Ruth and Naomi

Ruth 1 - 4

Naomi grew up in the promised land, which was also called Israel.  But now she lived far away.  She had a husband and two sons.  Ruth was married to one of the sons.  

Then something sad happened.  Naomi’s husband and sons died.  Not long after that Naomi decided to go back to her homeland.  Naomi told Ruth to return to her parents, but Ruth did not want to leave her. She loved Naomi very much. “I will go wherever you go,” Ruth said.  “Your home will be my home.  Your God will be my God.” So Ruth went with Naomi to Israel.

They needed food to eat.  So each day, Ruth gathered leftover grain from the fields.  A good man named Boaz owned the field.  He wanted to help her.  So he left extra grain for Ruth to gather.

Boaz fell in love with Ruth.  They got married and had a baby boy named Obed.  God had blessed Ruth and Grandma Naomi with a brand-new family.

Discussion Questions

• Where did Naomi grow up? Israel ~ also called the promise land
• Who is Ruth?  Ruth was married to one of Naomi’s sons.
• Something terrible happened in Ruth’s life.  What happened? Her husband and two sons died.  
• Naomi wanted to return to Israel so she told Ruth to go back to live with her parents.  Did Ruth want to leave Naomi? No, she did not want to leave Naomi.  She said your home is my home and your God is my God.
• While in Israel they gathered grain for food.  Who owned the field?  Boaz 
• Did Boaz fall in love with Ruth?  Yes

Prayer

Dear God, 

Thank you for the story of Ruth and Naomi.  It is a beautiful story of friendship.  We pray that we can be good friends to each other and lead others to you.   Amen

Craft:  Friendship Wreath:

Materials Needed: 

 construction paper

color pencils/crayons/markers

scissors, and glue.  

Directions:  Take turns tracing each others hands and cut out.  On the person’s hand you traced write what you love about them.  Once you have cut out several hands glue in the shape of a wreath.  Ask your child their favorite thing about each family member or friend and then write that on their hand cut out.

Song:  The MoreWe Get Together             

The more we get together

Together, together

The more we get together

The happier we'll be

Cause your friends are my friends

And my friends are your friends

The more we get together

The happier we'll be

The more we play together

Together, together

The more we play together

The happier we'll be

Cause your friends are my friends

And my friends are your friends

The more we play together 

The happier we'll be

The more we dance together

Together, together

The more we dance together

The happier we'll be

Cause your friends are my friends

And my friends are your friends

The more we dance together

The happier we'll be

The more we get together

Together, together

The more we get together

The happier we'll be

Cause your friends are my friends

And my friends are your friends

The more we get together

The happier we'll be

The more we get together

The happier we'll be

The more we get together

The hap-pi-er we'll be

Samson

Judges 13-16

The Israelites were in trouble again.  Along came a very strong man named Samson.  God had chosen him to save the Israelites from their enemies, the Philistines.  
Samson knew that as long as he did not cut his hair, he would always be very strong.  
Samson was in love with Delilah.  The Philistines told Delilah they would pay her if she found out what make Samson so strong.  At first, Samson lied to her.
“If you tie me up with ropes,” samson said, “I will lose by strength.”  That night while Samson slept, Delilah tied him up.  Then she shouted, “The Philistines are coming!”  Samson jumped up and broke the ropes.  Delilah kissed him and asked, “Won’t you tell me your secret?”
Samson gave in and told her, “My strength is in my long hair.”  When Samson was asleep, Delilah had all his hair cut off.  Samson’s strength was gone!  the Philistines grabbed him and put him in jail. 
A while later, the Philistines were having a big party.  They brought Samson in and made fun of him.
Samson prayed to God to make  him strong one last time.  God did.

Samson pushed the pillars with all his might.  The temple came crashing down, and Samson defeated the Philistines.

Discussion Questions

God chose another man to help save his people.  What was his name? Samson
What was special about Samson? He was very strong
Where did his strength come from?  His hair 
What was his wife’s name? Deliah.  
Delilah had his hair cut and what happened?  The Philistines put him in jail

Prayer

Dear God, 
Thank you for the story of Samson and may we never forget that we find our strength in you.  Amen

Memory Verse

“See what awesome things God has done!”  
Psalm 66:5

Gideon's Battle

Judges 6-7

God’s people kept disobeying his rules.  So God allowed their enemies to take all their food away.  Again, the Israelites turned to God for help.

Again, God answered their prayers.  God chose a man named Gideon to help his people.

God sent an angel to Gideon.

“You are a mighty warrior,” said the angel.  “You will save God’s people.”  Gideon said, “But I’m from a family that isn’t rich or important.”

Then Gideon prayed to God. “I need a sign from you.  I will put some wool on the floor.  Tomorrow, if the wool is wet and the ground is dry, I will believe you.”  The next morning, the wool was wet and the ground was dry.

But Gideon wanted another sign.  He said to God, “Now if the wool is dry and the ground is wet, I will be sure you have chosen me.”  The next morning, God made the wool dry and the ground wet.

Now Gideon was sure.  He said, “God, I will do whatever you say.”

Over 30,000 men wanted to join Gideon’s army.  “That is too many,” God said. He showed Gideon how to win with only 300 men! The plan sounded strange but Gideon trusted God.

During the night, Gideon and his men surrounded the enemy camp.  They blew trumpets and smashed clay jars.  They waved burning torches in the air.  Their enemies were frightened.  This must be a huge army! they thought.  So they ran away, God’s people won!

Discussion Questions

• Did God’s people disobey Him? Yes
• Who took their food? Their enemies
• Who did God pick to help them?  Gideon 
• Was Gideon sure God wanted him to help? No, he wanted proof.  
• How many men were in Gideon’s army?  300
• Did the enemy run away?  Yes, because they thought it was huge army and they were scared.

Prayer

Dear God, 

Thank you for the story of Gideon.  We are so thankful You can do awesome things.  Amen

Memory Verses

“See what awesome things God has done!”  Psalm 66:5

Craft:  Making a Torch

Supplies:  tissue paper, popsicle sticks, and glue stick

 It’s super simple:

1 Shred the paper into small 1 inch or so shapes

2 Glue about 10-15 of them together into a rectangle.

3 Put glue on the bottom of the rectangle and roll it up onto the stick for a cool looking small torch.