Leader Guide
Object Lesson
- Bible or the Superbook Bible App
- Piece of foam board or thick cardboard
- Locking or vise-grip pliers
Practice the presentation while locking and unlocking the pliers on the foam board or cardboard until you can do it smoothly.
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.