Ruth and Boaz

Unit 9 • Session 5 God Judges His People

UNIT 9 Use Week of: SESSION 5

RUTH AND BOAZ

BIBLE PASSAGE: Ruth 1–4 KEY PASSAGE: Isaiah 33:22 MAIN POINT: God’s plan is perfect.

The Bible Story

Ruth 1–4

BIBLE STORY FOR TODDLERS Naomi’s husband and her two sons died in Moab. Naomi wanted to go back to Israel. Her daughter-in-law Ruth hugged Naomi. “I will go where you go. Your God will be my God.” Ruth and Naomi went to Bethlehem. Ruth went to Boaz’s field to pick grain. Boaz had heard how Ruth took care of Naomi, and he sent Ruth home with extra grain. Ruth told Naomi about Boaz’s kindness. Naomi said Boaz was a redeemer. When a family member was in trouble, Boaz would help. Boaz and Ruth married. Ruth had a son named Obed, and Naomi was a happy grandmother! Obed was the father of Jesse, the father of David. Jesus was born into David’s family.

BABIES GOSPEL GEMS ** God used Boaz to take care of Ruth and Naomi. **God sent Jesus to earth through Ruth’s family. **Like Boaz, Jesus helps us in times of trouble.

Additional resources for each session are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by-session help, visit http://www.ministrygrid.com/web/thegospelproject.

Babies Activities

LOOK IN THE BIBLE Provide hand-size Bibles for babies to hold and turn the pages. Open your Bible to Ruth 1. Show the Bible story picture as you say the Gospel Gems. You may read the key passage card. SAY: God used Boaz to take care of Ruth and Naomi. God sent Jesus to earth through Ruth’s family. GOD’S PLAN IS PERFECT. [Pray for the babies.]

SING A SONG Sing to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It”: “When God’s people needed help, He sent a judge. [Clap, clap] When God’s people needed help, He sent a judge. [Clap, clap] But God’s people soon forgot just how much they needed God. When God’s people needed help, He sent a judge!” [Clap, clap] SAY: GOD’S PLAN IS PERFECT.

MAKE HEART ART Make a heart for each baby using painter’s tape on heavyweight paper. Place the paper in a ziplock bag with a squirt of glitter paint. Seal the bag with duct tape. Invite babies to squish the bags. Remove the painter’s tape and set the artwork aside to dry. SAY: A heart shows love. God used Boaz to take care of Ruth and Naomi. GOD’S PLAN IS PERFECT.

MAKE GRAIN SHAKERS Post an allergy alert. Half-fill medicine containers with corn kernels, rice, or barley. Seal the containers. Invite babies to shake them. SAY: God used Boaz to take care of Ruth and Naomi. Boaz gave them food. GOD’S PLAN IS PERFECT.

Check diapers, serve bottles if needed, and release babies to parents according to your church’s security guidelines. Give parents today’s big picture card. Repeat the Gospel Gems and Bible-learning activities for babies who stay a second hour.

God Judges His People 51 Toddler Activities

CIRCLE TIME (5 MINUTES) Provide Bibles for toddlers to hold. Read the key passage card to toddlers. Open your Bible to Ruth 1. Show the Bible story picture as you tell the story. SAY: God used Boaz to take care of Ruth and Naomi. GOD’S PLAN IS PERFECT. [Pray.]

PAINT WITH WHEAT Post an allergy alert. Invite toddlers to paint using real or artificial wheat stalks. Keep wipes handy for cleanup. Set aside to dry. SAY: Ruth gathered wheat in Boaz’s field. Like Boaz, Jesus helps us in times of trouble. GOD’S PLAN IS PERFECT.

WHAT FOODS DO YOU LIKE? Print and cut apart the Food Cards. Hold up the cards and invite toddlers to tell you if it is a food they like. For older toddlers, print an extra set and play a matching game with two pairs of cards. SAY: God gives us food to eat. God used Boaz to take care of Ruth and Naomi. Boaz gave them food. GOD’S PLAN IS PERFECT.

PICK UP “GRAIN” Scatter chenille craft stems on the ground and invite toddlers to pick them up. Talk about how Ruth gleaned grain in Boaz’s field. SAY: God used Boaz to take care of Ruth and Naomi. God sent Jesus to earth through Ruth’s family. GOD’S PLAN IS PERFECT.

WEIGH AND MEASURE GRAIN Post an allergy alert. Provide a bucket of rolled oats or dry rice. Invite toddlers to scoop the grains in small paper cups and place them on a kitchen scale. SAY: God used Boaz to take care of Ruth and Naomi. GOD’S PLAN IS PERFECT. Like Boaz, Jesus helps us in times of trouble.

Babies and Toddlers Leader Guide 52 Unit 9 • Session 5 Bonus Teaching Hour

RUTH AND BOAZ BIBLE PASSAGE: Ruth 1–4 KEY PASSAGE: Isaiah 33:22 MAIN POINT: God’s plan is perfect.

TRANSITION ACTIVITY: GO WHERE I GO Play music and invite toddlers to line up behind you. Go to various parts of the classroom, making sure toddlers come with you. SAY: Ruth loved Naomi. Ruth told Naomi that she would go with Naomi wherever she went, and she would love and obey Naomi’s God. God used Boaz to take care of Ruth and Naomi. Later, God sent Jesus to earth through Ruth’s family. GOD’S PLAN IS PERFECT!

SERVE A MEAL Provide toy dishes, toy food, and other household items. Invite toddlers to prepare and serve a meal together. SAY: God used Boaz to take care of Ruth and Naomi. Boaz gave them food, and he married Ruth. God sent Jesus to earth through Ruth’s family. GOD’S PLAN IS PERFECT.

TRAVEL IN SAND Set up a sand box on towels or a plastic tablecloth. Provide toddlers trucks and cars to drive over the sand, or allow them to finger-walk. SAY: Naomi and Ruth did not have cars or trucks. They had to walk to Bethlehem! God used Boaz to take care of Ruth and Naomi. Like Boaz, Jesus helps us in times of trouble. GOD’S PLAN IS PERFECT.

Check diapers, serve a snack if needed, and release toddlers to parents according to your church’s security procedures. Give parents today’s big picture card to reinforce today’s Bible story, Main Point, or Gospel Gems throughout the week.

God Judges His People 53 God Judges His People Babies and Toddlers Leader Guide • Unit 9 Session 5 Food Cards Instructions: © 2015 LifeWay OK to Print Print and cut apart the cards. Use as directed in the Babies and Toddlers Leader Guide.