Ruth
OBJECTIVE
In this module we will learn about how God gave those who were true to His name bravery and strength to stand up for what is right. We will also introduce the book and concept of judges in the Old Testament.
In this lesson, children will learn about Ruth and the type of courage she had to be faithful and how God rewarded her and used her. During the time of the Judges, the people of Israel deviated from their faith and began to worship other gods. Ruth, a Gentile (non-Jew) showed her faith by staying loyal to her mother-in-law Naomi. Through Ruth and Boaz's lineage, we find King David, and eventually Christ Himself.
INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 5 Minutes
Please review the previous week's lesson about Samson and Delilah. (5 minutes)
Have you ever had to move from one city to another or move schools? What did it feel like?
Was it hard to meet new people and make new friends? Did you miss your old (home, school, church, etc)
Today we will learn about a woman who left everything behind and moved because of her love and loyalty.
HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes
The book of Ruth
Memory Verse
"Blessed be the name of the Lord, who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead" (Ruth 2:20)
CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 15 Minutes
Today we will learn about a very special woman who did something amazing because of her love and loyalty.
The servant may read selected parts from the story directly
There was a man named Elimelech (during the time of judges) married to a woman named Naomi. They had two sons and they lived in a city named Bethlehem of Judah. When a great famine hit the land, they had to move the land of Moab.
The man died and the boys grew and married two women from the land named Ruth and Orpah Soon after that, both of Naomi's sons died and she was left with only her widowed daughters in law.
Naomi decided to go back to her home and since her sons died she told her daughters in law to go back to their homes where they can remarry and have children among their families.
Orpah went back but Ruth decided to stay with Naomi.
Ruth told Naomi, "For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me." (Ruth 1:16-17)
Ruth did this knowing that Naomi was now poor and had nothing left and knowing that she was going to go to a strange land where she would be looked down upon as a gentile and where she would be with no husband to help her find a source of livelihood and away from all her family, friends and relatives.
Ruth went to work in the fields to glean grain behind the reapers in the field belonging to a man named Boaz.
(Could give some background about this to the children - they would get the leftovers that would fall and take it)
Now Boaz was a very good man and he was also a close relative of Naomi, so she instructed Ruth to go as custom to go and let him know that he was near kinsman (relative).
Boaz soon married Ruth, which meant he could perpetuate the inheritance of his relatives. Ruth and Boaz had a son named Obed who became the grandfather of King David.
Emphasize:
- She's part of David's family line, and ultimately part of Jesus' family line.
- Boaz is a type (symbolizes) of Christ, and rescues Ruth from a poverty she could never get out of on her own.
- Ruth provides a great example for young women to follow.
- Boaz is a great example for young men.
- Ruth shows great devotion to her family.
- Ruth shows great faith and trust.
DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 10 Minutes
What were the important points about what Ruth did?
- Her love for Naomi
- Taking on God
- Humility
- Obedience-she obeyed Naomi's advice (she could have found a young man to marry but decided to do what was right (Review Ruth 3:10)
How did God reward Ruth?
- Boaz was a good man, he had great wealth, God allowed her to be David's grandmother and in the line of grandparents for the earthly line of our Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
How can we show loyalty to God, family, others even if it means sacrificing for them?
LIFE APPLICATION - 5 Minutes
Discuss examples of how we can show love to strangers (Ruth was a stranger and Boaz showed her Godly love)
Remember that God always rewards our actions of love as he rewarded Ruth and her sacrifice for Naomi and her desire to follow her God.
ACTIVITY - 10 Minutes
Word Search: About Ruth
Craft Option 1: Faithfulness Paper Braids
Craft Option 2: Grains of Wheat
- Students may make grains of wheat using macaroni, ribbons, or paper (see images below)
SERVANT RESOURCES
Book of Ruth - Fr. Tadros Y Malaty
Little Flock Episode 3 - God Provides for Ruth
Old Testament Books Song - Missing Deuterocanonical books (Tobit and Judith from history books, Wisdom and Sirach from poetic books, Baruch, 1&2 Maccabees from prophetic books, and the Prayer of Manasseh)
Refer to the Old Testament Timeline attached for major events and chronological order through the Bible.
PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK
Review the story of Ruth and how God shows love to those who show love to others