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Section 1: Opening Prayer
Gracious God, you give us people in our lives to show us you in many and different ways. Help us to be like Ruth, a stranger to you, yet one who seeks to know you and your ways. To love your people and to journey with them, as we all grow closer to you. In your Son’s name we pray. Amen.
Section 2: Story
Who is one person who has helped your faith journey who has surprised you in their help?
Watch the story of Ruth and Naomi here:
You can also read the story here.
Watch the story of Ruth and Boaz here:
You can also read the story here.
What is your thoughts on the faith of Ruth?
Would you ever leave your homeland, your family, to follow someone else?
Section 3: Message
Naomi told her daughter-in-laws to go back home, that life with her would be bitter.
Yet Ruth saw something more in her mother-in-law than Naomi saw.
What do you think Ruth saw in Naomi?
Why did Boaz tell Ruth to stay in his fields?
Naomi was able to provide for Ruth who left her country to care for her mother-in-law. Even when she thought she wouldn’t be able to. God gives us abilities we do not know we have to use in times we do not know we will need to be active. Naomi provided for Ruth through her family.
Boaz also provided for his family in Naomi. Because he was the son of a Gentile woman, and he knew the importance of family, he was willing to provide for his family to help those who had no one else. He was showing the way of the Messiah long before Jesus ever came. Boaz provided for Naomi, by offering to marry Ruth, and this in turn provided for Ruth, and protected her, but also provided for Naomi and protected her. He was more willing to do this than the closest relative, probably because he was born of the Gentile woman Rahab.
This is a story of redemption and love for the least of these, those who can not provide for themselves, and is a model for how God wants all of us to see the world, and to show His love to to others.
Section 4: Learn and Engage
– What are 3 things you learned?
– What is 1 question you still have?
– What part of the lesson did you most identify with?
– What part of the lesson was hardest for you?
– Where have you seen God this week?
Section 5: Closing Prayer
Gracious God, thank you for working through Rahab, Naomi, Ruth, Boaz and us. Help us to see the redemption in your story as a way to see our future in you. Use us as you did them to show your love so that we might help future generations grow as your disciples. Amen.