Ruth: The Redeemer’s Story

This week’s texts from Scripture are:

Ruth Chapter 4 (ESV)

Sermon Outline:

1. The Power of Story

• Stories give us context and meaning.

• We naturally long for stories of redemption and transformation.

• Scripture itself is primarily story — God’s ongoing narrative with His people.

2. A Covenant of Redemption (Ruth 4:1–10)

• Ruth, the outsider, is welcomed into God’s covenant through Boaz.

• One redeemer was able but unwilling; Boaz is willing and able.

• Boaz points us to Jesus — our Redeemer who is both willing and able.

• Through Christ, we are brought into a new covenant, a new story.

3. A Child of Redemption (Ruth 4:11–17)

• Boaz and Ruth’s marriage produces a child—Obed—who restores Naomi’s joy.

• The community reminds Naomi of God’s faithfulness when she had called herself “bitter.”

• God transforms her story from loss to life, from isolation to belonging.

• God still tells better stories—restoring what is broken and bringing life where there was death.

4. A Continuation of Redemption (Ruth 4:18–22)

• Obed becomes the grandfather of King David and part of the lineage of Jesus.

• God’s story continues through generations — from Ruth and Boaz to Christ Himself.

• Our small, faithful acts become part of God’s great redemptive narrative.

Application Questions…

1. Biblical Comprehension (Understanding the Text)

   1. What was the purpose of a kinsman-redeemer (goel) in Israelite law, and how does Boaz fulfill that role for Ruth and Naomi?

   2. What contrast do we see between the unnamed redeemer and Boaz in Ruth 4, and why is it significant?

   3. How does Naomi’s story change from chapter 1 to chapter 4? What does this reveal about God’s faithfulness?

   4. Why is the genealogy at the end of Ruth important, and how does it connect Ruth’s story to the larger story of redemption in Scripture?

   5. In what ways does Boaz’s lineage (tracing back to Rahab, see Matthew ch 1) illustrate God’s grace to outsiders and the undeserving?

   Life & Application (Living the Story)

   1. What “stories” do you tell yourself about who you are? How might those stories shape your faith or limit your hope?

   2. Ruth and Naomi experienced deep loss and disappointment before seeing redemption. How can this encourage you in a season where God seems silent or absent?

   3. The unnamed redeemer was able but unwilling. Are there places in your life where you are able but reluctant to act redemptively on someone else’s behalf?

   4. Boaz’s willingness flowed from knowing the grace story of his own family. How does remembering God’s grace in your life change how you treat others?

   5. Naomi’s community helped her see what God was doing when she couldn’t see it herself. Who in your life helps you see God’s story when you can’t?

   6. Conversely, who might need you to speak hope and redemption into their story right now?

   7. The people at the gate spoke words of blessing over Ruth and Boaz. How can your words build faith and identity in others this week?

   8. God used ordinary faithfulness—Ruth gleaning, Boaz showing kindness—to bring about extraordinary redemption. What small acts of faithfulness might God be using in your life right now?

   9. We all live under stories our families, culture, or past tell us. How is God inviting you to step out of an old story and into His better story?

   10. At the end of Ruth, the family gathers around a new child—the promise of new life. Where might God be bringing new life or hope in your story today?

   If you have questions about this sermon, please feel free to reach out to David.