Ideas and questions for group members and leaders for Ruth 1–2:12

Ruth 1-2:12 Questions

Warm up in pairs: Option A: Tell about your mother-in-law. Option B: Tell about a time you or your family moved and how difficult or easy it was. Group leader, please chose the one you want to use.

Ruth 1:1-10

1. Does the name Elimelech tell us anything? His name means “My God is king.” 
2. Can you recall another Bible story where a family left to find food? Jacob sent his sons to Egypt when there was a famine just as Elimelech left Judah for Moab to find food.  
3. In both of these accounts, do we see the providence and sovereignty of the Lord? Most definitely. Elaborate as time allows.
4. What joy did Naomi find in Moab? Her sons found wives.
5. What tragedy? Her husband and sons died.
6. Were Israelite men forbidden to marry Moabite women? There is a bit of disagreement, but most commentators conclude that they were forbidden to marry Canaanite women, but Moabites were not Canaanites.  See Deuteronomy 7:1-3.
7. What can we learn about Naomi from the two blessings or prayers she prayed for her two daughters in law? She was putting their interest and needs above hers. She was asking the Lord to show kindness to them as they had shown kindness to her.
8. What did she mean when she prayed that they would find rest in the house of their husband? For ladies, a husband represents security- emotional, physical, and financial security and rest. Elaborate as time allows.

Ruth 1:11-15

1. What was the purpose of Naomi’s conversation with Ruth and Orpah? She went into some detail to get them to face reality.
2. Are there times we need to have conversations with those we love to get them to face reality?  Yes. Why do we avoid such conversations? It can be uncomfortable for both. We are uncertain how they react. They may get angry with us, and we don’t want people angry with us.
3. Was Oprah a bad person because she didn’t go with Naomi as Ruth did? Not at all. She actually heeded Naomi’s advice. 
4. Was Naomi blaming God for the loss of her husband and two sons? This is a complex question. When people are grieving, they often become bitter and blame God. That is quite common. When Naomie returned to Bethlehem, she told people that she had changed her name from Naomi (means pleasant) to Mara (means bitter). She was blaming God in the sense that in the Old Testament, people thought of God as being responsible for everything that happened. 
5. How can we encourage those who have suffered loss? Don’t lecture, but listen. 

Ruth 1:16-18

1.  Jokes have been about mothers-in-laws. That is unfortunate. Ruth demonstrated by her statement how much she loved her mother -in-law. Why is there sometimes friction with mothers-in-laws? Opinion question. Ask group members to share.
2. Why is this verse so often used for weddings? For husband and wife to declare their love and loyalty for a lifetime. It’s is beautiful language as well.

Ruth 2:5-12

1. Was Boaz, AL named after Boaz? Apparently so.
2. Why was Boaz showing such kindness to Ruth? A. He was related to Naomi’s family through Elimelech B. He had heard good report of how Ruth cared for Naomi C. Ruth’s moving towards faith in Israel’s God D. She was pretty
3. Was it coincidental that Ruth ended up in Boaz’s field? No. It was the hand of God.
4. What do we learn about Boaz from these verses? That he was kind man.
5. What do we learn from 2:4? From his greeting that he loved the Lord.