Tuesday, October 11

Read Ruth 3

Ruth takes a huge risk by going to Boaz at night.  She could have been taken advantage of; she could have been labeled an adulteress (since she was not married); she could have been rejected and cast aside; etc.  However, she takes the risk.  What does this say about her character?  Is there a risk that God is asking you to take right now?  What is it?

Monday, October 10

Read Ruth 3

Naomi encourages Ruth to bathe and put away her widow’s clothing thereby ending her season of mourning (v 2-4).  Was this wise counsel or selfish and insensitive?  Have you ever received advice from someone while you were grieving?  What is some wise counsel you received?

Sunday, October 9

Read Ruth 3

After the excitement of Ruth 2:19-20, v 23 seems to indicate a lengthy passage of time.  Why do you think the relationship between Boaz and Ruth seems to stall for months?  Have you ever experienced a surge of excitement and anticipation over something that didn’t immediately materialize?  What happened and how did you cope during the season of waiting?

Saturday, October 8

Read Ruth 2
Boaz speaks blessing over his reapers (v.4), who return the same blessing back to him.  Is there an employer/employee principle here?  Read Genesis 39:2-5.  What does this text suggest about God’s activity in an employee/employer relationship?  How have you seen this demonstrated in your own workplace?  What can an employer learn from Boaz’s approach to management?

Friday, October 7

Read Ruth 2
Ruth was a Moabite.  Moab was the son of an incestuous relationship (Gen. 19:31-35) and, as an immoral nation, the Moabites were Israel’s enemy. Knowing her heritage, why was Boaz so kind to her? How have you seen the kind of grace Boaz showed to Ruth reflected in God’s grace upon your own life?

Thursday, October 6

Read Ruth 2
We learn a lot about Ruth’s character in chapter 2. Describe her attributes based on what you observe in the chapter. Look at what she does as well as what Boaz (v. 11) and his foreman (v. 6-7) say about her. What might people say about you? Is it different than what you would like them to say?

Wednesday, October 5

Read Ruth 2
How has Naomi’s character changed from chapter 1 to chapter 2? List the changes. Can you relate to her? Do you feel more like the Naomi of chapter 1 or the Naomi at the end of chapter 2? Why?

Tuesday, October 4

Read Ruth 2
Read through chapter 2 and list all the ways that Boaz blesses Ruth and goes beyond what the Law says about gleaning.  There are at least five ways. How could you go out of your way to bless someone beyond their expectations of you?

Monday, October 3

Read Ruth 2
Ruth went out and began to glean in the fields of the harvesters (2:3). Red Lev. 19:9-10, 23:22, and Deut. 24:19-21 to discover what the Jewish Law said about gleaning.  What does gleaning look like today?