Leader Guide

Video Leader Guide

Welcome (1 minute)

Welcome, everyone! Today we will watch a Bible story about Ruth. She is a good example of how to be faithful and kind to others—even in difficult times. Now, let’s begin the video and see what Chris, Joy and Gizmo are doing today!

Play Video 2: Chris and Joy’s Dilemma (4.5 minutes)

Chris and Joy's Dilemma

Chris is upset when his mother forgets he has planned a fun weekend at the lake with Joy’s family and volunteers him to do chores for his eccentric old aunt.

SuperTruth and Discussion (2 minutes)

The SuperTruth for today is: “I will be faithful and kind.” Let’s say that together.

Can someone tell me what the word faithful means? Loyal, reliable and trusted.

Why was Chris upset in the video? His mother committed Chris to help his great aunt on the same weekend he was going to the lake with Joy’s family.

What choice did Chris’ mother give him? He could go to the lake or help his aunt.

What would you do if you were Chris?

You will all face difficult decisions in life like Chris. You may need to choose between doing something fun or showing kindness to help someone who needs you. That’s not an easy choice for anyone to make. Let’s watch the rest of the video to see what Chris chooses to do!

Play Video 3: Bible Story and Resolution (19 minutes)

Bible Story and Resolution

Superbook takes Chris, Joy and Gizmo to meet Ruth, a young widow from Moab. The children see how she gives up everything to care for her mother-in-law, Naomi—and how God provides for both of them through the kindness of Boaz.

Play Video 10A: SuperVerse Graphic 1

Graphic loops 2.5 minutes without audio; turn off or freeze video after children repeat verse.

SuperVerse Graphic 1

SuperVerse Discussion (1 minute)

Let’s say our SuperVerse together. Ruth 1:16:

But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. 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.”

Ruth faced a difficult decision. Naomi told her to return home. Even though Naomi gave her permission to leave, Ruth stayed with Naomi, and God! She demonstrated what it means to be faithful and kind—even when it wasn’t easy.   

Let’s say our SuperVerse again. Children repeat SuperVerse.

Children will have more time to learn the SuperVerse in Small Group.

Prayer and Send-Off (1 minute)

Let’s pray. Dear God, You are kind and faithful to us every day. Help us choose to be faithful to You and to others, even in difficult times. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Let’s go to our Small Group where you will all have a chance to be a gleaner!

Teachers take children to Small Group classes for Grades 1–3 and 4–6. If the combined group is small, all children may stay together for Small Group time.

Game

Ruth was faithful and kind to Naomi. She offered to find a field where she could glean grain. Do you remember Gizmo’s definition of a gleaner? 

A gleaner is a person who collects left over crops that the harvesters leave behind in a farmer’s field. In this game, you will glean the harvest like Ruth. I am the foreman for the owner of this field. That means I’m your boss! So listen carefully to my instructions, because this owner is not as kind and generous as Boaz. You will work with a partner to glean the number of grain stalks I announce on your turn—no more! Now, let’s get to work!    

Place the two baskets at one end of the room.

Divide children into two teams; the Gleaners and the Collectors.

Children stand as teams at the other end of the room.

Two Sixth Grade helpers scatter the straws or other items on the floor.

Tell the children that the straws represent the grain in the field.

Two players from each team play at one time. For smaller classes, have one player from each team play at a time.  

Before each round, choose a number between 10 and 50 and tell the two teams the number.

You may choose even numbers and suggest that each pair divides the number to glean faster. For instance, for 28 stalks, each player in a pair will gather 14 stalks.

Shout, “1–2–3 Glean!”

Each team collects the exact number of straws needed. 

The first team to put the correct number of straws in their basket scores a point.

If a team places too many straws in the basket, the other team wins that round. 

Have children who just played take the straws from the baskets and scatter them on the floor again.

Continue play until all children have played at least one time. 

The team with the most points wins. 

Conclusion: That looked fun; you are fast gleaners! Now, let’s learn more about how Ruth and Boaz were faithful and kind. 

Teaching

Children may sit at tables for this activity. Give each child a paper plate or sheet of cardstock, plus a pencil or washable marker. Have them write “Faithful” on one side and “Kind” on the other side. If time is short, you may write the words on the children’s plates before class.

Let’s say our SuperTruth together:  “I will be faithful and kind.” 

In our story, were Ruth and Boaz faithful and kind just once, or many times? Many times.

I will read a part of the story about Ruth or Boaz, then you will vote on whether that person was being faithful or kind. To vote, choose the word on your plate, then hold up that side so I can see it. Many times, if people are being faithful, they are also being kind—so if you feel the answer is both, twirl your plate back and forth to show both answers.

1. Naomi told Orpah and Ruth to return home. Orpah left but Ruth clung to her and refused to leave her. See Ruth 1:14–18. Was Ruth being faithful, kind or both?  Faithful or both.

Ruth modeled what faithfulness means—to be trustworthy, loyal and reliable.    

2.  Ruth told Naomi that she was going into the harvest fields to glean grain. See Ruth 2:2. Was this being faithful, kind or both?  Kind.

Naomi did not ask Ruth to do this. Ruth chose to show kindness by working to find food for them to eat.

3. Boaz was wealthy and an important person in Bethlehem. See Ruth 2:1. He chose to greet his harvesters by saying, “The Lord be with you!” See Ruth 2:4. Was this being faithful, kind or both?  Kind.

Even though Boaz was a very important man in Bethlehem, was he arrogant and proud?

No, instead of being bossy or harsh, he chose to be cheerful and bless his workers.  

4. The foreman told Boaz that Ruth had been working hard except for a few minutes’ rest. See Ruth 2:6. Was she being faithful, kind or both?  Faithful.

Ruth did not know anyone was watching her—yet she still worked hard and was not lazy. She was a faithful and reliable worker who appreciated the opportunity that was given to her.

5. Boaz told Ruth to stay in his field to gather grain and to follow his workers closely. He told his workers not to treat her roughly, and he made sure she had food and water. Boaz told the workers to drop some grain on purpose for her to pick up. See Ruth 2:8–9,14–16. Was this being faithful, kind or both?  Kind.

Boaz was both generous and kind. He protected her and told his workers to take care of her needs. He even made it easier for her to find grain by ordering his workers to drop grain in her path.    

6. Ruth worked hard all day and carried the grain back to Naomi. She even brought her the food that was left over from her meal. See Ruth 2:17–18. Was this being faithful, kind or both?  Both.

After working so hard all day, some people may have wanted to keep what they got for themselves. Yet Ruth was unselfish and shared everything with Naomi. This showed both kindness and faithfulness. 

7. Ruth worked in Boaz’s fields until the end of the barley and summer wheat harvest. See Ruth 2:23. Was this being faithful, kind or both?  Faithful.

Ruth was humble and faithfully worked in Boaz’ fields for many months, through two harvests. She didn’t quit, even though it was hard work to bend over and pick up grain for hours at a time. 

8. Ruth followed all the instructions that Naomi gave her to do when she went to see Boaz one evening. See Ruth 3:5. Was this being faithful, kind or both? Faithful.

Ruth completely obeyed everything Naomi told her to do—even though Naomi could not see her. That is truly being faithful!  

9. Boaz said Ruth showed loyalty to Naomi and her family by coming to him, the family redeemer. She did not go after a younger man for a husband. See Ruth 3:7–10. Was this being faithful, kind or both?  Faithful.

Ruth showed respect and kindness to Naomi and her family. She may not have understood what Naomi and Boaz told her to do, but she carefully followed their instructions.

10. Boaz kept his word to Ruth. He redeemed the property from Naomi and took Ruth for his wife. See Ruth 3:13; 4:19–20. Was he being faithful, kind or both?  Both.

Boaz was a man of his word. He promised Ruth that he would redeem and care for her if the other family member did not. Boaz followed Jewish law and was kind to the other relative, giving him the chance to redeem the property if he desired. After Boaz and Ruth were married, a son was born to them who would inherit the family property and carry on the family name.

Conclusion: Ruth remained faithful to Naomi even in the most difficult times. God was also faithful to Ruth and Naomi and rewarded them through Boaz. He was faithful then and He is faithful today! God’s faithfulness never ends.

We read about this in Psalm 119:90 (cev):

You remain faithful in every generation, and the earth You created will keep standing firm.

Our Discipleship Challenge is about being kind and faithful. Let’s learn more about that now!

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give each child a pencil, glue stick, children’s scissors, and both pattern pieces for Gizmo’s Snow Cone Machine. Have children follow the instructions on the pattern sheets to cut out and assemble the pieces, then place the three snow cones in the door. Have them write their names on the back. Display the model you made before class and assist the children as necessary to complete their craft.

Let’s read what the first Snow Cone says. I will be faithful and kind. Learn Proverbs 3:3.

If time permits, look up and read the verse with the children. Proverbs 3:3:

Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.

Our first snow cone challenge is to memorize Proverbs 3:3 and also to look for ways that we can show faithfulness and kindness to other people.

You will see that the verse says loyalty instead of faithfulness. The two words are very close in meaning—and kindness and faithfulness are both fruit of the Spirit. God is faithful and kind, so when we give our lives to Him, He gives us faithfulness and kindness. But these are not gifts that we keep to ourselves—God gives them to us so we can share them with others. All we must do is pray, listen to God’s quiet voice speaking in our hearts, and obey Him.

Next time, I will ask if anyone can share how they showed kindness and faithfulness to others during our first snow cone challenge. 

SuperVerse

Naomi decided to return home to Bethlehem after her husband and sons died. She told her sons’ wives, Orpah and Ruth, to go back to their mothers’ homes in Moab. That country worshiped an idol—not the true God. Orpah kissed Noami good-bye and went back home, but the Bible says that Ruth clung to Naomi and would not leave. One more time, Naomi told Ruth to go home. Let’s read together what Ruth told Naomi. It is our SuperVerse today. Ruth 1:16:

But Ruth replied, “Don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. 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.”

Ruth was faithful and kind to Naomi even in a very sad and difficult time. Ruth promised to follow Naomi no matter where she went. Ruth also declared that she would serve God, too! This is an excellent example of being kind and faithful to God and others!

Divide the children into three groups. Assign them a number, 1–3. Give each group a SuperVerse slip with the matching group number. Give the groups a minute or two to memorize their part and practice saying it aloud, then bring the groups back together. Call out each group one at a time, in order, and have each group say their part of the verse at the proper time. Repeat several times, varying how they should say the verse: whispering, shouting, using robot voices, etc. Then have all the groups say the entire verse together. Children may read from the board if they need help.

If younger children are not able to memorize the entire SuperVerse, simply have them repeat it several times and be sure they understand its meaning.

Prayer

Ruth told Naomi she would go where she went and live where she lived. Wherever Naomi died, she would be buried there, also. 

Think of that for a moment. Ruth did not place any conditions on her commitment to Naomi. She did not say—if you find a nice home, in a safe city, or in a good neighborhood. She said wherever you go, I will come, and wherever you live, I will stay. Ruth even said that when Naomi died; she would not leave and eventually be buried beside her. Ruth completely surrendered her life to Naomi and God. She also called Naomi’s family her family.   

Now, think about what Ruth said and apply it to our relationship with God. Can we say that we will follow Him wherever He leads us—no matter what happens? Can we say that our commitment is for life? Can we love God’s people, no matter where they live or who they are? Let’s take some time to pray today. Ask God to help you be kind and faithful to others. Then ask God to help you be faithful to Him and trust Him completely.

Tell the children that they may look at the board to remind them of what to pray. Allow time for children to pray quietly for a minute or two.

Close in prayer. Dear God, fill us with Your power so we can follow Ruth’s example and be kind and faithful to others. God, we also pray that we would be faithful in following and serving You, because You are always faithful to us and always keep every one of Your promises. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Grain Pass Game

Divide the children into four teams, with each team standing in a row. Smaller classes may play with only two teams. Place a basket or box at one end and a pile of drinking straws or other items at the opposite end of the row.

You are going to play a game to pass the grain stalks down the line and into the basket, working as teams. That sounds easy enough, right? Well, it may be a little harder than you think!

Give a plate to each player, then hold up a straw. The first player in each row uses one hand to pick up a “stalk of grain” like this from the pile and place it on a plate. Then they will each slide it onto the next player’s plate. You must pass the grain stalk using only the plate, not your hands. The stalk will travel from plate to plate until it reaches the end of the row. The last player will then slide it into the basket. The first player can pick up another stalk as soon as the stalk is passed to the next player’s plate. If a stalk falls to the ground, it cannot be picked up during the game. This applies to a stalk that misses the basket and falls to the floor—it does not count in the final tally!    

Start the time and say “Go.” Stop the time after 30 seconds, or adjust time as necessary. A point is scored for each stalk that makes it into the basket. Play additional rounds as time permits. To make the game more difficult, you may have children stand farther apart, or have them toss the “stalks” from plate to plate.

Object Lesson

Naomi told Orpah and Ruth to leave her. She wanted them to go back to their hometowns to find new husbands. What happened?

Read Ruth 1:14:

And again they wept together, and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-bye. But Ruth clung tightly to Naomi.

Orpah returned to her home but Ruth refused to go back to her old life. She clung tightly to Naomi. What does the word cling mean? To hold onto something or someone very tightly.

Hold up the foam board or cardboard. Orpah loved Naomi but she did not cling to her.

Drop the board and let it fall to the floor. Pick it up with your hand, then hold it with the pliers—but do not squeeze the handle to lock them. Ruth clung to Naomi. Release the board with your hand but hold onto it with the pliers. 

She traveled to Bethlehem with Naomi and lived with her. She was faithful to Naomi and would not let go or separate from her. This is a powerful example of how we are to follow God faithfully. Did you know that the Bible tells us we must cling to God?     

Read Deuteronomy 10:20a:

“You must fear the Lord your God and worship Him and cling to Him.”

Yes, we must cling to God! No matter where He takes us, we must follow Him closely. In good and in hard times, we must not let go! However, God knows that sometimes, because of our human weakness, we need His power to hold on!

Ease up slightly on the pressure with the pliers and use your other hand to wiggle the board.

Isaiah 41:13 tells us:

“For I hold you by your right hand—I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.’”

Next, demonstrate how to squeeze and lock the pliers onto the board. Use your other hand to try to pull the board away from the pliers; it should not move because the pliers are locked in place.

God actually holds on to us and gives us the power to hold onto Him! Jesus tells us this in John 10:28:

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from Me.”

Let’s thank Jesus for holding onto us for all eternity! 

Prayer: Dear God, we want to hold onto You with all of our strength. Yet even when we are disobedient or unfaithful, You are always faithful. When we are weak, You are strong. We praise You for Your promise that no one can snatch us away from You! Thank You for giving us Your power, Your love, and Your protection. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen. 

Activity

Give a pencil and activity sheet to each child.

Ruth has worked hard all day gleaning grain in Boaz’s fields. The workday is over and it is time for Ruth to return home. There are many paths in the grain fields, but only two will take Ruth home. Use your pencil to find and trace the two paths that lead to Naomi’s house.

As children work, lead them in a discussion.  

Read Ruth 2:23:

So Ruth worked alongside the women in Boaz’s fields and gathered grain with them until the end of the barley harvest. Then she continued working with them through the wheat harvest in early summer. And all the while she lived with her mother-in-law.

Ruth was kind and faithful to Naomi. She offered to find a field where she could work so she and Naomi could eat. She did this faithfully for many months as she worked through the barley and the wheat harvest.

• Why do you think Ruth chose to be faithful and kind to Naomi?
• What do you think you would have chosen to do?
• Can you share a time that you chose to be faithful?
• Can you share a time that you chose to be kind?      

Conclusion: Ruth is a wonderful example of being faithful and kind. Yet, God is the best example. He is kind and faithful to us every day!  

Concentration Game

In our lesson today we learned how Boaz and Ruth were kind and faithful. Let’s say the SuperTruth together: “I will be faithful and kind.”

Behind the cards are the words to the SuperTruth and some images from our Bible story video. There is also a hidden phrase underneath the cards. It will be revealed as cards are matched and removed.

Divide the children into two teams. Teams will alternate turns. A team’s turn consists of one child choosing two cards. Flip over each card as it is guessed to show the children, and read it aloud. If the cards do not match, lay the cards back down on the board. If the cards match, remove them from the board and give them to the player who matched them. On any turn, the player may also attempt to guess the hidden phrase to win a bonus point. Play until all pairs are removed from the board. The team with the most pairs—points—wins.

Conclusion: The story of Ruth is an amazing example of kindness and faithfulness. Ruth was faithful and kind to Naomi. She also showed her faithfulness to God by leaving her homeland to worship the one true God. God showed His never ending faithfulness and kindness to Naomi and Ruth by blessing and caring for them through His faithful servant Boaz.