Ruth

Ruth and Naomi:

Love and Be Faithful
HOOK:
Bring in some Barley grains or some other grain like bulgur, so the children can touch it.  Imagine what it was like to have to pick it up from the ground or from the stalk.  Let the children touch it.

BOOK: Ruth

LOOK:
Naomi, her husband and two sons moved away from their home and family.  They lived far away.  Her two sons married.  It was a very sad day for Naomi when her husband and two sons died.

Her sons’ wives were very nice girls. Their names were Orpah and Ruth.  The two girls wanted to help Naomi but Orpah decided to move back with her family.  Ruth decided to stay with Naomi instead of going back to where her mom and dad lived.  Naomi told her she wanted to go back to her old home and live there.  Ruth said she wanted to go with her.

Naomi felt bad.  She told Ruth to stay with her own people, but Ruth said no. She wanted to go with Naomi because she loved her.  So they traveled a long way back to Naomi’s home.  Ruth and Naomi had no money.  They were very poor.  One of Naomi’s relatives had a barley field and he said that they could gather up barley to grind up to make flour, and then to make bread so they would have something to eat.

Every day Ruth faithfully worked hard and picked barley for her and Naomi to eat.  She loved Naomi so much that she took care of her.  SPRINKLE A LITTLE BARLEY ON THE FLOOR.  HAVE THE CHILDREN PICK IT UP AND PUT IN INTO A BASKET.  TELL THE CHILDREN THAT IT TOOK A LOT OF BARLEY TO GRIND UP IN ORDER TO MAKE FLOUR AND THEN BREAD.  IF YOU HAVE A MORTAR AND PESTAL SHOW THEM HOW HARD IT WAS TO MAKE FLOUR.  God blessed Ruth with a new husband and a son.  She became the great grandmother of a king.  David, who we will learn about.

TOOK:
When we love someone so much sometimes we have to do things that we don’t want to do or that is uncomfortable for us to do.  (Example:  sharing something you really like with a younger brother when you would like to have it all to yourself, helping mom clean up your toys when you would rather be playing with your big brother or even watching TV.)

ASK THE CHILDREN:  What could you do for your family to show them you love them?

MEMORY VERSE:
“…love one another just as I have loved you.”  John 15:12

CLOSING PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, we want to be like Ruth and be a good friend to others.  Help us to look for ways to be a blessing.  In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!!

Kingdom Kids from Catalyst Ministry