Naomi and Ruth

Loyalty and God's provision in hardship.

Review:

Ruth chapter 1 begins with a famine in Israel, leading Naomi and her husband Elimelech to move with their two sons to Moab. While there, Elimelech and both sons pass away, leaving Naomi a widow with her two Moabite daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. Naomi decides to return to her homeland of Judah, as she has heard that the Lord has provided food for His people. She encourages her daughters-in-law to return to their own families in Moab. Orpah eventually agrees, but Ruth famously declares her unwavering loyalty to Naomi, choosing to stay with her and embrace her people and her God.

Key Takeaways:

• True loyalty and love can be shown through difficult choices.
• God's provision and comfort can be found even in times of great loss.
• Family bonds can extend beyond blood relationships through commitment.
• Embracing God's people and His ways can lead to unexpected blessings.

Discussion Questions:

1. How would you describe the relationship between Naomi and her daughters-in-law at the beginning of the chapter?
2. What do you think motivated Orpah's decision to return to Moab? Can you empathize with her choice?
3. What does Ruth's declaration to Naomi ("Where you go I will go...") reveal about her character?
4. In what ways did Ruth show loyalty to Naomi? What does true loyalty look like in our lives today?
5. Even though the situation was difficult, how might God have been working in Naomi and Ruth's lives?

Family Prayer:

Dear Lord, we thank you for the beautiful story of Naomi and Ruth and the powerful example of loyalty and love they showed to one another. We pray that you would help us to be loyal and supportive to our family members and friends, especially during challenging times. Help us to trust in your provision and to find comfort in you when we face loss and hardship. May our hearts be open to embracing those who need family and may we always seek to follow you, just as Ruth chose to follow Naomi's God. Amen.

We are using the One Year Bible Storybook by Virginia J. Muir as our guide through this series.