PROTECTION
WELCOME TO WEEK 4
How does God take care of you? Does he care for the things you care for? Does God protect you from things you are not even aware of? Does God want to give you a future that is especially picked out for you? Ruth discovers that God has a plan and He will take care of her.
BIBLE STORY
Let’s play a game of BINGO. I’m going to list of some clues and you can find the item it’s describing. Something you feed everyday (dog); something you water (plants); you put these in a washing machine (clothes); You set them on your bed for safe keeping during the day (stuffed animals); You place them in special bins for storage (toys); Keep them in a special case and clean it with a special cloth when you don’t wear them (sunglasses); Give them seeds to eat and nuts to crack (Birds);
All of our clues were ways we care for the things we have. Wee can care for our siblings, our grandparents, our friends, and our possessions. God has given us things to take care of and protect. God always takes care of us. He provides for our needs, guides our decisions, and loves us. God cared for Ruth and wanted to provide for her. Ruth and Naomi were hurting from the loss of their loved ones, God provided a way for them to continue on their family and be taken care of. Ruth has met Boaz who wants to marry her because he sees how loyal and loving she is to Naomi. Let’s continue reading our story of Ruth and Naomi to see how God took care of them.
Read or listen to the scripture Ruth 4
Who did Boaz go to find? (The guardian redeemer)
What did the guardian redeemer have to gain by marrying Ruth? ( a piece of land that belonged to Elimelek)
Did the other guardians redeemer want to buy the land from Naomi? (Yes)
When Boaz mentioned the land also came with Ruth, what did the relative give as a reason why he couldn’t purchase the land? (He could not endanger his own estate)
What did the relative tell Boaz to do? (For Boaz to redeem the land.
What did the people who witnessed the transaction bless Boaz with? (Many Ruth be like Rachel and Leah; may they have good standing in Ephrathah, and bear offspring like that of Perez)
BIBLE STORY ACTIVITY
Activity
Think of the Bible stories you have read and think of how God cared for the people in the story. Use this card, filled with bible characters, to play a game of Tic Tac Toe with a partner, and see if you can think of a way God provided for them. When you pick your character, if you can describe a way God cared for them, you can place an X or an O in that box. The first person to get 3 in a row wins! To continue playing without the characters, use a Tic Tac Toe board and write in your own characters as you describe how God cared for them before placing your X or O in the box.
Materials: Tic Tac Toe board printed
Alternate
Who has God given you to care for you? What are some ways they can care for you. Make a thank you list to recognize the people God has given you to care for you. After writing your list of people, say a prayer of thanksgiving to God for giving you these special people who care for you can take care of you.
Materials: sheet of paper, pencil
Independent activity:
Think of a way you can care for an animal or plant near you. God has made us stewards over the earth and the creatures on it, therefore we are to care for them. Think of something you can do to career for the plants or animals around you. For example, you can make a bird feeder to provide food for nearby birds; plant flowers for nectar for birds & bees; plant a garden to grow food for your family, Plant sunflowers for seeds to feed birds.
Materials: various items to create a bird feeder or seeds to plant
ARTS & CAFTS
CRAFT 1
Make your own handcuffs. Watch this video describing the step by step instructions on how to create this craft.
Materials: handprint, construction paper, scissors
Craft 2
Coloring page
Materials: printed coloring sheet, crayons
FOLLOW-UP
Read or listen to Matthew 6:26-34
These verses tell us that the birds of the air do not sow or reap in order to eat, and yet the Father in heaven feeds them. The flowers of the field do not labor or spin and yet they are clothed better than Solomon. Jesus then tells us that we do not need to worry for God will take care of us. We first need to seek God’s kingdom and then everything else will be added to us. Ruth focused on following God and loving Naomi, then God blessed her by caring for her needs.God gave sent to her a kinsman redeemer who would care and love for Ruth and Naomi.
Who else is our Redeemer?
How did our heavenly Redeemer save us?
What does our Redeemer ask from us in return?
Do you think Ruth had to continue gleaning in the fields after they were married?
How is a kinsman redeemer and our heavenly Redeemer alike?
Can we save ourselves from our sins?
Practical Application at Home
We often worry about the things God will provide for us daily that are needs. We know that we need food to eat and a place to live, and we worry about how those things will be provided. God cares for us not inn just the physical needs we have such as food, shelter, and protection, but also for our spiritual help. God came to be our Redeemer. He has rescued us from our sins and will give us life eternal.
It can be easy to forget all of our blessings come through God. Make a list of the things God provides and cares for you.
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?