Come Follow Me 24: Ruth 1-4; 1 Samuel 1-3

 Come Follow Me Lesson 24: Ruth 1-4; 1 Samuel 1-3

Introduction:

How have the stories of the women in the Old Testament helped you increase in faith?

Like Ruth and Naomi, and like Hannah, our lives can take unexpected twists and turns, but we our hearts can still rejoice in the Lord. 1 Samuel 2:1 (reference to “horn”.)

Personal Study Ruth 1-4; 1 Samuel 1:

What attributes did Ruth possess that helped her move forward and find blessings and favor with God?
What Christlike characteristics do you see in Ruth and in Boaz?

 How did Ruth and Hannah show faith in God? How were they blessed for that? What experiences have you had where God has helped you through a trial?

Family Study Ruth 1-4; 1 Samuel 1:

Look for examples of kindness and loyalty in the verses you read. How are we blessed for showing kindness and loyalty to the Lord, our family, and others?

(video presentation: Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz)

1 Sam 15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord.

Do we pour out our souls in prayer? How can we learn to do that? What are some necessary things to prepare so that we can?

Readings: Ruth 1-4; 1 Samuel 1:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ruth/1?lang=eng

Elimelech and his family go to Moab because of famine—His sons marry—The father and sons die—Ruth, the Moabitess, her husband having died, remains constant to Naomi—They come to Bethlehem.

Both Orpah and Ruth loved Naomi. That is something we need to realize. Naomi entreated them boldly to return to their mother’s homes. Orpah chose to. Ruth chose to go with Naomi. But they both loved Naomi.

Vs 16-17 Ruth must have felt passionate about her faith in Israel's God and the relationship she had with the Lord as well as with her mother-in-law.

 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ruth/2?lang=eng

Ruth gleans in the fields of Boaz, a near relative of Naomi—He treats Ruth kindly.

Vs 8-12 Boaz had respect towards Ruth. He recognized that she was a kind, loving, and righteous woman. He invited her to keep gleaning in his fields.

Vs 14-18 Boaz invited her to eat and to drink with his paid workers. He also asked his workers to leave extra food for her to glean.

Vs 19-23 Naomi is so excited that it is Boaz's field where Ruth is gleaning. She stayed fast by the other maidens until the season was over. Ruth gleaned more!

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ruth/3?lang=eng

By Naomi’s instruction, Ruth lies at the feet of Boaz—He promises as a relative to take her as his wife.

I’m glad he didn’t reject her. That would have felt humiliating.

Vs 11-13 Boaz agreed to marry Ruth if a nearer kinsman did not.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/ruth/4?lang=eng

The nearest relative declines, and Boaz takes Ruth to wife—Ruth bears Obed, through whom came David the king.

Yay, Boaz and Ruth are ancestors of Jesus!

Vs 6-10 The nearer kinsman would have purchased the land on its own, but he didn't want a new wife in the deal. He allowed Boaz to redeem the land and marry Ruth. Boaz witnessed before all there that he would do it.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/1-sam/1?lang=eng

Hannah prays for a son and vows to give him to the Lord—Eli the priest blesses her—Samuel is born—Hannah loans him to the Lord.

Vs 5, 8 Elkanah loved Hannah. He wanted her to be happy.

Vs 11 Hannah promised to give her son back to the Lord to serve Him if He blessed her with a son.

Vs 15-18 God heard Hannah's prayer and Eli promised He'd grant her petition. She went away fasting and rejoicing.

Vs 21-28 Hannah kept Samuel near to her until he was weaned. She must have cherished those three years (or thereabouts). Then she offered sacrifice and took Samuel to Eli so that he could be trained to be the Lord's servant all his days.

Personal Study: 1 Samuel 2-3

Hannah’s words of praise to the Lord: 1 Samuel 2:1–10

How can you express your praise to the Lord through poetry, music, song, painting, dance, prayer, etc?

Family could sing songs together or draw pictures.

In chapter 3, what can we learn from Samuel about recognizing the voice of the Lord? How can you help others to recognize the Lord speaking to them?

 

1 Samuel 3:7  Family video about Samuel also John 14:14–21

Readings: 1 Samuel 2-3:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/1-sam/2?lang=eng

Hannah sings praises to the Lord—Samuel ministers before the Lord—Eli blesses Elkanah and Hannah, and they have sons and daughters—The sons of Eli reject the Lord and live in wickedness—The Lord rejects the house of Eli.

vs 1-10 Psalm of Hannah.

vs 18-21 Hannah visited Samuel once a year and brought him a new coat each time. Samuel had brothers and sisters. Samuel was like a son unto Eli, which was a great comfort to him.

Vs 26 Like Jesus, Samuel grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/ot/1-sam/3?lang=eng

The Lord calls Samuel—The house of Eli will not be purged by sacrifices and offerings—Samuel is recognized as a prophet by all Israel—The Lord appears to him.

Vs 10-11 Samuel received instruction from Eli to recognize the voice of the Lord and to answer Him. The Lord spoke to Samuel.

Vs 19-21 Samuel grew in favor with God and man. Everyone knew that Samuel would be a prophet in Israel.