Faith Talk – February 1, 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: A Decisive Decision
Scripture: Ruth 1:8-18
Overview: After a season of deep loss, Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem. Her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, are faced with a choice: return to what is familiar or follow Naomi into an uncertain future. Orpah turns back, but Ruth clings to Naomi and makes a decisive commitment—not only to Naomi, but to Naomi’s God. Ruth’s decision marks a turning point that leads to restoration, redemption, and a new future.
Main Points:
Discussion Questions:
For Kids
For Students & Adults
Application: This week, identify one area where you’ve been hesitant to fully trust God. Pray for courage to take a clear step of obedience instead of delaying or turning back.
Scripture: Ruth 1:8-18
Overview: After a season of deep loss, Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem. Her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, are faced with a choice: return to what is familiar or follow Naomi into an uncertain future. Orpah turns back, but Ruth clings to Naomi and makes a decisive commitment—not only to Naomi, but to Naomi’s God. Ruth’s decision marks a turning point that leads to restoration, redemption, and a new future.
Main Points:
- Faith often requires decisive choices, not delayed ones.
- Orpah turns back to what is familiar, but Ruth clings to God’s future.
- Ruth’s commitment shows new devotion, new direction, new dedication, and new destiny.
- God uses faithful decisions to bring restoration and redemption beyond what we can see.
Discussion Questions:
For Kids
- Why did Ruth choose to stay with Naomi instead of going back home?
- What does it mean to follow God even when it feels hard or scary?
- Who helps you learn how to follow God?
For Students & Adults
- What fears or uncertainties might have made Ruth’s decision difficult?
- Where do you see the difference between Orpah’s choice and Ruth’s choice in everyday life?
- What decisive step of faith might God be inviting you to take right now?
Application: This week, identify one area where you’ve been hesitant to fully trust God. Pray for courage to take a clear step of obedience instead of delaying or turning back.
Life Group
Scripture: Nehemiah 1-6
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 Nehemiah helped keep his friends safe, Jesus rescues us from sin and death. When we follow Jesus, He is with us and will give us life with God forever.
Kids – God’s enemies tried to stop His people, but they still rebuilt the wall. God’s enemies tried to stop Jesus by killing Him, but God planned for Jesus’ death and resurrection to be the only way for people to be saved.
Students – God’s enemies tried to stop His people, but they still rebuilt the wall. God’s enemies tried to stop Jesus by killing Him, but God planned for Jesus’s death and resurrection to be the only way for people to be saved.
Adults – Restoring and returning the Israelites back to Jerusalem reflects God’s heart in wanting to be with His people. God also is in the work of restoration in our lives today as we choose to repent and believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. And when we sin and repent, He restores our fellowship with Him.
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 Nehemiah helped keep his friends safe, Jesus rescues us from sin and death. When we follow Jesus, He is with us and will give us life with God forever.
Kids – God’s enemies tried to stop His people, but they still rebuilt the wall. God’s enemies tried to stop Jesus by killing Him, but God planned for Jesus’ death and resurrection to be the only way for people to be saved.
Students – God’s enemies tried to stop His people, but they still rebuilt the wall. God’s enemies tried to stop Jesus by killing Him, but God planned for Jesus’s death and resurrection to be the only way for people to be saved.
Adults – Restoring and returning the Israelites back to Jerusalem reflects God’s heart in wanting to be with His people. God also is in the work of restoration in our lives today as we choose to repent and believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. And when we sin and repent, He restores our fellowship with Him.
Discussion Questions:
For Kids
- What was broken in Nehemiah’s story?
- How did God help His people rebuild?
- How does Jesus help us when things feel broken?
For Students & Adults
- What opposition did God’s people face while rebuilding the wall?
- How does repentance open the door for restoration in our lives?
- How can God use restored lives to point others to Him?
Pray Together
- Thank God for staying faithful even when life feels broken.
- Commit to trusting God’s direction, even when it’s difficult.
- Ask God to restore what feels broken in your life and strengthen your faith.
Activity
Build & Decide
Supplies:
Instructions:
- Building blocks, LEGOs, or cardboard boxes
- Sticky notes
- Markers
Instructions:
- Work together to build a small “wall” or structure.
- On sticky notes, write words that represent hard choices, fear, or brokenness (kids can draw pictures).
- Place the notes on or around the structure.
- Remove the notes one by one, praying briefly as you do, and rebuild or strengthen the structure.
- Talk about how God helps us rebuild when we choose to trust Him.
No Comments