Ruth
(The Book of Ruth)
September 21, 2025
Sunday Recap
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Sunday Recap •
Hey Fams!
The book of Ruth weaves a redemption story that begins with one family from Bethlehem and points toward the Messiah born in the same city. In the story of Ruth, we see how God sees and cares for His people, even demonstrating His love for the nations through a Moabite woman who became a part of Jesus’ lineage. God’s provision for not only Ruth, but all people, is revealed through the theme of a redeemer.
What does Ruth’s story teach us about our need for redemption? How does faith play a role in this book of the Bible?
In the time of the judges, famine overtook the land of Judah. So, a man named Elimelech traveled with his family to the land of Moab. Eventually, Elimelech and his two sons died, leaving his wife Naomi and her two daughters-in-law seemingly without provision or protection in their time of need. Naomi granted her late sons’ wives to return to their homelands, yet Ruth swore to remain with Naomi and declared that Naomi’s God would be her God too.
Ruth remained faithful to Naomi and took to the fields to glean grain for them both. It was there she received kindness from the field’s owner Boaz, whom she soon learned was their family redeemer. Boaz had the power to bring Ruth and Naomi back into Elimelech’s family so their lineage would continue. He took Ruth as his wife to provide her with the food and protection she needed. Like Ruth, we need provision, but our need goes even further: salvation from sin. The kindness of Jesus led Him to the cross to redeem us amid our sinful state.
Lead the kids in your care to see that this story goes beyond mere physical provision to reveal a God who made the way to offer us salvation. Pray that your children will see God’s sovereign hand at work in this story and that they will trust in Jesus as the perfect and final Redeemer.
** Next week: Samson Was Born and Called (1 Samuel 1-3)
Family Discipleship Plan
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Family Discipleship Plan •
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Read the Book of Ruth from the Bible.
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Can you imagine what it would be like to go deep inside a cave with no flashlight? The heavy darkness of an unlit cave is the ultimate example of what it means to feel alone and how scary that can be!
When we read the story of Naomi, we see how she was experiencing loneliness and sadness. Her husband and sons had died, and she was in a strange land with just her two daughters-in-law. So, Naomi decided she would return to her home in Bethlehem, but she gave permission for the two younger women to return to their families in Moab. But Ruth said to Naomi, “Where you go, I will go...your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” So, the two women returned to Bethlehem together.
Ruth’s decision to follow Naomi was also a decision to trust and follow the one true God. The love they had for one another and for God helped them to return to Bethlehem as a family. And God continued to add to that family through Boaz—who married Ruth and bought back the land Naomi’s family had lost. Through Ruth and Boaz, God had completely restored the inheritance and the family of Naomi. Not only that, but Ruth and Boaz had a son named Obed. When Obed grew up, he was the father of Jesse, who was the father of King David! God made Naomi’s family a part of Jesus’ family tree!
Boaz cared for Ruth and Naomi. In a much greater way, Jesus is our Redeemer. Sin leaves people alone and separated from God, but Jesus died and rose again to pay for the sins of those who believe in Him and to make the way for them to be adopted into His family.
Ruth was in great need and unable to provide for herself. God provided Boaz as her redeemer. We are in great need and unable to save ourselves from our sin. God provided Jesus as our Redeemer.
Pray: God, You provided for Ruth and Naomi when they were in great need, and You have provided for us in our greatest need. Thank You for sending Jesus to take our punishment on the cross. Amen.
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Preschool:
God gives us all we need in Jesus.
Older Kids:
My God will meet all your needs. He will meet them in keeping with his wonderful riches. These riches come to you because you belong to Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19 NIrV
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Mornings
Praise God for the friends who love you, help you, and encourage you to follow God. What qualities make a great friend? How are these people a gift from God to you?
Evenings
Thank God for your family. Thank Him for the ways they have protected and provided for you.
Ask God to remind you of how Jesus has provided the forgiveness we need and how we are welcomed into His family when we trust in Him!
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For Fun
Do some research to discover more about your family lineage. Interview elderly relatives or use photo albums to introduce your kids to their heritage. Be sensitive to kids in your home who may be in foster or adoptive situations and those who may or may not have information on their biological family trees. Discuss the ways God has knit your family together. As you talk about your family, discuss the story of Ruth. Talk about what it means to be a part of God’s family and how Jesus has made that possible through His sacrifice.
To Serve
Make cards or treats for the widows in your local church. Talk with kids about how Jesus is our comfort in hard times and how everyone who believes in Him is welcomed into God’s family.