3/4-Year-Old Guide Sunday School Editionhwcdn.net/d3u9i9g7/cds/tru/SamplesPage/TW_SS_1-11_3s-4s_Ruth.… · 2012 D C C 3 111 Sunday School Edition Equip As God’s children, we’ve

Sunday School Edition

SCHEDULE

Connect5–10 minutes

Gather20–25 minutes

Engage15–20 minutes

Respond15–20 minutes

Bless10 minutes

L E S S O N

date:_____________

3/4-Year-Old Guide

1.11date:

© 2012 David C Cook. TruResources are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Church and a national network of family and children’s ministry leaders. All rights reserved.

Bible Passage: Ruth 1—4(Ruth)

REMEMBER VERSE Serve one another in love.

Galatians 5:13b

God Blesses Us through Others

Environment: SERVINGIn this lesson we see the environment of SERVING highlighted in the posture Ruth and Boaz took before God, which created a fertile ground for God to use them as a blessing to each other, and, later, to the world.

2© 2012 David C Cook

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N O T E S :Inspire

I began my eighth-grade year at a brand-new school, in a new city, without a friend to my name. It was a horrible feeling not to know anyone, and I dreaded the first day, especially lunchtime, when I would be forced to sit alone for an entire hour.

There was a girl I noticed in a few of my classes that morning, named Lindsay. She was very social and appeared to have a lot of friends at the school. As we were leaving our last class before lunch, she started a conversation with me. “You’re new, right? Where are you from?” she asked. And before I knew it, she’d invited me to sit with her and her group of friends at lunchtime. I was relieved that someone had reached out to me and blessed me in my moment of greatest need.

Lindsay and I became good friends, even through our high school years. It was because of her willingness to step out and welcome me into her community that I was able to transition into a new school during a very awkward time in my life.

God used Lindsay to bless me in many ways. It was through her friendship that I began attending her church and eventually rededicated my life to Christ. I often think back to that moment and how the small act of kindness and obedience of a young girl helped change the entire trajectory of my life. It would have been just as easy for Lindsay to sit with her friends that day and ignore the new girl she’d met in class. But instead, she allowed God to use her life to bless another.

RaeLynn LottTruWonder Team


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Equip

As God’s children, we’ve been blessed. We, in turn, can be a blessing to others. Ruth, a Moabite woman, chose to bless others through her life. Shortly after becoming a widow, Ruth made a pledge to stay with her mother-in-law, Naomi, rather than return to her homeland to find a new husband. In doing this, Ruth agreed to walk away from the gods of her youth to serve Yahweh, the one true God.

During this time and in this culture, women were entirely dependent upon their husbands. The outlook for widows was limited; if a woman’s husband died, she would rely upon her son for support. But neither Ruth nor Naomi had a son. Their only hope was that Ruth would be able to enter into a “levirate marriage,” when a family member would marry the widow of a deceased relative in order to continue the family line. This man is often referred to as a family- or kinsman-redeemer. The role of kinsman-redeemer also allowed for the purchasing back of land and settling of any debt of the deceased. If Ruth could enter into this type of relationship, both she and her mother-in-law would be provided for.

God used Boaz to bless Ruth for her faithfulness. Boaz gave Ruth and Naomi provision and protection. But there is a greater picture of God’s blessing in this part of The Big God Story. The union of Boaz and Ruth is an important one, for God used them to become the great-grandparents of King David and ancestors of the Messiah. Jesus would be the ultimate Redeemer who would bless the entire world.

Further Resources

Young Children and the Arts: Making Creative Connections, a Report of the Task Force on Birth to Age Eight, pp. 6–13. (http://www.aep-arts.org/files/publications/Young%20Children .pdf)

Environnment of SERVING

This posture of the heart asks the question, “What needs to be done?” It allows the Holy Spirit to cultivate a sensitivity to others and focuses on a cause bigger than one individual life. It helps fulfill the mandate that as Christ followers we are to view our lives as living sacrifices that we generously give away!

The 10 environments guide us in creating a climate that puts God on display. Encourage your families to discover more about creating the environment of SERVING in their homes by checking out HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource and Spiritual Parenting by Michelle Anthony.

http://www.aep-arts.org/files/publications/Young%20Children.pdf




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Support

God has put people in our lives to bless us along our journey: family, friends, teachers, mentors, and even seemingly random encounters with strangers. God uniquely orchestrates the events in our lives to bless His people.

Take a moment to reflect on your day. Who did God uniquely use in your life to bless you on this day? Now think back to the past week. Which people or faces stand out in your mind as those who played a role in blessing your week? Take your time; it’s often easy to overlook the small roles, and yet they might have greatly blessed you. Now stretch your mind back even further; consider those God has used in the past month to bless your life. Write down the names and faces you remember. Spend some time in thanksgiving to God for providing people in your life to bless your days.

Just as others have blessed us, it’s God’s desire that we would be a blessing. This week, be intentionally aware of the people and the needs around you. What would God have you do? How would He have you play a role in blessing the lives of the people you come in contact with on a daily basis? Look at your day with fresh eyes—eyes focused on blessing others as you have so been blessed.


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Lesson Overview

N O T E S :

Experience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare

Connect:: 5–10 min.

Welcome and allow children todevelop relationships with theirleaders and one another in afree-flowing setting.

Sorting It OutOPTION 1:• uncooked rice• dried beans• shoe boxes or plastic bins• disposable cups• optional: plastic tablecloth or trash bag

OPTION 2:• Grain Activity Sheets (see tru.davidccook.com)• markers, crayons, colored pencils, etc.

Transition Song• optional: “The Cleanup Song,” TruBlessings

Worship

Gather:: 20–25 min.

Children will gather to experienceand learn about God throughlively Remember Verse games,interactive storytelling of theday’s portion of The Big GodStory, Wonder Questions, andcommunity and personal prayer.

• Treasure Trunk• Gizmo puppet (see p. 9 for purchasing

suggestion)

Welcome Song• Story Spots• Welcome Song pieces (People Template, see

tru.davidccook.com; for detailed description see Putting It Together document)

Remember Verse• Bible• Remember Verse card (see tru.davidccook.com)• white board or poster board• marker• bed sheet or piece of fabric• tennis ball(s)

The Big God Story• Puppets of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz (see

tru.davidccook.com)• Family Tree (see tru.davidccook.com)• Healthy Field and Barren Field Images (see

tru.davidccook.com)• popsicle sticks• tape

Wonder Questions• Wonder Question Strips (see tru.davidccook.com)• small bag with drawstring

Prayers & Praises• Prayers & Praises book• 3” x 5” cards• pen or marker

http://tru.davidccook.com







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Lesson OverviewExperience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare

Engage:: 15–20 min.

Children will engage with one another in a time designed to encourage various forms of play and exploration.

Let’s Stick Together• craft pom-poms • packing tape• bin or box• watch or timer

Respond:: 15–20 min.

Children will have the opportunity to process what the Holy Spirit has been teaching them and demonstrate their response to God in a time of hands-on worship.

Stop and Smell the Blessings• construction paper (light colors; 1 per child)• glue• craft pom-poms (used in ENGAGE)• markers• worship song: “Jesus I Will Follow,” TruWorship

Songs from the Playhouse

Bless:: 10 min.

Bless the children that they may experience God fully and be a blessing to others.

• Blessing• HomeFront Weekly• HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource

N O T E S :


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Connect:: 5–10 min.

Connect activities allow kids to develop relationships with their leaders and one another in a free-flowing setting.

Using simple supplies and conversation starters, this section is all about getting to know one another better.

Welcome children as they come into the room and invite them into the activities. Participate in the activities with the children and engage them in conversation, whether it is surrounding the activity or open-ended questions about themselves. This time will encourage kids to relationally engage throughout the lesson.

Sorting It OutSUPPLIESOPTION 1:• uncooked rice• dried beans• shoe boxes or plastic bins• disposable cups• optional: plastic tablecloth or trash bag

Note: Please check with parents for any potential allergies.

OPTION 2:• Grain Activity Sheets (see tru.davidccook.com)• markers, crayons, colored pencils, etc.

PREPARE AHEADOPTION 1:Fill a box or bin with a mix of uncooked rice and dried beans. Depending on how many kids are in your class, you may want to prepare a couple of bins so that all of the children can have access to the activity at the same time.

OPTION 2:Print out the activity sheets and set out the coloring materials.

CONNECT | GATHER | ENGAGE | RESPOND | BLESS

Teaching Tip

Consider having a table set up with crayons and blank cutout people ready for the Welcome Song from the GATHER section. This will help welcome new friends into your time together as a faith community.

Transition Tool

“The Cleanup Song” from TruBlessings Worship may be a helpful tool to cue children it’s time to transition into another activity or portion of the service.

Developmentally Speaking

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” —Pablo Picasso

When children engage with creative art projects, they learn to make choices and gain confidence in their own ability to make things happen. In this they are also affirmed in their ability to be artists or creators. Experience with art gives children tools to respond to and engage with their Creator. These tools are not only useful in childhood; they are also valuable in adulthood.


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Sunday School EditionCONNECT | GATHER | ENGAGE | RESPOND | BLESS

N O T E S : SET UPOPTION 1:Place the bin(s) in an area where children can easily see and reach into them. You might want to place some paper or a trash bag under the bin(s) to help contain any messes. The children will use the cups as scoops as they explore the rice.

RELATEOPTION 1:Welcome the children. Invite them to join you in the activity area. Show them that the bins contain beans mixed in with rice. Explain that they have the next few minutes to use the cups as well as their hands to sort through the rice. Encourage them to try to gather some beans, or simply experiment with drawing in the rice and making shapes. While they’re exploring the rice, ask them about their observations. What do you see in these bins? What would we normally do with these items? What can we make out of these? Where do these come from? How do you think farmers get the part we want to eat out of the plants in the fields? Allow kids to answer; interact with their responses. Today we’re going to learn about a woman who served God and blessed her family by working hard to gather food that would have looked kind of like this.

As the kids gather the items in the bins, have them turn to one another to talk about how God has blessed them through the gift of food. Prompt them to ask each other questions such as: What is your favorite food? What is your least favorite food? Who gives you the food you eat? Then come together to ask: What is a way you can show thankfulness for the food you eat every day?

OPTION 2:For a less supply-heavy option, invite the kids to complete the Grains Activity Sheet found at the website. As they work, ask them: What is illustrated in these pictures? What would we normally do with the items pictured? What can we make out of these? Where do these come from? How do you think farmers get the part we want to eat out of the plants in the fields? Allow kids to answer; interact with their responses. Today we’re going to learn about a woman who served God and blessed her family by working hard to gather food that would have looked kind of like this.

While the kids color their grain sheet, have them turn to one another to talk about how God has blessed them through the gift of food. Prompt them to ask each other questions such as: What is your favorite food? What is your least favorite food? Who gives you the food you eat? Then come together to ask: What is a way you can show thankfulness for the food you eat every day?


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Gather:: 20–25 min.

Children will gather to experience and learn about God through lively Remember Verse games, interactive storytelling of the day’s portion of The Big God Story, Wonder Questions, and community and personal prayer.

Story Spots

Story Spot refers to an item used to mark the place where each child sits. Consider using carpet squares, small circle-shaped rugs, large sturdy place mats, or large round dot stickers. When children hear “The Cleanup Song,” or when you’ve finished with the CONNECT activities, cue them to choose a Story Spot, place it in the GATHER time area, and sit down. At the close of your time together in GATHER, encourage children to return their Story Spots to their original location.


God Blesses Us through Others

Ponder Point

After the CONNECT activity, have children find their Story Spots to get ready for their time in GATHER. You’ll need the Treasure Trunk throughout this section. For ideas on creating or purchasing your own Treasure Trunk, please see the Putting It Together document at tru.davidccook.com.

The Treasure Trunk should include:

Welcome Song pieces Bible (for adult or children, to use during teaching) Remember Verse The Big God Story teaching aids Wonder Question Strips (see tru.davidccook.com) and bag Prayers & Praises book

Welcome SongSUPPLIES• Gizmo puppet (purchasing suggestion: 14" silly glove puppet, SKU# SLP1106, Silly

Puppets, www.wayfair.com) • Story Spots• Welcome Song pieces (see Putting It Together document)

PREPARE AHEADUse paper or felt to create a large heart and a small cross. Attach the cross to the center of the heart. If you’re making the heart out of paper, consider laminating the finished product to make it more durable. Finally, print the people from the template found at the website. Laminate and cut out the people. Use a marker to write the name of each child on a person. Consider making extra people for new friends and visitors.

SET UPPlace the heart in the center of the circle. Scatter the paper people around the perimeter of the heart. Be sure the children’s names are face up. Begin by placing your person on the heart as a model for the children.

http://www.wayfair.com


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Just a Note

Information for the opening traditions will be included in the first five lessons of each quarter. For reference in later lessons, please refer to the Putting It Together document for TruWonder Sunday School at tru.davidccook.com.


N O T E S :

RELATEHello, friends. It’s so good to see you today. What do you see in the center of our circle? Children will respond. That’s right, there are shapes like people, and a great big heart. When you see the shape of a heart, what does it help you remember? Children will answer. Good thinking. The shape of a heart reminds us of love. What do you see in the center of the heart? Allow children to answer. There’s a cross in the center of the heart. Now, when we see a cross, who do we remember? Children will answer. Jesus, that’s right. This heart can help us remember God’s love for us. Each week when we gather together, we get to sing a song to say hello to one another and meet new friends. When we place our name in the heart, we can remember that we get to celebrate God’s love for us each week.

Lead the children through the Welcome Song. When a child’s name is called, they’ll look for their name in the circle. Once they find their name, the child can place it on the heart and return to their seat. Then, begin the song again with the name of a new friend. Repeat until each child has found her name and placed it with her friends’ on the heart in the center of the circle. After each child has participated, end the song with Gizmo. (For example: “Who came to worship today, worship today, worship today? Who came to worship today? Gizmo did.” Welcome Gizmo to the circle, help him find his name, and place it on the heart. The song is sung to the tune of “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush.”)

Remember Verse Each week children will spend time memorizing a portion of Scripture together. Remember Verses are chosen according to the 10 environments. This week we are highlighting the environment of SERVING that asks the question, “What needs to be done?”

REMEMBER VERSE

Serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13b

SUPPLIES• Bible• Remember Verse card (see tru.davidccook.com)• white board or poster board• marker• bed sheet or piece of fabric• tennis ball(s)


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N O T E S : PREPARE AHEADPlace the Remember Verse card in the Bible.

RELATEIt’s so good to see you! Today, we’ll hear how God can bless us through other people. When we serve God we can bless Him and others! Sometimes the people who serve and bless us are close to us, and sometimes they’re people we don’t even know. Some very special people—people who served God—are the people God used to write a very special book called the Bible. It’s a book all about God and how much He loves us. That sounds like a pretty special book, don’t you think? Do you know where we might find a special book like this? Children will answer. That’s right! I think the Treasure Trunk is the perfect spot to look for it! Gizmo goes into the Treasure Trunk and comes out with the Bible. He hands it to the teacher. Why thank you, Gizmo. You’re so helpful! Gizmo nods and tilts his head from side to side. Friends, what is it that Gizmo and I are holding in our hands? Children will answer. That’s right—it’s the Bible. What is the Bible? Children will answer; interact with their responses. The Bible is the most special book. When we open it, what do we find inside? Children will answer. Good thinking. It’s filled with God’s words to us. God’s words are true and they’re a gift. God’s words teach us about God’s love for us, His Son Jesus, and His Holy Spirit. Today we’re going to take some time to remember one part of the Bible together. Review the Remember Verse motions and the meaning of the verse and any unfamiliar words with the children as they prepare to memorize it.

REmEmBER VERSE mOTIONS:Serve: Hold both hands in front of body, palms facing up. Then alternate hands back and forth.

one another: With both hands in a fist, circle one over the other in a rolling motion to show close proximity to one another.

in love: Cross both arms over chest.

If time allows, lead the kids in a fun game with the Remember Verse. Begin by writing the Remember Verse on a board in your class or on a large piece of paper. Have each of the kids hold on to the edge of a bed sheet or piece of fabric. Then place the tennis ball(s) in the middle of the sheet. Allow the kids to experiment with bouncing the ball(s) up and down on the sheet. Once you’re ready to begin, let them know that their goal is to bounce the ball(s) on the sheet five times without dropping any. After they’ve bounced the ball(s) five times, stop and say the Remember Verse together. Continue playing until the kids have said the Remember Verse enough times that they remember it. Remember Verse cards are available to print and send home with parents along with the HomeFront Weekly (see tru.davidccook.com).


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Prayer of Release

The Prayer of Release is a time for children and leaders to pause, be still, and ask God to quiet their hearts and minds. As you pray, encourage children to hold their hands out in front of them as if releasing their worries and distractions. This posture also shows they’re open to receive what the Holy Spirit might have for them.


N O T E S :

The Big God StoryRuth 1—4

SUPPLIES• Bible (for teacher and/or children to use during teaching)• Puppets of Ruth, Naomi, and Boaz (see tru.davidccook.com)• Family Tree (see tru.davidccook.com)• Healthy Field and Barren Field Images (see tru.davidccook.com)• popsicle sticks• tape

PREPARE AHEADIn preparation for today’s storytelling, print out the Puppets and Family Tree, and cut each one out. Tape each to a popsicle stick. Tape the Healthy Field and Barren Field images to the wall near where you will storytell.

After you’re finished with the Remember Verse game, invite the children to take a moment to get their wiggles out and then return to their Story Spot in the GATHER circle time area and have a seat.

RELATEFriends, will you pray with me? Let’s ask God to speak to us and teach us. (Lead children in a Prayer of Release.)

What do you see in this illustration? (Point to the image of the Healthy Field. Kids will answer.) That’s right—a field of grain! What do people do with grain? (Kids will answer.) Yes, they eat it! In today’s part of The Big God Story, we’re going to hear about people gathering grain for food. Are you ready? Let’s go! (Open your Bible as you begin to storytell.)

The last time we were together, we heard how God is the Famous One who broke down the walls of Jericho and saved Rahab and her family. He is amazing!

Years later, a famine swept over the land. What is a famine? (Kids will answer.) A famine is when there’s not enough food to eat. (Point to the image of the Barren Field.) Because of this famine, many people left for a place where they would have food. One of these people was a woman named Naomi. (Hold Naomi puppet in front of the Barren Field.)


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N O T E S :


For the Leader

Even in a time of grief and personal loss, Ruth made lasting impressions on both her mother-in-law and future husband, Boaz. She chose to follow the God of Israel—the one true God—and also to serve her mother-in-law obediently. God used Ruth to not only bless the members of her family, but also to bless future generations through her obedient acts of service. Ruth is a member of the family tree of the promised Messiah.

Naomi moved with her husband and two sons. Later, her husband and two sons died. It was a very sad time for Naomi and for her son’s wives. The first daughter-in-law left and returned to her parents’ home. Naomi blessed her as she said good-bye.

Naomi tried to convince her second daughter-in-law, Ruth (hold up Ruth puppet), to return to her parent’s home, saying (“speak” with Naomi puppet): “Your sister-in-law is going back … Go back with her.” But Ruth replied (speak with “Ruth” puppet), “Don’t try to make me leave you and go back. Where you go I’ll go. Where you stay I’ll stay. Your people will be my people. Your God will be my God” (Ruth 1:15–16, NIrV). Why didn’t Ruth want to go home? (Allow children to answer.) Good thinking. She chose to stay with Naomi to serve her and to serve the one true God. How do you think this made Naomi feel? (Hold up Naomi puppet. Children will answer.) How would you feel if someone did this for you? (Kids will answer; interact with their responses.) Friends, God was blessing Naomi through Ruth.

Once the famine ended, Naomi and Ruth headed back to Naomi’s home. Ruth and Naomi needed food, so Ruth went to a field (move Ruth puppet in front of Healthy Field background) to gather the extra grain the farmers had left behind. As Ruth served Naomi, she was serving God. The Lord God was using her to bless Naomi.

The field where Ruth was gathering grain belonged to a man named Boaz. (Hold up Boaz puppet.) When he heard how hard Ruth was working to care for her mother-in-law, Boaz said (“speak” with Boaz puppet): “Dear woman, listen to me. Don’t pick up grain in any other field. Don’t go anywhere else. Stay here … pick up the grain that is left” (Ruth 2:8–9 NIrV). Boaz was showing His love for God by serving Ruth. And God was using Boaz to bless Ruth and Naomi. (Hold up Ruth and Naomi puppets.)

Time passed and Boaz and Ruth got married! (Hold up Ruth and Boaz puppets.) When the time came, they had a son named Obed. (Hold up “Family Tree printout” as you tell this part. Point out the names as you speak them.) Obed grew up and had a son named Jesse who grew up and had a son named David who grew up to be the king of Israel! King David’s children had children, and their children had children, until a boy named Joseph and a girl named mary were born. Joseph and mary eventually got married and became the earthly parents of Jesus! Isn’t that amazing? Jesus came from Ruth and Boaz’s family!

God used Ruth and Boaz to bless the entire world! Jesus is from Ruth and Boaz’s family, and we’ve all been blessed through Jesus. Through Jesus, God made a way for us to be with Him forever and ever. And that’s the biggest blessing of all!


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Wonder Questions After you’ve finished storytelling, gather children in a circle and discuss the following questions. WONDER QUESTIONS are meant to prompt further conversation about what they’ve been experiencing. They also invite children to ponder this truth and dwell with the wonder of God. Be sure to pause long enough after each question to allow the children time to wonder. Encourage them to share their unique perspectives with the group.

SUPPLIES• Wonder Question Strips (see tru.davidccook.com)• small bag with drawstring

PREPARE AHEADPrint the Wonder Question Strips. Cut them out and place them in the small bag in the Treasure Trunk.

RELATEChoose a volunteer to draw a Wonder Question out of the bag. Read the question to the children and engage them in discussion. Repeat this process with each question.

I wonder … How did Ruth serve Naomi?I wonder … How did Boaz bless Ruth and Naomi?I wonder … Who does God use to bless me? I wonder … How does God want to use me to bless others?

N O T E S :

Premium, Unlimited, and Combo users can find a quarterly TruWonder Timeline and images of people corresponding to each week’s lesson at tru.davidccook.com. As you place the weekly people squares on the timeline, invite children to help you storytell. The provided questions will prompt further conversation about what children have been experiencing. They’ll enjoy watching as the timeline fills from week to week and their knowledge of The Big God Story grows.

Small Group Enhancements


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N O T E S :


Prayers & Praises SUPPLIES• Prayers & Praises book• 3" x 5" cards• pen or marker

PREPARE AHEADThe Prayers & Praises book can be a simple recipe book with clear plastic sleeves inside. Each sleeve should fit a 3" x 5" card. Cards will be used to write the children’s praises and prayer requests.

RELATEAfter your time discussing the Wonder Questions, you’ll have the opportunity to pray with and for each of the children in your group today.

Friends, God blesses us through others. God used Ruth and Boaz to serve and bless their family—and eventually the entire world. God used Ruth and Boaz to bless us through their family when Jesus was born. Jesus is the promised Savior. Through Him, we can know God and worship Him always! We can be with God forever and ever. Because of God, we are blessed!

Who is someone that blesses or serves you? Let’s take a minute and tell God “thank You” as we praise Him for giving us these special people. I’ll start our time of praise. “Dear God, thank You for blessing me with (insert person’s name) …” Allow the children time to participate, repeating the phrase after you. Close this time as the Holy Spirit directs you, then transition into a time of praying for individual requests.

Each time we gather together, not only do we share our praises to God, but we also share how our friends can pray with us. Open up the Treasure Trunk and take out the Prayers & Praises book. Note any praises already mentioned. Ask the children to share updates on the things they asked the class to pray with them about, as well as any new requests. Now, we’re going to take some time to stop and bring our prayers and praises to God. If you’d like, you can lift your hands (lift hands with palms facing away from body) while we pray. Our hands are lifted up like we’re giving something to someone. When we pray to God, we’re giving Him our requests and our praise. Lead the children in this time by bringing their prayers and praises to God. Close this time as the Holy Spirit directs you.


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Engage:: 15–20 min.

Children will engage with one another in a time designed to encourage various forms of play including interactive games and activities, engaging projects, experiments, and more.


Let’s Stick TogetherSUPPLIES• craft pom-poms • packing tape• bin or box• watch or timer

SET UPFind an area on the floor where you can place the pom-poms. The children will need a strip of wide tape to loop around one of their hands or to simply hold. You’ll use the pom-poms again in RESPOND.

RELATEAfter you’re finished with PRAYERS & PRAISES, invite your children to put away their Story Spots and get ready to play a game. Friends, today we learned about some very special people in The Big God Story. God used them to bless others by serving them in many different ways. One way Ruth served Naomi was by sticking with her even when things were hard. Naomi told Ruth she could go home to her parents, but Ruth said, “Let’s stick together!” She didn’t leave Naomi when things were hard. We’re going to have some fun now with some other things that stick together!

Explain to the children that they’ll need to use their tape to pick up the pom-poms as fast as they can. They’ll all be working together as a group. They should not use their hands to grab the pom-poms, but simply try to get them to stick to the tape. Once they have a few pom-poms on their tape, they should remove them and put them in the collection bin. See how fast the kids can do this, working together as a group. Time them doing this activity a few times using the same amount of pom-poms to see if they can beat their earlier time.

N O T E S :


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Respond:: 15–20 min.

Children will have the opportunity to process what the Holy Spirit has been teaching them and demonstrate their response to God in a time of hands-on worship.

Collaborative and individual worship will grow an appreciation for their faith community.


N O T E S :

Stop and Smell the BlessingsSUPPLIES• construction paper (light colors; 1 per child)• glue• craft pom-poms (used in ENGAGE)• markers• worship song: “Jesus I Will Follow,” TruWorship Songs from the Playhouse

SET UPEach child will need a piece of construction paper folded in half (as a card) for this activity. They’ll also need a handful of pom-poms.

RELATEAfter you’re finished playing the ENGAGE game, gather the kids together for a time of response.

Today in The Big God Story, we saw how God blesses us through others. He also uses us to bless others when we serve and worship Him with our lives. In our time of prayer, we remembered people that God has used to bless us and then we said thank You to Him. Now, we have a chance to say thank you to the actual people who are blessings in our lives. maybe it’s one of your parents, a grandparent, a sibling, or a friend. Let’s serve God by creating cards for these people to tell them how thankful we are for them!

Explain that the children will have some time to decorate the front of their cards with markers and/or by gluing the pom-poms to the card. Encourage the kids to think about creating an image that the person they want to thank would really like. Would mom like some flowers? Would grandma like a nice big sun? You’ll want to make your way around to each child as they’re working, and see if you can help them by writing a simple message on the inside of the card such as: “Mom, you are a blessing to me!” (It can be to Mom and Dad, too!) Turn on some music as the children are working (suggestion: “Jesus I Will Follow,” TruWorship Songs from the Playhouse).


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Bless:: 10 min.

A blessing can be a prayer of commission, a portion of Scripture, or words to encourage and guide. Ask God’s Spirit to overflow from the child’s life in such a way that blesses others, while also praying over a child for the purpose of declaring God’s protection, joy, or wisdom.

Use this time to allow both volunteer leaders and parents to participate in blessing each child before they conclude their time together. Invite parents into the time of blessing at the end of the service, and encourage them to continue to bless their children throughout the week.

The Power of Blessing


Before saying goodbye to your children, you have the privilege of blessing them. This week as a part of the time of blessing, they’ll have the opportunity to bless one another as well. Gather the children together in a circle. Explain to the children they’ll give a blessing to the person on their left. Review right and left directions as needed. Begin this time of blessing by modeling for the children.

“In the same way, let your light shine in front of others. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will praise your Father who is in heaven”

(Matthew 5:16, NIrV).

Then begin to go around the circle, individually praying over each child. Have the children place their hands out in front of themselves, palms up as if cupping them together to hold water. Explain that this is a posture that shows we want to receive what God has for us.

(Child’s name), the Lord loves you and has blessed you. Now you are able to bless others. may you show kindness to those who are hurting and in need. may He use you to share His love with this world.

Optional: Invite the children to “jump into the light” as you bless them. To do this, shine a bright light in a dim room (or a room with the lights off). Describe to the kids how they, as God’s children, are “lights” that shine in the darkness.

HomeFront Weekly: Be sure to send home the HomeFront Weekly for next week’s lesson! This preteaching tool for parents encourages families to spend time in God’s Word together before children arrive at church.

HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource is a magazine that gives families ideas for creating fun, spiritually forming times in their homes—setting aside a sacred space for family in the midst of their active, everyday lives! As the new issue becomes available each month, you may choose to print them for families or encourage them to visit HomeFrontMag.com to subscribe to have the magazine sent directly to their inbox. HomeFront is also available as an app for your iPhone, iPad, or Android device.

Documents

3/4-Year-Old Guide Sunday School Editionhwcdn.net/d3u9i9g7/cds/tru/SamplesPage/TW_SS_1-11_3s-4s_Ruth.… · 2012 D C C 3 111 Sunday School Edition Equip As God’s children, we’ve