This teaching series if offered by Jenny Matheny.

Ruth 2:8-9The Message

2: 8-9 Then Boaz spoke to Ruth: “Listen, my daughter. From now on don’t go to any other field to glean—stay right here in this one. And stay close to my young women. Watch where they are harvesting and follow them. And don’t worry about a thing; I’ve given orders to my servants not to harass you. When you get thirsty, feel free to go and drink from the water buckets that the servants have filled.”

10 She dropped to her knees, then bowed her face to the ground. “How does this happen that you should pick me out and treat me so kindly—me, a foreigner?”

11-12 Boaz answered her, “I’ve heard all about you—heard about the way you treated your mother-in-law after the death of her husband, and how you left your father and mother and the land of your birth and have come to live among a bunch of total strangers. God reward you well for what you’ve done—and with a generous bonus besides from God, to whom you’ve come seeking protection under his wings.”

13 She said, “Oh sir, such grace, such kindness—I don’t deserve it. You’ve touched my heart, treated me like one of your own. And I don’t even belong here!”

1. Being in a new place feels very awkward at times. How do you think Ruth felt being new and a “foreigner” in this small town of Bethlehem?

2. Have you ever been new and felt like you did not belong? Did you experience the kindness of others in this new place? What did you wish was different?

3. How can we, as a church, extend a warm welcome to those who are new and help them to know they are a beautiful and important part of this church family?