Adult
• 4 Sessions of Learner’s Materials
• 4 Sessions of Teaching Materials
• Handouts
1. Ruth 1:1-22
2. Ruth 2:1-23
3. Ruth 3:1-18
4. Ruth 4:1-22
"Ruth: A Love Story About God" is a four session study for adults, including learner’s materials, teaching guides, and handouts. The teaching guide is options-based, so teachers can customize sessions to match their favorite approach.
"Ruth: A Love Story About God," examines the book of Ruth one chapter at a time, since each chapter constitutes a major "act" in the story. Ruth is a story of tragedy overcome by love and loyalty. In the kind, benevolent, courageous choices made by Ruth, the main character of the story, the audience witnesses life and interrelationships as God intends them to be. Someone has said, "when you repeat a story, the story gets repeated."
Session One discusses faithfulness in the midst of tragedy. No family is immune to bad things. Unseen and untold suffering abounds in our families-bitter divorces, spouse and child abuse, debilitating injuries and illnesses, the loss of loved ones, attempted and successful suicides. The question is not whether personal tragedy will come our way during our lifetime, but how we will respond when it comes.
Session Two explores one of the treasures of Ruth's story-its description of extraordinary acts of kindness. The kindness extended to Ruth, kindness extended to a stranger and a foreigner, is beyond the “call of duty.” It is a kindness that changes lives.
Session Three helps us discover faithful living from the story of Ruth. In Ruth's life, as in the case of contemporary family life, basic principles guide actions. The book of Ruth gives us an opportunity to consider our own guiding principles. What are your guiding principles? How do they influence the way we live?
Session Four concludes the unit on Ruth. Ruth’s story began in tragedy with the loss of family and famine. The conclusion of Ruth’s story brings new life, hope, and celebration to Naomi who, though empty when she returned to Bethlehem, once again becomes full. Through Ruth and Naomi, our hope in God is strengthened.
by Nancy DeMott
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