Lesson Two
Serving Even When It Is Hard

In a family, there can be so much busyness. We are constantly going off to one of about 100 different places, doing so many different things. We are pulled in so many directions.

1. What are some of the many directions you and your family are pulled in right now?

As we go about all of our things, it can be easy to lose sight of the fact that God has given us each other in our families. It is easy to get self-focused and only think about things that affect us.

2. What is it like to be around someone that is only focused on themself?

Yet, in the middle of your busy life, you are called to serve. We are all called to serve. Jesus served us when He was in His darkest moments leading up to and through the cross. Had He not, we would have no hope.

This brings us to our study of the book of Ruth. Naomi and Ruth had been through so much in chapter 1. Naomi had lost a son, Ruth a husband. Their sorrow was deep. Yet, in the middle of their sorrow, God shines through the least obvious person.

Ruth was a Moabite. Moabites and Hebrews did not see eye to eye on just about anything, the biggest one being who was actually worthy of being worshiped as God. Moabites had been placed under a ban of eternal exclusion for cursing the one true God and seducing God’s people to worship their gods in Numbers chapter 22.

Yet, Ruth decides to stay with Naomi even though she had told Ruth that she could leave. Not only that, but Ruth declares that Naomi’s people would be her people and Naomi’s God would be her God (Ruth 1:16).

3. Where have you seen God work in or through the most unexpected people or circumstances?

Ruth goes with Naomi to Bethlehem. Is it not just continually amazing how God works? This entire account is a story of redemption. Something else happens in Bethlehem centuries later. Coincidence? I do not think so! Neither Ruth nor Naomi was in the best mental state. They were still grieving and Naomi was struggling so much that she was not really able to function. They would need to figure out what they were going to do for food and even shelter now that they were in a new land. This is a foreign land for Ruth.

4. Read and record what they were going through in Ruth chapter 2.

Ruth goes and serves Naomi once they are in the land. They need food and so she went to the field of Boaz, who was a relative of Naomi. She worked hard and she went at much personal cost and danger. Ruth was gathering the harvest that was left over after the reapers, the workers of that field, had finished.

God had told His people to leave some of their fields on the edges for those that are poor. This was where God had led Ruth.

5. When have you experienced the provision of God in your life? How expected was it?

6. Write down those experiences so that you can remember them next time that you are in the midst of struggle and trial. Please share with your group.

Ruth continually shows her character throughout this book, but specifically in this instance. She went to a foreign land that worshipped a God she did not yet know, but she would come to know. She sacrificed whatever life she used to have in order to serve her mother-in-law. Not only that, she served even though she would put herself in danger. She was a younger woman that would catch the eye of the other workers. This could mean that she could find another person to marry, but it could also mean she could be assaulted with what we know about the national and moral chaos in Israel during the Judges period.

7. When have you been served by someone that sacrificed in order to serve you? How was that?

God provided for Ruth and she was protected by Boaz. In fact, she would receive the blessing of God as it was no coincidence that he was the family’s kinsman redeemer. She would eventually marry Boaz.

Boaz was drawn to her because of her character. Ruth 2:11 says, “All that you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband has been fully told to me, and how you left your father and mother and your native land and came to a people that you did not know before.”

Ruth is a woman who has suffered and has shown resolution, loyalty, and courage. Above all, she has shown kindness to her bereaved mother-in-law and has been willing to sacrifice her own prospects to do so. This is what Boaz finds so impressive about Ruth and what moves him to show kindness to her in return.

Consider how Ruth served her family. She did so unselfishly and unreservedly. She served at great sacrifice to herself.

8. How do you serve your family? Do you serve out of love, putting others first? Or do you serve reluctantly, if at all?

9. Does your family serve each other? What does that look like?

10. Why is it hardest, at times, to serve those we are closest to?

11. How can you lead your family to serve each other more? What would it take to set that example?

Take some time to pray about what it means to serve each other in your family. Ask God for eyes to see how you can actively serve each other. Find ways that you can serve others as a family. Ruth served Naomi. Jesus came from Ruth’s lineage and gave the ultimate sacrifice. The example is given to us. How will you serve your family?