God s Unfolding Story - PDF Free Download

Old Testament Unit 8: Judges and Ruth Lesson 4: God Helped Ruth and Naomi God s Unfolding Story Bible Story: God Helped Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 1 4) Bible Phrase: God has plans to care for you (Jeremiah 29:11). Bible Truth: God has plans to care for you. 1. God created everything. 2. People disobeyed God. 3. God chose a special people. 4. God sent Jesus to help us. 5. Jesus began the Church. Suggested Schedule: Arrival Centers 25 minutes Clean-up Time 5 minutes Bible Story Time 15 minutes Craft Time 10 minutes Snack Time 10 minutes Game Time/Dismissal Hour B 6. Jesus is preparing heaven for us. Unfolding God s Story for Teachers The story of Ruth and Boaz is one of the most cherished love stories in the Bible. The familiar passage that begins, Entreat me not to leave thee (Ruth 1:16) was recorded almost three thousand years ago, yet still is part of many wedding ceremonies today. Although forms of the English word love appear only twice in the Holman Christian Standard Bible, and although in neither instance does it refer to the love between Boaz and Ruth, Ruth is first and foremost a true love story foreshadowing the ultimate story of God s love. Our narrative takes place during the days of the judges, possibly close to the time of Gideon. A famine drove Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their sons to Moab, about 50 miles from their home in Bethlehem. They left the House of Bread for greener pastures that, as it turned out, came with heartache and loss. They departed Bethlehem in apparent good health, yet ironically, within 10 years all but Naomi died, and she was left with only her Moabite daughters-in-law and very few provisions. Naomi learned that the fields of Bethlehem were again producing grain, so she decided to return. Ruth and Orpah were like daughters to her, yet Naomi pleaded with them to return to their families. Orpah left, but Ruth made a life pledge of companionship, loyalty, and honor. Ruth s love and commitment to Naomi and Naomi s God was extraordinary, especially given the distorted perspective Naomi had of God at that time because of her grief. This true account shows that even in the most difficult times, God is present and in charge of people s futures. Nothing in this book happened by chance. It is a beautiful boy-meets-girl story orchestrated by the Heavenly Father. Ruth chose a field owned by Boaz, a relative of impeccable character. Boaz saw Ruth and perhaps because of his age believed she was out of his league. Still, he protected and provided for her, actions that made it possible for Ruth to provide for Naomi. It is almost comical that Naomi could see what was happening that the two were not coming together and harvesting time was running out! Sensing it was time to act, Naomi coached a very naïve Ruth in the proper way to secure a husband in a hurry! In his initial encounter with Ruth, when Boaz expressed his affirmation that Ruth had taken refuge in God s wings, how could Boaz have known that God would use him to be those wings? Ruth s invitation for Boaz to spread your cloak over me (Ruth 3:9) helped to make him the agent of refuge. He became Ruth s kinsman-redeemer. The two married and had a son, Obed, who became the father of Jesse, the father of King David. Thus, Boaz and Ruth were ancestors of Jesus, who became Wings of Refuge for the whole world. We all need the saving grace of a kinsman-redeemer. God pursues us, died for us, and wants to cover us with His wings. We just need to ask. Lesson Plan Arrival Greet children at eye level and express how happy you are to see them. Be sure each child has a name tag and the security measures of your church are followed. Label all coats and personal belongings. Strongly encourage children who have brought items from home, such as toys and books, to place them on a shelf while they are working with other materials. Assure children their items will be safe and they can take them home at the end of the session. Help each child make a choice where he or she would like to begin his or her Center Time. OT08 Lesson 4 Hour B Page 1

Puzzle Center: Work Puzzles Supplies: Offer a variety of non-fantasy wooden or cardboard puzzles for children to work. What to Do: Encourage preschoolers to finish puzzles they begin. Affirm children as they work together to complete the puzzles. Link to the Bible Story: As children work, look for opportunities in conversation to say the Bible phrase or to briefly tell the Bible story. Bible Learning Center: Hidden Objects Supplies: Copies of Activity Page: Hidden Objects, God Helped Ruth and Naomi (Reproducible) Washable markers or crayons What to Do: Encourage preschoolers to search the picture to find 10 hidden stalks of grain. Link to the Bible Story: As children search for the stalks of grain, talk about the Bible story. You might say something like this. In our Bible story today, Ruth picked grain from Boaz s barley field. The grain was used to make bread for Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi. God cared for Ruth and Naomi by giving them food to eat. Center Time Home Living Center: Measuring grains Small rocking chair, sink and stove unit and small table and chairs; plastic dishes, child pots and pans; pretend food items; doll, doll bed, and doll accessories Allergy alert sign Rice to represent grain (enough to fill tub at least 2 deep) Plastic tub, funnel, measuring cups, plastic spoons Optional: Loaf of bread, butter, cinnamon and sugar, toaster oven, plastic knives, paper plates or napkins What to Do: Home living items naturally encourage children to act out roles and activities they observe at home. Spread a sheet of paper or towel under the plastic tub to catch spills. Pour the grain into the plastic tub. Invite preschoolers to pour and measure the grain. As an option, or in addition to having children measure the grain, set up an area to make cinnamon toast. A toaster oven should be place on a counter for safety. Be sure to use caution and to post an allergy alert sign. Link to the Bible Story: As children measure and/or help make cinnamon toast, use the opportunity to talk about the Bible story. Say, In our Bible story today a young woman named Ruth gathered grain to bake bread for her family. God cared for Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi. Art Center: Create a Pizza Supplies: Copy of Create a Pizza (Reproducible, 1 per child) Washable markers, crayons Sticky dots Paper plates, glue, scissors What to Do: Encourage the children to use the crayons, markers, and sticky dots to create a pizza. Children can cut out their pizza and glue to a paper plate. Link to the Bible Story: As preschoolers work, say something like, In our Bible story, a woman named Ruth gathered grain from a man named Boaz who grew barley in his fields. Barley was used to make bread. God helped Ruth to have the food she needed. Pizza dough is a food that can be made from grain. God gives us food to eat too. Block Center: Build with Blocks Supplies: Wooden blocks What to Do: Provide a small carpet if possible. Blocks are best located in a corner of the room away from the traffic flow. Link to the Bible Story: As preschoolers build listen for teachable moments to share the Bible Phrase, parts of the Bible story, or the Bible truth. OT08 Lesson 4 Hour B Page 2

Clean-up Time Encourage preschoolers to help at clean-up time. Assign specific tasks for preschoolers to do such as placing all the crayons in the basket, throwing away the trash, gathering all the glue sticks, etc. Guide children to the Bible Story Time area. Bible Story Time Supplies: Bible Teaching Picture God Helped Ruth and Naomi (Reproducible) God s Unfolding Story Cube (Reproducible/Cardstock) Introduction Show the God s Unfolding Story Cube. Express to the boys and girls that even though we find many stories in the Bible, the Bible really tells one big story, and all the little stories are a part of the big one we can call God s Unfolding Story. Tell children that each picture represents a chapter in God s Unfolding Story. Turn the cube and talk about each chapter in the story. (Refer to page 1.) Express that every story from the Bible is from one of these main chapters. Today s story is from the third chapter, God chose a special people. Express the following in your own words. This month we have learned how God used Deborah, Gideon, and Samson to fight the Israelites enemies. These people were known as judges, and they helped the people of Israel know how to live. During that time a great famine occurred. During a famine, the crops do not grow because of lack of rain, so food is hard to find. Many families moved to other places to live. When the crops began to grow once more, some families moved back. Our Bible story today is about how God helped one of the families who returned. Bible Story God Helped Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 1-4) Naomi and her family left their Bethlehem home and moved to a place called Moab to find food. The family lived in Moab for ten years, and during that time Naomi s husband and sons died. Hearing that crops were again growing in Bethlehem, Naomi decided to return home. Only Naomi s daughter-in-law Ruth stayed with her. They were poor and had little food to eat. Naomi had a relative named Boaz who owned a barley field in Bethlehem. Barley is a grain used to make bread. Ruth said to Naomi, Let me go into the barley fields to gather the grain the workers drop, if the owner will allow. Naomi told Ruth, Yes, go gather grain so we can make bread. Ruth went to the field and began to gather grain. She would bend down, pick up grain, and put it in her basket; bend down, pick up grain and put it in the basket. All day Ruth worked hard in the hot sun gathering grain. The owner, Boaz, saw Ruth in the field. He told his workers Leave extra grain for Ruth and watch over her. Boaz talked with Ruth and invited her to lunch. Ruth went home that night with plenty of grain, and she even brought Naomi some of her lunch she had saved. Now Ruth and Naomi would have food to eat. Ruth gathered grain each day, and Boaz was always kind to her and happy to see her. One day, Boaz asked Ruth to be his wife. After they were married, God gave them a son. They named their son Obed. Naomi helped Ruth and Boaz take care of baby Obed, who became the grandfather of King David. God took care of Ruth and Naomi. He gave them food to eat and a family to love. Talk Time 1. Show the teaching picture for today s Bible story. Review by using these or similar questions. Why did Ruth need to pick up the barley grain? Who helped Ruth have enough grain and later married her? After Ruth and Boaz married, what did God give them? How did Naomi help Ruth and Boaz? 2. Read the Bible phrase on the teaching picture. Say the phrase together, God has plans to care for you (Jeremiah 29:11). Explain to children that just as God helped Ruth and Naomi to find food and a new family, God cares for each of us. Talk about ways God meets people s needs. 3. Close the Bible Story Time by inviting children to join you in prayer. Ask children to name one thing for which they are thankful and to voice that in a prayer. Close the prayer thanking God that He loves and cares for each boy and girl. 4. Direct children to Craft Time. OT08 Lesson 4 Hour B Page 3

Craft Time: Handprint Bible Phrase Holder Supplies: Copies of Handprint Bible Phrase Holder (Reproducible, Cardstock recommended, 1 copy for every child) Crayons or markers, glue Clothespins (1 per child) Magnetic strips What to Do: Cut out each Bible Phrase Handprint and Bible Phrase. Give each child a handprint and Bible Phrase to color. Show children how to glue the handprint to the clothespin above the metal piece in the center and then clip the Bible Phrase in the clothespin. Attach a piece of the magnetic strip to back of the clothespin, Link to the Bible Story: As children work, talk about ways God shows His care for each person. Review the Bible Phrase with the children. Encourage children to take the Bible Phrase Handprint home and to place it on their refrigerator as a reminder of the phrase and of God s care in their lives. Snack Time Be sure to wash hands or use hand sanitizer. Say a thank-you prayer to God for the snack. When snack time has ended, encourage preschoolers to help with cleaning up. Game Time / Dismissal: Answer Riddles Supplies: None, or as an option: Magazine pictures of a house, family, clothing, shoes, fruit juice, vegetables, meat, cookie or cupcake What to Do: Ask children to form a circle in the Game Time area. If pictures are available, display them on the floor in the middle of the circle. Explain to children you will say a riddle, and they are to give the answer or identify the picture that shows the answer. Tell children your riddles are rhyming questions. God gives me this to eat. I like to eat it, and it is very sweet. What is it? (cookie or cupcake) God gives me a place to stay. It is where I sleep, eat, and play. What is it? (home) God gives me this to love. Each day we talk, laugh, and hug. What is it? (family) God gives these to keep me strong. Eat them red, yellow, and green and you can t go wrong. What are they? (vegetables) God gives me these for my feet. They help me run and hop, and that s neat. What are they? (shoes) God gives me this to chew. It comes from chickens, fish, and animals that go moo. What is it? (meat) God gives me this drink. It comes from fruit and I can drink it in a wink! What is it? (fruit juice) God gives me these to wear. And when I outgrow them I can share. What are they? (clothes) After the riddle game thank God for all the ways He shows His love and care to each individual. OT08 Lesson 4 Hour B Page 4

Resources and Supplies Old Testament Unit 8: Judges and Ruth Lesson 4: God Helped Ruth and Naomi Hour B Standard Art Supplies (Supplies that are generally in the room) Washable markers Crayons Child scissors Playdough and accessories Drawing paper Easel (optional) Glue/glue sticks Tempera paint, 4 colors Tape/masking tape Pencils/colored pencils Hole punch Teacher scissors Stapler/staples Permanent markers Watercolors Paintbrushes Yarn Standard Equipment (Equipment that is generally in the room) Bible Small beanbag for Bible Story Time Assorted wooden/cardboard puzzles Set of wooden blocks Small cars and trucks Doll bed Baby doll (soft plastic) Stove/sink unit Play dishes/pots and pans Small table and chairs Small carpet for block area Play food items Storage shelf for blocks Tables and chairs for art, puzzles, and Bible Learning Center CD player/children s Worship CDs Reproducibles (Included with the lesson plan downloads) Create a Pizza (1 copy per child) Activity Page: Hidden Objects God Helped Ruth and Naomi (1 copy per child) Teaching Picture: God Helped Ruth and Naomi (1 copy per class) Handprint Bible Phrase Holder (1 copy per child, cardstock recommended) God s Unfolding Story Cube (Cardstock 1 copy per class) Parent Page (1 copy per child) Coloring Page, God Helped Ruth and Naomi Additional Art Materials Sticky dots Paper plates (1 per child) Additional Craft Materials Clothespins (1 per child) Magnetic strips Additional Home Living Materials Plastic tub Rice enough to fill tub at least 2 Funnel, measuring cup, plastic or paper cups, plastic spoons Optional: Loaf of bread, butter, cinnamon and sugar, toaster oven, plastic knives, paper plates or napkins OT08 Lesson 4 Hour B

God has plans to care for you. Jeremiah 29:11 Art Center: Create a Pizza Instructions: One copy per child. Children create a pizza using sticky dots, crayons and markers. OT08 Lesson 4 Hour B Art Center

God has plans to care for you. Jeremiah 29:11 Activity Page: Hidden Objects God Helped Ruth and Naomi Instructions: One copy per child. Search the picture to find and circle the 10 hidden stalks of grain. OT08 Lesson 4 Hour B Bible Learning Center

Craft Time: Handprint Bible Phrase Holder Instructions: One copy for every 2 children, cardstock recommended. Cut out the handprint holders and Bible Phrase. Children color the handprint and Bible Phrase. Assist children in gluing the handprint above the metal piece of a wooden clothes pin. Attach a strip of magnetic tape to the back of the clothes pin. Insert the Bible phrase into the clothes pin. OT08 Lesson 4 Hour B Craft Time

God has plans to care for you. Jeremiah 29:11 Coloring Page God Helped Ruth and Naomi OT08 Lesson 4 Optional