Your STM Cross-cultural Journey With RuthНамуна

Time to share blessings—and offload some emotional baggage

Summary: Can Ruth overcome the challenges of her foreign background and be accepted as a member of the family?

Setup: After her unexpected experience with the master at the midday meal, Ruth continued to work. With some extra help from Boaz’s harvesters, she has gathered an unusually large amount of barley—more than 30 pounds’ worth!

In addition, she has her lunch leftovers. The roasted grain is evidence of her special invitation to join Boaz and the harvesters. She also has Boaz’s invitation to continue gleaning in his fields—a promise of continuing blessing.

Now it is time to go home to Naomi. The good things she brings are sure to be a surprise. Ruth wonders if it will change Naomi’s perspective about their situation—or about her.

Re-Read: Ruth 1:22-2:2; Read: Ruth 2:17-23, observing references to “Ruth the Moabite” or “Ruth the Moabitess.”

Then come back and tackle the questions below!

Reflect: Why do you think the author made a point of mentioning Ruth’s heritage at certain points in this chapter?

Look Back: Think about a time in the past when you entered a new situation as an outsider. Did you eventually become accepted into the group? If so, how did that happen? What role did you play? What role did others play?

Look Around: What evidence do you see that God’s servants (where you are helping this week) identify as members of the community that they serve in? What evidence do you see that the community accepts them?

Ask God & Others: Were there things that God’s servants had to voluntarily give up—or begin doing—to help gain acceptance into the community? How long does that take?

Pray & Plan: Pray that God will reveal two things that you have in common with a local friend this week. Think of someone back home that you would like to make a connection with upon your return. Write their name down.

Dig Deeper: Acceptance is encouraging, but sometimes God’s workers have to risk confrontation with the people they serve. Jesus interacted often with Gentiles or Samaritans. Find at least two examples. Note how He was (or wasn’t) accepted by the locals.