BUDDIES
WELCOME TO WEEK 1
Who is your best friend? What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done for them or to help them? We will sometimes go to great lengths to help a friend or help make their day special. God wants us to have friendships that last and show how much we care. This month we will read about Ruth and Naomi. Although parts of their story seem like a fairytale, we can trust that God wants our story to end in an unbelievable way too!
BIBLE STORY
You are going on a trip and need to pack several items for the trip. Think of some things you might need to take if you were getting ready for a long walking journey. I need to you gather the following items, but you must do it blindfolded. As you bring back an item, I will give you a new item to search and find. If you realize you need help, you can ask a friend to help you, but you must be the one who returns the item. Send your student on a simple quest to find an object around your house. But they must be blindfolded. Have them find a friend to help them around the house to find the item.
-toothbrush
-pillow
-shoes
-a book
-backpack
-hiking boots
-flashlight
Going on your quest to find these objects was more difficult because you were blindfolded and really needed a companion to help you get around and find your items. Having a good companion can sometimes be hard to find. We know what it looks like to have a friend we can trust and want to be around. Someone who is loyal and true, a friend who will stick by you no matter what. That type of friendship can be hard to find, but God sends us people who are good companions. They can help us get through difficult situations because they stay with us. This month we are looking at the story of Ruth, and how she was a companion to someone when they were down and life was difficult. Ruth stood by Naomi and was a great companion to Ruth. Let’s read about their story in the book of Ruth.
Read or listen to the scripture Ruth 1
Why did Elimelek and Ruth and their 2 sons move to Moab? (There was a famine in Bethlehem)
After Elimelek died, what happened to Ruth and thee 2 sons?(They married Moabitee women)
What then happened to the 2 sons? (They also died)
What did Ruth plan to do after her sons died? (Move back to Bethlehem because the famine was over)
As the women began traveling to Judah, what did Ruth suggest the young ladies do? (Return to their mother’s home to remarry)
How did the daughters react to Naomi’s direction to return home? (They wept aloud)
What reason did Naomi give for the daughters to return to their home? (Naomi could not provide any more sons for them to marry but if they went home perhaps they could find another husband)
Who returned home as Naomi requested? (Orpah)
What was Ruth’s reply? (Where you go, I will go, where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, your God, my God. Where you die, I will die; and there I will be buried.)
What did Naomi tell her people to call her when she returned home? (Mara, because God had made her life bitter)
What was just beginning when they returned to Bethlehem? (The barley harvest was beginning).
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
Activity
How much do you know about your friend? Let’s find out. Think about a close friend and answer the following questions based on what you know about them. You can check to see if your answers are correct by calling to ask them, or having them check your sheet the next time you are together.
Materials: Printed questionnaire
Alternate
Make a friendship Collage. Draw or color the picture of you and your friend. Then find words or pictures from a magazine that describe what you and your friend like to do together. Paste the pictures or words around the center picture of friends.
Materials: construction paper, old magazines, scissors, glue
Independent activity:
Show your friend you care about their friendship. Create two friendship bracelets and share one of them with a friend. Use the following website to find a bracelet demonstration you can follow as well as have the supplies
Materials: based on chosen bracelet
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Coloring page
Materials: handprint, construction paper, scissors
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
Read or listen to Acts 2: 1-6
Even though Jesus returned to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to be with the disciples so they would never be alone. The Holy Spirit is with us as well, so we too have a companion. We do not have to feel alone or go through difficult situations without knowing that Jesus is with us.
How was Ruth a companion to Naomi?
How did Ruth show Naomi she loved her deeply?
Who is a good companion to you?
What do you do for your friends that makes you a good companion to them?
How is God our companion today?
What are some things you can ask of God because He is always with you?
What are some things the Bible has to say about friendship or companionship?
Practical Application at Home
There are lots of stories in the Bible about companionships that were strong such as David and Jonathan. David considered Jonathan a closer friend than a brother. Think about the story of David and Jonathan and say which friendship the statements is describing. It may describe both the friendship of Jonathan and David, or Naomi and Ruth.
Left their family to be with their friend (both)
Went to work to help take care of their friend (Ruth)
Ran away in order to keep their friend safe (David)
Was willing to give up the throne so their friend could take it (Jonathan)
Welcomed their friend into their family and community (Naomi)
Risked being killed to save their friend (Jonathan and Ruth)
Accepted an unknown future in order to stay loyal to their friend (Jonathan, David, Ruth)
Additional Resources
Outings to Reinforce Lesson
Enjoy the cool weather and take a nature walk. Observe the things God created and how they work together in His plan. What part do each of us play in God’s plan for us?