Ruth’s family helps one another
key words
bible reference
Ruth 3:10-13 and 4:9-17
lesson objective
To help the children learn that God cares for them through their family.
memory verse
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you” (Psalm 55:22b, NIV*).
prepare yourself to teach
In the Old Testament there was a law that allowed widows, if they had no children, to be taken care of by joining with the closest relative in the husband’s family. This was usually a brother, and if there were no brothers, the rights went to the next closest relative. If he opposed, the responsibility could pass to another family member.
When a widow was taken care of in this way, it implied that the relative would receive or buy the property that had belonged to the deceased husband. The first male child born of the new marriage was considered to be the son and heir of the first husband, and he owned the properties. The other children were considered as children of the second marriage and inherited from him. This system protected the name and property of males who died without having children.
Boaz was not the relative who should compensate Ruth according to the Jewish rules. There was one closer that could have taken responsibility. However, Boaz wanted to marry Ruth and rescue the property of her first husband. Boaz had to ask permission from the relative who by law should marry her. If he refused to marry Ruth, then Boaz had the right to make her his wife.
The place where civil matters were discussed was at the entrance to the city. There Boaz spoke with the closest relative and, in front of witnesses, obtained permission to rescue the property of Naomi’s deceased husband and sons and to marry Naomi’s daughter-in-law, Ruth.
Once married, Boaz and Ruth had a son, Obed, and they presented him to Naomi. Naomi’s joy was that of someone who had lost everything and who, by the grace of God, had been restored.
adaptation
Preschoolers need evidence to trust something. They need to know that what is familiar to them will not change. As they grow up, they discover that in life there are few enduring things. Soon they begin to experience changes, both expected and unexpected. When children feel safe, they learn to adapt to new experiences, and even to wait for them excitedly. This security can be found in their parents or relatives, but more importantly, they can find it in God, who loves them and never changes.
Preschoolers become more independent little by little, but they still need to feel protected. Because of their age and physical limitations, they cannot prepare food, drive a car or go places by themselves. During this lesson, help them identify people who are part of their life and are at their side to help them. They can be their parents, grandparents, other relatives, teachers or family friends. During the time of prayer, encourage them to thank God for the people who care for them.
introduce the lesson
Hearts of gratitude
For this activity, you will need cardboard, scissors, crayons or colored markers and tape.
Draw a medium-sized heart for each child and allow them to cut it out. While they are doing it, ask them: “Who loves you and takes care of you?” (Listen to the answers.)
Help them write in their hearts the name of the person they choose. Stick the hearts around the room.
Let them know that God shows his love and care through people who love and care for them.
teach the lesson
What’s in the bag?
You will need a dark paper or plastic bag and a doll. Put the doll inside the bag before class. Then gather your children and tell them: “There is something special in this bag. Can you imagine what it is?” Allow them to put one hand in the bag, but without looking inside and without announcing what they think it is.
After everyone has touched the doll, ask that those who know what it is raise their hands. Listen to the answers and take the doll out. Tell them that in the Bible story they will learn something important about a baby.
Ruth marries Boaz
Ruth continued working in Boaz’s field until the harvest ended. On the last day, Boaz was separating the heads of wheat to weigh everything that had been collected during the season. Afterwards, Ruth and Boaz talked. “God has taken care of you,” Boaz said. “I see that you are very faithful to Naomi and I would like to take care of you.” Boaz wanted to marry Ruth, but he knew there was another relative who might also want to take care of Naomi and her. So Boaz told Ruth, “Do not worry. I will talk to him to ask him if he wants to marry you.”
Boaz went to the entrance of the village where the people met to discuss important matters. There he met the other man and spoke with him, but he said he could not marry Ruth. Then Boaz told the others that were there: “You are witnesses of my commitment to buy the land that belonged to Naomi’s husband. I will take care of her and I will also marry her daughter-in-law Ruth.”
“Yes, we are witnesses,” they replied.
Boaz and Ruth got married. They were very happy! Now they took care of each other and also took care of Naomi. They trusted that God always would protect and help them.
Some time later, Boaz and Ruth had a beautiful baby boy and they called him Obed. Naomi helped care for baby Obed. “Glory to God!” Naomi said as she held her grandson in her arms.
God cared for and blessed this beautiful family and allowed them to thrive and multiply greatly.
connect the lesson
Find the baby
Give the children Student Activity Sheet #100-A and #100-B. Allow them time to write their name and trace the word of faith in Student Activity Sheet #100-A. Ask them to find the Obed baby and circle him. Then color the drawing of Ruth’s family.
Turn to Student Activity Sheet #100-B and tell them: “This is the story of Ruth and Boaz. I will read the words and when I point to the figures, you say the matching word.”
Read the story three times following the instructions. Talk with your children about the importance of helping others to demonstrate God’s love. Encourage the children to take home their activities and share the lesson with their families and friends.
practice the memory verse
Gather the children in a circle and practice the rhythmic pattern suggested in the last session.
Practice as many times as necessary until they become familiar with the rhythm. Then, add the words of the memory verse and repeat the exercise a couple of times.
For example: a foot stomp and a clap.
Repeat the Bible verse using the rhythm four times. Follow the example: “Give (stomp) your (clap) worries (stomp) to the Lord. (clap) He (stomp) will take care (clap) of you. (stomp) Psalm 55:22 (clap).
wrap-up
Pray
Sing a song as you gather to pray. Encourage them to mention their prayer requests and intercede for each family represented. Conclude by thanking God for caring for families.
Encourage
Hand out any items the children need to take home and dismiss them with affection.
Invite
Invite the children to the next session which begins a new unit of lessons.
* Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™