Your STM Cross-cultural Journey With RuthЗагвар

I’m ready to get to work! And meet people. Who will like me. I hope.

Summary: Ruth navigates a new setting, new people and new customs. Can she find a way to be useful instead of a burden?

Setup: Dust rose around them as the two women approached the gates of Bethlehem. Naomi had been gone for 10 years, but at least she knew the place and the people. Ruth was walking into a totally foreign environment. Visible and vulnerable as a foreigner, Ruth had much to learn quickly if she was to survive and thrive in this new environment.

At least she’d heard that there was work available. Still, she would need the Lord’s help and the favor of the local people.

Read: Ruth 2:1-16, observing how Boaz shows favor to Ruth and the reasons he gives for it. (Hint: 3 ways)

Then come back and tackle the questions below!

Reflect: Boaz instructs Ruth to stay in his fields. Why might a gleaner be tempted to move on to another field?

Look Back: How has your Master (God) shown you favor? List at least three ways.

Look Around: How do God’s servants working in the culture you are visiting this week enjoy time with the Master?

Ask God & Others: How do God’s servants develop a good reputation in this community? Does that make a difference? If so, how?

Pray & Plan: What is one thing you can do to develop a good reputation among others? What is one new idea you have for enjoying time with God?

Dig Deeper: What in Boaz’s background might have inclined him to look favorably upon Ruth? (Hint: Look for Boaz in the New Testament.)