Just Thinking....

Ruth:  Introduction and Getting started……

Welcome to OUR study of Ruth! 

I'm so happy we are doing this. What a way to start the New Year. We will go through Ruth in a verse by verse fashion. I like verse by verse. It keeps things in context.

First, like I said in the email – I'll be the instigator/coordinator. That just means, I'll supply the outline, basics, on-line weekly material and we'll go from there.

Second, I should probably tell you that I've never done (or completed) an actual group Bible study. Huh. I've attended a couple. Not for long though. (Don't give me that look) Something else always got in the way. Poor excuse I know. But, if you are like me, and I'm guessing you are, then jobs, children, husbands, lives, etc. get in the way of attending a weekly meeting. I don't know about you but I think I would pull my hair out thinking I had to add another time slot to my already hectic and over-scheduled week. That is why I am going to do my best to see if this on-line study will work.

I told you the above to explain my approach to studying the Bible. I do my very best to read my Bible daily. I get up early because I know that is the only time during the day I will be completely and utterly alone. When I read, I start with the first chapter and first verse of a book of the Bible and then I read it daily - straight through – until I get to the end of that book. This starts my day out with a conversation with God. If I can encourage you do make one change this year it's to read your Bible each and every day. Prayer is you talking to God and the Bible is God talking to you.

Basics:

• The Study of Ruth will take approximately 5 weeks.
  
• Weeks will run from Monday through Sunday.
  
• Homework: (I heard you sigh) Read. Comment. Pray. (Easy huh?)
  
• If you don't want to comment on anything specific, that's okay. No pressure. Maybe you might just want to say "I read the chapter this week" or "I didn't read it this week" or "Hi, I'm still here". No pressure.
  
• Do the weekly reading, commenting and praying at 3 p.m or 3 a.m. in your pjs if you want. Up to you.
  
• I strongly suggest that you read and study during a quiet time of the day for you. That's why it's on-line – so we can choose what time is best for us. It's very hard to stay focused on anything with a kid screaming "MOM!" or hubby asking what's for dinner or have you seen his lucky shorts. (I won't tell if you burned them just to get rid of them. Promise.)
  
  
  

The Bible: I will be using the King James Version (aka KJV) for this study. You can use another translation if you want but as I type that, my daddy is flipping over in his grave. (That was a joke - and yes, he would think that was funny) If you are going to use another translation, I promise not to give you a hard time about it (as long as it isn't some off the wall translation and then we will need to talk) I do realize (in spite of my upbringing and father's influence) that people do actually read Bibles other than the King James/New King James versions. Be my guest. Just read it!

By the way, this isn't a plug but my bible is a Ryrie Study Bible – meaning Charles Ryrie wrote the study notes at the bottom of the pages. It's the bible I bought with my dad in 2003. It has all my scribbled notes in the margins. I love it. It's about to come apart at the seams but when I look at it I think of the saying "A bible that is falling apart belongs to someone who isn't"……. I hope that you will want to make that your bible motto too.

Disclaimer: I am NOT a Bible expert, theology expert, religion expert, Christianity expert, or any other kind of expert. What I do consider myself an expert in is not always knowing the answer and being a continual student. The point to this study is for us to learn together!



Last but not least:

• Read the weekly assignment.
  
• Look up the additional "side-note" verses. All the verses.
  
• Check behind me. Remember, I'm no expert. Don't trust what I say just because I said it.
  
  Look. It. Up.
  
• The main focus is learning and growing closer to God. He might not speak to me in the same way He speaks to you.
  
• Don't make it a chore. Enjoy it!
  

Feel free to read ahead and study ahead.



Last thing, please, please comment at the end of each week's page. 
If you finish on Monday – comment. 
If you don't finish until 11:59 a.m. Sunday – comment. 
This is how we will do this as a group – by leaving our thoughts and comments at the end.  See? It's a GROUP thing. (smile) 
 Besides, if you don't comment, I'm coming to your house. And I'm wearing my pjs. The flannel ones. With Donald Duck on them. Just joking.



5 Week Outline


(I am using the outline directly from my Bible as the guide for the study beginning in Week 2)

Week 1

Introduction

Read all of Ruth.

Points to note while reading:

• Authorship of the book
  
• Background
  
• Theme of the book
  
• Notes and comments
  

Week 2

Ruth's Resolve 1:1-22

• Her Background
  
• Her Choice
  
• Her Arrival in Beth-lehem
  

Week 3

Ruth's Rights

• Her Right to Glean
  
• The Results of Her Gleaning
  
  • Boaz meets Ruth
    
  • Boaz protects Ruth
    
  • Boaz provides for Ruth
    
• The Report of Her Gleaning
  

Week 4

Ruth's Request

• Suggested by Naomi
  
• Executed by Ruth
  
• Agreed to by Boaz
  

Week 5

Ruth's Reward

• A Husband
  
• A Son
  
• A Lineage
  

Conclusion: Diplomas will be given out at the Closing Ceremony. Please have your cap and gown ready.

Just teasing again. Lol!



See you next week!