only through Jesus can it be crossed. Then, when we are awash with the realization that God, in Christ Jesus, removes our sin as far as the east is from the west, we are radically made new and repurposed to love others as deeply as we have been loved. Be encouraged by Boaz’ example of redemption and live lives that love others and imitate Christ in everything we do!

3) How does hospitality connect with the gospel?
A shared meal between close friends or relatives is one thing, but it’s quite another to extend lavish hospitality to those outside your circle of comfort and familiarity. Whether it’s another race, another culture, income level, or lifestyle choice, actually living out humble, loving generosity in the form of hospitality puts the gospel on brilliant display like little else! It’s easy to love those who love us and make us feel comfortable, but that is not the gospel. (Luke 6:32-36) Christ did not come to save those who claimed self-righteousness, but to rescue those who realized they were destitute and entirely excluded from right standing with God on their own merit. (Luke 5:32) When we live our everyday lives intentionally on the lookout for those who are different from us, for the purpose of loving them like Jesus, we will find ourselves reaching for the house key of hospitality by which we open the door to share the gospel with our new friends. Reach across the line, love someone different than you, and enjoy the sweet reward of fellowship brought about by the love of Christ!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Favored Not Forsaken!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Redeemed Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.

Redeemed Day 6 Favored Not Forsaken

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Read His Words Before Ours!

Ruth 2 
Exodus 17:8-16
Hebrews 10:24-25

Redeemed, Day 6

“Friend, I just read your blog. I’m praying for you and I’m behind you, and I’m also reminded of Moses. When the Israelites fought against Amalek, Moses, Aaron, and Hur climbed a hill. When Moses’ hand was raised, Israel was winning, but when his hand lowered, they began losing. When he grew too weary, Aaron and Hur stood on either side of him holding up his hands. We will be here, holding up your hands as you grow weary and tired from battle. You won’t have to keep your hands raised on your own.” 

I sent this text to a friend, as I thought of all she walked through in the last year. I’ve watched the Church gather around her family, holding up their hands.

Community.

Beautiful, God-crafted, community.

We see this theme throughout Scripture, beginning with God Himself. He exists in the community of the God-head: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Community . . .  when God told Adam it wasn’t good for Adam to be alone.

Community . . .  when Noah and his family boarded the ark.

Time and time again, community arises in the most unlikely circumstances. David’s closest community was the son of the man trying to murder him. Jesus’ earthly community included the man He knew would betray Him to death.

And the famous matriarch, Naomi?
Her community came from her Gentile daughter-in-law, Ruth.

Ruth, who was new to calling Yahweh her God.
Ruth, who was from a different culture, yet returned to Naomi’s homeland alongside her.
Ruth, who was so much younger than her grieving mother-in-law.
Yet, the unlikely Ruth, exemplifies Biblical community by holding up Naomi’s arms when she was overcome with weakness and her feelings that God had forsaken her.

You see, when Naomi and her family left Bethlehem for Moab, it was only supposed to last until the famine eased.

But Moab brought Naomi nothing but turmoil as she watched each member of her family die.

I’ve walked through grief, like so many of us have already, and all of us will someday. While God’s original plan for this earth did not include physical death, it’s now an inescapable part of our fallen world. But death never has the final word, and despite Naomi’s heartbroken belief she’d been forsaken, God wasn’t finished with her story. 

After the death of her two sons, Naomi and her daughters-in-law began their return to Bethlehem. Eventually, Naomi convinced one of them to return to her Moabite family, but Ruth? She would not leave Naomi.

Naomi pleaded. She pushed Ruth away.
She tried to convince Ruth to abandon a hopeless life with a forsaken woman.
Her pleadings fell on deaf ears; Ruth was staying. She embraced Yahweh as her God and the Ephrathites from Bethlehem as her people, just as they were Naomi’s.

Community. 

When Naomi was weak and weary, Ruth would not abandon her, and believed, in Naomi’s stead, that God’s favor would fall on them.

When they arrived in Bethlehem, Naomi announced the Almighty had made her bitter, replacing her once-full heart with overwhelming, all-encompassing, and inescapable grief Naomi was empty. Forsaken.

But Ruth.

Ruth wouldn’t hear of it. Ruth believed favor would come, and she continued to serve Naomi, encouraging her, caring for her, and loving her. Naomi, in her heartache and sorrow, couldn’t see that Ruth was proof she wasn’t forsaken.
God had given her a daughter-in-law who was faithful, and their stories weren’t over.
Death wouldn’t have the final word!

The remainder of Ruth’s story overflows with the Lord’s kindly orchestrated favor and faithfulness to Naomi through Ruth.

Favor.

Not forsaken. 

As Ruth “just so happened” to  gather fallen grain from the field of a man named Boaz . . .
As Boaz “just so happened” to notice Ruth and show her extravagant kindness . . .
As Boaz “just so happened” to have heard how Ruth left everything she knew to stay with Naomi . . .
And as Boaz “just so happened” to be a family redeemer: one who, we’ll learn in the next few studies, could provide Ruth and Noami with a hope and future.

Favor. 

Not forsaken.

When Naomi felt nothing but forsaken and empty from the deep sorrow consuming her,
Ruth’s faith and faithfulness carried Naomi through.
Ruth held up Naomi’s arms, refusing to allow her to crumble, refusing to allow her to believe she was alone and death would have the final word.

That’s community, friends!

We hold each other up, speaking life and favor over one another. We walk alongside one another during the darkest of days and the hardest of times. We point one another to Jesus over and over and over. We hold up one another’s arms during battle, like Aaron and Hur and Ruth.

I’ve seen true, deep community lived out in the Church. I’ve experienced it during my own battles. It is beautiful. It’s how God designed community to be lived out; as a reminder to each other we are favored, not forsaken!

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Embracing God’s fullness in our lives is rooted in scripture and memorizing His word is vital to our continued growth and depth with Jesus. Tap and hold from your mobile device to download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!

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Here’s a link to all past studies in Redeemed!

Worship VI Day 7 Isn’t He?: Digging Deeper

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Digging Deeper Days

Finding the original intent of Scripture and making good application to our everyday lives as we become equipped to correctly handle the Word of Truth!

Yesterday’s Journey Study connects with today’s!
Check out Isn’t He?!

The Questions

1) Why was Israel the favored nation of God?

2) Was Israel a nation without blemish or sin?

3) What is God teaching Israel in this passage?

Isaiah 43:1-7

Now this is what the Lord says—
the one who created you, Jacob,
and the one who formed you, Israel—
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name; you are mine.
2 I will be with you
when you pass through the waters,
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not overwhelm you.
You will not be scorched
when you walk through the fire,
and the flame will not burn you.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, and your Savior.
I have given Egypt as a ransom for you,
Cush and Seba in your place.
4 Because you are precious in my sight
and honored, and I love you,
I will give people in exchange for you
and nations instead of your life.
5 Do not fear, for I am with you;
I will bring your descendants from the east,
and gather you from the west.
6 I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’
and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back!’
Bring my sons from far away,
and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
7 everyone who bears my name
and is created for my glory.
I have formed them; indeed, I have made them.”

Original Intent

1) Why was Israel the favored nation of God?
God chose the nation of Israel to be the people through whom Jesus Christ’s human ancestry lineage would descend from. Since the beginning of time, God set apart Israel as His chosen race through whom He would bless the whole world through Jesus, the Savior from sin and death, the heart condition of the entire human race. (Deuteronomy 10:15, John 3:16) After Adam and Eve’s fall into sinfulness, effectively separating them for eternity from their once-delighted-in relationship with God, God promised a Messiah would one day come, crushing Satan’s head of power, and would bring restoration back again. (Genesis 3:15) Through the line of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, God continued to confirm again and again throughout the generations, the Messiah would come through His people, Israel. (Genesis 12:1-3) Jesus Christ is the ultimate reason why God chose Israel to be His special people. It wasn’t because they were stronger, or more qualified, or possessed more wealth, He simply decided to set His love upon them in order to highlight His glory. (Deuteronomy 7:6-8) God called Israel to be a distinct people for God’s glory and purposes. Israel was set apart to be a beacon of light in a darkened sinful world.

2) Was Israel a nation without blemish or sin?
The Old Testament is a chronicle of Israel’s repeated failure to obey God. Israel refused to keep His commandments and statues. While God had set them apart for holiness and to live out the righteousness of God in a pagan culture, they failed continuously. (Psalm 78:10-11, 40-42, 56-57. (“Ephraim” in these passages is understood as greater Israel) Remember the only suffering Israel experienced are direct results of her own sinful choices. However, Isaiah 43 paints a stark picture of restoration by divine grace set against the dark backdrop of Israel’s rejection, arrogance, and pride. Isaiah’s words were a reminder to the people of Israel that their identity as a nation existed because of God and His magnificent love for them. Who they were as a people was rooted in their relationship to God and who He was as the Creator and Sustainer. He was in control at all times and their destiny depended on Him and His faithfulness. In Isaiah 43:1-7, we see Jehovah God assure His people with tender love that they need not fear for HE created, formed, redeemed, and called them. He would faithfully be with them in flood or fire. God would be their final deliverance.

3) What is God teaching Israel in this passage?
Chapter 42 details out Israel’s sickening rebellion and leaves no question as to God’s rightfully justified anger towards them. Yet, with one sweeping voice of love, God speaks truth over His people. A truth they must hold tightly to, even in the middle of the reality of their sin and God’s wrath. Through Isaiah’s prophecy of the yet-to-come punishment for their sin, God also declares His unchanging love for them, as if in the same breath. We must remember this original context when we read this precious passage, as it makes its truths all the sweeter. These great and precious promises are originally directed to Israel as solid reminders of what was true. Truths God wanted Israel to hold in the forefront of their minds despite the consequences forthcoming for their sin were: 1) Israel Belongs To The Lord. Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. (verse 1)
This is the basis by which Israel can stand with no fear! 2) Israel Will Be Preserved By God. I will be with you when you pass through the waters, and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not overwhelm you. You will not be scorched when you walk through the fire, and the flame will not burn you. (verse 2) God’s promise to keep Israel never waivers. 3) Israel Is Precious And Loved. You are precious in my sight and honored, and I love you. (verse 4) Despite Israel’s waywardness, God chooses to love with intensity. (Daniel 7:6) 4) Israel Will Be Whole. I will bring your descendants from the east, and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back!’ Bring my sons from far away, and my daughters from the ends of the earth. (verses 5-6) One day, God will make Israel whole again. One day, all will be healed where it was once wounded and broken.

Everyday Application

1) Why was Israel the favored nation of God?
The promised Messiah, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, would save us from Death, which is the natural consequences for our choice to reject God and His righteousness, instead choosing our own sin. This Messiah was destined to come through the line of a small nation, who had done absolutely nothing to deserve such rich kindness or heritage towards them. Deuteronomy 14:2 says of Israel, “For you are a holy people to Yahweh your God, and God has chosen you to be His treasured people from all nations that are on the face of the earth.” God did not choose them because they were holy, He made them holy because He chose them. This is a beautiful picture of God’s love towards every human heart! We have done nothing to deserve God’s rich love and mercy towards us, but He still chooses us, calls us into His heritage by making us His children, and purposing our lives to be shining examples of His glory to all people. Just as God used Israel to teach the world about His character and glorious nature, so is the calling of every heart turned towards Christ. Israel exemplified brokenness, while God’s amazing grace and redemptive love declared His glory!

Today, in 2019, in all of our brokenness, every born-again believer is called and set apart to share the gospel, which is the glory of God! God uses our brokenness today just as He did with Israel to highlight His kind grace, tender love, and redemptive power.

2) Was Israel a nation without blemish or sin?
Israel, time and time again, failed to be obedient to God, they were exiled and scattered around the globe, separated spiritually from God. Israel owed God everything, not the least of which was their origin as a nation. He created them. Yet, regardless of how Israel failed, their shortcomings neither deterred God from pursuing them every single time they rejected Him, nor did it disqualify them from still being used by God for God’s purposes. His purposes didn’t prevail because they were good. Not at all! His purposes prevailed because God was good for them. This IS the hope of the gospel! For every heart surrendered to Jesus Christ, the Promised Messiah, this very reality is lived out in our everyday lives as often as we breathe. Christ IS our good, for us, on our behalf, despite how many times we might turn away and fail to follow Him. This is how He rescues us! Many Jews had no hope as they faced being exiled for their perpetual disobedience towards God, but Isaiah’s prophetic words encourage them to have NO FEAR. Why? The God of All had created, formed, and redemptively loved them. This very same God offers His unchanging love and “fear not” message to each of us today. Whatever the darkness you’re facing, the brokenness you’re hiding, or the fear you’re masking, God is pursuantly inviting you to return to His heart and know Him as Savior. Know Him as your everyday Savior. For every human being, our impending default assurance is eternal separation from God. This is a reality of which depths, I cannot imagine or grasp, but neither can I fully comprehend the lavish love of a God who pursues those trapped in darkness so He can rescue!

3) What is God teaching Israel in this passage? 
Just as God was with Israel and declared His love for them, so is He with us today, also declaring His love. The imagery we first see with Israel, we see repeated again in our own, messy, sin-wrecked lives. Israel rebelled, and so do we. Israel’s consequence was severe, but so is ours. Israel needed a One Day Savior. A Messiah who would One Day make all things right, bring restoration, heal, and bind up what had been torn and broken. Don’t you feel the same ache? To have that One Day when all your fears are forever cast out, when every single tear will be redeemed, when every wound will be restored perfectly, and every loss will be rebirthed in newness of life? This is the hope of the Promised Messiah, this is the hope we have in Jesus! For every single person who calls on the name of the Lord Jesus to save them from their own sinfulness, our eternities are altered! Now WE belong to the Lord. …for you were bought with a price. (1 Corinthians 6:20) Now WE are preserved by God alone, not our works. You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed at the last time. (1 Peter 1:5) Now WE are precious and loved by the Creator. Just as the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Remain in my love. (John 15:9) Now WE are promised full redemption on the very same One Day by exactly the same Savior! Look! God’s dwelling is with humanity, and He will live with them. They will be His peoples, and God Himself will be with them and will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away. (Revelation 21:3-4) Fear Not, WE are His redeemed!

What do YOU think?! Share Here!
Missing the connection to our other Journey Study?
Catch up with Isn’t He?!

Digging Deeper is for Everyone!

1) Take this passage (or any other passage).
2) Read it, and the verses around it,
several times
3) Write down your questions
as you think of them.
4) Ask specific culture related questions and be ready to dig around for your answers. Google them, use www.studylight.org, or look them up in a study Bible and read the footnotes (click on the little letters next to a word and it will show you
other related verses!). (www.esvbible.org)
5) Check your applications with other trusted Christians that you are in community with and embrace the fullness of God
in your everyday!

Digging Deeper Community

Share What You’ve Learned!
Pray Together!
Join us in the GT Facebook Community!

Our Current Study Theme!

This is Worship VI Week Two!
Don’t miss out on the discussion!
Sign up to receive every GT Journey Study!

Why Dig Deeper?

Finding the original meaning is a huge deal when we study Scripture and can make all the difference in our understanding as we apply God’s truths to our everyday lives.

In our modern-day relationships, we want people to understand our original intention as we communicate; how much more so between God and humanity?!

Here’s a little bit more on why we take Digging Deeper so seriously.

Study Tools

We love getting help while we study and www.studylight.org is one of many excellent resources, providing the original Hebrew (Old Testament) or Greek (New Testament) with an English translation.

Want to know more about a specific word in a verse? Click on “Strong’s Interlinear Bible” then click the word you’d like to study. Discover “origin”, “definition” and hear the original pronunciation – That Is Awesome!

Want more background? Click “Study Tools”, then pick a few commentaries to read their scholarly approach, keeping in mind that just because a commentary says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. (just like the internet :-))

Memorize It!

Download this week’s verse and make it your phone’s lockscreen!
Tap and hold on your mobile device to save.