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Where you go, I will go;
where you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God. -Ruth 1:15 |
Preschool track
Overview of Ruth
The Book of Ruth tells us how families take care of each other. The story has a sad beginning and a happy ending. At the start, a woman named Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi, are hungry and lonely. As their story unfolds, they find not only food, but friendship and love.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
Bible Readings
Goodness (Book of Ruth) Reading
Naomi lived in the country of Moab. She had a husband and two sons. Ruth and Orpah were married to Naomi's sons and were her daughter's-in-law.
One day Naomi's husband and two sons died. The women were very sad. Naomi decided to go back to hr family in Bethlehem.
Before Naomi left Moab, she told her daughters-in-law to go back to live with their families. Orpah returned to her family, but Ruth would not leave Naomi.
Ruth said to Naomi, "Wherever you go, I will go. Your God will be my God."
Soon, Naomi and Ruth were on their way.
In Bethlehem, Ruth worked in the field and gleaned and gleaned. Ruth worked in the field of a man named Boaz. He liked Ruth.
Boaz married Ruth and soon they had a baby boy. His name was Obed, but people called him, "Naomi's boy."
Ruth and Naomi were two happy women. They thanked God for the new life they had been given.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
One day Naomi's husband and two sons died. The women were very sad. Naomi decided to go back to hr family in Bethlehem.
Before Naomi left Moab, she told her daughters-in-law to go back to live with their families. Orpah returned to her family, but Ruth would not leave Naomi.
Ruth said to Naomi, "Wherever you go, I will go. Your God will be my God."
Soon, Naomi and Ruth were on their way.
In Bethlehem, Ruth worked in the field and gleaned and gleaned. Ruth worked in the field of a man named Boaz. He liked Ruth.
Boaz married Ruth and soon they had a baby boy. His name was Obed, but people called him, "Naomi's boy."
Ruth and Naomi were two happy women. They thanked God for the new life they had been given.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
I Wonder....
- how Naomi felt when her sons died?
- if Ruth felt sad leaving her family?
- why Naomi and her Husband went to another country?
- if Ruth felt scared moving to a different country?
- what Naomi felt when Orpah left her?
- why Ruth stayed with Naomi?
- how Orpah felt leaving Naomi and Ruth?
- where is Moab?
- how far away is Moab from Bethlehem?
- if it was hard to pick wheat?
Discussion Questions
- Ruth had never been away from Moab. What do you think she saw on the way to Bethlehem? How do you think she felt when they got to Bethlehem?
- When people move to your school, church, or neighborhood, how can you help them feel at home?
- Allowing hungry people to gather grain was the way to feed them in Bible times. It's called gleaning. How do we help hungry people today? How can you and your family help?
- Imagine Naomi holding baby Oben. What might she sing or say to him?
- Do you or your friends have babies in their families? What could you do to welcome the baby? If you like, you can write a letter to a baby recently baptized or dedicated at your church.
- Ruth took care of Naomi by picking up the leftover grain in Boaz's field and using it to make food. How can you care for someone you love?
Videos
Crossroad Kids' Club
This video is 7:02 minutes long
Godly Play
This video is 5:39 minutes long
Saddleback Kids
This video is 1:02 minutes long
Songs
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Where You Go (Ruth 1:16) by 33 Bible Verses for Big Kids Vol. 3
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Ruth and Naomi by Pat Boone's Favorite Bible Stories and Sing-Along Songs
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This song is 3:20 minutes long
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This song is 2:57 minutes long
|
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Make New Friends Song by the Learning Station
This song is 3:29 minutes long
|
Friends Song: Verbs Song for Kids by the Singing Walrus
This song is 3:07 minutes long
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Wherever I Go by Deep Sea Discovery VBS 2016
This song is 3:45 minutes long
Art Project
Wheat
Materials:
Adult Preparation:
Instructions:
- Dried pasta
- Penne
- Spaghetti
- Construction paper
- Liquid glue
- Optional: wet wipes
- Optional: Hot glue gun
- Optional: Hot glue sticks
Adult Preparation:
- Gather materials
- Optional: Turn on hot glue gun
Instructions:
- First, glue the penne onto the paper
- Then, glue the spaghetti
- This step might get a little messy
- Finally, let dry
- Optional: If the pasta does not stick, (an adult) hot glue the pasta onto the paper
Snack Option
Chocolate Covered Pretzel's
Ingredients:
Adult Preparation:
Directions:
Storing Options:
*Taken from Kid Friendly Things to do
- Chocolate Melts (assorted spring colors)- (Wilton is my preferred) You’ll need approximately 12 oz. for 1 dozen chocolate covered pretzel flowers – *I used 3 colors, but you could stick with one color if you want
- 1 dozen yellow chocolate melts
- Approximately 48 mini twist pretzels
- A glass microwave-proof bowl
- Silicone Spatula
- A fork
- Wax Paper
- Optional Paper Straws, cut out paper leaves and glue to make the Pretzel Treats into Pretzel Pops
Adult Preparation:
- gather materials
Directions:
- If you are using assorted colors like I did, pour about 1/2 cup into a microwave proof glass bowl
- *If you are only using one, then use the whole bag
- *If you are only using one, then use the whole bag
- Melt the chocolate in the microwave for 1 minute, stir with your spatula and pop it back in for 30 seconds – stir until smooth
- Transfer your melted chocolate to your work surface
- Set out a large sheet of wax paper
- Gather your other supplies, pretzels, yellow chocolate melts, and fork
- Now, Place a pretzel into the chocolate and push it down with your fork, turn it around to coat it
- Then, Use the fork to lift the coated pretzel up to the edge of the bowl
- Finally, Tap the fork several times to release the excess chocolate
- Now you can Gently place the pretzel onto the wax paper
- Then, Repeat the process with 3 more pretzels, placing the pretzels down in a circle formation with the tops facing outward
- I placed mine so the side tips of the pretzels rested on top of each other in a circle, which you can see in the the image above
- Finally place the yellow chocolate melt in the center of the pretzel circle
- Let the chocolate harden by simple drying at room temperature. This should only take a few minutes
- That’s 1 flower
- Repeat making more flowers until most of the chocolate is gone out of the bowl
- Do the same process with all of your chocolate colors, except the yellow chocolate melts
- *Optional – Adding a stem to your Flower chocolate covered pretzel
- *Optional – Adding a stem to your Flower chocolate covered pretzel
- If you want to add a cute stem…
- Place a mound of melted chocolate on the top portion of the paper straw – about an inch down from the top, about where the center of the flower will go
- Carefully place the flower over the melted chocolate and let the chocolate completely harden
- Use a toothpick to clean off excess chocolate from the pretzel holes
- Add leaves with glue
Storing Options:
- These chocolate covered pretzels a fine setting out on a platter at room temperature for a few days
- If you want to keep them longer, place them in an airtight container with wax paper as layers between them – at room temperature
- These flower pretzels should last a couple of weeks
*Taken from Kid Friendly Things to do
Tips for Adults
The story takes place before Israel had kings. Israel's tribes were facing a famine (that means there was no food), so Naomi, her husband, and their two sons moved to a new place called Moab. While there, Naomi's sons got married. Eventually, Naomi's husband and her sons died. Naomi and one of her daughters-in-law, Ruth, moved back to Israel together. Ruth promised to stay with Naomi no matter what.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
Elementary Track
Overview of Ruth
The Book of Ruth tells us how families take care of each other. The story has a sad beginning and a happy ending. At the start, a woman named Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi, are hungry and lonely. As their story unfolds, they find not only food, but friendship and love.
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
*Taken from Deep Blue Bible Storybook
This video is 7:11 minutes long.
Bible Readings
Leaving Moab (Ruth 1) Reading
Have you ever moved to a place where you didn't know anyone? If not, what do you think it would be like to live to live among strangers? Ruth moved from her home in Moab to a new country.
The land of Judah had no rain, no food. Elimelech took his wife Naomi and his sons Mahlon and Chilion to Moab where there was rain and food. After a few years, Elimelech died. Naomi lived in Moab alone with her sons. They married Orpah and Ruth, Moabite women. Ten years later, her sons died. Now Naomi was alone with her daughters-in-law.
Naomi heard that Judah had rain and food again. She decided to return to her hometown, Bethlehem. She, Orpah, and Ruth started the long walk to Bethlehem.
"Wait," said Naomi, "you each should go back to your mother's house. You have been faithful and good to me. May God give you husbands and children."
Orpah and Ruth hugged Naomi and cried. "We will go with you," they said.
"No, I can't do anything to help you," said Naomi.
Oprah finally did what Naomi said. She started walking back to Moab and her mother's house. But Ruth was determined to stay with Naomi. She paid no attention to Naomi's instructions. Instead she said, "I will go where you go. I will live where you live. Your people will be mu people. Your God will be my God. I will never leave you as long as you live."
Naomi could tell Ruth would not change her mind. Ruth was willing to give up everything she knew. The two women walked all the way to Bethlehem together.
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
The land of Judah had no rain, no food. Elimelech took his wife Naomi and his sons Mahlon and Chilion to Moab where there was rain and food. After a few years, Elimelech died. Naomi lived in Moab alone with her sons. They married Orpah and Ruth, Moabite women. Ten years later, her sons died. Now Naomi was alone with her daughters-in-law.
Naomi heard that Judah had rain and food again. She decided to return to her hometown, Bethlehem. She, Orpah, and Ruth started the long walk to Bethlehem.
"Wait," said Naomi, "you each should go back to your mother's house. You have been faithful and good to me. May God give you husbands and children."
Orpah and Ruth hugged Naomi and cried. "We will go with you," they said.
"No, I can't do anything to help you," said Naomi.
Oprah finally did what Naomi said. She started walking back to Moab and her mother's house. But Ruth was determined to stay with Naomi. She paid no attention to Naomi's instructions. Instead she said, "I will go where you go. I will live where you live. Your people will be mu people. Your God will be my God. I will never leave you as long as you live."
Naomi could tell Ruth would not change her mind. Ruth was willing to give up everything she knew. The two women walked all the way to Bethlehem together.
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
New Life in Bethlehem (Ruth 1-2) Reading
Life in a new place has many surprises. It certainly did for Ruth and Naomi. "Is this Naomi?" the women in Bethlehem asked. They hadn't seen her for a long, long time.
"Don't call me Naomi," she said. "Called me Mara because I am sad. I have lost my husband and my sons."
Naomi and Ruth the Moabite got to Bethlehem in time for the barley harvest,
Naomi knew that Boaz, a rich relative of her husband, lived there. Perhaps he could help the two widows.
"I'll go and gather grain from a barley field," Ruth said to Naomi. The law said that poor people could gather grain left behind after the field workers cut down the grain.
Naomi agreed. Ruth left to gather what grain she could find. By chance, Ruth went to a field belonging to Boaz. When Boaz came to the field, he asked the man in charge, "Who is the young woman over there?"
"She is a Moabite woman who came with Naomi," he said, "She asked to gather grain in the field. She has worked all morning. She rested only for a little bit."
Boaz went to Ruth. "Gather grain only in my field with my young women. You will be safe here. When you get thirsty, get a drink from the jugs my men have filled."
Ruth bowed down to Boaz. "I'm from Mob. Why are you so kind to me?"
"I've heard how kind you have been to Naomi. I know you left your family and country to come here with her. May God bless you."
"I hope you will always be kind to me," answered Ruth.
Then Boaz invited Ruth to eat lunch with him. Later he told his men to leave extra grain in the field for Ruth to gather.
When she went home to Naomi, Ruth had a lot of grain. Naomi asked, "Where did you gather so much grain? Whose field were you in?"
"A man named Boaz was kind to me," said Ruth.
"God Bless him," said Naomi. "Boaz is one of our closet relatives. He can help us."
Ruth returned to Boaz's fields every day during the barley and wheat harvests. She and Naomi had enough food to eat.
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
"Don't call me Naomi," she said. "Called me Mara because I am sad. I have lost my husband and my sons."
Naomi and Ruth the Moabite got to Bethlehem in time for the barley harvest,
Naomi knew that Boaz, a rich relative of her husband, lived there. Perhaps he could help the two widows.
"I'll go and gather grain from a barley field," Ruth said to Naomi. The law said that poor people could gather grain left behind after the field workers cut down the grain.
Naomi agreed. Ruth left to gather what grain she could find. By chance, Ruth went to a field belonging to Boaz. When Boaz came to the field, he asked the man in charge, "Who is the young woman over there?"
"She is a Moabite woman who came with Naomi," he said, "She asked to gather grain in the field. She has worked all morning. She rested only for a little bit."
Boaz went to Ruth. "Gather grain only in my field with my young women. You will be safe here. When you get thirsty, get a drink from the jugs my men have filled."
Ruth bowed down to Boaz. "I'm from Mob. Why are you so kind to me?"
"I've heard how kind you have been to Naomi. I know you left your family and country to come here with her. May God bless you."
"I hope you will always be kind to me," answered Ruth.
Then Boaz invited Ruth to eat lunch with him. Later he told his men to leave extra grain in the field for Ruth to gather.
When she went home to Naomi, Ruth had a lot of grain. Naomi asked, "Where did you gather so much grain? Whose field were you in?"
"A man named Boaz was kind to me," said Ruth.
"God Bless him," said Naomi. "Boaz is one of our closet relatives. He can help us."
Ruth returned to Boaz's fields every day during the barley and wheat harvests. She and Naomi had enough food to eat.
*Taken from Growing in God's Love: A Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
Naomi's New Family (Ruth 4) Reading
Who is in your family? Naomi lost her family when her husband and suns died. Her family became Ruth. But Naomi longed for children in her family.
As time went by, Boaz decided that he wanted to help Naomi and Ruth. The best way to keep them safe was to buy a field belonging to Naomi. Boaz went to the town's gate. Men gathered there to conduct business. On this day, another relative of Elimelech came by. He had the first right to buy Naomi's field.
"Naomi wants to sell her field," Boaz said to this man. "You have the right to buy it first. What do you want me to do? If you don't want to buy it, I am second to get that chance."
"Yes, I will buy it," said the man.
"If you buy the field, you also marry Ruth the Moabite," said Boaz.
"Well, then I don't think I can marry Naomi's field. I can't take Ruth as my wife. You can buy the field and marry Ruth," the man said. To seal the deal, Boaz took off one sandal and gave it to the man. That was like shaking hands to agree on something today.
"May God be with you. May all go well with you Boaz," said the men at the town's gate. "May God bless you and Ruth with many children."
Boaz and Ruth were married. Ruth had a baby boy. Naomi took care of the baby. She named hum Obed. When Obed grew up, he became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David.
*Taken from Growing in God's Love Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
As time went by, Boaz decided that he wanted to help Naomi and Ruth. The best way to keep them safe was to buy a field belonging to Naomi. Boaz went to the town's gate. Men gathered there to conduct business. On this day, another relative of Elimelech came by. He had the first right to buy Naomi's field.
"Naomi wants to sell her field," Boaz said to this man. "You have the right to buy it first. What do you want me to do? If you don't want to buy it, I am second to get that chance."
"Yes, I will buy it," said the man.
"If you buy the field, you also marry Ruth the Moabite," said Boaz.
"Well, then I don't think I can marry Naomi's field. I can't take Ruth as my wife. You can buy the field and marry Ruth," the man said. To seal the deal, Boaz took off one sandal and gave it to the man. That was like shaking hands to agree on something today.
"May God be with you. May all go well with you Boaz," said the men at the town's gate. "May God bless you and Ruth with many children."
Boaz and Ruth were married. Ruth had a baby boy. Naomi took care of the baby. She named hum Obed. When Obed grew up, he became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of David.
*Taken from Growing in God's Love Story Bible by Elizabeth Caldwell
I Wonder....
- what Ruth was thinking when letting her son meet Naomi?
- how Naomi felt when her sons died?
- if Ruth felt sad leaving her family?
- why Naomi and her Husband went to another country?
- if Ruth felt scared moving to a different country?
- what Naomi felt when Orpah left her?
- why Ruth stayed with Naomi?
- how Orpah felt leaving Naomi and Ruth?
- where is Moab?
- how far away is Moab from Bethlehem?
- if it was hard to pick wheat?
Discussion Questions
- What did Naomi hear in Ruth's words that made her sure that Ruth wouldn't change her mind?
- Ruth had never been away from Moab. What do you think she saw on the way to Bethlehem? How do you think she felt when they got to Bethlehem?
- When people move to your school, church, or neighborhood, how can you help them feel at home?
- How do you think the man in charge of the field heard about Ruth the Moabite?
- Imagine leaning over and picking up grain all day. What would you see?
- Allowing hungry people to gather grain was the way to feed them in Bible times. It's called gleaning. How do we help hungry people today? How can you and your family help?
- What do you think the women in Bethlehem said when they heard that Naomi had a grandson?
- Imagine Naomi holding baby Oben. What might she sing or say to him?
- Do you or your friends have babies in their families? What could you do to welcome the baby? If you like, you can write a letter to a baby recently baptized or dedicated at your church.
- Ruth took care of Naomi by picking up the leftover grain in Boaz's field and using it to make food. How can you care for someone you love?
Video
Crossroad Kids' Club
This video is 7:13 minutes long
Holy Moly
This video is 4:51 minutes long
Saddleback Kids
This video is 1:02 minutes long
Songs
|
Wherever I Go by Deep Sea Discovery VBS 2016
This song is 3:45 minutes long
|
I'm Trusting You by Lifetree Kids
This song is 3:22 minutes long
|
Snack Option
Chocolate Covered Pretzel's
Ingredients:
Adult Preparation:
Directions:
Storing Options:
*Taken from Kid Friendly Things to do
- Chocolate Melts (assorted spring colors)- (Wilton is my preferred) You’ll need approximately 12 oz. for 1 dozen chocolate covered pretzel flowers – *I used 3 colors, but you could stick with one color if you want
- 1 dozen yellow chocolate melts
- Approximately 48 mini twist pretzels
- A glass microwave-proof bowl
- Silicone Spatula
- A fork
- Wax Paper
- Optional Paper Straws, cut out paper leaves and glue to make the Pretzel Treats into Pretzel Pops
Adult Preparation:
- gather materials
Directions:
- If you are using assorted colors like I did, pour about 1/2 cup into a microwave proof glass bowl
- *If you are only using one, then use the whole bag
- *If you are only using one, then use the whole bag
- Melt the chocolate in the microwave for 1 minute, stir with your spatula and pop it back in for 30 seconds – stir until smooth
- Transfer your melted chocolate to your work surface
- Set out a large sheet of wax paper
- Gather your other supplies, pretzels, yellow chocolate melts, and fork
- Now, Place a pretzel into the chocolate and push it down with your fork, turn it around to coat it
- Then, Use the fork to lift the coated pretzel up to the edge of the bowl
- Finally, Tap the fork several times to release the excess chocolate
- Now you can Gently place the pretzel onto the wax paper
- Then, Repeat the process with 3 more pretzels, placing the pretzels down in a circle formation with the tops facing outward
- I placed mine so the side tips of the pretzels rested on top of each other in a circle, which you can see in the the image above
- Finally place the yellow chocolate melt in the center of the pretzel circle
- Let the chocolate harden by simple drying at room temperature. This should only take a few minutes
- That’s 1 flower
- Repeat making more flowers until most of the chocolate is gone out of the bowl
- Do the same process with all of your chocolate colors, except the yellow chocolate melts
- *Optional – Adding a stem to your Flower chocolate covered pretzel
- *Optional – Adding a stem to your Flower chocolate covered pretzel
- If you want to add a cute stem…
- Place a mound of melted chocolate on the top portion of the paper straw – about an inch down from the top, about where the center of the flower will go
- Carefully place the flower over the melted chocolate and let the chocolate completely harden
- Use a toothpick to clean off excess chocolate from the pretzel holes
- Add leaves with glue
Storing Options:
- These chocolate covered pretzels a fine setting out on a platter at room temperature for a few days
- If you want to keep them longer, place them in an airtight container with wax paper as layers between them – at room temperature
- These flower pretzels should last a couple of weeks
*Taken from Kid Friendly Things to do
Art Project
Braid
Materials:
Adult Preparation:
Instructions:
Talking Points:
Prayer:
Make another braid. Choose one color to represent God and another color to represent yourself or someone you know. As you braid the strips together, pray that you or the person you have chosen will grow closer to God.
*Taken from Flame: Creative Children's Ministry
- Scissors
- 4 strips of colored paper
- 2 of one color and 2 of another color
- Mine were about 1cm thick and 15 cm long
- 2 of one color and 2 of another color
- Glue.
Adult Preparation:
- Gather materials
- Cut strips
Instructions:
- Take your first color and glue at right angle
- Then glue the 2 strips of the second color over the top
- Fold the color 1 strips over the color 2 strips
- Repeat step three until the end
- Secure the end with glue
Talking Points:
- Like the braided paper, Ruth joined her life together with Naomi and with God. Who is your life joined to?
- Why do you think Ruth decided to stay with Naomi? What would you have done?
- The unity of the braid makes the paper strips much stronger than they were separately. How might this be similar when we join with others in community and with God?
Prayer:
Make another braid. Choose one color to represent God and another color to represent yourself or someone you know. As you braid the strips together, pray that you or the person you have chosen will grow closer to God.
*Taken from Flame: Creative Children's Ministry
Content for Adults
The story takes place before Israel had kings. Israel's tribes were facing a famine (that means there was no food), so Naomi, her husband, and their two sons moved to a new place called Moab. While there, Naomi's sons got married. Eventually, Naomi's husband and her sons died. Naomi and one of her daughters-in-law, Ruth, moved back to Israel together. Ruth promised to stay with Naomi no matter what.
Each book of the Bible page will have either one or two videos and the handouts taken from an Adult Faith Formation Class that talked about this particular chapter. The video might help you understand the chapter.
This video is 49:40 minutes long