The Bible in Chronological Order (Part Three: Builders & Writers) – May 9, 2021 One Great Mom! (c. 420 BC) – Ruth 4:1-6, 13-17 Small Group Discussion Questions:

Intro: Return to the land (Psalm 126)

I. The Book of Ruth – reads like a Shakespearean drama A. Dramatis Personae: Elimelech = my God is King Naomi = Delightful, pleasant Mahlon = weakness, sickness Kilion = pining, consumption Memory Verse: Orpah = firmness; Ruth = friend But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn Boaz = in him is strength; back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I women of Bethlehem; harvesters in the field will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my the foreman; an unknown kinsman; city elders God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. B. The plot May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” (Ruth 1:16-17) II. The Person of Ruth – a woman of character

A. Probably a charming, attractive woman (2:5) B. Showed kindness to her mother-in-law (2:2)

C. Had a spiritual hunger – a hunger for truth (1:16)

III. The ultimate message is about the grace of God A. Can anything good come out of Moab? Deut. 23:3-6; Ezra 10:1-4 B. Can anything good come out of Bethlehem? (1:1); Judges 17-21; Mt. 2:1; Romans 2 C. Made in God’s image (Gen. 1:27; Mt. 1:5) D. There is a Redeemer! (4:1-6; 1 Peter 1:18-19)

Concluding thoughts: 1. Say “yes” to the Heavenly Bridegroom (Eph 5:21-32; John 3:29-31; 2 Co. 11:2; Rev. 19:7; 21:9) 2. Moms keep things together 3. Moms bring life The Jewish Bible (Tanakh) – see Luke 24:44

The Law: The Writings Genesis Psalms Exodus Job Leviticus Proverbs Numbers Ruth Deuteronomy Song of Songs Ecclesiastes The Prophets Lamentations Joshua Esther Judges Daniel Samuel (1&2) Ezra/Nehemiah Kings (1&2) Chronicles (1&2) Isaiah Jeremiah Ezekiel Book of the Twelve: Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi