Naomi and Ruth

Explore the brave and remarkable Old Testament story of Ruth, daughter-in-law to Naomi and great grandmother to David, who would be king of ancient Israel and ancestor of Jesus. Ruth makes a commitment filled with love to Naomi not only to stay by her side after the death of their spouses, but to follow her to Naomi’s homeland, a foreign land for Ruth. Upon arriving in Bethlehem, Ruth and Naomi experience the kindness of strangers as glean wheat from the land. Strangers become protectors and soon to be family as Naomi encourages the courtship of Ruth and Boaz. Ruth and Naomi are examples of women of courage and faith as they face challenges and trust in God.

Stories included in this unit:

• Leaving Moab Ruth (1:1–19a)
• Ruth and Naomi’s New Life in Bethlehem (Ruth 1:19b–21, 2:1–23)
• Naomi’s New Family (Ruth 4:1–17)

Growing in God’s Love: A Story Bible Curriculum invites children and their leaders to wonder, play, and connect with one another as they develop a better relationship with God. By exploring the stories in Growing in God’s Love: A Story Bible, children and their leaders learn more about who God is and what their relationship is with God. This curriculum has 35 units filled with 148 stories from the story Bible that dive deep into characters and themes in the Bible. Children and their leader will read the story together from the story Bible, pause to allow the story to resonate, and then engage with the story and wrestle with their place in that story.

Growing in God’s Love: A Story Bible Curriculum is written for ages 5–10 and is intentionally multiage, meaning that children are all grouped together. Grouping children this way brings a relational focus to the sessions and fosters a collaborative spirit. The curriculum also includes an intergenerational component with four suggestions for intergenerational and home ideas for each session within a unit. Those ideas include suggestions for things to do in worship, more education-focused ideas, ways to connect with one another, and mission ideas. This adds another dimension to learning and helps the children connect to the congregation, creating a holistic approach to children’s ministry.