DAY 12
RUTH & BOAZ
May the Lord reward you for what you have done. May the God of Israel bless you richly. You have come to him to find safety under his care.
-Ruth 2:12
REFLECT
After Joshua and the Israelites entered the Promised Land, things went well for a while. But over time, the people began to disobey God again. Even so, there were always some who remained faithful and desired to follow Him. Ruth’s story is about one of those families, people who loved and trusted God. And her story would play a key role in God’s plan to rescue the world from sin.
Ruth’s journey began in a land called Moab, where she lived with her husband and her mother-in-law, Naomi. Ruth had grown up in a culture that worshiped false gods, but during her time with Naomi and her husband, she learned about the one true and living God. She saw their faith and devotion, and eventually, Ruth made the life-changing decision to follow God herself.
Tragedy struck when both Naomi’s husband and Ruth’s husband died. Heartbroken and unsure of what to do, Naomi decided to return to her homeland of Bethlehem. Out of love and loyalty, Ruth chose to go with her, even though it meant leaving everything familiar behind and becoming a stranger in a new land.
When they arrived in Bethlehem, Ruth and Naomi had no food. To provide for them, Ruth went to gather leftover grain in a nearby field. She didn’t know it at the time, but the field belonged to a kind and godly man named Boaz. Boaz noticed Ruth and soon learned about her faith, her kindness, and her care for Naomi. Over time, Boaz grew to love Ruth. Eventually, they were married, and Boaz provided for both Ruth and Naomi, making sure they were cared for and never went hungry again.
Ruth and Boaz later had a son named Obed, who became the father of Jesse, the father of King David. And through that same family line, many generations later, God would send the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.
Ruth’s story is a powerful reminder of God’s faithful plan and provision. Just as God had a special purpose for Ruth, He has a special plan for your life too. You can trust that His plan is good and that He is always working, even when you can’t yet see it.
DISCUSSION
How can we show love and care for the people in our lives, especially during hard times?
How does showing love and kindness to people in our lives help them see Jesus through us?
PRAY
Thank you God for the story of Ruth. Thank you for having a plan for my life just like you had for Ruth. Please help us to be kind and love others like you love us.
FAMILY ACTIVITY
As a family, make a list of kind things that you could do for others this Christmas.
Plan out when you will do each thing.
May the Lord reward you for what you have done. May the God of Israel bless you richly. You have come to him to find safety under his care.
-Ruth 2:12
REFLECT
After Joshua and the Israelites entered the Promised Land, things went well for a while. But over time, the people began to disobey God again. Even so, there were always some who remained faithful and desired to follow Him. Ruth’s story is about one of those families, people who loved and trusted God. And her story would play a key role in God’s plan to rescue the world from sin.
Ruth’s journey began in a land called Moab, where she lived with her husband and her mother-in-law, Naomi. Ruth had grown up in a culture that worshiped false gods, but during her time with Naomi and her husband, she learned about the one true and living God. She saw their faith and devotion, and eventually, Ruth made the life-changing decision to follow God herself.
Tragedy struck when both Naomi’s husband and Ruth’s husband died. Heartbroken and unsure of what to do, Naomi decided to return to her homeland of Bethlehem. Out of love and loyalty, Ruth chose to go with her, even though it meant leaving everything familiar behind and becoming a stranger in a new land.
When they arrived in Bethlehem, Ruth and Naomi had no food. To provide for them, Ruth went to gather leftover grain in a nearby field. She didn’t know it at the time, but the field belonged to a kind and godly man named Boaz. Boaz noticed Ruth and soon learned about her faith, her kindness, and her care for Naomi. Over time, Boaz grew to love Ruth. Eventually, they were married, and Boaz provided for both Ruth and Naomi, making sure they were cared for and never went hungry again.
Ruth and Boaz later had a son named Obed, who became the father of Jesse, the father of King David. And through that same family line, many generations later, God would send the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.
Ruth’s story is a powerful reminder of God’s faithful plan and provision. Just as God had a special purpose for Ruth, He has a special plan for your life too. You can trust that His plan is good and that He is always working, even when you can’t yet see it.
DISCUSSION
How can we show love and care for the people in our lives, especially during hard times?
How does showing love and kindness to people in our lives help them see Jesus through us?
PRAY
Thank you God for the story of Ruth. Thank you for having a plan for my life just like you had for Ruth. Please help us to be kind and love others like you love us.
FAMILY ACTIVITY
As a family, make a list of kind things that you could do for others this Christmas.
Plan out when you will do each thing.