RUTH
A lesson from Neil and Sunday Software, www.sundaysoftware.com
Ruth 1:1-22 “Whither thou goest I will go.”
This is a great memory verse to learn using Cal & Marty’s Scripture Memory CD, Though you will read chapter 1 of Ruth in the translation of your choice, I’m strongly suggesting that we teach VERSE 16 in the King James Version. Here’s why:
1) The King James version of verse 16 is often quoted in the culture and by preachers.
2) The KJV of verse 16 is concise and its slightly peculiar vocabulary sounds different and sonorific to our ears…meaning we’re more likely to remember it.
About teaching the Story of Ruth: The Story of Ruth is too long to read in its entirety during one class. And yet, it could be argued that the heart of the book is chapter 1: Ruth’s determination to stay with Naomi her mother-in-law. Thus, in this computer workshop lesson we’re good just reading RUTH 1: 1-22, which ends with Ruth and Naomi returning to Bethlehem. The rest of the story can then be summarized (rejection, acceptance). Just make sure you teach the REST of the Ruth story in other lessons and workshops! “Ruth” animated video from Nest Entertainment is a good overview and lasts 30 minutes.
This lesson teaches the verse into memory and the concept of making “Ruth-like promises” to other people in our lives that we care about. …And when make these Ruth-like promises to others –we experience the blessings of God.
My Ruth Lesson Plan:
1. OPEN:
Ask: If someone asked you to come with them on a difficult journey through the desert along dangerous roads, to go live in a new place where you’d be an outsider would you go? What would you need to know in order to make that decision? If your mom or dad asked you to make that journey with them, would you go without question? What would it take? (a lot of love and trust!) Summarize the story of Ruth, and have the students find it in their Bibles. Note where it falls in the Bible’s timeline, and mention that Ruth was King David’s grandmother. (BTW: “Who else” was born in Bethlehem? David and Jesus and Jesus’ father Joseph!)
Ruth is one of our Bible Hero Posters! Come See more.
(Tip: Write out some answers, keywords, as people talk. This will help focus the discussion and give the teacher a point of reference to draw upon).
Ask: What were Ruth’s options after the death of her husband? What about Naomi may have inspired Ruth to give her love and allegiance to join Naomi on her difficult journey back to Bethlehem?
Why would Ruth ALSO want to follow Naomi’s god? What things might attract someone to another’s faith? (their sense of purpose, peace, confidence) What about YOUR faith might make other’s think “how can I be like them? how can I feel as close to God as they do?
Who in your church seems like they are close to God? Have you ever thought about ASKING THEM how they got close to God? (Teacher: be prepared to tell your story. And invited students to “tell their story” of why they believe in God. They may not have a clear answers, but you can at least ASK THEM so that they can begin to think about that important question).
2. DIG: Memorizing and Learning the Verse
Go into Cal and Marty’s Scripture Memory Game CD and have the kids edit-in verse 16. Letting them create the verse will help their memorization. For younger kids, type it in ahead of time. The verse is short enough that you can help them read the words and let them reassemble. Have them create a ‘study note’ for the verse to appear on screen and create 3 quiz questions to go with it. Have the quiz questions reflect ideas from your questions in the OPENING discussion. Now switch computers and have students play the verse game and take the quiz created by various teams on their various computers.
3. REFLECT: Creating “RUTH PROMISES”
Turn on Let’s Talk CD and its “Talk Now” Module. The teacher stands at the board and writes down a certain situation which the kids must response to using their Talk Now character who will speak whatever the kids type. The kids will respond in a similar way that RUTH responded to Naomi, but using words appropriate for the new situation. Give the kids 3 minutes to complete each one, then have them play it back for the class. Make comments. (The first one will be difficult until they get the hang of the idea. Be prepared to help them.)
Example:
YOUR response to a sibling who you argue with.
I promise to love even if we argue. And when you need me to forgive/support/love/cheer you, I promise to:
YOUR response to a friend who’s parents are divorcing
I Promise to…. And when you are feeling ____________I promise to be there by doing this:
YOUR response to a friend who has become very sick
I Promise to…. And when you are feeling ____________I promise to be there by doing this:
YOUR response to your grandmother who has to go into a retirement home
I Promise to…. And when you need ____________I promise to be there to help you:
YOUR response to a friend at school who is struggling to get a passing grade in class
I Promise to…. And whenever you need ____________I promise to help you with:
YOUR response to a friend who’s parent has just died.
I Promise to…. And when you need ____________I promise to:
Say: Ruth had just lost her husband. It was her life that had been turned upside down… but she chose to GO with her mother-in-law ===to give her life and allegiance to Naomi and Naomi’s god. She could have focused on HER needs and grief, but instead, chose to go with Naomi. And by putting Naomi’s needs first and promising to love Naomi, Ruth came to believe in God, and was blessed with acceptance in her new land.
CLOSING PRAYER: Use the Let’s Talk CD’s Talk Now screen to have kids each create a line of prayer “thanking God” for something from the story about Ruth or Naomi. Example: “Dear God, thank you for Naomi’s ___________.”
