45 - Love for our Neighbours - Ruth

References

The Book of Ruth.

Notes for Servants
- Contemplate how Ruth rejected Paganism and believed in The true God. It is believed that Ruth
did notread any books about Jehovahbefore she knew Naomi. Naomi was her example and her
eternal book that filled her way with light.
- How weak our faith is when we compare it with that of that gentile girl who struggled against
darkness, hunger, poverty and misery.
- Contemplate the wonderfulreward that the Lord gave to her because she held fast to Himbravely,
sincerely and powerfully.

Objectives

General: Love everyone.

Specific:
The children will be able to
A. show love to their families and friends.
B. feel the love of their families and friends.
C. know that they will be bless through their love.

Bible Verse

(Ruth 1:16)

Teaching Aids
Felt figure and flannel board.

Instruction
(1) Review last week's lesson.
(2) Who remembers the verse?
(3) Remind the children about the church occasions for the coming week.
(4) Teacher should prepare the appropriate questions to emphasize the objectives during the
lesson.

Story Time
Amannamed Elimelechwho belonged to the clanofEphrathand who lived inBethleheminJudah,
and whose wife was named Naomi, had two sons: Mahlon and Chilion. There was a famine in the land
so he and his family went to Moab, a pagan city. The man died. Naomi was left alone withhertwo sons
who were married to Moabite girls, Orpah and Ruth. Naomi hoped to see her grandchildren, but afterten
years, her two sons died without having any children. Poor Naomi was sad and was left all alone. She
determined to go back to her motherland when she heard that the Lord blessed the people bygivingthem
a good harvest.
Orpah and Ruth did not want to leave Naomi. She said to them: "Go back home, and stay with
your families. Maythe Lord be as good to youas youhave beento me and to those who have died." But
the two girls did not want to go to their mothers as they loved Naomi. Whenshe asked them to go back
home, they wept and said to her: "We want to go with you to your people." Naomi said, "You are still
young and you must marry. I do not have other sons - and I amsorryfor you." At last Orpah agreed to
go back to her people. She said: "Naomi is right ... What shall I do, and I ama Moabite girl in a strange
land. In my country I shall feel safe." Thus, Orpah kissed her mother-in-law and went back to her people.
Naomi said to Ruth: "Orpahwent back to her people so you also must go back to your people."
But Ruth refused. "Shall I go back to Moab and leave the good hearted Naomi go alone to herland?" she
thought. Ruth said, "Do not ask me to leave you. Let me go with you. Wherever you go I will go;
wherever you live I will live. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Wherever
you die, I will die." When Naomi saw that Ruth was determined to go with her, she said nothing more.
She was pleased because Ruth showed a deep love and that she would go with her. The two ladies went
together to Bethlehem in the land of Canaan where Naomi had been living before.

Discussion
1 - Follow up the story by talking about it with the children.
2 - Continue the discussion while they do the activity.

Learning Activities
Activity Sheet.