A GREAT-GRANDMA TO A KING, A KING-MAKER, A KING, AND A ROYAL PAIN Ruth, Samuel, David, Elijah PEOPLE OF FAITH SERIES Leader Session Guide Rachel A. Fuller Megan J. Thorvilson Hans H. Wiersma Minneapolis
CONTENTS Introduction 5 Ruth: Your God Is My God 11 1 Ruth 1 4 Samuel: Hearing God Speak an Unexpected Word 21 2 1 Samuel 3:1-21; 8:1-22; 16:1-13 David: Favored Yet Flawed 35 3 1 Samuel 17:1-58; 24:1-22; 2 Samuel 1:1-27; 11:1-27; and 12:1-10 Elijah: I Am the Lord Your God 47 4 1 Kings 17:1-24; 18:1-2, 17-41; 19:1-18
session one Ruth 1 4 Leader Session Guide Focus Statement Ruth s story is our story; from it we learn that surprising acts of loyalty come from surprising people. Key Verse He said, May you be blessed by the Lo r d, my daughter; this last instance of your loyalty is better than the first; you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. Ruth 3:10 Focus Image Ruth: Your God Is My God Session Preparation Before You Begin As you begin today with this first session of a new unit of study on Ruth, Samuel, David, and Elijah, you may recall that we enter into this conversation based on the promise that exploring the Bible deeply with others opens us to God working in and through us. Take a moment to pray (see the Facilitator s Prayer printed below) and to reflect on the Ruths in your life. How is your life richer because of them? Session Instructions 1. View the Session Prep Video. 2. Read the Leader Session Guide completely and highlight or underline any portions you may wish to emphasize with the group, and decide which activities to do for each scene. Note also any Bonus Activities you wish to do. 3. Gather any materials needed to support special activities. 4. Have extra Bibles available in case someone forgets one. 5. Keep in mind the conversational tone of the Bible study. Your role is to facilitate that tone and welcome everyone s contribution. Session Overview On the heels of the book of Judges, the book of Ruth narrows the focus from an entire nation to the intimacies of a particular family. Relieved from the Old Testament s regular story lines of unfaithfulness, international relations, war, and sibling rivalry, you and your group will travel with Naomi and Ruth from Moab to Bethlehem. Along the way, these two women endure great struggles: famine, the deaths of the men in the family, skepticism from the field laborers, and rejection from a relative who could have redeemed them. Literary Context It is within this context that we enter our story, and what we find here is that despite the setbacks, Ruth continually acts out of loyalty and courage to ensure a future for herself and her mother-in-law. Without any obligation or promise of security, the recently widowed Moabite chooses to accompany her widowed mother-in-law back to Naomi s native country. Upon their arrival in Bethlehem, Ruth sets out to gather food and recognizes in Boaz a possible redeemer. Beyond arranging a meeting and ensuring Session 1: Ruth 11
session one Boaz s support, Ruth sees possibilities in the unlikely relationship between the successful Israelite and herself, a Gentile widow. Her courageous actions grant Ruth a place in the company of pioneering women in the Bible: Tamar, Rahab, Bathsheba. (See the entries on each of these women in Crazy Book: A Not-So-Stuffy Dictionary of Biblical Terms [Augsburg Books, 2009]). Ruth s actions did more than simply secure her place in the biblical hall of fame. From the margins, she cooperated with Naomi and boldly insisted upon full participation in the community at Bethlehem. Through loyalty and courage, this clever woman created a future for her family and the entire line of David within a system that had little to offer widows without children. As a whole, the book s plot moves from emptiness to life in crops, security, relationships, and children. The story that begins with dislocation, famine, and death ends with a homecoming, plenitude, and a descendant and not just any descendant. Ruth s son Obed became the grandfather of David, a future king, turning this family story into a national one. Imagine the stories Ruth could share with her great grandson, David! Thanks to her efforts and loyalty, each story would close, And they all lived happily ever after. The scenes selected for this session are: Scene 1 Ruth Clings (Ruth 1:1-18) Scene 2 Care for the Other (Ruth 3:1-11) Scene 3 The Birth of a Child (Ruth 4:13-17) Historical Context Tip: When you see the word judge, think of a charismatic leader who gains respect through his or her courage, and not someone in a black robe behind a bench with gavel in hand. The opening verses of Ruth give readers an insight into Ruth s context. In the days when the judges ruled sets the book of Ruth in a period when the people looked to judges, not a king, for their leadership. Like a captivating action movie, the book of Judges describes this era as one of nonstop turmoil, marked by battles within and beyond Israel. Beyond politics, the Israelites are also not at peace with their God, despite (or because of?) their arrival in the promised land. The book of Ruth narrows the focus from a nation to a family, a family deeply affected by famine in the land. The lack of food drives Naomi s family to the land of Moab not exactly a vacation destination. Throughout the Old Testament, readers learn of Moab s tarnished reputation. For example, after jumping in the sack with Moabite women, the Israelite men proceeded to offer 12 A Great-Grandma to a King, a King-maker, a King, and a Royal Pain Leader Session Guide
session one sacrifices to the Moabite god (Numbers 25:1-2). The king of Moab contracted with Balaam, a diviner, to destroy the Israelites (Numbers 22 24). Moab appears on the list of those forbidden in the Israelite religious assembly (Deuteronomy 23:3), and when the judges ruled, Moab was among Israel s oppressors (Judges 3:12). In this place, Naomi eventually finds herself without a husband, sons, and consequently without a future. As a widow, Naomi had no place in society in her own land, let alone a foreign land. With this background, readers turn to the book of Ruth to see what becomes of Naomi. Lutheran Context In Martin Luther s essay Two Kinds of Righteousness, he distinguishes between alien righteousness and proper righteousness. The first, alien righteousness, describes not the righteousness instilled by aliens, but the righteousness instilled by another, namely Christ, in baptism and repentance. As the fruit of the first kind of righteousness, the second, proper righteousness, describes how we work with that primary righteousness denying ourselves, serving the neighbor, and fearing God. To put it simply, in matters of conscience, it is all about God s righteousness and grace. In matters of neighbor, it is all about the law and how we are called to service. The Key Verse for this lesson (3:10) describes Ruth s commitment to her mother-in-law, Naomi. As Boaz says, May you be blessed by the Lord, my daughter; this last instance of your loyalty is better than the first. As a textbook example, Ruth s loyalty toward Naomi demonstrates the proper or second kind of righteousness. Ruth s actions toward Naomi helped save Naomi s life, but in no way saved her own life. Tip: The word righteousness here has the quality of being found innocent before God. (See the entries on righteous and righteousness in Crazy Talk: A Not-So-Stuffy Dictionary of Theological Terms [Augsburg Books, 2008].) Devotional Context In many ways the characters of Ruth and Naomi represent an unlikely pair. As if the age difference and natural tension between mother- and daughter-in-law were not enough, the two hold passports from countries that are enemies with one another. Despite these differences, the love and commitment between these two women creates a way out of no way and ensures a future for these two widows without anyone but each other. Beyond their immediate lives, the compassion that binds Ruth and Naomi together ushers in God s promise for life that turns Session 1: Ruth 13
+ session one famine into plenitude, despair into hope, the lack of an heir to the arrival of a child who carries the Davidic line. In all ages, God is at work through ordinary people who struggle to live out God s loyalty with all creation. In response to God s non-stop action, we offer our lives as channels for God s blessings upon those around us. Facilitator s Prayer Spend time in prayer both for your learners and for the session ahead. Use this prayer or a prayer of your own choosing. Blessed Lord God, you have caused the holy scriptures to be written for the nourishment of your people. Grant that we may hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that comforted by your promises, we may embrace and forever hold fast to the hope of eternal life which you have given us in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. (ELW, p. 72) Tip: Organize your learning space to make the group feel welcome. Wear name tags if the group has newcomers. Be sure to introduce any new participants to the conversation, so everyone feels welcomed. Bonus Activity: Play charades using some of the characters studied thus far. Gather (10-15 minutes) Check-in Welcome individuals as they arrive. Make introductions when needed, then begin to direct people to gather and get seated. If you are continuing from another unit of study, you may need some time to debrief any homework assignments. Warm-up Invite learners to recall what they know of this wonderful story of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz. Pray Almighty God, you have taught us in your Son that love fulfills the law. Inspire us to love you with all our heart, our soul, our mind, and our strength, and teach us how to love our neighbor as ourselves, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen. (ELW, p. 51) Focus Activity Go around the circle and have each person describe someone who has been a Ruth to them someone who has cared for them through a difficult time. 14 A Great-Grandma to a King, a King-maker, a King, and a Royal Pain Leader Session Guide