Thursday, October 27

Obed’s genealogy contained people who had questionable reputations (eg. Tamar in Gen 38 and Rahab the prostitute in Jos. 2 mentioned in Matt. 1:5).  Yet God still used those people powerfully.  Is there anything in your past or family’s past that you’re afraid might hinder God from working?

Wednesday, October 26

What does the book of Ruth say about the character of God?  In the story He is silent; does that mean He is absent?  What does that mean for your life?

Tuesday, October 25

What do you notice about Boaz between his introduction in chapter 2 and his action in chapter 4?  What do his interactions with others tell us about his personality?  If your life were a story, how would the author depict you in your interactions with others?

Monday, October 24

What do we learn about Ruth’s character as a younger woman in chapter 1?  How is that reinforced in chapter 2 and 3?  What were your predominant characteristics as a younger person?  How have those characteristics changed through the years?

Sunday, October 23

Reflect on the character of Naomi as the story develops.  What do you learn about her in chapter 1?  How does she changes as the story progresses?  Reflect on your own life: how have you changed through the years?  What have been some significant events that have caused you to change?

Saturday, October 22

Read Ruth 4

Ruth the Moabitess became the great-grandmother of David.  Jesus came from this same genetic line.  What does having a non-Israelite in the lineage of the Messiah say about God’s nature and character?  How does this relate to you?

Friday, October 21

Read Ruth 4

TWhy are Leah and Rachel mentioned in v 11?  Are there parallels between the lives of those two women (see Gen. 29-30) and the lives of Naomi and Ruth?

Thursday, October 20

Read Ruth 4

There are two substantial blessings in this chapter (v 11-12 & 13-15).  The first refers to characters in the book of Genesis (v 11 & 12).  If you could choose an Old Testament character as a model for a blessing over you, who would it be?  Why?

Wednesday, October 19

Read Ruth 4

It was foretold to Naomi that baby Obed, ‘will renew (her) life and sustain (her) in (her) old age’ (v 15).  Who plays (or will likely play) Obed’s role in your life?  What does (might) that look like?

Tuesday, October 18

rRead Ruth 4

Why did the other kinsman-redeemer initially decide to redeem (v 4) but then back away from that decision (v 6)?  Have you ever made a quick decision that later turned out to be unwise?  What happened?  What would you do differently now?