Game / Bible / Life Connection:  Two are Better than One in the Game / In the Bible Ruth Helped Naomi & Both Were Stronger / In your Life God Wants You to Help Others

This is Step 1

1. Divide children into two teams. “Team Solo” and “Team Helpmate”
   2. Explain “Team Solo” must follow these rules: only one player runs at a time, the player must “run” holding on leg behind their back holding it with both hands, if they let go      with either hand they have to go back and start over again.
   3. Explain “Team Helpmate” must follow these rules: one player must “run” holding on leg behind their back holding it with one hand, the other hand they can put on the              shoulder of another team mate, their helpmate.
   4. When five players from each team have race have them sit down. “Team Helpmate” will win every time. Allow children to rotate and play all roles.

 Game / Bible / Life Connection:    Two are Better than One in the Game / In the Bible Ruth Helped Naomi & Both Were Stronger / In your Life God Wants You to Help Others

Best friends: Anita and Priya were neighbours. They were friends since childhood. They went to the same school and travelled on the same school bus. Anita had polio and was three years older than Priya, but that did not matter. They always sat together and chatted on the bus. Priya volunteered to carry Anita’s school bag all the way to her classroom every morning. In the evening too she did the same, and cheerfully said goodbye to her at her gate every day.  Their friendship was special!

Do you have a best friend? What would you do for your best friend?

Mother-in-Law: Can a mother-in-law be a friend? Can she be as important as a loving mother? Let’s find out from the story of Ruth and Naomi.

Elimelek and his wife Naomi had two married sons.  Their wives were Ruth and Orpah. During the days of Judges, there was severe famine in Bethlehem, so they all went to live the country of Moab. Sadly, while they were in Moab, Elimelek and his two sons died. Naomi and both her daughters-in-law became widows. Naomi decided to return to Bethlehem. Ruth and Orpah wanted to go with her, but Naomi thought it would be better if they stayed in their own land with their parents. Naomi kissed them and they wept aloud.  Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye and went back to her parents’ home. Ruth did not leave Naomi. She decided to go wherever her mother-in-law
went. Ruth firmly said to Naomi, “I will go wherever you go… Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God.” Naomi took her along and they both returned to Bethlehem as widows. Ruth had stayed loyal to her mother-in-law.

Boaz: In Bethlehem, the two widows began a very difficult but fresh life. Ruth went to work in a field every day to pick up leftover grain. The field belonged to Boaz who was from a clan of Elimelek.  Boaz saw Ruth’s hard work and commitment. Later Boaz the rich man married Ruth the loyal widow and they became the great grandparents of King David!  Praise God! God rewarded Ruth for her loyalty and kindness towards her mother-in-law, Naomi.  

The stories of Ruth and Naomi, and Priya and Anita, show that relationships based on biblical values and principles can make life blessed.

  Game / Bible / Life Connection:      Two are Better than One in the Game / In the Bible Ruth Helped Naomi & Both Were Stronger / In your Life God Wants You to         Help Others

Memory Verse:  “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