Ruth: Hope Out of Darkness – Christmas

Notes:

Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz were just living their lives, trying to be good people. They were loving, loyal, and faithful to God and His word. Things were looking really tough for Ruth and Naomi early on, but God was preparing Boaz. He was a man committed to God’s ways and he was a kind, honorable man. God had prepared his heart to be the kinsman-redeemer. Things worked out pretty well for them all because their love for one another was so strong.

But that’s just the beginning. What none of them could have known was that God would honor them with being the ancestors of His Son, Jesus. Some of our favorite themes of Christmas were being developed in their lives without them even knowing it. They were just trying to be faithful to God in their everyday lives. It’s almost like Christmas was beginning with them, was fully realized in Jesus, and is carried on with us. Christmas is eternal because Christ is eternal. And that’s why we must always keep Christ as the reason for the season. For followers of Christ, the season is supposed to be year round. It is eternal, so we should keep the spirit of these things in our hearts throughout the year.

Consider the importance of these qualities and prepare a list of your own;
• love
• generosity
• importance of Bethlehem
• the reason for a Redeemer

Questions for discussion:

1. What would you like to be remembered for? Read Ruth 1:19, 1 Sam. 16:1, and Micah 5:2-5a.
2. Micah 5:2 is the first time the Messiah is prophesied to come from Bethlehem, several hundred years after Ruth. Why do you think God chose Bethlehem for Jesus to be born?
3. What did Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz do in their lives that may have made God want to honor them by having Jesus be born in Bethlehem?
4. What do you need to start doing now to become the person you want to be remembered as?
5. What are three things you would like to be known for as they relate to how you treat others? Take turns naming one at a time.