Ruth -Part 1 – No Turning Back

The book of Ruth is more than her personal journey; it illustrates our redemption. Set during the time of the Judges, Ruth’s journey as a Moabite gentile parallels that of the Church, outlining the call to leave the old life and commit fully to God. When Ruth chooses to stay with Naomi, she makes a no-turning-back decision, leaving her Moabite culture to embrace the Jewish faith. Ruth demonstrates how we, as believers, are called to cling to Christ without turning back. Like Ruth, we are invited to embrace a new life as new creations in Christ, growing into God’s likeness and accessing His promises as His children.

Read Ruth 1:1-17, 2 Corinthians 5:17 and 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

Discuss

1. Why did Naomi and her family leave Bethlehem to go to Moab (Ruth 1:1)? What difficulties did Naomi face while she was in Moab (Ruth 1:3-5)?
2. Naomi’s husband’s choices caused her instability and suffering. Have another person’s choices ever caused you instability and/or suffering? How did God show up for you during that time?
3. Why do you think Ruth chose to stay with Naomi, even though Naomi told her to go back home (Ruth 1:14-17)?
4. Ruth left behind her past and took on a new life with Naomi and God’s people. Her devotion to Naomi came at a cost. She left her own people to live in another land where she was considered an outsider. What did you leave behind when you came to Christ? What did following Christ cost you?
5. 2 Corinthians 5:17 speaks of becoming a ‘new creation’. How have you experienced this transformation in your life?
6. How does knowing that Jesus is our King change your identity? What are some ways we can live out our identity?

Respond

This week, take time to reflect on one area of your life that still needs to be surrendered to God, just as Ruth left behind her old life. Make a list of ways God has already transformed you and identify one specific step you can take to continue growing in your faith, whether through prayer, scripture, or serving others. 

Download PDF

Ruth – Part 2 – New Seasons

The book of Ruth is more than her personal journey; it illustrates our redemption. Set during the time of the Judges, Ruth’s journey as a Moabite gentile parallels that of the Church, outlining the call to leave the old life and commit fully to God. When Ruth chooses to stay with Naomi, she makes a no-turning-back decision, leaving her Moabite culture to embrace the Jewish faith. Ruth demonstrates how we, as believers, are called to cling to Christ without turning back. Like Ruth, we are invited to embrace a new life as new creations in Christ, growing into God’s likeness and accessing His promises as His children.

Read Ruth 2, 3 1-9

Discuss

1. Ruth leaves behind the land of her ancestors, her culture, her relatives and their gods for a completely new culture with new rules and different expectations. What was normal in Moab is not normal here. Have the group share their own experiences of new seasons or significant changes in their own life, or their family’s life. How did you feel during that time? How do you think Ruth felt?
2. Giving our life to Jesus and completely surrendering to Him as Lord is a new season that is likely to usher in many changes to how we do life – even if we were born into a Christian family. Maybe God has led you into many new seasons since giving your life to Him. What has changed, what is changing, and what is on the cusp of changing, as you grow in your relationship with God and follow Christ?
3. Ruth provides an example of how to walk in “a new and living way” (Hebrews 10:20).
4. What do we notice about Ruth in this reading – what is her example to us (consider Ruth 2:2, 5-7, 10-12)? Discuss the importance of the following in everyday life, and in our personal Christian life: initiative, diligence, humility, thankfulness, reputation.
5. Boaz had recently heard of Ruth in Bethlehem (v 4, 11), and he blesses Ruth with greater access, liberty and security (v 8-9). God does not have favourites (Acts 10:34, Col 3:25), but can we expect the favour of God on a Ruth-like life (v 13)? How does Ruth describe the effect of that favour upon her life?
6. Boaz invites Ruth to continue only in his fields (v 8) and Naomi instructs Ruth to stay only in the field of Boaz to avoid the risk of harm (v 22). How important is it to remain in Christ’s field (John 15:4) and not look to other, supposedly ‘greener’ fields? Note that Ruth ended up with approximately 13kg of grain, which is a lot to carry home. Discuss how being in the favour of God may involve hard work.

Respond

The role of Boaz as Ruth’s kinsman (or guardian) redeemer will be unpacked more in our next study. Suffice to say, it is a picture of the Lordship of Christ over new seasons of our life, and Ruth is a great example of how we can step into and navigate new seasons under the covering of Christ. We encourage you to make a statement of faith today: what is the next new season in your Christian walk?