1. Designed to Reflect His Glory — Helper and Life-Giver

REFERENCES · Genesis 1:26–28; 2:18; 3:20; 1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 1:21

Created with worth and purpose

God created men and women in His image—equal in dignity and worth, distinct in His design, and united in their highest purpose: to glorify Him.

God called them to be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, subdue it, and rule over its creatures. We share in caring for His world through family life, work, and the abilities and opportunities He gives us.

Our worth is not something we earn through appearance, accomplishments, popularity, or another person’s approval.

What does it mean to glorify God?

We cannot make God more glorious than He already is. We glorify Him by giving Him the honor He deserves and living in ways that reflect His character. As His Spirit makes us more like Christ, God receives the praise.

What does it mean to be a helper?

In Genesis 2:18, God creates the woman as a suitable partner for the man. The Hebrew word ezer means “help” or “helper.” Scripture also uses this word for God’s help, so it does not mean inferior, weak, or less valuable.

God’s care gives us examples of help that defends, notices suffering, supports, protects, delivers, rescues, and comforts.

Exodus 18:4; Psalms 10:14; 20:2; 33:20; 70:5; 72:12–14; 86:17

Genesis 3:20 connects Eve’s name with motherhood. More broadly, women can strengthen and nurture others through encouragement, teaching, prayer, and practical care. These opportunities are present whether we are married or single, with or without children.

God’s Word shapes our understanding of who we are. He gives us strength and abilities to reflect His character and build others up.

For reflection: After spending time with me, do people feel encouraged and strengthened—or discouraged and weighed down?

2. Sin Distorts Our Design — Grace Redeems Us

REFERENCES · Genesis 3:1–7; Romans 3:23; Ephesians 1:3–14; 2:8–10; 4:22–24; Philippians 2:12–13

Sin turns our hearts from “What pleases God?” toward “What pleases me?” It does not remove our worth as people made in God’s image, but it distorts how we use our gifts.

• Words that could encourage can wound.
• Initiative that could serve can become controlling.
• Discernment that could protect can turn into criticism.

Trying harder cannot solve our deepest problem. We need God’s mercy and grace to change our hearts.

God’s work in our salvation

• The Father planned our salvation and adoption in Christ.
• The Son accomplished our redemption through His death, bringing forgiveness of sins.
• The Holy Spirit seals believers as God’s own and works in us to transform our lives.

All of this is to the praise of God’s glorious grace.

Grace produces obedience

We are saved by grace through faith in Christ, not by becoming good enough. Yet the grace that saves us also changes us. We put off sinful ways, learn to think according to God’s Word, and put on the new self.

This means replacing criticism with words that build up, confessing envy and rejoicing with others, and choosing obedience instead of insisting on control. We actively obey while depending on God’s strength.

Our obedience is the fruit of salvation, never the price we pay for it.

3. Ruth — A Woman of Worth, Under His Wings

REFERENCES · Ruth 1:16–17; 2:2–3, 8–12; 3:10–11; Proverbs 31:10, 30

Faith and loyalty

Ruth left what was familiar to stay with Naomi and follow the God of Israel. She had no promise of marriage or an easier life. Her love was expressed through sacrifice and practical care.

Hesed describes steadfast love, loyalty, and kindness expressed through action.

Diligence and humility

Ruth worked to provide food, took responsibility, and gratefully received kindness. She came to Boaz’s field without knowing how God was providing for her. Her deepest trust was in the Lord, under whose wings she had taken refuge.

Trusting God means faithfully doing what is within our power and leaving the outcome in His hands. Our security rests in His care.

Worth and character

Boaz calls Ruth a worthy woman. The expression eshet chayil also appears in Proverbs 31:10. Her faithfulness, courage, humility, and diligence were already evident in her life.

Her worth came from being created in God’s image. Her godly character was revealed through her choices.

Wisdom and courage

Ruth listened to Naomi’s counsel and acted courageously. Boaz treated her honorably. Their circumstances are not a formula for modern dating, but wisdom, courage, purity, and integrity still matter.

For reflection: How did Ruth care for Naomi and remain faithful to God without knowing how her story would end?

4. One Calling, Many Settings — Living Faithfully Today

REFERENCES · Luke 1:39–45; Romans 12:9–13; 1 Corinthians 7:32–35; Ephesians 5:1–2

• Friendships: Listen, protect confidences, speak truth in love, and encourage others to follow the Lord.
• Home, school, work, and church: Serve willingly, encourage those who struggle, act honestly, and care for people who need help.
• Singleness: Use this season for devotion to the Lord. You do not have to wait for marriage to live with purpose.
• Love and attraction: Attraction is not wrong, but feelings do not decide what is right. Christ’s love teaches us to seek another person’s good.

We do not have to wait for a different season of life to love and serve faithfully where God has placed us.

Purity begins in the heart

REFERENCES · Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 5:8; Romans 12:2

Purity shapes our thoughts, desires, words, and actions. We cannot make our hearts pure simply by improving our behavior. We need Christ to cleanse us from sin and His Spirit to change us from within.

Even a good desire, such as marriage, can lead us into disobedience if it becomes more important than pleasing God. His Word renews our thinking and helps us recognize and turn from sinful desires.

Ask yourself: Does this please the Lord—in what I desire, what I say, and what I do?

5. Boaz — Recognizing Godly Character

REFERENCES · Ruth 2:4, 8–12; 3:10–13; Matthew 7:16

Boaz’s faith was evident in his actions. He noticed Ruth’s needs, protected her, treated her kindly, and took responsibility for doing what was right.

When considering a future husband, look beyond words and attraction:

• How does he treat family, friends, and people who have nothing to offer him?
• Does he keep his word?
• How does he respond to correction, disappointment, or being told no?
• Does he respect your boundaries and encourage wise counsel?

Genuine care does not use Scripture, guilt, or affection to pressure someone into compromise. Look for humility, repentance, and self-control—evidence of a heart Christ is changing.

Do not simply listen to what someone says about following Christ. Pay attention to how they live.

For reflection: Am I growing in the same godly qualities I hope to find in someone else?

6. Under Whose Wings?

REFERENCE · Ruth 2:12

Boaz was not Ruth’s refuge. The Lord was. Her trust in Him shaped the way she cared for Naomi, worked diligently, and took the next faithful step.

• Who are we? Women created in God’s image, equal in worth to men and distinct in God’s design.
• What is our purpose? To glorify God.
• What guides us? His Word.
• How do we live this out? By using our God-given strengths to help, nurture, and strengthen others as His grace changes our hearts.

Take this with you: Am I trusting the Lord—and how is that trust showing in my life today?

Our four puzzle pieces will join the men’s pieces at the beginning of Session 3. We have explored more of Ruth’s story, but we still cannot see the whole picture.

We do not have to know how the whole story will unfold to be faithful in what God has given us to do today.