DLTK's Sunday School Lessons
Women of the Old Testament Pt1: Ruth and Naomi
by
Sunday School Teacher's Guide - this is just one possible lesson plan. Visit the Ruth and Naomi Bible lesson plan for further ideas to supplement this.
Introduction:
This next set of lessons talk about some of the women in the Old Testament. There are so many men who are talked about in the Bible and sometimes we forget about the women and their importance. The stories may not be as action packed but they still teach important lessons that we can follow. This story will focus on loyalty and friendship, God gives us friends so we can support and love each other. Sometimes those friendships change but God's commitment to us never changes.
The message:
Preschool thru Grade 1: God gives us
friends. Be a good friend.
Grades 2 and 3: God gives us friends. Love and support each
other without expecting something in return.
I've split this message into two separate ones depending on the age level. For the younger children, the message is simple: God gives us friends, be a good friend. For the older children, we expand on this message and say: We need to love and support our friends without expecting something in return. Being a good friend takes a lot of work and Ruth and Naomi are good examples how we can treat each other.
Make sure you repeat the message many times during the lesson. Send the Ruth and Naomi Take Home Sheet home with the children to encourage parents to reiterate the message during the week. It includes a poster at the bottom that the children can color and hang on their wall or refrigerator.
Preview of the lesson:
Some people like to do craft time first and story time second and some like to switch it around. I like the first option, myself.
Always consider offering Ruth and Naomi Coloring Pages for children who aren't interested in participating in the group activity (or if you get done the group activities very quickly and need something to fill in the spare time). Everyone has a need for "alone time" once in awhile. Also, sending home the coloring pages with the Take Home sheet provides parents with much needed help in reinforcing the lessons. You can make a nice little booklet each week with the Take Home Sheet on top -- I promise that most parents will appreciate the effort!
Description |
Time Allotted |
Supplies |
| Welcome! Receive name tags. Have the children use crayons, markers, yarn, feathers and whatever other materials (such as sparkle glue) that you have available to personalize their name tag. Sing the Learning our Names song |
10 to 15 minutes | Seed name tags, scissors (or adults can precut), crayons, markers, yarn, safety pins or tape. |
Craft time! Preschool thru Grade 1: Make the Ruth (gathering wheat) tp craft. Grade 2 and 3: Make a Friendship Bracelet. Depending on the amount of material you can buy, each child could make two, one for themselves and a matching one for their friend. Talk about why Ruth and Naomi were such good friends and how they can be a better friend. |
15 to 30 minutes depending on your adult/child ratio |
Preschool thru Grade 1: Ruth craft template. Toilet paper tube, a printer, a piece of paper, some crayons, scissors, and glue (or tape).
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Bible Story Time: Preschool thru Grade 1: Read The Story of Ruth and Naomi (or read from your own store bought children's bible). Grades 2 and 3: It's tough to know when it's the right time to start readings from the Bible, but if the children have been read a children's version of the story in the past, I believe this is a good age to introduce the King James (or your preferred) bible reading. |
10 minutes | The Coloring Pages can be distributed to the children so they are able to color at home, or during the story. |
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Closing: Preschool thru Grade 1: depending on the time remaining ask the children what is a friend? What do they like about their friends? What things do they do that makes them a good friend (say they're sorry, share, etc.)? How can we be a better friend? Grade 2 and 3: depending on the time remaining ask the children if they know what it means to be loyal. Why is it hard to be loyal to our friends sometimes? Would God want us to be loyal to all our friends, even if our friends are telling us to do something wrong? How do we know who are real friends are (prayer, talk to our parents, someone who is looking out for our best interest).
Standard ending song: "We Love to Learn Together" |
5 to 15 minutes | Brainstorm Board (chalkboard, whiteboard, poster board,...) Use the Friendship Wreath as a bulletin board idea for this lesson.
Words to: Standard ending song: "We Love to Learn Together"
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