Sunday School Bible Survey:      RUTH

Theme: Redemption


Key verses: "If thou wilt redeem it, redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it" (4:4).


WRITER: Tradition says Samuel. "Samuel, who anointed David as king, may well have provided the book to show the new monarch's pedigree" — William MacDonald. Ruth covers the same time period as the Book of Judges (1:1).

The book of Ruth connects the book of Judges with I & II Samuel. The first verse of the book points to the time of the Judges and the very last verse points to King David.


OUTLINE:

  • RUTH DECIDING (CHAPTER 1)
  • RUTH SERVING (CHAPTER 2)
  • RUTH RESTING (CHAPTER 3)
  • RUTH REWARDED (CHAPTER 4)

    • Outline of Ruth by A.C. Gaebelein:



    CHAPTER 1 The Story of Naomi: Orpah and Ruth

    1. Naomi and her sorrows (1:1-5)
    2. The return (1:6-13)
    3. Orpah turning back, Ruth cleaving (1:14-18)
    4. Naomi and Ruth in Bethlehem (1:19-22)


    CHAPTER 2 Gleaning in the Field

    1. Ruth gleaning in the field of Boaz (2:1-3)
    2. Grace shown to Ruth by Boaz (2:4-17)
    3. Ruth hears concerning Boaz (2:18-23)


    CHAPTER 3 At the Feet of Boaz

    1. Naomi instructs Ruth (3:1-5)
    2. At his feet (3:6-7)
    3. The discovery (3:8-13)
    4. The six measures of barley (3:14-17)
    5. He will not rest until he has finished the thing (3:18)


    CHAPTER 4 The Redemption and Marriage

    1. The other kinsman (4:1-5)
    2. His refusal (4:6-8)
    3. Boaz's redemption (4:9-10)
    4. The marriage (4:11-13)
    5. Naomi's happiness (4:14-17)
    6. The ancestry of David (4:18-22)

    Outlines of Ruth by William G. Heslop:



    1. Ruth's Wise Choice (Chapter 1)
    2. Ruth's Faithful Service (Chapter 2)
    3. Ruth, the Book of Rest (Chapter 3)
    4. Ruth's Rich Reward (Chapter 4)


    1. The Persevering Pilgrim (Chapter 1)
    2. The Patient Seeker (Chapter 2)
    3. The Peaceful Gleaner (Chapter 3)
    4. The Pure Bride (Chapter 4)


    1. Ruth, the Book of Redemption (Chapter 1)
    2. Ruth, the Book of Restoration (Chapter 2)
    3. Ruth, the Book of Rest (Chapter 3)
    4. Ruth, the Book of Reward (Chapter 4)


    Boaz is a type of Christ, our Redeemer. The word "kinsman" is used thirteen times in the book of Ruth, and with the exception of the first reference (in 2:1), all of the other times the same Hebrew word means "redeemer" (3:9, 12, 13; 4:1, 3, 6, 8, 14).

    When Benjamin Franklin was the Ambassador to France, he often heard some of the French aristocrats ridicule the Bible. So, Franklin wrote out the entire book of Ruth in longhand (only 85 verses), but changed all the names to French names. Then he read the story to a group of snooty Frenchmen. They all exclaimed on the elegance and simplicity of style. They all thought it was a beautiful story. They asked him: "Monsieur Franklin, where did you find this gem of literature?" He told them that it was from the very Book that they despised — the Bible, God's Holy Word.



    These are simple Sunday School survey notes. They are not for sale. The author used many outlines from popular Bible teachers such as C.I. Scofield and J. Vernon McGee, and he has tried to give credit when using their material.


    —  Pastor James J. Barker  —