Naomi and Ruth—Ruth 1:1–22
Topics: Advice, Affections, Blessing, Children, Death, Decisions, Devotion, Family, Friendship, Love, Loyalty, Relationships, Sacrifice, Sorrow, Stubbornness
Open It
1. How does it feel to be in a foreign country?
2. *What characteristics do you think are most important in a friend?
3. What is the nicest thing a friend or family member has ever done for you?
Explore It
1. What is the setting of this story? (1:1–2)
2. What was Naomi’s background? (1:1–2)
3. Why did Naomi want to return to Judah? (1:1–6)
4. What blessing did Naomi give to her daughters-in-law? (1:8–9)
5. What do Naomi’s wishes for Ruth and Orpah reveal about their character? (1:8–9)
6. *What kind of relationship did Naomi have with her daughters-in-law? (1:8–10)
7. What reasons did Naomi give to her daughters-in-law to convince them to return to their home? (1:11–13)
8. Why did Naomi feel that God was against her? (1:13)
9. What did Naomi say about Orpah’s return? (1:15)
10. *Why did Ruth decide to stay with her mother-in-law, Naomi? (1:16)
11. *How did Ruth reveal her commitment to Naomi’s God? (1:17)
12. How did the people of Bethlehem react to Naomi’s return? (1:19)
13. Why did Naomi call herself Mara? (1:20–21)
14. In what season did Naomi and Ruth return to Judah? (1:22)
Get It
1. How did Naomi feel at this point in her life?
2. What could Ruth expect for her future when she decided to go with Naomi to Judah?
3. How was Ruth’s response to God different from Naomi’s?
4. How does Ruth’s commitment to the God of Israel offer hope and encouragement to you?
5. What does Ruth’s speech reveal about her desires and character?
6. *What is one characteristic you see in the life of Ruth that you want to have?
7. Why do you think Ruth’s words to Naomi are often used in modern wedding ceremonies?
8. *In what specific ways can we demonstrate loyalty or devotion to God?
9. How does the relationship between Naomi and Ruth inspire you to relate to loved ones in your own life?
Apply It
1. What concrete action can you take today to show your loyalty to a friend or family member?
2. *How could you develop or reaffirm your devotion to God this week?
Ruth Meets Boaz—Ruth 2:1–23
Topics: Advice, Affirmation, Benefits, Blessing, Devotion, Employment, Generosity, Humility, Instructions, Loyalty, Needs, Neighbor, Productivity, Protection, Relationships, Sacrifice, Sensitivity, Success, Thankfulness, Work
Open It
1. What emotions do you usually feel when you start a new job?
2. *How does the praise of an employer or friend usually affect you?
3. When have you ever faced danger in doing what you thought was right?
Explore It
1. Who was Boaz, and what kind of man was he? (2:1, 4–5)
2. In what situation did Naomi and Ruth find themselves? (2:1–2)
3. *How did Ruth provide for her mother-in-law? (2:2–3)
4. How did Boaz’s foreman describe Ruth? (2:6–7)
5. *How was Ruth treated on her first day of work? (2:8–9, 14–16)
6. What specific instructions did Boaz give to Ruth, and how did she respond to him? (2:8–11)
7. What danger did Ruth face in gleaning the fields? (2:9–22)
8. What sacrifices had Ruth made to stay with her mother-in-law? (2:11)
9. *What reason did Boaz give Ruth for his special attention to her? (2:11–12)
10. What words of blessing did Boaz offer to Ruth? (2:12)
11. What kind of relationship did Ruth have with Naomi? (2:17–23)
12. How did Naomi respond to Ruth’s success? (2:19–20)
13. What advice did Naomi give to Ruth? (2:22)
Get It
1. How did God show His faithfulness to Ruth and Naomi?
2. How do you think Ruth felt about her first day at work?
3. *What character traits of Ruth stand out to you?
4. What is significant about the fact that Ruth was a foreigner in Judah?
5. *Judging from the events in this story, what character traits does God honor in His people?
6. How was divine providence evident in Ruth and Naomi’s life?
7. How have you seen God’s providence at work in your life?
Apply It
1. *What is a step you can take this week toward developing your character?
2. How could you demonstrate your thankfulness to the Lord for His provision for you?
3. What can you do in the next few days to help a friend who is struggling to make ends meet?
Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor—Ruth 3:1–18
Topics: Accountability, Advice, Affections, Authority, Character, Confidence, Follow-through, Future, Gentleness, Guidance, Obedience, Protection, Relationships, Remarriage, Responsibility
Open It
1. What kind of reputation do you think Christianity has in the world today?
2. *What about your reputation do you value most and want to protect at all costs?
3. On whom do you depend for advice when you need it?
Explore It
1. What motivated Naomi to tell Ruth to go to Boaz? (3:1–2)
2. What specific instructions did Naomi give to Ruth? (3:1–4)
3. How did Naomi refer to Boaz, and how is this significant? (3:2)
4. *How did Ruth respond to Naomi’s unusual request? (3:5)
5. How did Ruth answer Boaz when he discovered her at his feet? (3:8–9)
6. To what was Boaz referring when he said, “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier”? (3:10)
7. Why was Boaz willing to fulfill his obligation? (3:10–13)
8. *What reputation did Ruth have in the town? (3:11)
9. *What did Boaz tell Ruth to do? Why? (3:13–14)
10. What did Boaz do to protect Ruth’s good reputation? (3:13–14)
11. In what way did Boaz show kindness to Ruth’s mother-in-law? (3:15–17)
12. How did Naomi predict Boaz would handle the situation? (3:18)
Get It
1. What does Ruth’s obedience to Naomi reveal about her character?
2. What does Boaz’s willingness to fulfill his obligation reveal about him?
3. *What positive character traits stand out in this story?
4. When have you ever found yourself in an “impossible” situation like Ruth?
5. *Judging from this passage, what does God want you to do when you cannot see the solution to a problem in your life?
6. What have you learned from this passage about the role mature Christian friends can play in your life?
7. What problem or challenge do you face in the next few weeks?
8. Who is a Christian friend you could rely on for wise advice?
Apply It
1. How could you encourage or advise a Christian friend who is struggling with a problem?
2. *What is one specific step you can take this week to benefit from the wisdom and insight of a more mature Christian?
Boaz Marries Ruth—Ruth 4:1–22
Topics: Authority, Blessing, Caring, Character, Choices, Commitment, Devotion, Family, Husbands, Marriage, Obligation, Praise, Relationships, Remarriage, Traditions, Wives
Open It
1. What are some of the unwritten social rules in your family?
2. Why do you think people are embarrassed by faux pas (social blunders)?
3. *In what circumstances or situations are witnesses important?
Explore It
1. *What is the central event in this chapter? (4:1–12)
2. How did Boaz adhere to Jewish tradition in his dealing with the kinsman-redeemer? (4:1–12)
3. What strategy did Boaz use with the kinsman-redeemer, and what effect did it have? (4:4–7)
4. Why did the kinsman-redeemer decline to buy the land? (4:6)
5. What significance was there in the kinsman-redeemer’s removing his sandal? (4:7)
6. Why was it important for this transaction to take place at the town gate? (4:9–10)
7. *How is the elders’ blessing on Boaz and Ruth’s marriage significant in light of the rest of the chapter? (4:11–12)
8. *What extra blessing did the Lord give to Ruth? (4:13)
9. In what way could the child Obed renew Naomi’s life and sustain her in her old age? (4:15)
10. Why did the women of Bethlehem say Ruth was “better … than seven sons” to Naomi? (4:15)
11. What reputation did Ruth have in the town? (4:15)
12. What does the genealogy at the end of the chapter add to the story? (4:17–22)
Get It
1. What character traits did Boaz and Ruth display?
2. In what situation in your life do you need to display a characteristic of Boaz or Ruth?
3. What character trait do you want to concentrate on developing?
4. What have you learned from this passage that could help you improve your relationship with a good friend or family member?
5. *How is this chapter an example of God’s providence in our lives?
6. How have you seen God at work in your own life recently?
7. In what specific ways could we demonstrate thanks to the Lord for His personal involvement in our lives?
8. *What does the story of Ruth teach you about God’s view of the details in your daily life?
Apply It
1. How can you praise the Lord today for His work in your life?
2. *With what prayer could you entrust your life to the Lord’s care?
3. In the next few days, how could you support or help a friend or family member?
Adult Questions for LESSONmaker (2024). Bellingham, WA: Logos, p. Ru 1:1–4:22.