One of the most beautiful and moving stories in the Bible is found in the book of Ruth. But it doesn’t start that way. Set in the dark and precarious times of the Judges, the story of Ruth begins in a place of famine and death. As we’ll see, the first five verses are loaded with contextual information that lay a foundation for the rest of the book. Before we can appreciate the beauty of the story, we have to deal with the disappointment and understand why it’s so important to acknowledge our famines so they don’t define us.

• What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? 
• What connection do you see between “The days when the Judges ruled” and what culture and society are like today? 
• In Hebrew, a name reveals a person’s identity. If Ruth means “friend” or “companion,” what do you think your life reveals about what your name means? 
• Reflect and Respond to this statement: What we don’t acknowledge defines us. 
• What are some of the famines you’ve needed to acknowledge in your life?   
• How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week?  

• The New American Commentary: Judges/Ruth by Daniel I. Block 
• The NIV Application Commentary: Judges/Ruth by K. Lawson Younger Jr. 
• Rose Then and Now Bible Map Atlas by Paul H. Wright – Chapter 7 (Naomi and Ruth) 
• Ruth by BibleProject 
• Ruth (One Hour. One Book.) by Randall Smith 
• Ruth Photo Companion to the Bible by BiblePlaces.com 

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