Ruth 1 teaches children that God stays faithful even in sad times, and that loving someone means choosing to stay with them. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach. Keep the pace gentle and let the children ask questions as you go.
Big Idea
God takes care of His people, even when life feels empty and sad. Ruth showed loyal love by staying with Naomi, and God was with both of them.
Memory Verse
Ruth 1:16
Ruth said, “Don’t urge me to leave you, and to return from following you, for where you go, I will go; and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God.
(WEB)
Have the children stand and place one hand over their heart on the words “where you go, I will go.” Then stretch both arms out wide on “where you stay, I will stay.” Repeat it together three times, moving slowly, so the motion helps them hold the words.
The Story: Ruth 1 for Kids
A long time ago, there was a hunger in the land of Israel. It had not rained for a long time, and the crops would not grow. A man named Elimelech, his wife Naomi, and their two sons left their home in Bethlehem. They went to live in the country of Moab, where there was food.
Life in Moab was hard for Naomi. Elimelech died, and later her two sons died too. Naomi was all alone, and she was very sad. Her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, had married her sons, and they were still with her.
One day Naomi heard that God had given food to His people back in Bethlehem. She decided to go home. She told Orpah and Ruth, “Go back to your own mothers’ houses. I hope God is kind to you.” Then she kissed them goodbye, and they all cried together.
Orpah kissed Naomi and went back to her family. But Ruth held on tight and would not leave. Ruth said, “Don’t ask me to leave you. Wherever you go, I will go. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” Naomi saw that Ruth meant it, so they walked on together.
When Naomi and Ruth came to Bethlehem, the whole town was excited to see them. But Naomi said, “Don’t call me Naomi anymore. Call me Mara, which means bitter, because God has brought me back with nothing.” Even in her sadness, Naomi still knew God was with her.
Ruth and Naomi arrived in Bethlehem at the start of the barley harvest. God was taking care of them, even though they did not yet know how.
Read It Together
Ruth 1:8-9
8 Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May the LORD deal kindly with you, as you have dealt with the dead, and with me. 9 May the LORD grant you that you may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband.” Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices, and wept.
(WEB)
Point out that Naomi prays for good things for her daughters-in-law. Ask the children to notice that Naomi thinks of others even while she is hurting.
Ruth 1:14
They lifted up their voices, and wept again; then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law, but Ruth joined with her.
(WEB)
Show how Orpah and Ruth both loved Naomi, but they chose differently. Explain that both women were sad, and that God still knows what each person chooses.
Ruth 1:20-21
20 She said to them, “Don’t call me Naomi. Call me Mara; for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?”
(WEB)
Point out that Naomi says she felt empty, but God had not forgotten her. Remind the children that it is okay to tell God honestly how we feel.
Talk About It
- What do you think Naomi felt when her husband and sons died?
- Why do you think Ruth chose to stay with Naomi instead of going home?
- How can you show loyal love to a friend or family member this week?
- What did Naomi say to God when she was sad, and what can you say to God when you feel sad?
- How do you see God taking care of Naomi and Ruth in this story?
Activity Ideas
Hearts of Friendship Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, scissors, and glue. Have each child trace and cut out a large heart, then write or draw one way they can stay loyal to a friend or family member. Glue the hearts onto a sheet of paper together to make a class heart wall. Talk about how each heart shows a way to say “where you go, I will go.”
Follow Ruth Movement Game
You will need an open space and a leader. The leader walks slowly around the room, and the children follow in a line, copying every move. Stop now and then and let the children say something they could do to stay close to someone they love. This shows how Ruth followed Naomi faithfully.
Take-Home Promise Card
You will need index cards, a pen, and a small envelope for each child. Help each child write Ruth 1:16 on the card, or a short version like “I will go with God.” Let them decorate it and take it home to put somewhere they will see it, such as by their bed. Encourage them to read it with their family during the week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Ruth 1 shows that God’s faithfulness continues even through loss, bitterness, and uncertainty. Ruth’s decision is a picture of covenant loyalty, which is a commitment to stay with someone in good and hard times. Naomi’s honesty about her pain is also a model for prayer, since she does not hide her grief from God.
Avoid overstating to children that everything bad will be made right quickly or that God always gives us what we want. Naomi’s story includes real grief, and the lesson is that God is with us in it, not that sadness disappears. Keep the focus on God’s presence and on loyal love.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for staying with us when we are sad or scared. Help us be loyal friends like Ruth, and help us trust You when life feels hard. Thank You that You are always with us, wherever we go. Amen.
