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    Ruth and Naomi: Sunday School Lesson

    Ruth 1–4

    Ages 5–11 ~40 min Memory: Ruth 1:16
    Download printable worksheet PDF

    Big Idea

    God's loving-kindness writes our small acts of loyalty into His big story of salvation.

    Story Summary

    Naomi lost her husband and both her sons in the land of Moab and was left with her two daughters in law. When she returned to Bethlehem, Orpah went back, but Ruth clung to her: 'Whither thou goest, I will go… thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.' Ruth gleaned in the field of Boaz, a kinsman of Naomi. Boaz redeemed Naomi's family land and married Ruth. Their son Obed was the grandfather of King David — and the great ancestor of the Lord Jesus.

    Read the full retelling →

    Memory Verse (KJV)

    “Whither thou goest, I will go... thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.”

    Ruth 1:16

    Discussion Questions

    1. Why did Ruth refuse to leave Naomi?

      Teacher hint: She loved Naomi and chose Naomi's God as her own (Ruth 1:16).

    2. Where did Ruth and Naomi go to live?

      Teacher hint: Bethlehem, in Judah (Ruth 1:19).

    3. What did Ruth do to get food?

      Teacher hint: She gleaned barley in the fields (Ruth 2:2).

    4. Who was Boaz and what did he do?

      Teacher hint: A kinsman-redeemer who married Ruth and bought back the family land (Ruth 4:9-10).

    5. How did God use Ruth's loyalty in His bigger plan?

      Teacher hint: She became the great-grandmother of King David and an ancestor of Jesus (Matthew 1:5).

    Craft Idea: Barley Bouquet Card

    Supplies

    • Card stock folded as a card
    • Yellow yarn or paper strips cut into barley stalks
    • Markers or crayons
    • A Ruth 1:16 label

    Steps

    1. Glue the yellow barley stalks onto the front of the card as a small bouquet.
    2. Write 'Whither thou goest, I will go' across the top.
    3. Inside, draw two figures hugging — Naomi and Ruth.
    4. Stick the Ruth 1:16 label inside to take home.

    Printable Worksheet

    The printable bundle includes the story page, a Ruth 1:16 memory-verse card, a 10-question quiz worksheet with answer key, and a Ruth and Naomi coloring page.

    Download PDF Take the quiz online Coloring page This Sunday's lesson

    Lesson flow (45 minutes)

    1. Welcome (5 min): Pray, then read the memory verse aloud three times together.
    2. Story (10 min): Tell the story summary in your own words; open a KJV to Ruth 1–4.
    3. Discussion (10 min): Walk through the questions above. Let every child answer at least once.
    4. Craft (15 min): Make the barley bouquet card.
    5. Wrap-up (5 min): Hand out the worksheet to finish at home and recite the memory verse one last time.

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    Where to go next

    Teaching Ruth and Naomi? Here is what to grab next for your class.