Discussion questions (10/24/2022)

Study in the Book of Ruth – (Ruth 1:1-22)

Discussion Questions: (10/24/2022)

1.        Read Ruth 1:1-21 together.  What were some of your initial thoughts as you read the text?

2.        In our text today, the story being told reveals, that in the Old Testament days of Ruth a name really meant something – each person’s name was given for a specific reason.

Abimelech – means God is King

Naomi – means pleasant or lovely

Mahlon – means weakling

Chillion – means pining or little vessel

Speak to your own name or the names of your children.  Was there any rhyme or reason for the names you or your parents gave their children?

3.        The author describes the time as “the time of the judges” and says the time was characterized by “everyone did what seemed right to him.”  Read Proverbs 14:12. How do you see the reality of the time of the judges and this verse in Proverbs alive and well in our society today?  What consequences do you believe living this way has upon a society?  Is there a time in your life you lived this way?  Explain what your life was like at that time.

4.        Step into Naomi’s shoes for a moment.  Her hometown of Bethlehem is experiencing a famine – there is no food.   Her husband leads the family to Moab a place where her people’s enemies live, where there is pagan worship and immorality everywhere.  Then her husband dies.  A short time after that both her sons die.   She and her daughters-in-law are left alone in a patriarchal society with no means to support themselves.  How do you believe you would have responded to this situation if it was you?   Talk about a time when life was at its worst for you.  How did you respond?

5.       Read Ruth 1:11-15.  Why is Naomi trying so hard to convince Ruth and her sister to go back home?  What do you hear in Naomi’s words to them?

6.       Read Ruth 1:16-19.  Why are Ruth’s words here so incredibly amazing?

7.       When they arrive back in Bethlehem some people recognize Naomi and call out her name, but she responds, “Do not call me Naomi, call me Mara” which means bitter.  What do you believe the key is when the worst of life crashes in on you to allowing those circumstances to not make you bitter but better?  What are some of the important promises of God to hold on to during the most difficult times of life?

8.       Read Ruth 1:20-21.  Naomi uses 2 different names for God in her response.  The first is “Almighty” which is the name that reveals God is all-powerful and sovereign.  The second name is “LORD” which in Hebrew means Yahweh, the covenant name of God revealing that he is always faithful and true.  Basically, these names speak to God being both great and good.  Why is it so difficult to believe these truths about God when life is so hard?

9.        What is the most significant thing that you walk away with from this first week in the book of Ruth that you would like to see become a greater reality in your Christian walk?