Love And Loyalty
New to GameLife 123 Bible Discovery? Click here to become a More Effective Bible Teacher!
Love And Loyalty / Ruth 1-4
Bible Truth: God rewards those who are faithful and loyal
“Are you ready for the Joy of Discovery? Unlock the One Main Truth: It’s an adventure in the Game, a revelation in the Bible, and it will transform your Life. Let’s take one step closer to becoming a Champion for Eternity!”
In the Game: “Two Are Stronger than One in the Game”
In the Bible: “Ruth Helped Naomi and Both Were Stronger”
In Your Life: “God Wants You to Help Others and Both will be Stronger”
1 GAME EXPERIENCE: Hopper and Helper
“Boys & girls, let’s play a game and have fun!“
1. Divide the children into two teams: “Team Solo” and “Team Helpmate.”
2. Mark a starting line and finish line in the dirt or use masking tape for indoors.
3. Distance between starting line and finish line should be a minimum of 50 feet.
4. For “Team Solo,” explain the rules: Team Solo runs alone by their self, and must “run” while holding one leg behind their back with both hands. If they let go with either hand, they have to go back and start over.
5. For “Team Helpmate,” explain the rules: One player must “run” while holding one leg behind their back with one hand. They can place their other hand on the shoulder of another teammate, who becomes their helpmate.
6. Both Team Solo and Team Helpmate will start race at the same time.
7. Races may be conducted with more than one Team Solo and Team Helpmate at a time. After a race, the participants sit down. Note that “Team Helpmate” will win every time due to their cooperative strategy.
8. Allow the children to rotate roles and play all positions to ensure everyone gets a chance to participate and have fun.
2 BIBLE DISCOVERIES: Gospel & Truth - Ruth 1-4
“Boys & girls, listen carefully. Can you uncover today’s powerful Bible Discovery? Ready?”
THE CIRCUMSTANCE: (Ruth 1:1-5)
Children today we are going to learn of a love story between a mother-in-law and her daughter-in-law. In the days when judges ruled over Israel, a famine came to the land. shadow over Bethlehem. A man named Elimelech, along with his wife Naomi and their two sons Mahlon and Chilion, left their home in Bethlehem in search of food in the land of Moab. After Elimelech’s death, Naomi was a widow and her sons married Moabite women, Orpah and Ruth. Sorrow struck once more as both sons also died, leaving Naomi in deep sorrow grieving for her sons and their wives were now widows. (Children make your fist go down your face as tears)
THE CHOICE: (Ruth 1:16b)
Word spread that the Lord had visited His people back in Judah, blessing them with food. Upon hearing this, Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem, urging her daughters-in-law to remain in Moab. Orpah eventually made the choice to stay, but Ruth’s decision to go with Naomi showed her love and devotion to Naomi and her God. She then pledged her decision with these words of love, which are in our bible today; “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16b). Everyone let’s say it together “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God”. You did great! What wonderful words for Ruth to say to Naomi and God. This history marks a key moment when love ruled over cultural boundaries. Ruth showed loyalty, and love, to Naomi. Her choice to embrace Naomi’s family and God’s people, despite her own cultural background, is a powerful reminder of the beauty of love and how God calls individuals into his family.
THE CONSEQUENCE: (Ruth 1:19 – 2:23)
When Naomi and Ruth returned to Bethlehem, her relatives and townspeople asked her, what had happened to her family while they were away. Naomi’s deep sorrow showed as she asked to be called “Mara,” a name reflecting her bitterness over the death of her husband and sons. Ruth’s courage led her to glean in the fields to provide food for Naomi and herself. Boaz, a close relative, recognized Ruth’s kindness and virtue. He spoke with the man in charge of his fields, to make sure of Ruth’s safety while working in his fields. After a while of working in the field at night when they were winnowing (sorting, separating the barley seeds from the bad stuff) Ruth made bold request for Boaz’s protection as a kinsman-redeemer. Boaz’s response to Ruth’s request was one of admiration for he knew how she had helped Naomi and followed the true God. Boaz willingly fulfilled the role of kinsman-redeemer, and his marriage to Ruth brought forth a son, Obed. Boys and girls put your arms together as if you were holding a baby like Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz did with their little baby boy Obed. The town celebrated Naomi’s change from bitterness to joy, as she cradled her grandson in her arms. Little did they know, this
history held divine significance, for Obed would become the grandfather of King David, an ancestor of Jesus Christ our savior. The history of Ruth and Boaz is a testament to God’s intricate plan of redemption, woven through their choices and actions (Ruth 3:1-4:22).
“Boys & girls, what did we discover about God in this Bible History? (Coaches: answers will vary.) Let’s become great discoverers by asking some fun & challenging questions. Ready?”
3 LIFE CONNECTIONS: Connecting Jesus to Every Child
(1) Bible Truth Planted in MY HEART, Growing MY ATTITUDE
POWER WORDS: “Where you go I will go, where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.” Ruth 1:16b
Sometimes when reciting the memory verse, I like to clip my hands with a beat to
the words. It will help the child to remember the words easier.
(2) Bible Truth Rooted in MY MIND, Leading MY CHOICES
POWER QUESTIONS:
Game Questions:
- How was the game played?
- What parts of the game were easy for you? What parts were challenging?
- Was Ruth’s helping Naomi a lot like our game today? How can we serve others?
“Boys & girls, that sounds a lot like what we just discovered in the Bible!”
Bible Questions:
- Circumstance: Where did the history take place, and who was there
- Choice: What important decision did [name] have to make?
Was it a good choice or a bad choice, and why do you think [name] made that choice? - Why did Ruth go back with Naomi? (Ruth loved Naomi and Naomi’s God the God of Israel)
- What godly attitudes did Ruth show towards Naomi? (Love, loyalty, commitment, faithfulness).
Life Questions:
- Circumstance: When have you (today or in the future) been in a similar situation as [name] in the Bible history?
- Have you ever faced a choice, which required sacrifice and commitment? How can Ruth’s dedication inspire you to make choices driven by love and faith?
- Choice: What would you do if you were in [name]’s situation? Have you ever faced a similar decision? What did you choose?
- What part of the main truth in Ruth’s story would help you to be more kind and helpful to others in our family, community, and schools?
- “Boys & girls, what did we discover about God in this Bible History? (Coaches: answers will vary.) Let’s become great discoverers by asking some fun & challenging questions. Ready?”
(3) Bible Truth Today Committed in MY SOUL, Inspiring MY ACTIONS
POWER PRAYER: Repeat After Me “God help please help me to be a loyal friend and to always be there for my friends whatever situation they may be going through, may it be good or bad. Holy Spirit who do you want me to help?
***Boys & girls, let’s be still and quiet, open your heart to hear God’s whisper.***”
(Coach, wait at least 14 seconds, allowing God to connect to every child)
Jesus, please give me the courage to obey and share this truth.”
Ask the children what is their favorite worship song and then sing several worship songs with Strong & Powerful Worship Motions
(Click here for worship songs
“GameLife Strong & Powerful Worship Motions”)
Now, remember to share this truth,
practice this truth, and bring a friend back with you! Boys and girls, let’s go out as the
“Champions for Eternity” that God expects us to become!