Yale University

Youth Ministry Institute

Women in the Bible – Lesson 3: Ruth

A youth Bible study on Women in the Bible based on the Yale Bible Study.

Practice Duration 60 minutes
Lesson developed byJill Olds and Victoria Crook
Materials Checklist

Gather

  • Begin with a check in with members
  • Open with prayer

Engage

Activity 1: Game

  • Play the game Werewolf (also known as Mafia information found here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mafia_(party_game) ) or Among Us if virtual/socially distance/smaller group (PC and mobile game).
  • After a few rounds discuss why students played they way they did? Did anyone make alliances? Where did people put their trust and loyalty? How did they decide the way they were going to vote? What happened when their vote was right? What about when it was wrong?

Activity 2: Video

OR

Reflect

Read the focal scripture and reflect together on the following questions:

  1. What would it have been like to be Ruth, faced with the choice of staying with her mother-in-law, or going back to her own family? (It may be worth noting here that Ruth was not an Israelite, but was a Moabite. It’s also important to name that widows were left penniless unless they remarried. Staying with Naomi would offer no guarantee of financial security.)
  2. What kinds of loyalty are lauded today? Does the expectation differ by sex or gender?
  3. Have you ever had to make a tough decision related to loyalty?
  4. How was Ruth showing strength in her decision to stay with Naomi?

 

Send Forth

Close the meeting in prayer (either the leader or a group member).

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