BIG IDEA: God honors faithfulness.
This free Bible lesson, The Story of Ruth, will teach preschool and elementary students about the faithfulness of Ruth to her mother-in-law, Naomi and the redemption of Ruth by Boaz.
FOCUS BIBLE PASSAGE: Ruth 1-4
All of the printable activities and digital slides needed for the lesson, as well as a full printable lesson plan for both elementary and preschool are available.
Below is the outline of the free elementary Bible lesson.
PREP & SUPPLIES
- printed & trimmed “Psalm 100:5 Hearts” in stacks of like phrases.
- printed “Family Tree” for each student
- pencils
- Bibles for kids (one for each kid if possible)
- printed “Truth Mats” (enough for groups of 2-4) (NIrV and ESV provided)
- printed and trimmed “Bible Verse Cards” (enough for groups of 2-4)
- glue
- printed “Ruth” coloring sheets
- crayons and/or markers
- printed and cut “Story of Ruth” puzzles for each student
- construction paper or colored printer paper
MEMORY VERSE: “The LORD is good. His faithful love continues forever. It will last for all time to come.” Psalm 100:5 (NIrV)
THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE ACTIVITY:
- PREP: Hide the hearts around the room before students arrive. Leave them in stacks of like phrases. (Example: Hide the stack of “The LORD” hearts in one spot.)
- Tell students that there are 10 hearts hidden around the room that they will go and collect.
- After they have collected all of the hearts, they will find a spot in the room to put the hearts in order to spell out the memory verse.
- Students can work independently or in partners/small groups.
- You may want to time the group to see how long it takes them to find the hearts and build the memory verse.
LESSON HOOK ACTIVITY
(SLIDE 3) Can anyone tell me what this is a picture of? (a family tree)
Can anyone tell me what a “Family Tree” is? (allow responses and discussion)
A family tree is a visual chart or picture that we can use to show how our families trace back in time and are connected by births over time.
(SLIDE 4) If am this little girl on the bottom left of the tree. Who does that mean the two kids beside me are? (my siblings; my brother and sister)
(SLIDE 5) That is my brother and sister, or my siblings. Who are the two people above us? (our mom and dad; our parents)
(SLIDE 6) That is our Mom and Dad, or our parents. Who are the two older people at the top of the tree? (our grandparents)
(SLIDE 7) That is our Grandmother and Grandfather, or our grandparents. Maybe this set of grandparents are my Mom’s parents.
So who could the other man be on the other side of the tree? (my mom’s brother; my uncle)
(SLIDE 8)
Then his wife, is my aunt. And his kids are my cousins.
Does everyone see how that works? (allow for questions)
Before we get to our Bible story today, you are going to fill out a family tree for yourself. (SLIDE 9) Everyone is going to get a paper and a pencil. We will take about 5 minutes for you to fill in the names as best you can. Your family tree only has a space for yourself, so if you have siblings you can add them in if you want to. If you don’t know the names of your grandparents it is ok, but if you do, go ahead and write their names. Notice that you are at the top of the tree instead of the bottom like in our example.
In today’s true story from the Bible, we are going to learn about a very important woman with a very important family tree.
BIBLE LESSON
(SLIDE 10) Our true Bible story today is about two women. One was named Ruth, and the other was named Naomi. We can read about these women in the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament.
Is the Old Testament about events that happened before or after Jesus lived on the earth as a human? (before)
Ruth and Naomi lived over 1,000 years before Jesus came to the earth as a human being.
Naomi was Ruth’s mother-in-law. Can anyone tell me what that means? How were Naomi and Ruth related? (allow responses and discussion)
Ruth was married to one of Naomi’s sons, so they were not related by birth, but they were related by marriage.
Naomi and her family were Israelites, God’s chosen people. Ruth was from a country called Moab that was about 70 miles from Bethlehem. Why does the town of Bethlehem sound familiar? (allow responses and discussion)
Bethlehem is the town where Jesus was born as a baby. It is the town where His adoptive earthly dad Joseph was from.
(SLIDE 11) The Bible says in the Book of Ruth:
“There wasn’t enough food in the land of Judah.” (This is a country in Israel) “So a man went to live for a while in the country of Moab. He was from Bethlehem in Judah. His wife and two sons went with him. The man’s name was Elimelek. His wife’s name was Naomi. The names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion.” (Ruth 1:1-2 NIrV)
So, Naomi’s husband took the family to live in the country of Moab because of…? (allow responses)
There was a famine (no food) in their home land. So, do you think Naomi and her family knew Ruth before they moved to Moab? (allow responses)
No, Ruth lived in Moab so the two women did not know each other before Naomi and her family moved to Moab from Israel.
The people who lived in Moab did not worship God, so what does that mean about Ruth? (allow responses and discussion)
Ruth lived in Moab, so she didn’t worship God.
While Naomi and her family lived in Moab for about 10 years, both of her sons married women from Moab. One of Naomi’s sons married a woman named Orpah. Who do you think Naomi’s other son married? (Ruth)
Sadly, during the time the family was living in Moab, Naomi’s husband AND her two sons all died. The Bible doesn’t tell us how they died, but what does this mean for Naomi and her two daughters-in-law? (allow responses and discussion)
In those times, women couldn’t work and support themselves. So without their husbands these three women would have a very difficult time eating and having a home.
(SLIDE 12) So, we find out what Naomi decided to do in the Book of Ruth:
“While Naomi was in Moab, she heard that the LORD had helped his people. He had begun to provide food for them again. So Naomi and her two daughters-in-law prepared to go from Moab back to her home. She left the place where she had been living. Her daughters-in-law went with her. They started out on the road that would take them back to the land of Judah.” (Ruth 1:6-7 NIrV)
Remember, why had Naomi and her family come to Moab? (because there was a famine/no food in their home land of Judah in Israel)
Now, Naomi had heard that there was food growing again in Judah, so why do you think she would want to go back there? (allow responses and discussion)
Naomi had relatives/family members who still lived in the land of Judah in Israel. She wanted to go back there because it was her home and she needed a place to live and someone to take care of her since her husband had died.
Naomi tried to convince her daughters-in-law that they didn’t need to come with her and that they could stay in their home country with their parents and other relatives. Naomi’s daughter-in-law Orpah decided to stay in Moab, but what do you think Ruth did? (allow responses)
Ruth decided to leave her homeland of Moab and go with Naomi to the land of Judah in Israel.
(SLIDE 13) In fact, here is what the Bible tells us about Ruth’s decision:
“’Look,’ said Naomi. ‘Your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.’ But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t try to make me leave you and go back. Where you go I’ll go. Where you stay I’ll stay. Your people will be my people. Your God will be my God.’” (Ruth 1:15-16 NIrV)
Remember that the people of Moab did not worship our God. They worshiped other gods. So Orpah went back to the people that she knew and decided not to follow God, but what did Ruth do? (allow responses and discussion)
When Ruth said “Where you go I’ll go. Where you stay I’ll stay. Your people will be my people. Your God will be my God.”, she was abandoning the gods that she had grown up worshiping and decided to start following the God of Israel. Did you know that the God of Israel is the same God that we love and worship?
So, when Naomi and Ruth got to Bethlehem in Israel, they still had a problem. Does anyone remember what their problem was? (allow responses and discussion)
They didn’t have jobs, or the ability to work and support themselves. How would they get food? How would they have a home?
In those days it was normal for a male family member to take care of a woman whose husband had died. So, Naomi’s husband had family members that lived in Bethlehem who could take care of the women.
(SLIDE 14) The Bible says:
“Naomi had a relative on her husband’s side of the family. The relative’s name was Boaz. He was a very important man from the family of Elimelek. Ruth, who was from Moab, spoke to Naomi. Ruth said, ‘Let me go out to the fields. I’ll pick up the grain that has been left. I’ll do it behind anyone who is pleased with me.’ (Ruth 2:1-2 NIrV)
This was a very common thing to do at that time. The servants who worked the fields during harvest time would leave some grain for people in need. Naomi and Ruth were definitely in need since their husbands had died.
(SLIDE 15) The Bible continues:
“Naomi said to her, ‘My daughter, go ahead.’ So Ruth went out to a field and began to pick up grain. She worked behind those cutting and gathering the grain. As it turned out, she was working in a field that belonged to Boaz. He was from the family of Elimelek.” (Ruth 2:3 NIrV)
While Ruth was out gathering the grain that was left for the needy, Boaz showed up and noticed her. He saw that she was kind and faithful to Naomi because she was working hard to help Naomi have food. He spoke to her and told her that she could continue to work for him and she could eat with him and have water whenever she was thirsty. Boaz was kind to her because he saw her kindness and faithfulness to her mother-in-law, Naomi. What does it mean to be faithful to someone? (allow responses and discussion)
To be faithful to someone means to be loyal to someone even when things are difficult. It means sticking with someone like you said you would even when it isn’t easy.
How was Ruth faithful to Naomi? (allow responses and discussion)
Ruth left her home and her family to follow Naomi to a new home when she knew that it was going to be difficult. Ruth was young. She could have stayed in Moab and probably found another husband who would have taken care of her.
(SLIDE 16) Boaz said to Ruth:
“I’ve been told all about you. I’ve heard about everything you have done for your mother-in-law since your husband died. I know that you left your father and mother. I know that you left your country. You came to live with people you didn’t know before. May the LORD reward you for what you have done. May the LORD, the God of Israel, bless you richly. You have come to him to find safety under his care.” (Ruth 2:11-12 NIrV)
When Naomi found out about how nice Boaz was being to Ruth, she remembered that Boaz was a relative of her husband’s. Remember how we talked about it being normal in those days for a male family member to take care of a woman whose husband had died?
Naomi told Ruth to continue working for Boaz in the wheat fields. Eventually, Naomi encouraged Ruth to go to Boaz and ask him to care for her by making her his wife. Boaz knew that Ruth was a great woman, so he decided that he did want to marry her.
After Ruth and Boaz were married, God gave them a baby. They named the baby Obed.
So after all of the hard times that Ruth went through, she was being rewarded greatly. She had a husband to take care of her and love her. She had a new baby. She was able to help provide for and take care of her mother-in-law, Naomi. Who rewarded Ruth? (God)
Why did God take care of Ruth? (allow responses and discussion)
(SLIDE 17) Ruth was faithful to her mother-in-law, Naomi. She was faithful to God because she chose to follow Him. God honors faithfulness. That is our BIG IDEA this week.
“Honor” means to recognize important things or people. “Honor” means to show thankfulness and give reward to.
When we are faithful with our time, our money, our talents & gifts God will honor us by working out things in our lives for our good.
The best and most exciting part about the true story of Ruth in the Bible is her family tree.
Remember how we talked about how when she married Boaz God gave them a baby, and his name was Obed?
(SLIDE 18) Here is a picture of Ruth’s family tree after Obed was born and after he got married and had children.
Who do you see up at the top of Ruth’s family tree? (King David)
Ruth was King David’s Great-Grandmother. Raise your hand if you have gotten to meet YOUR Great-Grandmother or Great-Grandfather. What does it mean when we say “great” in front of “mother” or “father”? (allow responses and discussion)
When we say “great” in front of “mother” or “father” that means there are 3 generations between the two people.
Think about YOUR GRANDMOTHER. Her MOTHER is YOUR GREAT-GRANDMOTHER. Her Grandmother is YOUR GREAT-GREAT-Grandmother.
Ruth was the Grandmother of King David’s Dad, which means she was King David’s Great-Grandmother. What do you know about King David? (allow responses and discussion)
King David was a very important King of Israel.
Who remembers what a prophecy is? (allow responses and discussion)
A prophecy is something that was told to men called prophets, by God, about things that were going to happen in the future.
(SLIDE 19) Look at this prophecy that we can find in the Book of 2 Samuel in the Old Testament. This is God speaking to King David giving him a promise:
“’I tell you that I, the LORD, will set up a royal house for you. Some day your life will come to an end…Then I will make one of your own sons the next king after you. And I will make his kingdom secure…I will set up the throne of his kingdom. It will last forever.’” (2 Samuel 7:11-13 NIrV)
Who do you think God was talking about in this passage? (Jesus)
King David lived over 1,000 years before Jesus lived on the earth as a human being, but Jesus is part of King David’s family tree!
God made a promise to King David that his family line would rule forever. God was talking about King Jesus!
Israel does not have a king at the current time, but someday Jesus will come back to earth and He will be the King forever for people who love Him and choose to follow Him.
Jesus was born to Mary and was adopted by her husband named Joseph. Both Mary and Joseph were related to King David. They are both in King David’s family tree!
Ruth’s story was all a part of God’s plan! She was faithful. God honored her faithfulness by taking care of her, and she was the GREAT (x28 on Joseph’s side, and x43 on Mary’s side) Grandmother of Jesus.
What did Jesus do for us? (allow responses and discussion)
Jesus came to earth as a human being to live a sinless life and to die on the cross to take the punishment for our sins. He rose back to life and now He lives in Heaven. Someday He will come back to rule as King forever with the people who have chosen to love and follow Him.
Dear God,
Thank You for the true story of Ruth and the faithfulness that she showed to her family. We thank You for sending Jesus to die on the cross to take the punishment for our sins. Please help us to continue to learn more about You every day, and help us to be faithful to our friends and family like Ruth was.
We love you and we pray all of these things in Jesus’ sweet name, Amen.
LARGE GROUP ACTIVITY
We are going to play a game called “Ruth’s Truths”.
What is a “Truth”? (allow responses and discussion)
A “Truth” is something that we can trust. It is something that we know is right, or correct, or real, or true.
We learned today that God honors us when we are faithful. This means He recognizes and rewards us when we do what is right.
(SLIDE 20)
But, God is also faithful to us. He is loyal to us and when He makes promises, He never turns His back on them. He is always with us no matter what.
You will be working with a partner or small group (no more than 4) to find “Truths” in the Bible about God’s faithfulness and match them to where you found them.
Each person (if possible) will get a Bible, and each group will get a “Truth Mat” and a stack of “Bible Verse Cards” and some glue.
Your task will be to find the passages listed on the “Bible Verse Cards” in your Bible, and then match what you learn to the “Truth” on the “Truth Mat”. Glue the card in the box under the “Truth”.
You can have students race to complete this activity, but it may be better to let them work at their own pace so they are able to focus and understand the passages they are reading. You can allow students who finish early to start coloring the “Ruth” coloring sheet.
Remind students they can use their Table of Contents to help them find passages.
You may need to help younger students with finding and reading passages.
SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY
Today you are going to get to put together a puzzle and glue it down to help you remember the story of Ruth and how she showed faithfulness.
Each student should get one set of pre-cut puzzle pieces and one sheet of colored paper to glue their puzzles down onto.
Instruct students to build their puzzles completely before they start gluing them to the paper.
If students finish early, you can have them reflect about the story on their paper.
- things they learned
- ways they have been faithful
- ways God has been faithful to them
- retell the story
BREAK INTO SMALL GROUPS TO COMPLETE THE ACTIVITY.
Discussion Prompts for Leaders:
- Why was Naomi’s family living in Moab? (because there was a famine/no food in Israel)
- Why did Naomi and Ruth go to Israel? (food started growing again and they needed a home where someone could take care of them)
- Did the people in Moab worship our God? (no)
- Ruth chose to follow Naomi to Israel. Who else did she choose to follow? (God)
- How was Boaz related to Naomi? (he was a relative of Naomi’s husband)
- What does it mean to be “faithful”? (to be loyal to someone even when things are difficult; sticking with someone like you said you would even when it isn’t easy)
- How was Ruth faithful to Naomi? (she left her home to help take care of Naomi; she worked hard to get food)
- How did God reward Ruth? (He gave her a husband to take care of her and a son that would become part of the family line of Jesus)
- How have you been faithful in your life?
- What did we learn about Ruth’s family tree? (She was the great-grandmother of King David; She was the great-grandmother of Jesus x28 on Joseph’s side and x43 on Mary’s side)
- What is this week’s Big Idea? (God honors faithfulness.)
- What is this week’s memory verse? (Psalm 100:5)
CLOSING REFLECTION
We learned that Ruth was a faithful woman because she chose to follow God’s plan and live with her mother-in-law, Naomi, in a foreign country after her husband died. She met and married a man named Boaz and became the Great-Grandmother of King David. God rewarded Ruth by giving her a husband to take care of her and a son that would become a part of the family line of Jesus.
Reflection Questions:
- What does it mean to be “faithful”? (to be loyal to someone even when things are difficult; sticking with someone like you said you would even when it isn’t easy)
- How was Ruth faithful to Naomi? (she left her home to help take care of Naomi; she worked hard to get food)
- How did God reward Ruth? (He gave her a husband to take care of her and a son that would become part of the family line of Jesus)
- How have you been faithful in your life?
- Does anyone have any questions about today’s lesson?
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