Read the recommended Bible passages and the thought-provoking blurb below. Send your partner a letter or notecard answering the questions at the end of this post. Don't forget to pray and invite the Lord into your study time.

Bible passages to read and reflect on this week:

Ruth Chapter 1 (The Key Passage is Ruth 1:16-17)

Naomi's husband and two sons died, and she was left in a foreign land, Moab, with her two daughters-in-law. She headed home to Bethlehem where she heard there was food. She told her two daughters-in-law to go back to their homes and their gods. She knew they must find new husbands, because in that day, a woman needed a husband to provide for her. Orpah obeyed, but Ruth refused to leave her mother-in-law. She clung to Naomi, demonstrating a loyalty seldom found in today's world. She journeyed with Naomi to the land of Bethlehem. As Chapter 1 of Ruth closes, Ruth and Naomi arrived in Bethlehem just in time for the barley harvest. This is how God works! His timing is perfect. God's plan to provide for Ruth and Naomi is a beautiful story as the book of Ruth continues to unfold. Ruth's faithfulness to her mother-in-law inspires us to be loyal, regardless of the cost.

Why do you think Ruth refused to go back to her homeland?

When Ruth chose Naomi's God, she chose to follow the one true God rather than the gods of her homeland. How did this change her life?

Did you have any other thoughts or questions from your study this week? Share your thoughts!