ABOUT THE BOOK: People often read the book of Ruth with a prevailing focus on the beautiful love story between Ruth and Boaz and a compassionate sympathy toward Naomi. Certainly, many wonderful insights and truths can be gleaned from this approach. However, deep spiritual gems are mined when the multigenerational relationship between Ruth and Naomi becomes the lens through which the familiar story is viewed. This fresh perspective encourages women who face tragedies, triumphs, and trials in the various seasons of life and complexities of relationships. There are great lessons to be extracted from this story. The book of Ruth, when married to New Testament teaching, provides a wealth of biblical instruction for women as they navigate life under the providential care of a sovereign God. Five godly women, gifted as teachers and communicators, have contributed to this study. Their own life stories reflect the very challenges faced by Naomi and Ruth. They have cultivated a love for God’s Word, and they are quite skilled at applying its truths. Their desire is to see a generation of women whose lives are characterized by grace, truth, and a tenacity of faith, which remain through the ebbs and flows of life. Those who walk through this study will readily see the parallel between the challenges of Ruth’s day and the modern day. As women learn to respond to their own challenges with biblical truth, they will embrace hope for an abundant and victorious future. ——ABOUT THE EDITOR: Charles A. Fowler serves as Senior Pastor at Germantown Baptist Church (GBC) in Germantown, Tennessee. He is leading GBC on a journey toward increased intentionality and faithfulness in disciple-making. They are growing in their expression of the Gospel with a priority focus that is seamless when moving from home, to church, and in the community. Prior to coming to GBC, Charles served as Senior Vice President for University Relations and Professor of Education and Christian Ministries at Union University. He holds degrees from Union University, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and Mississippi State University. He is married and devoted to Sandra, and they have two daughters, Anna and Sarah. His purpose for this book is to strengthen families by encouraging women to pursue biblical womanhood.
