Despite having arrived in Bethlehem, Naomi, and Ruth are still vulnerable widows dependent upon the generosity of others to meet their needs. And in a time when everyone is doing what’s right in their own eyes, that doesn’t bode well for them. But as we’ll see, Ruth’s humility and work ethic caught the attention of a man whose empathy and integrity will change the course of her and Naomi’s life. By looking at these early encounters between Ruth and Boaz, we’ll learn how to place ourselves in a path of blessing for God to do what He desires.

• What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? 
• It’s possible that Boaz’s empathy towards Ruth exists because his own mother was a foreign woman. How have your own experiences of hardship and struggle shaped you to show empathy to those in similar situations? (Be specific.) 
• Both Ruth and Boaz model integrity. How would you define integrity, and why is it such a powerful force for good? 
• Plenty of people work hard and still struggle, but there’s something unique about the combination of Ruth’s work ethic and humility and Boaz’s empathy and integrity. In light of that, respond to the following quote by Dallas Willard: “Grace is not opposed to effort, it is opposed to earning.” 
• 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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