information technology schools: CURRENT EVENT ? AUGUST 7, 2011 ? Helwys Premium

CURRENT EVENT ? AUGUST 7, 2011

Session Text: Ruth 3:1-18

Session Title: Ruth and Boaz: Partners in Providence

Relationships and Health

Photo by Nicolas Chauveau

A recent study conducted by the University of Cardiff?s School of Medicine found that married couples are healthier on average. ?A good relationship will improve both physical and mental health,? said Dr. John Gallacher. Overall, the study found that men in good, committed relationships have improved physical health, which may be because their partner has a positive impact on their lifestyle and their choices. Women in committed relationships have improved mental health, which researchers conclude may be because in general women may put ?a greater emphasis on the importance of the relationship.?

However, the study also found that people who are single or are not in a committed relationship have better physical and mental health than people who are in difficult relationships. While the study discovered that a broken relationship can be detrimental to physical and mental health, this certainly does not mean that people should avoid being in close, committed relationships such as marriage. While this study focused on marriage, committed relationships may also include other long-lasting relationships such as close friendships or strong relationships between family members.

Simon Meadows, ?Marriage is good for your mental and physical health, study finds,? OptimistWorld.com (24 May 2011) (24 July 2011).

Connection to the Lesson

A new research study found that people who are in committed relationships have better mental and physical health than those who are not. However, people who are single or are not in a committed relationship have better overall health than those who are in strained relationships. While marriage is a prime example of a committed relationship, close relationships between family members and friends can also be beneficial to people?s health. Other studies have found that long-lasting friendships also have a positive impact on people?s health. People are created to live in community and in close relationships with one another.

The story of Ruth and her devotion to Naomi has been such an inspiration that Scripture passages from Ruth that describe her love for her mother-in-law are often read at weddings. What may be less well known are the origins of the marriage between Ruth and Boaz. From their very first encounters, they treated each other with care and respect. Boaz let Ruth glean in the field when she needed grain, and he listened to her when she appeared in his tent. Ruth came to him with boldness. As was the custom at the time, and Boaz responded with kindness, even though she was an outsider. From this beginning, their relationship grew into a marriage and a child that enriched both of their families.

While our expectations for relationships may be skewed today by the movie image of constantly being overly romantic, or the concept that relationships can be tossed away with little thought, this passage offers an example of mutual, long-term caring and respect for each other. This can encourage us to ask boldly for what we need in relationships, but also to listen carefully to the needs of others and respond thoughtfully. Their healthy relationship led to something that neither of them could have expected, a child who would be part of the genealogy of both a great king and ultimately the Son of God. When we put God at the center of our relationships, they are healthier and can yield fruit that is beyond our imagination.

Questions for Discussion

? How have you felt God working through close relationships you have with others?

? How can you be more courageous and respectful in your relationships?

? How can your church encourage healthy relationships between members and with people in the community?

Stephanie Ezell teaches reading at Plainview Elementary School in Ardmore, Oklahoma, and also writes missions and Sunday school curriculum for adults and children. Her husband, Leonard, is senior pastor of Northwest Baptist Church, and they have a four your old son. She enjoys traveling, exercising, reading, and spending time with friends and family.

Scripture

Session Text: Ruth 3:1-18

Session Title: Ruth and Boaz: Partners in Providence

Ruth 3:1-18

1 Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, ?My daughter, I need to seek some security for you, so that it may be well with you. 2 Now here is our kinsman Boaz, with whose young women you have been working. See, he is winnowing barley tonight at the threshing floor. 3 Now wash and anoint yourself, and put on your best clothes and go down to the threshing floor; but do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking. 4 When he lies down, observe the place where he lies; then, go and uncover his feet and lie down; and he will tell you what to do.? 5 She said to her, ?All that you tell me I will do.?

6 So she went down to the threshing floor and did just as her mother-in-law had instructed her. 7 When Boaz had eaten and drunk, and he was in a contented mood, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of grain. Then she came stealthily and uncovered his feet, and lay down. 8 At midnight the man was startled, and turned over, and there, lying at his feet, was a woman! 9 He said, ?Who are you?? And she answered, ?I am Ruth, your servant; spread your cloak over your servant, for you are next-of-kin.? 10 He said, ?May you be blessed by the LORD, my daughter; this last instance of your loyalty is better than the first; you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich. 11 And now, my daughter, do not be afraid, I will do for you all that you ask, for all the assembly of my people know that you are a worthy woman. 12 But now, though it is true that I am a near kinsman, there is another kinsman more closely related than I. 13 Remain this night, and in the morning, if he will act as next-of-kin for you, good; let him do it. If he is not willing to act as next-of-kin for you, then, as the LORD lives, I will act as next-of-kin for you. Lie down until the morning.?

14 So she lay at his feet until morning, but got up before one person could recognize another; for he said, ?It must not be known that the woman came to the threshing floor.? 15 Then he said, ?Bring the cloak you are wearing and hold it out.? So she held it, and he measured out six measures of barley, and put it on her back; then he went into the city. 16 She came to her mother-in-law, who said, ?How did things go with you, my daughter?? Then she told her all that the man had done for her, 17 saying, ?He gave me these six measures of barley, for he said, ?Do not go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.?? 18 She replied, ?Wait, my daughter, until you learn how the matter turns out, for the man will not rest, but will settle the matter today.?