RUTH STUDY GUIDE RUTH STUDY GUIDE 1

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1 RUTH STUDY GUIDE INTRODUCTION This four week Bible Study is designed to guide your small group through a conversation of the book of Ruth. It is our hope that this study will provide a framework for how to work through other Bible Studies in your group. As you get started here are a few things we would like to note: A WORD ABOUT THE WORD Read the selected week s text prior to your group meeting. This provides a greater sense of familiarity, time to process, and opportunity for God to begin working in your mind and heart prior to conversation with the group. On your first reading of any passage in the Bible, read it continuously, without noting editorial comments. There is power in letting God s word resonate in your spirit. After this, it may be helpful to also note any cross references or commentary notes you discover while reading Bible passage in preparation for group conversation. We have also included a link to the personal devotional, The Journey, which includes more information on the passage. Please note that the Journey is designed for personal use, not in groups, so the questions do not translate for group study. BE EXPECTANT As you approach the Bible as a group be open and expectant. Pray that God would meet you so that you experience him and his word. Ask that he would teach you his truth, surprise you with new insight or discovery, and that he would transform you into the image of Jesus. READ THE TEXT CAREFULLY At your group meeting, start by reading the text aloud. Embrace the process of Bible study starting with observations before moving to questions or interpretations. And resist the urge to go directly to application. It s important to notice what you re reading before you correlate it to your life. Once you ve discussed observations and spent time discovering what the text means, move on to asking application questions like so what does this mean for my life? SAFE SPACE There are no wrong observations or stupid questions; each person in a Bible study should be free to note what they are seeing and raise questions that are coming to mind. Let God direct the group using the format below. SUGGESTIONS Each group member come prepared having read the passage through at least once The facilitator should spend some time (15) minutes preparing personal observations and questions As a group allow 15 minutes for observations, 20 for interpretation and 15 for application Feel free to or call your small group pastor if you have any questions! RUTH STUDY GUIDE 1

2 RUTH INTRODUCTION AUTHOR The author of Ruth is unknown. It was likely written during the reign of David since he is referenced in the genealogy at the end of the book. Solomon, David s son, is not mentioned so it is likely that Ruth was not written any later than during David s reign. DATE AND SETTING Moab is a region northeast of the Dead Sea. The Moabites are descendants of Lot (Abraham s nephew), worship Chemosh and other page gods. Ruth 1:1 gives the setting of the book: Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled. The book of Judges precedes Ruth in the Bible. Before Israel s first king, God allowed a series of judges to rule over Israel. This was a time of war, violence, chaos, moral decay, and anarchy. The story of Ruth takes place during this time and, as God is prone to show, Ruth is godly remnant -- one who remains faithful and true to the laws of God. THE EVENTS OF THE BOOK TAKE PLACE IN FOUR SETTINGS. The country of Moab (1:1-18) -- about ten years A field in Bethlehem (1:19-2:23) -- months A threshing floor in Bethlehem (3:1-18) -- one day The city of Bethlehem (4:1-22) -- about one year COMMENTARY We highly recommend Dr. Constable s Notes on Ruth. He provides tremendous background, historical context, literary clarity, and structure that provide depth to a small group s study of Ruth. You can find Ruth and studies on all 66 books of the Bible at RUTH STUDY GUIDE 2

3 RUTH WEEK ONE A PROMISED SON READ Ruth 1 OBSERVATIONS say?) Questions to draw out observations in group members: Who s involved - the characters and relationships between characters? (consider looking up meaning of names) What is the setting? (bring a map and note where the places are located) How is author writing in relationship to events described? What decisions are made? Do you notice repetition or contrast? (note how many times God or Lord are used) INTERPRETATION mean?) APPLICATION (putting meaning to use) & CORRELATION (similarity between meaning and my life) Questions to help group members see what the author was communicating: Focus in on specific use of descriptive language - verbs, adverbs adjectives, emotions, exclamatory phrases, posture. What patterns or themes are emerging in characters and plot - how and when do they appear? To what extent do the characters reflect an explicit faith and trust in God? Regard their motivates, choices, obedience, and reactions. How does character development influence the After a time of asking questions and discovering what the text says transition into an honest conversation with the group. Here are some questions to get you started. What does God want us to know about himself because of this What universal truth is Ruth 1 communicating? Why do we believe it to be true? How can I apply it to my life? Do I see myself and my decisions connected to this RUTH STUDY GUIDE 3

4 RUTH WEEK TWO A PROMISED SON READ Ruth 2 OBSERVATIONS say?) Questions to draw out observations in group members: Who s involved - the characters and relationships between characters? (consider looking up meaning of names) What is the setting? (bring a map and note where the places are located) How is author writing in relationship to events described? What decisions are made? Do you notice repetition or contrast? (note how many times God or Lord are used) INTERPRETATION mean?) APPLICATION (putting meaning to use) & CORRELATION (similarity between meaning and my life) Questions to help group members see what the author was communicating: Focus in on specific use of descriptive language - verbs, adverbs adjectives, emotions, exclamatory phrases, posture. What patterns or themes are emerging in characters and plot - how and when do they appear? To what extent do the characters reflect an explicit faith and trust in God? Regard their motivates, choices, obedience, and reactions. How does character development influence the After a time of asking questions and discovering what the text says transition into an honest conversation with the group. Here are some questions to get you started. What does God want us to know about himself because of this What universal truth is Ruth 1 communicating? Why do we believe it to be true? How can I apply it to my life? Do I see myself and my decisions connected to this RUTH STUDY GUIDE 4

5 RUTH WEEK THREE A PROMISED SON READ Ruth 3 OBSERVATIONS say?) Questions to draw out observations in group members: Who s involved - the characters and relationships between characters? (consider looking up meaning of names) What is the setting? (bring a map and note where the places are located) How is author writing in relationship to events described? What decisions are made? Do you notice repetition or contrast? (note how many times God or Lord are used) INTERPRETATION mean?) APPLICATION (putting meaning to use) & CORRELATION (similarity between meaning and my life) Questions to help group members see what the author was communicating: Focus in on specific use of descriptive language - verbs, adverbs adjectives, emotions, exclamatory phrases, posture. What patterns or themes are emerging in characters and plot - how and when do they appear? To what extent do the characters reflect an explicit faith and trust in God? Regard their motivates, choices, obedience, and reactions. How does character development influence the After a time of asking questions and discovering what the text says transition into an honest conversation with the group. Here are some questions to get you started. What does God want us to know about himself because of this What universal truth is Ruth 1 communicating? Why do we believe it to be true? How can I apply it to my life? Do I see myself and my decisions connected to this RUTH STUDY GUIDE 5

6 RUTH WEEK FOUR A PROMISED SON READ Ruth 4 OBSERVATIONS say?) Questions to draw out observations in group members: Who s involved - the characters and relationships between characters? (consider looking up meaning of names) What is the setting? (bring a map and note where the places are located) How is author writing in relationship to events described? What decisions are made? Do you notice repetition or contrast? (note how many times God or Lord are used) INTERPRETATION mean?) APPLICATION (putting meaning to use) & CORRELATION (similarity between meaning and my life) RUTH STUDY GUIDE 6 Questions to help group members see what the author was communicating: Focus in on specific use of descriptive language - verbs, adverbs adjectives, emotions, exclamatory phrases, posture. What patterns or themes are emerging in characters and plot - how and when do they appear? To what extent do the characters reflect an explicit faith and trust in God? Regard their motivates, choices, obedience, and reactions. How does character development influence the After a time of asking questions and discovering what the text says transition into an honest conversation with the group. Here are some questions to get you started. What does God want us to know about himself because of this What universal truth is Ruth 1 communicating? Why do we believe it to be true? How can I apply it to my life? Do I see myself and my decisions connected to this WRAP-UP As you complete your study of Ruth take a few moments, as a group, to reflect on how you ve grown or been challenged during your study. What significant takeaways do you have from your study?

7 RUTH FURTHER STUDY MEANING OF CHARACTER NAMES Elimelich: My God is King Naomi: Sweet and Pleasant Mara: Bitter Killion: Consumed Orpah: Stiff-necked Ruth: Friendship Boaz: In him is strength CHIASTIC STRUCTURE OF RUTH The pivotal point of the author is found in Ruth 3:1-8 RUTH STUDY GUIDE 7

8 RUTH FURTHER STUDY COMPARISON OF RUTH & ESTHER Ruth A gentile woman Lived among the Jews Married a Jewish man in the royal line of David A story of faith and blessing Esther A Jewish woman Lived among the Gentiles Married a gentile man who ruled an empire A story of faith and blessing COMPARISON OF RUTH & JUDGES Ruth Fidelity, righteousntess, purity Following the true God Devotion Love Peace Kindness Obedient faith leads to blessing Spiritual light Judges Immorality Idolatry Decline, debasement, disloyalty Lust War Cruelty Disobedience leads to sorrow Spiritual darkness RUTH STUDY GUIDE 8