December 13

Day 13 | Ruth

Scripture: Ruth 1:15-2:3, 4:13-17

Ruth and Naomi had lost all the people they loved. Naomi’s two sons - one was Ruth’s husband - had died, and Naomi’s husband had died too. Naomi had been living in Ruth’s country, far from her family, and so Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem. Ruth could have stayed in her own country with her own family, but she chose to go to Bethlehem with Naomi.

Naomi was so sad that she thought that God had forgotten her. In the days of the Bible, most women couldn’t get jobs, so women would go to the fields and take the grain that the farmers left behind. Ruth went to the field to gather grain, and there she met Boaz, a relative of Naomi’s, who took care of them. Boaz and Ruth married and had a son, and Naomi was happy. She knew that God had not forgotten them, even when she had been sad.

Talk About:
• Even though Naomi thought of her life as empty, God was fully with her. Is there anyone you know like Naomi that you could love in some special ways as a family?

Prayer: Holy God, thank You for being with us always. Please help us to always see Your goodness and share our blessings with others.

Additional Scriptures:
Matthew 1:1-5

Age-Focused Discussion

Preschool
• Who were the two women we talked about today?
• Ruth showed love and kindness to Naomi when she was having a very difficult time. Who can you show love and kindness to today? 

Elementary
• What choice did Ruth make when Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem?
• Who was Boaz, and how did he help Ruth and Naomi?
• How is Ruth connected to King David and Jesus? What does Ruth’s decision to stay with Naomi show about her character?
• When have you seen someone show loyalty and kindness like Ruth did?

Middle and High School
• What is a kinsman-redeemer and how did Boaz act as one for Ruth and Naomi?
• What can we learn about trusting God when life feels hard, like it did for Naomi?
• How can we show God’s love and kindness to others like Ruth and Boaz did?

Gospel Conversation
Just like God had a plan for Ruth and Naomi, He has a plan for us as well. He loves us so much that just like Boaz was the redeemer for Ruth and Naomi, God sent Jesus to be our Redeemer. When we trust in Jesus, we can be part of God’s family forever.