Ruth Chooses Naomi — Wherever You Go Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “Ruth stayed with Naomi.”
Naomi lived in the town of Bethlehem. This was before God’s people had a king. One year there was a famine in the land. A famine is a time when no food grows. So Naomi’s family moved far away, to the land of Moab. Her husband was named Elimelech. Her two sons were Mahlon and Chilion.
In Moab, Naomi’s husband died. Her two sons got married. Their wives were named Orpah and Ruth. Can you say their names? Orpah and Ruth!
They lived there about ten years. Then Naomi’s two sons died too. Now Naomi had no husband and no sons. She was very sad. Orpah and Ruth were sad too.
Then Naomi heard some news. The LORD had given his people bread again, back in Bethlehem. So Naomi set off for home. Orpah and Ruth went with her.
On the way, Naomi stopped. “Go, return each of you to her mother’s house,” she said. “May the LORD deal kindly with you.” To deal kindly means to be good to you. She kissed them, and they all cried.
“No,” they said. “We will return with you to your people.” But Naomi said, “Go back, my daughters.” She had no more sons. She could not give them a new home. And they all cried again.
Orpah kissed Naomi goodbye, and she went back home. But Ruth held on to Naomi. Ruth stayed with Naomi. Can you give someone a big hug?
“Look,” said Naomi. “Your sister-in-law has gone back. Follow her.” But Ruth said, “Don’t urge me to leave you. Where you go, I will go; and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God.” To urge means to keep asking. Ruth said she would stay with Naomi for the rest of her life.
Naomi saw that Ruth had made up her mind. She would not go back. So Naomi stopped asking. Ruth stayed with Naomi.
So the two of them walked all the way to Bethlehem. Ruth came from Moab. Bethlehem was a new land for her, with new people. It was a long way, over hills and down roads. Step, step, step. Can you walk in place with Ruth and Naomi? Ruth stayed with Naomi.
When they came to Bethlehem, the whole town was excited. “Is this Naomi?” the women asked. Naomi answered. “I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty.” Full means she had a husband and two sons. Empty means they were gone.
But Naomi was not alone. She had Ruth, who loved her. Ruth stayed with Naomi.
It was the beginning of the barley harvest. That is the time when people cut the grain in the fields. There would be food in Bethlehem.
God had given bread to his people again. And God was taking care of Naomi and Ruth. Ruth stayed with Naomi.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- Why do you think Ruth wanted to stay with Naomi?
- What do you think Ruth and Naomi talked about on their long walk?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Draw a line to who said it.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“Your people will be my people, and your God my God” — Ruth 1:16 (Your people → point to a friend; my people → hand on your heart; your God my God → point up high with both hands)
Dear God, thank you for friends who stay with us. Thank you that you take care of us when we are sad. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Love that stays
Memory verse: “Where you go, I will go; and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God.” — Ruth 1:16 · WEB
The Bible story
When sadness leaves Naomi all alone in a faraway land, one loving young woman named Ruth makes a brave promise that will change both their lives forever.
Talk about it
- Why did Naomi's family leave Bethlehem at the start of the story? — There was not enough food
- What far-away land did Naomi's family travel to? — Moab
- What were the names of the two young women who married Naomi's sons? — Ruth and Orpah
- What very sad thing happened to Naomi? — Her husband and sons died
- Why did Naomi decide to go back to Bethlehem? — God gave Bethlehem food again
- What did Naomi first tell Ruth and Orpah to do on the road? — Go home to their mothers
Where is Jesus in this story?
Ruth's promise never to leave Naomi is a beautiful picture of God's promise never to leave us. Just as Ruth chose to stay and bring hope, Jesus came to stay close to us and rescue us with His love. And there is a wonderful surprise in this story: Ruth became the great-grandmother of King David, and from that very family Jesus was one day born — so Ruth's loving choice became part of God's big rescue plan for the whole world.
What God wants to tell us
Ruth shows us that real love does not run away when life gets hard. When Naomi was sad and lonely, Ruth chose to stay close and care for her. God loves us in that same way — He never leaves us, no matter where we go or how we feel. And when we love others faithfully, we are showing them a little bit of God's own gentle, never-giving-up love.
Prayer
Father God, thank You that You never leave me alone. Help me to love others the way Ruth loved Naomi, staying kind and close even when things are hard. Thank You for always holding my hand. I love You. Amen.
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