On The Road: Ruth To Bethlehem - Guide

Opening Prayer:

God of light, we thank you that you guide our journeys. Teach us your ways. Lead us in

your paths. And help us to see how you move with us in the dark and the light, in the

hard and the pleasant. Amen.

Here is an overview of the story of Ruth from the English Standard Version Study Bible:

In the period of the judges, Elimelech, Naomi, and their sons leave Bethlehem because

of a famine to sojourn in Moab (see map). Naomi’s husband, Elimelech, dies there.

Mahlon and Chilion, the sons, marry Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah. Ten years later

the sons die too, leaving no children. Naomi is bereft of family (1:1–5). Learning that the

famine in Israel is over, she decides to return to Bethlehem; Orpah stays behind, but

Ruth accompanies Naomi (1:6–22). At harvest time, Ruth goes to glean in a field that

happens to belong to Elimelech’s relative, Boaz (2:1–23). Naomi knows he is an eligible

kinsman-redeemer. Following Naomi’s daring plan, in a midnight encounter at the

threshing floor Ruth boldly asks him, as a redeemer, to marry her (3:1–18). After a closer

kinsman refuses to take Ruth, Boaz redeems all the property of the deceased and

marries Ruth (4:1–12). They have a son, Obed, who becomes the grandfather of King

David (4:13–22).

Read Ruth 1:6-22

● Naomi loses her husband and her sons. Consider her words in verses 20-21. What does

it say about what she is experiencing and feeling? What does she think about God?

● What does it mean to be bitter?

● In verses 16-17 what does Ruth say?

● How does Ruth become a companion to Naomi?

● In the message on Sunday Jonny said that companionship is a gift on the road. Do

you/have you had a companion on your road? Or perhaps for a part of that road? Who

was it and what was it about their companionship that was hopeful for you?

● What do the women in the community say to Naomi in 4:14-15?

● The story of Ruth moves from bitterness to hope. What is Christian hope?

● In the message, hope was described as “the practice of humble uncertainty.” How does

this strike you?

● Read Romans 5:3-5. What does this say about hope? How does it come? How does it

apply to Naomi?

Close with prayer.