Teaching

Have three children select one of the three Signpost cards in order and read it aloud, then discuss the information below. Additional material is included for Grades 4–6 to look up and discuss.

Let’s discuss the Signposts video about Ruth. Her story points us to Jesus in many ways.

Signpost 1: Lost and Empty Image of empty cup

Does anyone know the first book of the New Testament? Matthew.

The very first book is Matthew, and the very beginning of Matthew gives a list of Jesus’ relatives going back many centuries. Guess who is listed in the book of Matthew as one of Jesus’ relatives? Ruth.

Yes, Ruth was the great-grandmother of David, the King of Israel. It’s amazing to think that a poor young widow from Moab is listed in the Bible as an ancestor of Jesus! The story of Ruth is a great example of how Jesus redeems us.

Naomi, her husband and her two sons left their home in Bethlehem during a terrible famine, when there wasn’t enough to eat. They moved to Moab—and then her husband and sons died. How terribly sad! That’s why Naomi wanted to be called Mara, which means bitter. She felt completely empty.                              

Life isn’t always happy and easy. There may be times when we feel like Naomi—hurt, sad, lost, and empty. But is that the end of the story? No.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Ruth 4:21b–22:

^21b Boaz was the father of Obed. ²² Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of David.

Ruth 1:21:

“I went away full, but the Lord has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the Lord has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me?"

Isaiah 53:6:

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on Him the sins of us all.

Signpost 2: Redeemed and Restored  Image of cup turned right side up

God had a wonderful plan for Naomi and Ruth. In Bethlehem, there was a redeemer who would restore them and fill them both with joy. Boaz was their redeemer! He bought Naomi’s property, married Ruth, and provided for them. He rescued them from their hopelessness. God redeems us through His Son Jesus, who paid the price for our sins and purchased our freedom from sin and death by bleeding and dying on the cross.

In our story today, Ruth was surprised that Boaz noticed her and showed her kindness when she was a foreigner. Isn’t it amazing that God, the Creator of heaven and Earth, takes notice of us? He showed His love by sending His Son to redeem us even while we were sinners! 

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Psalm 34:22:

But the Lord will redeem those who serve Him. No one who takes refuge in Him will be condemned.

Isaiah 43:14:

This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Psalm 8:4 (cev):

Then I ask, “Why do You care about us humans? Why are You concerned for us weaklings?”

Romans 5:6–8:

⁶ When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. ⁷ Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. ⁸ But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

Signpost 3: Adopted and Filled Image of filled cup

Boaz was a kinsman-redeemer—a close relative who stepped in to save Ruth and Naomi. God is our Father in heaven, and we become part of His family when we ask Jesus to be our Savior! God chose to adopt us into His family through our Kinsman-Redeemer, Jesus! He came down from heaven to save us and bring us into a wonderful relationship with God our Father. Jesus waits to redeem us. All we must do is believe in our hearts and ask Him to be our Savior. We confess our sins and ask Him to forgive us, to come into our hearts, and to be our Lord. He fills us with hope and replaces our emptiness with good things! 

Boaz boldly spoke to the elders of the city about his intentions to redeem Naomi and Ruth. Today, Jesus speaks boldly on our behalf before God’s throne. He is our Advocate, our Counselor, and our Redeemer. Through Him, our lives overflow with blessings!

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Romans 10:9–10:  

⁹ If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.

Ephesians 1:5:

God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure.

Psalm 103:4–5a:

⁴ He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. ⁵ He fills my life with good things.

Ephesians 1:3:

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.

1 John 2:1:

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the One who is truly righteous.

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give a Gizmo Snow Cone Machine Pattern to children who were not present for the previous lessons and explain how to make it at home. Display the model you made.

Our Snow Cone Challenge last time was to learn Hebrews 13:16. Can anyone say it by heart?

And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.

Why do you think that the verse calls sharing a sacrifice?

Did you remember to pray and ask God to help you share your blessings with someone?

What happened when you prayed?

God has set us free from sin and death to serve Him. Our third Snow Cone says, “I will tell others about my Redeemer. Look up and learn Psalm 107:2.” Our challenge is to tell someone else that God has redeemed you—how He has set you free to love and serve Him.

Also, let’s learn Psalm 107:2:

Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others He has redeemed you from your enemies.

As you pray until our next lesson, thank Jesus for redeeming you and setting you free, then ask Him to show you someone you can share the Good News with!