Tips for Teaching This Week’s Session of The Gospel Project for Adults

Listen to this week’s leader training podcast with Y Bonesteele, team leader for The Gospel Project for Adults, for a summary and guidance in leading your group.

This week’s additional resources for study and preparation:

• Article: “Ruth, a Faithful Gentile” by Ligonier
• Sermon Transcript: “Ruth—A Loyal Love Story” by Lloyd Stilley
• Sermon: “Ruth 4:1-22” by Heath Dennison

NOTICE:

For those who order the Leader Pack, Pack Item 10: Ruth’s Family was designed incorrectly. We have corrected the visual order of the people in Boaz and Ruth’s genealogy. A corrected copy of the pack item can be downloaded here. Thank you for the grace on this error.

Transcript of Leader Training Podcast:

Hi, this is Y Bonesteele, team leader for The Gospel Project for Adults. Welcome to another Leader Training podcast. Today we are in Unit 9, Session 1, God Redeems His People; covering the book of Ruth, with the core passage of Ruth 1:22, 3:5-13; and 4:13-17. And with the key concept of: No one is beyond the reach of God’s redemption.

The Context on p. 120 of the Leader Guide reminds us that Ruth is set during the time of the judges. And during a particular famine, a certain man named Elimelech moved with his family from Bethlehem to Moab as seen in Ruth 1:1-2.  Just a few insights into why Ruth starts out this way. First we see that because it was set in the time of the judges, we know that the Israelites during that time had a habit of doing what was right in their own eyes. Now some may say, it might have been during the time when they followed the judges and set things right, but then we know in 1:1 that there was a famine in the land. Now in Judges, no famine was mentioned but we know famine was a part of the covenant curses as seen in Leviticus 26:18-20 or Deuteronomy 28:23-24, talking about how the land won’t produce if God’s people did not listen to His Word. So Israel was doing what was right in their own eyes, and so there was a famine in Israel, so a man named Elimelech moved to Moab with his family. Now Moab was foreign god territory.

Now we know from the Context, that while there, Elimelech and his sons died, leaving his wife, Naomi, and two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth. They, thus, were all returning to the land of Judah because “the Lord had paid attention to his people’s need by providing them food” in Ruth 1:6, assuming that the famine was over. Naomi urged her daughters-in-law to return to their people as it would probably be easier to find themselves new husbands seen in 1:9. So Orpah eventually headed back to Moab, but Ruth clung to Naomi and they returned to Bethlehem “at the beginning of the barley harvest” (1:22).

In verse 1 of chapter 2, Boaz is introduced as “a prominent man of noble character,” a relative of Elimelech. Ruth was diligent and savvy and asked Naomi if she could glean from a field as law permits her to glean for her and Naomi in Deuteronomy 24:19, “When you reap the harvest in your field, and you forget a sheaf in the field, do not go back to get it. It is to be left for the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow.” And it so “happened” to be Boaz’s field (2:3) that she gleaned from. Boaz, finding it was Ruth, Naomi’s daughter-in-law, a relative, sought to look after her, asking her not to go into any other field, telling her she would be protected and cared for in his field, hearing that she had left what she knew to take care of Naomi. Naomi, realizing it was Boaz who was helping Ruth, stated in 2:20, “May the Lord bless him because he has not abandoned his kindness to the living or the dead.” The Gospel Project Commentary on page 128 mentions that the term kindness is the term used often for God’s covenant faithfulness, the term “hesed”—His long-term commitment to His promises to Abraham to save a people for Himself. Naomi could see that God was at work keeping His covenant, especially realizing that Boaz was one of their family redeemers.

We see the idea of a redeemer in Israelite law, especially in Leviticus 25 and Deuteronomy 25. There respectively, it speaks of a man redeeming land for a deceased brother and a man taking on his dead brother’s wife for the line to be continued. Although Boaz was not a brother, we can assume that Israelites understood the spirit of the law and a kinsman redeemer applied to other relatives, not just a direct brother.

So Naomi gave Ruth instructions and Ruth agreed to do everything Naomi said. After Boaz went to lie down, Ruth came secretly, uncovered his feet and laid down. At midnight, Boaz woke up to see a woman at his feet. “Who are you?” he asked and Ruth was able to reply, “I am Ruth, your servant. Take me under your wing, for you are a family redeemer.” Ruth’s actions were bold and dangerous, but Ruth and Naomi’s faith in Boaz’s character and God’s faithfulness allowed them to act in this way. Stating “take me under your wing” was a clear metaphor for ‘marry me.’ And Ruth’s courageous actions paid off. Boaz found it favorable, blessing Ruth, seeing that she had shown kindness to him as she had to Naomi. She could have been like Orpah and found a younger or richer man, but she did as Naomi told her and asked to be Boaz’s wife. Ruth had the reputation in town to be of “noble character” so Boaz was willing to do as she asked. But in his noble character, he knew that there was a closer family redeemer and with integrity, made sure all laws were followed carefully.

Now looking at Ruth and Boaz, how can we discern when obedience to the Lord means we need to act and when we need to wait? It seems like if we are following the Lord daily and consistently, we would be attuned to the voice and leading of the Holy Spirit. He would make it clear when to act and when to wait. Also, living with integrity and knowing the Word of God, like Boaz did, would help us have the needed information on whether to act or wait. Desiring God’s will and not our own, in humility, would also help us discern wisely. Sometimes for us, it may not always be clear, but usually the closer to God we are, the more aware of His leading we are too.

After dealing with the closer kinsman redeemer who did not choose to redeem Ruth and Naomi to protect himself from an unwise financial move, Boaz was in the clear. He was able to redeem them. Redeem, then, just means paying the price to release something as an exchange or to buy back. Like when you redeem a coupon or gift card. You are exchanging something that comes with a price. Boaz redeemed Ruth and Naomi by marrying Ruth, paying the price for Elimelech’s land and the price of taking care of both Ruth and Naomi.

And in so doing, “the Lord granted conception to her, and she gave birth to a son” in verse 13. The women of Bethlehem blessed the Lord because of it, praising Him for not leaving Naomi. And this son of Ruth would be well known in Israel, and he would renew Naomi’s life and sustain her. The women of town acknowledged that Ruth loved Naomi and was better than seven sons.

What are some ways your obedience to God can encourage others to praise the Lord? Through our obedience, we can be an example to others to obey even when it seems hard or difficult to, that they may see God at work through our faithfulness and thus praise God.  Our obedience can also lead to blessings for others, leading them to praise God too, for example, if we are generous in the giving of our resources or time to serve others. Our obedience in sharing the gospel can lead to the greatest gift of all, others’ salvation which would lead to praise indeed.

God had accomplished what He set out to do, provide for His people, provide for Naomi and Ruth because of their faithfulness, because no one is beyond the reach of God’s redemption. And Naomi became like a mother to her grandson, taking care of him and loving him as God brought back a family line to Naomi. And this grandson was named Obed, meaning one who serves. And the author makes it clear, that Obed was the father of Jesse who was the father of David, who would eventually have the Messiah, Jesus, in his line. Verse 17 thus reminds the modern reader of this kingly line of Jesus, who is our ultimate redeemer, paying our debt of sin and restoring us from spiritual poverty to spiritual richness. He paid the price of sacrificing Himself for the exchange of our lives that we may be reborn into His kingdom, paying our penalty of death. That’s the redeemer we all need. He is faithful to us and all generations! And again, no one is beyond the reach of God’s redemption.

Going into the Group Experience then, start off with the icebreaker, coming up with more questions that people may ask in times of hurt and suffering. Transition to the Context acknowledging the pain of hunger, poverty, leaving/moving away from the familiar, and the death of loved ones. Summarize the context, mentioning how God is always at work, especially in the so-called “coincidences” of life.

Take time to Recap, asking what were highlights from your group’s study, recalling the 5 topics given on page 126 in your leader guide. Fill in the gaps from your own study and notes. Pass out copies of Pack Item 10: Ruth’s Family, reminding the group of the line from Abraham to David, and ultimately Jesus, and where Boaz and Ruth fit in. Like Rahab, Ruth, a foreigner, is a huge part of the majestic line of Jesus.

Going into the Group Activity then on page 127, we will look at how different characters revealed their faith and how God’s hand was in the story of redemption in the book of Ruth.

First with Ruth, in chapter 3:5-6, and you can include verse 7 as well. Ruth revealed her faith by agreeing to do everything Naomi told her, in waiting for the right time at night to go to Boaz, uncover his feet and lie down nearby. Now God’s hand had been in the story all along. Ruth gleaning in Boaz field without her knowing, him being a kinsman redeemer without her knowing. God was orchestrating events as always.

Boaz revealed his faith by showing kindness to Ruth as she demonstrated kindness to him. He wasn’t angered at her boldness, but felt humbled and honored. And God’s hand led them to each other. God worked in each of their lives to get to this point where it was probably easy for Boaz to be offended or angered or put off. But he wasn’t. That was a testament to Boaz and to God.

Then when all was settled and Boaz and Ruth got married, the women of town praised God, revealing their faith, as they saw God at work in Naomi’s life—one who had suffering, losing a husband and two sons, in seeming desperation, was redeemed through the faithfulness of a foreign daughter-in-law. Seeing that, the women of town praised God. God’s hand was at work as they learned from Naomi’s suffering but saw how God was in it all along. And Naomi revealed her faith as she found joy in her grandson, raising him like her own, knowing God had good plans for him. And God had a plan for Naomi and Ruth and Obed all along, as Obed would become a distant forefather to the greatest redeemer of all time, Jesus Christ. God is always sovereign and always orchestrating events for His greatest glory and our greatest good.

For the Debrief Questions, If we could go back and talk to Boaz, Naomi, and Ruth, what might they tell us about redemption? Do you think they would point to themselves or to God? Your group may have varying answers but may include the idea that God is in the work of redemption, turning poverty to richness, sorrow into joy, evil into good, famine into flourishing. As we consistently walk with Him, living in faithfulness, He will direct our steps and guide us toward a fuller knowledge of His will and ways. Through it, others will see lives of faithfulness and praise God. God is always sovereign and at work, even in the darkest of days.

What part does God’s redemption play in the story of your life? How can you look at your own life story and see God’s hand always moving? Your group will have their own answers for these debrief questions.

Summarize and end with the Head, Heart, Hands section, focusing on the Heart question if time is limited: How do you need to pray regarding the circumstances you are experiencing in your life? Learning about Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz should give you hope that God is working things out. It may not be how you expect but He knows what He’s doing. Perhaps your prayer life might need more of asking for God’s will to come to fruition and being content to live and walk with Him, even through the suffering. God’s faithfulness and presence should be enough to get your through the tough times.

In the Next Steps, call out the second bullet point, reminding yourself of how both Boaz and Ruth were esteemed as people of noble character. What would it look like for others to call you a person of noble character? How can you live that out more this week?

End with prayer requests and praises. Psalm 130 only has 8 verses. Consider reading through it and praying a simple prayer of thanking God for His redemption.

Hey, thanks again for joining me on another Leader Training podcast! Reach out at [email protected]. And hope you have a great group time!