Ruth and Naomi Lesson 26 Ruth and Naomi

Ruth and Naomi “Lesson 26: Ruth and Naomi, ” Primary 6: Old Testament, (1996), 114

What did you walk on as you came into class? • We all leave footprints as we travel through life.

• Sometimes we follow in someone else’s footsteps and try to do as they do. • However, others are watching us, and they may try to follow in our footsteps.

• Everything we do leaves an impression on someone, just as our step would leave a footprint in soft ground. • When we do something good, we set a good example for others; when we do something wrong, we set a bad example.

• We are going to learn about two women who knew the importance of both following and being good examples. • Ruth followed the good example of Naomi, and then she set a good example herself that others could follow.

The Story of Ruth and

• After many years there was a famine. It did not rain for a long time. Food would not grow. • The people became very hungry.

• A woman named Naomi lived in Bethlehem. • She and her husband took their family to a land called Moab to find food.

• Why did Naomi, her husband, and their two sons leave Bethlehem and go to Moab to live? • Let’s read Ruth 1: 1 • What happened while they were there? • Let’s read Ruth 1: 3– 5

• Naomi’s husband died there. Naomi and her two sons stayed in Moab. • Her sons married women from Moab. Their names were Ruth and Orpah.

• They lived in Moab for ten years. Naomi’s sons died there. • Naomi wanted to go back to Bethlehem. She told Ruth and Orpah to go home to their own families.

• When the famine was over and Naomi decided to go back to Bethlehem, who started the trip with her? • Let’s read Ruth 1: 7 • Why did Naomi ask her daughters-in-law to leave her and go back to their mothers? • Let’s read Ruth 1: 8– 13

• Orpah went to her family. Ruth wanted to go to Bethlehem with Naomi. • Ruth loved Naomi. She wanted to live where Naomi lived and to be with her always. • Ruth and Naomi went back to Bethlehem.

• How did the two young women respond to Naomi’s request? • Let’s read Ruth 1: 14– 17 • Why do you think Ruth chose to stay with Naomi?

• Naomi was of the house of Israel and understood the gospel. Ruth was from Moab, where they did not worship Heavenly Father. • Ruth was not only showing love for her mother-inlaw, she was accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ.

• Ruth wanted to follow Naomi’s good example and worship Heavenly Father as Naomi did. • Whose good example do you try to follow? • How do they set a good example for you?

• Think of righteous people who have been good examples to you. • What are some of the outstanding traits of these people? • I’ll write these traits on the footprints we used at the beginning of the lesson. Enrichment Activity #1

• I’ll put the footprints back down on the floor so you can take turns following the footsteps. • Say the trait written on each footstep as you step on it. Enrichment Activity #1

• How can you be a good example to others? • Here is a piece of paper and a pencil. Trace your own footprint. • Name traits you would like to develop so you can set good examples for others and I’ll write them on the board. • Choose one, or more, you want to work on and write it on your footprint. Enrichment Activity #2

• Ruth went to work in the fields to get wheat and barley. • She used them to make bread.

• What did Ruth volunteer to do so that she and Naomi would have food to eat? • Let’s read Ruth 2: 2 • “Glean “means to go into the fields after the grain has been harvested and pick up what is left.

• A righteous man named Boaz lived in Bethlehem. He had many wheat and barley fields. • Boaz saw Ruth working to get food for Naomi. He was kind to Ruth. He told her to come to his fields always. • He said God would bless Ruth for being kind to Naomi.

• • Whose field did Ruth glean in? Who was Boaz? • Let’s read Ruth 2: 1, 3 • How did Boaz help Ruth when he first met her? • Let’s read Ruth 2: 15– 16 • Why did he do this for her? • Let’s read Ruth 2: 11– 12

• Why did Boaz feel even more of a responsibility to help Ruth? • Let’s read Ruth 3: 11– 13 • Whom do you have a responsibility to help? • How can you help your parents, brothers, and sisters? • How can you help grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins?

• Ruth’s example of taking care of Naomi made Boaz realize that Ruth was a very good person. • Boaz married Ruth. Naomi was happy for her. • Ruth and Boaz had a son. Naomi helped Ruth take care of the baby. The baby’s name was Obed.

• Obed grew up and had children. His grandson was King David. • Many generations later Jesus would be born into this family.

• What kind of example did Ruth set for others? • I have some scriptures to look up. Some of you will need to share: • Ruth 1: 8 • Ruth 1: 16 • Ruth 2: 2 Enrichment Activity #4

• Now, let’s read the following statements about Ruth, one at a time. Raise your hand if you have the scripture it applies to: • Ruth was kind. (1: 8) • Ruth was loyal. (1: 16) • Ruth wanted to worship Heavenly Father. (1: 16) • Ruth worked hard. (2: 2) Enrichment Activity #4

• How can Ruth be an example for us? • Which traits of Ruth do you want to develop? Enrichment Activity #4

• Whom did Ruth marry? • First, we need to understand the marriage customs in Israel at this time. • Because Ruth’s husband had died, the closest male relation in the family was expected to marry her so she could have children.

• Boaz was not Ruth’s nearest male relation. • Her nearest kinsman said he did not want to marry Ruth, but Boaz wanted to because he knew she was a good, kind, caring woman.

• What was the name of their first son? • Let’s read Ruth 4: 17 • Who was Obed’s grandson? • Ruth’s great-grandson was David, the boy who fought Goliath and who later became king of Israel • David was an ancestor of Jesus Christ (see John 7: 42).

• Who set a perfect example for us? • How can we follow Christ’s example? • What are some incidents from the Savior’s life that will help us set good examples for others? Enrichment Activity #3

1. I’m trying to be like Jesus; I’m following in his ways. I’m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say. At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice, But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers, 2. I’m trying to love my neighbor; I’m learning to serve my friends. I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again. I try to remember the lessons he taught. Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts, saying: Chorus “Love one another as Jesus loves you. Try to show kindness in all that you do. Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought, For these are things Jesus taught. ” • Words and music: Janice Kapp Perry, b. 1938 © 1980 by Janice Kapp Perry. This song may be copied for incidental, noncommercial church or home use. Enrichment Activity #5

• I love the Savior very much and am grateful for the perfect example He set for us to follow. • I try to be a good example for you in all I do and your hope that you too will be good examples. • I testify of the importance of your choosing good examples to follow.

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