3rd - 5th Grade 8:00am & 11:00am September 15, 2013
Leader BIBLE STUDY Only two books in the Old Testament bear the name of a woman: Ruth and Esther. Ruth s story occurs at the time when judges ruled over Israel. God s people were characterized by rebellion and immorality. At a time when the Israelites desperately needed a king to lead them back to God, Ruth s story of faithfulness points us to Jesus Christ, a coming Redeemer who will make all wrong things right again. Ruth was the daughter-in-law of Naomi, a woman from Bethlehem who settled in Moab with her husband and two sons to escape a famine. Naomi s husband died, and her two sons married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. They lived in Moab for 10 years; then Naomi s sons died. Naomi heard that the Lord had provided His people food during the famine, so she decided to go back to Judah. Naomi encouraged Orpah and Ruth to return to their families. Orpah returned home, but Ruth clung to Naomi. Ruth said, Wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God (Ruth 1:16). So Naomi and Ruth traveled back to Bethlehem together. Naomi permitted Ruth to gather fallen grain in a field. The owner of the field was Boaz, a relative of Naomi s late husband and a family redeemer. Boaz noticed Ruth and told her she could safely gather grain in his field. At Naomi s urging, Ruth sought to be redeemed by Boaz. Boaz bought back the land Naomi and Ruth had lost when their husbands died, and he married Ruth. They had a son named Obed, whose grandson would be King David. God gave Ruth a foreigner a special place in the lineage of Jesus Christ. As you teach kids today, introduce them to Jesus, our Redeemer. He bought for us salvation, paying the price with His very own blood. 1 Older Kids Leader Guide Unit 10, Session 1 Copyright 2013
Older Kids Bible study OVERVIEW Session Title: Ruth and Boaz Bible Passage: Ruth 1 4 Big Picture Question: Who is our redeemer? Jesus is our Redeemer who gives us salvation. Key Passage: 1 Samuel 2:35 Unit Christ Connection: God used people and visual elements in history to give us pictures of Christ. 2 Hints of Christ
The BIBLE STORY Ruth and Boaz Ruth 1 4 Naomi lived in Bethlehem in Judah with her husband, Elimelech, and their two sons. At that time, the people of Israel were ruled by judges like Gideon, Samson, and Deborah. There was a famine in the land, so it was difficult to find enough food to survive. Elimelech and Naomi decided to go to Moab and live there for awhile. While they were in Moab, Elimelech died. Naomi s sons married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. They lived in Moab for 10 years, then Naomi s sons died. Naomi, Orpah, and Ruth were all alone. The famine had ended in Judah, so Naomi decided to return. Orpah and Ruth went with Naomi, but Naomi encouraged them to return to their families. The women were very sad to leave each other. Orpah returned home, but Ruth clung to Naomi. Wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God, Ruth said. So Naomi returned to Bethlehem with her daughterin-law at the beginning of the barley harvest. Naomi gave Ruth permission to go into the fields and gather fallen grain. She happened to go to the field of Boaz, a good man from the family of Naomi s late husband, Elimelech. Boaz saw Ruth in his field. He had heard how kind Ruth was to Naomi, staying with her after her husband died and leaving Moab to travel back to Bethlehem with her. Boaz told Ruth to stay in his field where she would be safe. Boaz made sure Ruth had enough food. Ruth gathered plenty of grain in the field. She returned to Naomi and told her about Boaz. Boaz is one of our family redeemers, Naomi replied. A family redeemer was someone who would help his close relatives if they were in trouble. Naomi knew Boaz would take care of Ruth, so she encouraged Ruth to stay in his fields. Naomi wanted to make sure Ruth had a husband to care for her, so she 3 Older Kids Leader Guide Unit 10, Session 1 Copyright 2013
gave Ruth special instructions. Ruth put on her best clothes and laid down near Boaz s feet. In this way, Ruth showed Boaz that she hoped he would marry her. Boaz was surprised to find Ruth at his feet. You are a family redeemer, she said. Boaz promised to redeem Ruth, which meant he would buy back the land that Naomi sold after her husband died, and he would marry Ruth. He gave Ruth grain and sent her back to Naomi. Boaz bought back the land that had belonged to Naomi s husband and sons, and he married Ruth. Ruth and Boaz had a son named Obed. Naomi took care of Obed. When Obed grew up, he was the father of Jesse, who was the father of King David. Christ Connection: Boaz was a family redeemer. That means he would help his close relatives who were in trouble. Boaz cared for Ruth and Naomi because their husbands had died. In a similar way, Jesus is our Redeemer. We need help because we sin. Jesus bought our salvation for us by taking our punishment when He died on the cross. 4 Hints of Christ
Small Group Opening Session Title: Ruth and Boaz Bible Passage: Ruth 1 4 Big Picture Question: Who is our redeemer? Jesus is our Redeemer who gives us salvation. Key Passage: 1 Samuel 2:35 Unit Christ Connection: God used people and visual elements in history to give us pictures of Christ. Welcome time Greet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group. Ask kids to name a time they helped someone in need. Detect the Words activity page, 1 per kid pencils red cellophane Bibles, 1 per kid LOW PREP construction paper strips, brown or tan marker scissors Bibles, 1 per kid Activity page (5 minutes) Provide each kid with a small piece of red cellophane. Help kids use the cellophane to complete the Detect the Words activity page. Say Our Bible story today is about a woman named Naomi and what happened to her family. Session starter (10 minutes) Option 1: Needle in a haystack game Print the following words and phrases on the construction paper strips: Boaz, Ruth, Naomi, family redeemer, grain, glean, Moab, Your God will be my God, and Obed. Create other strips of paper with the words of the key passage. Say Gleaning is an important part of our Bible story today. To make flour to cook with, first people planted grain seeds. After the grain grew, they cut 5 Older Kids Leader Guide Unit 10, Session 1 Copyright 2013
Option: On the reverse side of the first set of words, print a letter from the word redeemed. Challenge kids to unscramble the letters. duct tape, various colors and patterns small notebooks, 3 by 5 inches pens scissors off the ears. They gathered or gleaned the pieces and bound them together into sheaves. The sheaves were taken to an area called the threshing floor, where animals were driven over the grain to force the grain out of the ear. Then the grain was gathered and tossed to allow the chaff, the bad part of the grain, to blow away, leaving the clean grain for grinding into flour. It was a long process, but it was how the people made the bread they needed to eat. Scatter all the papers or grain around the room. When you give the command, kids must glean all the grain. Once all the grain has been gleaned, kids must determine which pieces are key words or names from today s story and which pieces are the words of the key passage. Allow kids to locate 1 Samuel 2:35 in the Bible to help them decide which words belong in each pile. Option 2: Bible investigation notebooks Guide kids to tear or cut strips of tape to cover the front of the notebook. If time allows, kids may also cover the back cover of the notebook. Say A good detective is always searching for hints or clues to solve the puzzle. This unit, we are searching for special hints of Christ in each Bible story. Our Bible investigation notebooks will help us keep track of all we learn during large group time. You can also record what you learn when you read your Bible at home each day. Allow kids to take their notebooks and pens to large group to take notes about the Bible story, big picture question, and Christ connection. Transition to large group 6 Hints of Christ
Large Group LEADER Session Title: Ruth and Boaz Bible Passage: Ruth 1 4 Big Picture Question: Who is our redeemer? Jesus is our Redeemer who gives us salvation. Key Passage: 1 Samuel 2:35 Unit Christ Connection: God used people and visual elements in history to give us pictures of Christ. room decorations Tip: Decorate according to your ministry budget and needs. Suggested Theme Decorating Ideas: Place a desk on one side of the stage or teaching area. Place a single desk lamp on the desk (doesn t have to be plugged in). Scatter manila file folders, sticky notes, pens, and other office supplies on the desk. Create a Mr. Homes Detective Agency sign and post it behind the desk. Each week create a case file on a dry erase board, chalkboard, or large piece of paper. Write words key to an investigation such as possible suspects, clues, evidence, and what s missing. Write the Bible story title and big picture question on the case file board each week. Print the phrase Hints of Christ at the top of the board. Put sticky notes around the board as well. magnifying glass Introduce the session (2 minutes) [Large Group Leader enters carrying a magnifying glass. Inspect several items in the room with the magnifying glass as you make your way to the front.] Leader Hello! I am so excited! We are here to help a 7 Older Kids Leader Guide Unit 10, Session 1 Copyright 2013
famous detective a super amazing investigator. Mr. Homes has asked us to help him solve some of his cases. As you can see his case load is quite heavy right now, and we are going to help out. Each week we will search for, explore, and investigate clues to solve a mystery. Oh, I love a good mystery! What about you? Do you love a good mystery? Great! Big picture question (1 minute) Leader I wonder what case Mr. Homes needs us to help with. Check out this board. It looks like a case we can help with. Hmm Hints of Christ. It looks like Mr. Homes is searching for hints of Jesus in the Bible. This board must be his case file. According to the case file, we are searching for the answer to the question, Who is our redeemer? That is a really intriguing question. Let s make that our big picture question for today. Who is our redeemer? Timeline Map Timeline map (2 minutes) Leader Oh, I see another important detail in the case file. I see a note that says, Examine the Book of Ruth. Find the hint of Christ. Who knows something about the Book of Ruth? Call on a couple of kids to share something about Ruth. Leader So you all think this Book of Ruth is found in the Bible? OK, let s look at this timeline map and see what else we can find out about the Book of Ruth. According to our timeline, our Bible story took place around the time the judges led the nation of Israel. Here s a Bible story called Ruth and Boaz. Interesting. I think it s time we open our Bibles and use our detective skills to find the answer to our mystery 8 Hints of Christ
question, Who is our redeemer? We also need to find the hint of Christ to help Mr. Homes solve this case. Ruth and Boaz video Bibles Bible Story Picture Slide or Poster Big Picture Question Slide or Poster Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) Open your Bible to Ruth 1 and tell the Bible story in your own words, or show the Bible story video Ruth and Boaz. Leader Naomi found herself in a very sad place. Her family had died. The Bible tells us that Naomi thought God was punishing her. She did not understand that God was at work. God had not abandoned Naomi. He was with her. He used the sad things that had happened to provide something very good. We should always trust God s plan. Ruth was committed to Naomi. The Bible says that Ruth had a faithful, covenant-type love for Naomi. Ruth s kindness and commitment to Naomi was noticed by Boaz. Ruth was from a foreign land, but she chose to follow the one true God. She left her family, her country, and her false gods to follow Naomi to Bethlehem. Ruth was faithful to God and kind to others. Boaz also showed kindness to others. Ruth was a foreigner, but Boaz didn t treat her poorly because of that. Instead, he made it easier for Ruth to glean or gather the grain. He also agreed to redeem Naomi and Ruth. Boaz was a family redeemer, but he could not redeem people from sin. Boaz demonstrated God s love for His people and His desire to redeem them. Our big picture question tells us that we have a redeemer. Who is our redeemer? Jesus is our Redeemer who gives us salvation. Only Jesus could redeem people from sin. Only Jesus lived a perfect life and died to pay the price for our sin. He redeemed us from the consequence of sin spiritual separation from God. The story of Ruth can seem to be full of coincidences, but if we look closely we can see hints that God was 9 Older Kids Leader Guide Unit 10, Session 1 Copyright 2013
Bible Tip: Anytime you share how to become a Christian in a large group environment, try to have counselors available to meet one-on-one with kids. Make sure kids know who they can talk to and when they can talk. Key Passage Slide or Poster Raise Up song working to fulfill His plan to send Jesus to redeem people from sin. Ruth didn t just happen to be in Boaz s field. That was part of God s plan to redeem Naomi s family. God s plan is bigger than we can imagine. Naomi, Ruth, and Boaz couldn t guess all that God was planning. They didn t know that Ruth and Boaz would become the grandparents of King David. We will learn more about King David later, but I ll go ahead and tell you that King David was a part of the earthly family of Jesus. Ruth and Boaz were a part of the earthly family of Jesus. Nothing stopped God s plan to send Jesus to be our Redeemer! The Gospel: God s Plan for Me (optional) Using Scripture and the guide provided, explain to the kids how to become a Christian. Encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian. Key passage (5 minutes) Leader Our key passage in found in 1 Samuel 2:35. First Samuel is after the Book of Ruth in your Bible. It is one of the books in the History division. Guide boys and girls to read the key passage together and allow kids to stand up when they say every other word. Lead kids to sing Raise Up. Leader We will learn more about our key passage during next week s Bible story. 10 Hints of Christ
Prayer (2 minutes) Leader OK, detectives, you have done a great job solving your first case. Our mystery question was, Who is our redeemer? You dug deep into the story of Ruth, Boaz, and Naomi to find the answer. What was the answer? Jesus is our Redeemer who gives us salvation. You also discovered that Boaz is a hint of Christ. Boaz was a family redeemer who redeemed Naomi and Ruth when they needed help. But Boaz couldn t redeem anyone from sin. Only Jesus could do that. Jesus is our Redeemer who gives us salvation. He is the greatest Redeemer! Mr. Homes is going to be very impressed with your detective work. I detect that it is now time for each of you to go to your small group. Pray, thanking God for sending Jesus to be our Redeemer. Dismiss to small groups 11 Older Kids Leader Guide Unit 10, Session 1 Copyright 2013
The Gospel: God s Plan for Me Ask kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means good news. It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids. God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean. We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23) God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9. Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:18. We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus. Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus. 12 Hints of Christ
Small Group LEADER Session Title: Ruth and Boaz Bible Passage: Ruth 1 4 Big Picture Question: Who is our redeemer? Jesus is our Redeemer who gives us salvation. Key Passage: 1 Samuel 2:35 Unit Christ Connection: God used people and visual elements in history to give us pictures of Christ. Key Passage Poster Bibles, 1 per kid Small Group Visual Pack Option: Retell the Bible story using the bolded text of the Bible story script. Key passage activity (5 minutes) The goal is for kids to move from one side of the room to the other in a single-file line while saying the key passage. Kids should line up one at a time, each kid saying the next word of the key passage as he finds his spot at the front of the line. When every kid is in the line, the kid at the back of the line will move to the front of the line. The group will continue this cycle until they have traveled a path from one side of the room to the other. Allow kids to see the key passage poster as they play. Play again, challenging kids to complete the task faster. Say Our key passage is a promise made to someone in next week s Bible story. Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes) Guide kids to use their Bibles to find the answers to the following mysteries from today s Bible story. 1. What were the names of Naomi s husband and two sons? (Elimelech, Mahlon, and Chilion; Ruth 1:2) 2. Where did Naomi s family travel to find food? (Moab, Ruth 1:1) 13 Older Kids Leader Guide Unit 10, Session 1 Copyright 2013
3. Name one of Naomi s daughters-in-law. (Orpah or Ruth, Ruth 1:4) 4. Who said, your God will be my God? (Ruth, Ruth 1:16) 5. Whom was she speaking to? (Naomi, Ruth 1:15-17) 6. Whose field did Ruth gather grain from? (Boaz s field, Ruth 2:3) 7. What special role did Boaz have in his family? (He was a family redeemer, Ruth 2:20) 8. What was the name of Ruth and Boaz s baby? (Obed; Ruth 4:13,17) 9. Obed was the grandfather of which Israelite king? (King David; Ruth 4:17,22) Review the timeline in the small group visual pack. Point out today s Bible story and a later story about King David to help kids connect the chronology of God s story. Say Because he was a family redeemer, Boaz could help Naomi s family. Who is our redeemer? Jesus is our Redeemer who gives us salvation. How did Jesus redeem us? (Jesus bought our salvation for us by taking our punishment when He died on the cross.) If you choose to review with boys and girls how to become a Christian, explain that kids are welcome to speak with you, another teacher, or a parent if they have questions. God rules. God created and is in charge of everything. (Gen. 1:1; Rev. 4:11; Col. 1:16-17) We sinned. Since Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Rom. 3:23; 6:23) God provided. God sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. (John 3:16; Eph. 2:8-9) 14 Hints of Christ
Jesus gives. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again so we can be welcomed into God s family. (Rom. 5:8; 2 Cor. 5:21; 1 Pet. 3:18) We respond. Believe that Jesus alone saves you. Repent. Tell God that your faith is in Jesus. (Rom. 10:9-10,13) LOW PREP Activity choice (10 minutes) Option 1: Redeemed hand clap game Form a circle. Instruct kids to place their hands palms up. Their left hand should be under their neighbor s right hand. Their right hand should be on their neighbor s left hand. When you give the signal, one kid should start the hand movement by taking his right hand and clapping his neighbor s right hand. Kids should continue the clapping movement as you add the chant. Increase the speed each round. Try to make it all the way through the chant three times without stopping. Select one of the following chants or create your own: Redeemed, redeemed, I am redeemed, I am redeemed by Jesus Christ or One Redeemer, one Redeemer, one Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Say Who is our redeemer? Jesus is our Redeemer who gives us salvation. Boaz was a family redeemer, but he could not save anyone from sin. When we repent and trust in Jesus, He is our Redeemer. He paid the price for our sin. How would you share with a friend that Jesus is our Redeemer who gives us salvation? What would you say to someone who has heard about Jesus but doesn t trust in Him? What would you say to someone who has not heard of Jesus? 15 Older Kids Leader Guide Unit 10, Session 1 Copyright 2013
One Way Cards scissors lunch-size paper bag Option 2: One way game Explain that you will assign everyone the same task but everyone will complete the task in a different way. Kids will draw a card from the bag to reveal the one way they may complete the task. They may only complete the task the way their card instructs. Sample task: Carry a book from point A to point B. Say God has provided one way, the way for us to be saved from our sin. Jesus paid the price for us. Jesus is our Redeemer because He redeemed us from sin. In the Old Testament, the Israelites had family or kinsman-redeemers. The family redeemer was a family member who had a special responsibility to help his family in times of need. Boaz, the family redeemer in our Bible story, was a part of Jesus earthly family. Who is our redeemer? Jesus is our Redeemer who gives us salvation. 16 Hints of Christ
And I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind. And I and he shall go in and out before my anointed forever. will build him a sure house, 1 Samuel 2:35 UNIT 10 Key Passage Poster (ESV) 2013 Christian Resources. OK TO PRINT Hints of Christ
2013 Christian Resources. OK TO PRINT UNIT 10 Session 1 Big Picture Question Hints of Christ Jesus is our Redeemer who gives us salvation. Who is our redeemer?
Laugh hysterically as you walk. Hop like a frog. Walk sideways. One Way Cards Instructions: Cut apart and place inside a paper bag. Crawl. Sing the key passage song. Hop on one foot. High five everyone you pass. Walk on your knees. Hum as you walk. Pretend to eat corn on the cob. Frown as you walk. Walk on your tiptoes. Walk like a detective following someone. Walk like you re cool. Count your steps. Whistle while you walk. Yawn while you walk. Make silly faces as you walk. Rub your stomach as you walk. Pat your head as you walk. Spin around one time. Count to 50 as you walk. Cheer for your school as you walk. Say the books of the Bible as you walk. UNIT 10 Session 1 Older Kids Bible Study 2013 Christian Resources. OK TO PRINT Hints of Christ
2013 Christian Resources. UNIT 10 Session 1 Older Kids Activity Pages Hints of Christ One of the people in our Bible story is a family redeemer. Look at Leviticus 25:25 to discover who could be a family redeemer and how a family redeemer could help his family. Record your answer below. Instructions: Using red cellophane, find the hidden words related to today s Bible story.
2013 Christian Resources. UNIT 10 Session 1 Older Kids Activity Pages Hints of Christ Instructions: Find the correct path through the maze by looking for books of the Bible. Write next to each book which division it is a part of.
UNIT 10 Session 1 Ruth and Boaz 2013 Christian Resources. OK TO PRINT Hints of Christ