A Small Group Bible Study of Ruth

Our Bible study group follows a simple structure. Why not give it a try as you follow this study over the next four weeks? The below programme is based on a two hour session.

1. Everyone is welcomed with a cup of tea and a very nice biscuit and we spend some time chatting about the week. (approximately 15 mins)
2. Go around the group and asking everyone to share one blessing (no matter how small) that we have experienced that week. (approximately 10 mins) 
3. One person then gives a prayer of thanks to God for these blessings and then invites the Holy Spirit to guide us as we go through the study.  (approximately 5 mins)
4. In week 1 (or subsequent weeks if useful), share elements from the background information that you think would help the group. 
5. The study. Follow the instruction and questions below. When reading the chapters from Ruth, rather than reading out loud to each other, get everyone to read silently to themselves. Give enough time for everyone to finish. People who finish early can look back over parts that stand out for them. When asking questions, feel free to skip questions or reword questions based on how the Holy Spirit is guiding the group. If one person is dominating, ask someone quieter what they think. (approximately 1 hour)
6. Spend time responding in prayer to the passage. Don't be scared of silence and allow anyone to pray put loud. Thank God for his Word and how He has spoken to you. Ask for guidance in putting it into practice. Talk to God about things that have challenged you and what it might mean. (approximately 15 mins)
7. Finally, ask people in the group for their prayer requests for the week ahead and give time to pray for them. (approximately 15 mins)

Background

The world of Elimelech was in a mess. This story took place during the approximately 300 year period of the Judges, a time when it is written that–

there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. (Judges 21:25 NASB)

It was a time of judgement by God who had warned His people that if they turned from following Him a consequence would be physical and spiritual famine. The story starts with Elimelech taking his family to a foreign land and finding his sons foreign wives but God had told his people to live in the land provided for and Moabites were banned from entering the assembly of the Lord to the 10th generation.

It is also a time of patriarchy. The book only describes the women in relation to men and they have no status without that relationship. When we see Ruth reject the need for a man, the incredulity would be apparent to the first hearers of the story because there is no means for a woman to survive without a man. It is also important to remember that Ruth isn’t just a woman but a foreign woman. Spoiler alert! Ruth is King David’s great grandmother.

There is a lot of word play:

He comes from Bethlehem which means “house of food” but there isn’t any food.

Naomi means “pleasant” but changes to Mara – “bitter”

Orpah means “back of the neck” or “stiff necked”

Mahlob means “sickness”

Killon means “Cross swords”


Moab means “from the father”

Elimelech means “My God is King”

Chapter 1

Reach chapter 1 and discuss some or all of the following questions.

1. How is today’s world like the one described here?

2. How does the story make you feel?

3. How then should we as Christians commit our lives regardless of cultural norms?

4. Naomi's husband's choices led her to instability and suffering. Have you ever had a time when someone else's choices caused you instability and/or suffering? How did God show up in the midst of that time for you?

5. Look at your family and friends and consider if any cross barriers of age, race, religion, political beliefs, etc.? How does this (having differences) impact your relationships? What changes can you make to be more open to differences and more selfless in those relationships? And in turn, how could making those changes bring others closer to God through you?

6. Noami’s terrible situation brought her back to God and helped in the succession of Christ. Does this affect how you feel about suffering?

Chapter 2

Read these verses to the group as background.

Leviticus 19:9-10 “‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10 Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord your God.

Deuteronomy 25 – Customs around a brother marrying his brother’s widow and the strange customs if he refuses the woman’s request.

Now read chapter 2 and discuss some or all of the following questions.

1. How does this part of the story make your feel?

2. Verse 3 implies it was a coincidence that they ended up in Boaz’s field. When have things fallen into place for us when we have trusted in God? What does this say about waiting for a sign vs acting in faith?

3. Boaz’s “Kinsman redeemer” role towards Naomi’s family is often seen as a foreshadowing of Jesus. Is Ruth being rewarded for her good deeds?

4. What characteristics are we seeing in Boaz? Which of these are needed by people in our world today as they lead at work, in the community, and in the church and towards people as vulnerable as Ruth?

5. What characteristics are we seeing in Ruth? Which of these characteristics do we see in ourselves already, and which do we hope for more of and could apply in our own lives?

6. Naomi and Ruth endured times of serious hardship. In circumstances like this, people often go one of two ways with their faith - 1) they blame God and fall away from their faith, or 2) they grow stronger in their faith and move closer to Him. How have you reacted in times of hardship in your life?

7. Look back at Ruth 1:16-17. What part of her promise to Naomi has she kept so far?

Chapter 3

Read chapter 2 and discuss some or all of the following questions.

1. How does this part of the story make you feel?

2. Ruth trusted and obeyed Naomi, are you open to and willing to take Godly, Biblical instruction or advice from others? Why or why not?

3. What if Boaz wasn’t honourable? What would people think of Ruth, then or today?

4. Ruth came to Boaz with nothing and he owed her nothing. Her actions could be seen as both humbling and humiliating. How do we come to Jesus?

5. How did both Ruth and Boaz act morally upright as well making sure that no one could accuse either of them of not behaving morally upright in this situation? How can we work to maintain the dignity of others?

6. Trust, honesty and integrity are held in high esteem in the Bible. Do you aim to always hold these things in high esteem in your life? Does the end sometimes justify the means?

7. At the end of this chapter, Naomi says to "wait" (and to trust). Are there times that God is urging you to (or maybe, making you) "wait/trust" on something? How did you, or do you, handle that?

8. How do you allow God to guide you?

Chapter 4

Read Deuteronomy 25 to the group as background.

5 If brothers are living together and one of them dies without a son, his widow must not marry outside the family. Her husband’s brother shall take her and marry her and fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law to her. 6 The first son she bears shall carry on the name of the dead brother so that his name will not be blotted out from Israel.

7 However, if a man does not want to marry his brother’s wife, she shall go to the elders at the town gate and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to carry on his brother’s name in Israel. He will not fulfill the duty of a brother-in-law to me.” 8 Then the elders of his town shall summon him and talk to him. If he persists in saying, “I do not want to marry her,” 9 his brother’s widow shall go up to him in the presence of the elders, take off one of his sandals, spit in his face and say, “This is what is done to the man who will not build up his brother’s family line.” 10 That man’s line shall be known in Israel as The Family of the Unsandaled.

Now read chapter 4 and discuss some or all of the following questions.

1. How does this part of the story make you feel?

2. The book of Ruth is often described as a love story. Do you feel the love?

3. The witnesses mentioned (of the redeemer transaction) gave two prayers or blessings to Boaz - one for Ruth to be fruitful like Rachel and Leah and one for Boaz to be well-known in Bethlehem. How are both fulfilled?

4. When Ruth and Boaz conceive, the text says "the Lord enabled" it - a clear blessing from God. Do you bless God for the good things that come your way of do you put it down to your own efforts?

5. The traditional reading of chapter 4 is that the first relative is “the law” and that Boaz represents Jesus who offers us redemption through Grace. Jesus is the bridegroom and we are the bride in an intimate relationship with him forever. How does this make you feel?

6. How did Naomi's attitude and situation change from the beginning of the Book of Ruth to the end? Does our life have a happy ending when we were redeemed by Christ?

7. In the same way that Ruth was under the garment of Boaz, we can seek shelter under the cloak of God. Do we feel the protection of God?

8. What lessons can we learn and apply in our own lives after reading the Book of Ruth? After reading, did you learn anything about God and/or did you learn anything about your own life?