Read an Excerpt
ruth & esther
A DOUBLE-EDGED BIBLE STUDY
TH1NK BOOKS
Copyright © 2005 The Navigators
All right reserved. ISBN: 1-57683-852-8
Chapter One
first impressions May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me. Ruth 1:17
For most women, putting on makeup is a formulaic, everyday occurrence (except on the frumpy days). Some start with foundation; some don't. Next they add powder, blush, eye shadow, mascara, lipstick, and whatever else the routine requires. When a woman is finished, she looks at her whole face and evaluates her artwork. She judges how she looks by the whole of her made-up face, not by the individual elements (although it really is annoying when the mascara clumps up).
That's the way to read the book of Ruth. It's put together in what seems like a formulaic, everyday manner-just like makeup. Putting on mascara or blush doesn't take much creativity, but the end product is often a work of art. Similarly, the best way to study Ruth is not to dissect it into individual elements but to appreciate it as a whole. That doesn't mean the individual elements aren't crucial to understanding the story; it just means that before you can appreciate the complexities of the book, you've got to know the big picture.
If you haven't already, read the introduction on pages 13-17. This will introduce you to Ruth and show you how the book fits into God's great story. Then, read the book of Ruth twice (it's only four chapters, so don't panic). First, try reading a literal translation such as the ESV (English Standard Version) or the NASB (New American Standard Bible). Then consider reading a paraphrase such as The Message. That way, you will connect with both the literal meaning and the feelings of the text.
study
As you're reading, think about the different elements of story found in the book, such as the plot, the main characters, any recurring themes, and the author's purpose. What is the author trying to explain, convince us of, or encourage us to do or accomplish?
1 Write your comments about the following:
Important repeated words and/or phrases
Key ideas and themes
Things that puzzle or surprise you
2 Write your first impressions about the following characters:
Naomi
Ruth
Orpah
Boaz
The unnamed kinsman in chapter 4
3 After these first two readings, what do you think are the main themes or purposes of Ruth?
4 How does Ruth's story affect your ideas about God? What does the story tell you about Him?
live
5 Can you already see lessons this book might teach you? What are they?
connect
Talk with your group about your hopes and expectations for this study. Have someone write them down so that as you go through the study, your leader can remind you of your goals and help you hold each other accountable. Then pray together, asking God to lead your group to a deeper understanding of Him through these incredible women of Scripture.
go deeper
For further study, read a commentary about Ruth to get additional perspective on the book. Try Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible, Complete and Unabridged or Thru the Bible.
memory verse of the week
Did a particular verse make you think? Is there a verse you can't get out of your head? Write it down and memorize it. Allow God's Word to permanently brand itself in your head and your heart.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from ruth & esther Copyright © 2005 by The Navigators.
Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
