Bible Passagehwcdn.net/d3u9i9g7/cds/tru/SamplesPage/TW_1-11_Ruth.pdf · • Mail Time envelope art printed and attached to a large envelope (see tru.davidccook.com) • Bibles (your

SERVICE SCHEDULE

Explore::Welcome & Engage

10–15 minutes

Discover & Respond:: Large Group

30–40 minutes

Respond & Bless::Small Group

20–35 minutes

© 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.

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Bible Passage: Ruth 1—4(Ruth)

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

REMEMBER VERSE

Serve one another in love. Galatians 5:13b

God Blesses Us through Others

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© 2012 David C. Cook

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.

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.

Rae Lynn LottTruWonder Team

N O T E S :

ENVIRONMENT: SERVINGThis 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.

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Further Resources

Draper, Charles W., Chad Brand, and Archie England, eds. 2003. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group.

Holman Christian Standard Bible, Commentary. 2004. Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.

Walton, John H., ed. 2009. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary, Volume 2 (Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Remember Verse Motions Inspired by American Sign Language; demonstrated at www.signingsavvy.com and www.commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb /browser.htm

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.

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. Who are the people or faces who stand out in your mind as those who played a role in blessing your week? Spend some careful time, as 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 (Master Supply List at tru.davidccook.com)

Explore::Welcome & Engage

10–15 min.

Exploration stations create space intended to transition children—to lead them from the external world into an environment where they can commune with God, just as they are with all that they are.

Focus Station: Lasting Impressions(per table)• butcher paper• masking tape• ½- to 1-lb. bag of wheat, barley, or oat hay with

head of grain on top of stalk (purchase options p. 6) or cut long grass with seed head from field

• copy paper or newsprint (4" x 5" pieces or squares)

• crayons (with paper removed)

(Optional) Station 2: Threshing It Out(per table) • 3 pairs of women’s nylons (1 leg per color of paint)• uncooked rice • bowls of liquid tempera paint (thinned)• optional: sponge or giant stamp pad• large sheets of white construction or butcher paper• masking tape• tarp• child-sized paint smocks• hand wipes or wet paper towels

Discover::Large Group

20–25 min.

Facilitate interactive games, songs, and storytelling, allowing children to participate in discovering God’s Word.

• Chloe (puppet or person)• Chloe’s Rules videos or scripts (see

tru.davidccook.com)• preschool program theme song• 2 upbeat worship songs (suggestion: “Jesus I Will

Follow,” TruWorship Songs from the Playhouse and “I Trust You,” TruWorship Your Love)

• optional: countdown video• Mail Time intro clip and image (see

tru.davidccook.com)• Remember Verse image and cards (see

tru.davidccook.com)• Mail Time envelope art printed and attached to a

large envelope (see tru.davidccook.com)• Bibles (your personal and large children’s)• mailbox• Wardrobe of Wonder intro clip and image (see

tru.davidccook.com)• Wardrobe of Wonder• Wardrobe of Wonder sound effect (see

tru.davidccook.com)• optional: silly hats for prop/hat box• 2 small stools or chairs

(Continued)

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Lesson OverviewExperience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare

(Master Supply List at tru.davidccook.com)

Discover::Large Group

(Continued)

• What’sIt: Family Tree (see image at tru.davidccook.com)

• The Big God Story intro clip and image (see tru.davidccook.com)

• images: #1 Leaving home, #2 Sad day, #3 Girls and Naomi, #4–6 Harvest time, #7 Lunch with Boaz, #8 The wedding, #9 Baby Obed, #10–16 Family tree (see tru.davidccook.com)

• sound effects: #1 “Happy Trails” instrumental (optional; download at iTunes), #2 Sad music (see tru.davidccook.com)

Respond::Large Group

10–15 min.

Create space for children to respond to the Holy Spirit in worship and community.

• title image (see tru.davidccook.com) or worshipful video loop

• Response Walls • shapes of your choice• buckets and magnets • instrumental music

Respond:: Small Group

15–30 min.

Further process the story through discussion and interaction with others, and respond to God in worship through creative expression.

Connect: Making It Stick(per small group) • SERVING Remember Verse Card (see

tru.davidccook.com)• construction paper circle (paper-plate size, optional:

laminated)• paper plate• craft foam or construction paper• scissors• glue dots• resealable bag

Create: See How the Blessings Grow(per table/small group) • sheet of poster or foam board (or fiberboard)• brown and black permanent markers• green washable ink pad• black washable markers• hand wipes• Create bin

Wonder Questions• TruWonder Timeline and images: Premium,

Unlimited, and Combo users (see tru.davidccook.com)

Bless::Small Group

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

• Blessing/Remember Verse• HomeFront Weekly• HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource

N O T E S :

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Explore:: 10–15 min.

Host/Small Group Leaders

EXPLORE | DISCOVER | RESPOND | BLESS

SmallGroupS E C T I O N

Exploration stations create space intended for wonder—to pique children’s curiosity and allow them to engage in hands-on experiences as they begin their time in worship.

Station 1: Lasting ImpressionsRuth made the choice to follow the God of Israel and serve Him. While caring for her mother-in-law, Naomi, Ruth made a lasting impression on Boaz. He watched her faithfully gather wheat, working the fields behind his harvesters. Today, children will explore wheat, barley, or oat hay and make impressions of the grain with crayon rubbings.

SUPPLIES (per table)• butcher paper• masking tape• ½- to 1-lb. bag of wheat, barley, or oat hay with head of grain on top of stalk (grain

can be purchased from your local feed or pet store for about $4; purchase options: alfalfaking.com, amazon.com, or drsfostersmith.com) or cut long grass with seed head from field

• copy paper or newsprint (cut into 4" x 5" pieces or squares)• crayons (with paper removed)• EXPLORE bin

Note: Please check with parents for any potential allergies.

PREPARE AHEADGather materials and place in an EXPLORE bin.

SET UPCover the table with butcher paper and tape the edges of the paper to the table. Scatter wheat, barley, or oat hay on the paper-covered table. Place the crayons and small paper squares on the table.

ENGAGEWelcome children. Invite them to join you at the Focus Station. Encourage kids to explore the grain on the table. Ask them about their observations. What do you see on the table? What do you think it’s called? Where do you find wheat (barley or oat) hay? How is it used? Who eats grain? What can we make from grain like this? Model for the children how they can make impressions of the hay using paper and the sides of their crayons. Encourage kids to explore and design using various colors. They may choose to rotate their paper to create a unique design as they explore printmaking through crayon rubbings. Ask children questions as they’re printmaking. What happens when you rub the crayon over the paper? What do you see? How do you think this happens?

Focus

Station

N O T E S :

Try using artificial, or silk, grain stalks. They will be more durable and won’t fall apart during the rubbing process.

Helpful Hint

“Lasting Impressions was fun and a great idea. We just

picked grass from our field and it worked great!”—Impact Christian Church

“As an alternative to rubbings, we rolled out a

piece of play dough flat and then used the grain to make

impressions in the dough.”—Good Shepherd Church

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N O T E S :

(Optional) Station 2: Threshing It OutAfter grain was harvested, it was taken to the threshing floor where the nutritious heads were separated from the stalks. In biblical times, the force of oxen pulling a heavy sled across the grain ground it. Children will explore a powerful motion similar to threshing.

SUPPLIES (per table)• 3 pairs of women’s nylons (1 leg per color of paint)• uncooked rice • bowls of liquid tempera paint (thinned)• optional: sponge or giant stamp pad• large sheets of white construction paper or butcher paper• masking tape• tarp• child-sized paint smocks• hand wipes or wet paper towels• EXPLORE bin

Note: Please check with parents for any potential allergies.

PREPARE AHEADCut the legs off each pair of nylons. Fill the toe of each nylon with one to two cups of uncooked rice. Tie a knot just above the rice to create a ball at the end of the stocking. The remaining nylon will create a tail. Note: This activity can also be completed without using paint. Place all materials in an EXPLORE bin and set aside.

SET UPFill each bowl with a tiny amount of thinned liquid tempera paint or use giant stamp pads. (To keep paint absorption to a minimum, place a sponge in the bottom of each bowl and pour the paint into the sponge.) Set a piece of paper at each child’s place and secure to the table with tape. (You may opt to use butcher paper to cover the table.) Place the bowls and stockings in the center of the table. Optional: Cover the tabletops with old newspaper and tape the edges. To aid in cleanup, place a tarp on the floor underneath the table and provide child-sized paint smocks for each child.

ENGAGEWelcome children. Invite them to join you and explore the items on the table. Ask: What do you see on the table? What’s inside the stockings? Have you ever thought about how farmers get the grain, or part we eat, from the plant? Interact with their responses. They thresh, or pound, the grain out of the plants. Model making prints by lightly dipping the grain stockings into the paint, and then pound or drop the rice stockings on the paper. Ask children about the designs they’re making. What shape, color, and size are they? Refill the bowls with paint as needed.

“As an alternative for EXPLORE, we had each

child draw a picture of how someone has blessed them. Then for large group

RESPOND, we used the pictures they had drawn

instead of random shapes for the Response Walls. They put them on the wall, placed their

hand over it, and prayed a prayer of thanks for how God

has blessed them through others.”—Olathe Bible Church

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Discover:: 20–25 min.Host/Worship Leader/Storyteller


LargeGroup

S E C T I O N

Children move into a large group setting and participate in discovering God’s Word through storytelling, worship, and interactive experiences.

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

one another: Hold both hands in a fist. Circle one over the other in a rolling motion, showing close proximity to one another.

in love: Cross both arms across chest.

RememberVerse Motions

Chloe’s RulesHost/Worship Leader

SUPPLIES• worship music (suggestions: “Jesus I Will Follow,” TruWorship Songs from the

Playhouse and “I Trust You,” TruWorship Your Love; available at tru.davidccook.com for Premium, Unlimited, and Combo users; or iTunes)

Mail Time Host/Worship Leader

God Blesses Us through Others

Ponder Point

REMEMBER VERSEThis week, the Remember Verse is in the environment of SERVING.


“We placed each word from the Remember Verse on a

piece of paper and they had to figure out which came first, second, etc. and ‘travel’ (hop,

skip, tiptoe) to the signs. They loved it!”—Maple Valley Presbyterian Church

N O T E S :

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Wardrobe of Wonder Storyteller/Host/Worship Leader

SUPPLIES• What’sIt: Family Tree (see optional image to show or print at tru.davidccook.com)

ASK(Insert child’s name), what did you find in the Wardrobe of Wonder? Children will answer. This looks like a picture of a tree. But this isn’t just any kind of tree. There’s something different. Can you tell me what it is? Kids will respond. See the spaces on the tree? Some of these spaces have names written in them, and some do not. Sometimes people will make a family tree to show how members of their family are related to one another. Why do you think this tree is in the wardrobe? Allow children to give you some suggestions. If they’re having difficulty, offer suggestions. I wonder how the What’sIt will have something to do with what we’re going to hear today from The Big God Story! Friends, let’s find out, because do you know what time it is?

What’sIt: Family Tree 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 served her mother-in-law obediently. God used Ruth to not only bless the members of her family, but in her obedience and acts of service she was a blessing to future generations. Ruth is a member of the family tree of the promised Messiah.

N O T E S :

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The Big God StoryRuth 1—4Storyteller

SUPPLIES• images: #1 Leaving home, #2 Sad day, #3 Girls and Naomi, #4–6 Harvest time, #7

Lunch with Boaz, #8 The wedding, #9 Baby Obed, #10–16 Family tree (see tru.davidccook.com)

• sound effects: #1 “Happy Trails” instrumental (optional; download at iTunes), #2 Sad music (see tru.davidccook.com)

(Welcome children and lead in a Prayer of Release.) The last time we were together, we heard how news of God’s miracles spread. Even people from surrounding lands knew God was with His people. He is the Famous One. Years passed as the people of God settled into the Promised Land. After awhile, a famine swept over the Promised Land. What’s a famine? (Allow children to answer; interact with their responses.) Good thinking. A famine is when there’s not enough food to feed the people. (Tech: Cue image #1 Leaving home and optional sound effect #1 “Happy Trails.”) Some families decided to leave the Promised Land and travel to another country so they would have enough to eat.

A woman named Naomi moved with her family to a new land where there was plenty of food. But years later, her husband and two sons died. (Tech: Cue image #2 Sad day and sound effect #2 Sad music.) It was a very sad day for Naomi and her two daughters-in-law when they were all alone. Let me see your sad faces. (Children make faces.) Naomi told the young women they should return to their parents and find new husbands. But they loved Naomi and didn’t want to leave. (Tech: Cue image #3 Girls and Naomi.) Finally, one of the young women agreed. Naomi blessed her as she said good-bye. Naomi tried to convince Ruth to also return to her home and her parents, but she refused. Ruth replied, “Don’t try to make me leave you. Where you go, I’ll go. Your people will be my people. Your God will be my God. I won’t let anything but death separate you from me.” Naomi realized Ruth had made up her mind to stay with her. Ruth would live with Naomi and worship and serve the one true God! How do you think Naomi felt when Ruth chose to stay with her? (Children answer.) Instead of returning to her mom and dad, Ruth chose to stay with Naomi and serve her. God was blessing Naomi through Ruth.

By this time, the famine had ended in Bethlehem, where Naomi was from. When Naomi and Ruth arrived there, the entire town was excited to see them. It was good to be home! It was the time when the farmers gather their grain and get it ready to be sold. Ruth asked Naomi, “Shall I go into the fields and gather grain for you?”

THE BIG GOD STORY is written for a 3 1/2- to 6-year-old audience. It can be told in its entirety for an older audience, but it may need to be shortened if your group is on the younger side.

“The visuals from THE BIG GOD STORY were great

at keeping them engaged, and we really felt the story

line made the connection to Jesus … There were even

a couple of ‘aha’ moments when the kids made the

family connection.”—Good Shepherd Church

N O T E S :

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Naomi answered, “Go ahead, my daughter.” So Ruth went to a field to gather the grain dropped by the harvesters. Let’s pretend to reach down and pick up pieces of grain. (Children gather.) She was in a field belonging to a man named Boaz. When Boaz heard how hard she was working to care for her mother-in-law, he told her to work only in his fields. He made sure she had a safe place to gather the grain, water to drink, and shade to rest in. Then Boaz blessed her. Let’s hold our hands out like when we receive our blessing. Listen. (Children hold out hands.) He said, “May the Lord reward you for what you have done, and may you receive full reward from the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings you have come for refuge.” Boaz knew Ruth chose to trust and serve the Lord God. He knew she stayed with Naomi to care for her. Ruth was serving God with her life, and God was using her to bless others.

Boaz invited Ruth to eat lunch with him. (Tech: Cue image #7: Lunch with Boaz.) She had plenty to eat and even some left! When she got up to gather more grain, Boaz told his workers to take the very best stalks of grain and leave them for Ruth. At the end of the day, Ruth showed her mother-in-law what she collected and gave her the food left from lunch. Ruth told Naomi about Boaz and his kindness. Boaz was serving God by serving others. God was using Boaz to bless Ruth and Naomi.

(Tech: Cue image #8: The wedding.) Time passed, and Boaz and Ruth were married. They had a son named Obed. (Tech: Cue image #9: Baby Obed.) Friends, Ruth and Boaz served and worshipped God with their lives. Ruth knew that Naomi needed someone, so she stayed with her. God used Ruth to bless Naomi. When Boaz met Ruth, he wanted to serve Ruth. God used Boaz to bless Ruth and Naomi.

But … Ruth and Boaz played an even bigger part in The Big God Story. You see, after they got married (Tech: Cue image #10 Family tree), they had a son named Obed. (Tech: Cue WARDROBE OF WONDER sound effect.) Friends, what does that sound mean? (Kids answer.) We’ve found the What’sIt from the Wardrobe of Wonder. We’ve found the family tree! Like a map, it shows us how people in a family are related. Let’s look to see how this tree fits into The Big God Story. (Tech: Cue image #11 Family tree.) Obed grew up and had a son named Jesse. (Tech: Cue image #12 Family tree.) When Jesse grew up, he had a son named David, King David. (Tech: Cue image #13 Family tree.) David had a son named Nathan and a son named Solomon. (Tech: Cue image #14 Family tree.) When they grew up, they had children, and their children had children, until one day a boy named Joseph was born (Tech: Cue image #15 Family tree), and a girl named Mary was born. (Tech: Cue image #16 Family tree.) When Joseph and Mary grew up, they got married and were the earthly parents of Jesus—the promised Savior! Isn’t that amazing! Jesus came from Ruth and Boaz’s family! In serving Him, God used Ruth to bless Naomi, her family, and then the entire world! God uses others to bless us!

N O T E S :

“I loved the manly representation of Boaz

combined with his godliness, faithfulness, and integrity …

great choice, and one I’ve never taught to preschoolers

before. They were very attentive even though the

story line was long.”—Olathe Bible Church

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Respond:: 10–15 min.Worship Leader

LargeGroup

S E C T I O N

Children have the opportunity to respond to God and to what they have heard and experienced through His Word. Special attention should be given to create space for the Holy Spirit to minister to each child.

SUPPLIES• title image (see tru.davidccook.com) or worshipful video loop• Response Walls• shapes of your choice• buckets and magnets• instrumental music

Worship-through-ResponseFriends, God blesses us through others. God used Ruth and Boaz to bless their family—and eventually the entire world. God used Ruth and Boaz to bless us because their family’s family brought Jesus into the world. And, most important of all, we’ve been blessed through Jesus. God made a way for us to be with Him forever and ever. How do we get to be with God forever and ever? Allow children to answer. Through Jesus, that’s right! Jesus is the promised Savior. Through Him, we can know God and worship Him always!

What are some of the ways God has blessed you through other people? Who are people who bless you? Allow some time for the children to process the concept. Give personal examples if children need help getting started: mom, dad, grandma, grandpa, aunts, uncles, etc. Encourage children to answer; interact with their responses. Affirm their participation. We’re going to take some time to stop and say thank You to God for the many ways He has used others to bless us. Take a moment to be still and think about the different ways God has blessed you. You may choose to pray and ask God to remind you of the ways He has blessed you. Then, when you’re ready, you can go to a Response Wall, take a shape, and place it on the wall. As you do, cover it with your hand. Pray and thank God for the special ways you’ve been blessed that came to mind.

Open by leading the children through a simple prayer, asking God to remind them of a blessing He has given to them. Then encourage kids to use the Response Walls to continue their time of worship response. When you sense the time coming to an end, gather the children and close in a prayer of corporate blessing.

N O T E S :

“Leaders liked giving the kids an opportunity to do the

Response Walls.”—Good Shepherd Church

“Love the Response Wall for prayer.”—Maple Valley Presbyterian Church

“The kids were eager to thank God for the blessings

in their lives.”—Mt. Paran North Church of God

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Respond:: 15–30 min.

Children have an opportunity to reflect (within the faith community) on what they have heard, and to respond to God individually or corporately. This time is focused on the wonder of God and the foundational Truth of His Word.

Small Group Leaders


Connect: Making It Stick SUPPLIES (per small group)• SERVING Remember Verse Card (see tru.davidccook.com)• construction paper circle (paper-plate size, optional: laminated)• paper plate• craft foam or construction paper• scissors• glue dots• resealable bag

PREPARE AHEADGather materials. Use scissors to cut craft foam or construction paper into one set of face parts (pair of eyes, eyebrows, eyelashes, cheeks, nose, mouth, ears, hair, etc.). Cut enough to have a part for each word of the Remember Verse. Place all materials in a resealable bag.

SET UPRemove the Remember Verse Card and the construction paper circle from the bin. Place the face parts on the paper plate in the center of the circle of children once they’re seated.

ENGAGEWelcome children. Gather in a circle and sit on the floor. Hold up the laminated circle and a few of the face pieces. Today we’re going to build a face as we play a fun game to help our Remember Verse stick in our memory. The game begins with this blank paper circle. If you’re the first player, you’ll start by saying the very first word of our Remember Verse. If you say the correct word, you’ll reach into the center of the circle and add one item to create the happy face on our paper circle. We’ll keep going around the circle, repeating our verse, until we can see the entire happy face. But before we begin, let’s get warmed up by saying our Remember Verse together. “Serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13b. Good job! Let’s begin our game of Making It Stick!

Create: See How the Blessings GrowSUPPLIES (per table/small group)• sheet of poster or foam board (for more permanence, use fiberboard)• brown and black permanent markers• green washable ink pad• black washable markers• hand wipes• CREATE bin

Next week for large group RESPOND, you’ll be asked to play a short video of children in your program being interviewed. You may want to begin preparing this week!

Gather some children from your kindergarten program, as well as elementary children, for this video response piece. Ask the children to share the ways that God speaks to them. Ask follow-up questions as needed. Use this video interview piece as part of your large group response next week.

For more information, see lesson 1.12, p. 13.

Large Group Response Prep

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PREPARE AHEADGather materials. Use the brown and black permanent markers to draw a trunk and branches of a large tree in the center of the board. Do not draw leaves or a leaf canopy on the tree; the children will be adding this in their time of response. Across the top of the board write, “ I have been blessed …” At the bottom of the tree write, “and I choose to be a blessing.” Place the tree board, ink pad, and black washable markers in a CREATE bin.

SET UPPlace the tree board on a wall, or propped against a wall, near the CREATE table. Place the ink pad, washable markers, and hand wipes on the table.

ENGAGEWelcome children to the creative response station. Today in The Big God Story, we saw how God blesses us through others. In our time of worship response, we remembered ways God has blessed us and then said thank You to Him. Just as God has blessed us through others, He can use us to be a blessing too! What are some ways we can serve God by serving others and blessing them? Encourage kids to share their thoughts. Interact with their responses and encourage further dialogue and ideas. Friends, let’s stop and ask God to tell us, or show us, how He would like us to bless others by serving them. Lead kids in a short time of prayer.

As you were praying, did a person or an idea come to mind? Allow kids to share. God wants to use us to bless others as we serve Him. If you would like to say yes to the ways God can use you, then place your thumbprint on the tree and sign your name. All of our thumbprints will make the leaves on this blessing tree. Each time we see the tree, it can help us remember that God blesses us through others, and that God wants to use us to be a blessing too.

Wonder QuestionsToday in The Big God Story we heard how God used Ruth and Boaz to bless their family as they served others. We also saw how God used them to bless the world through their family. Jesus, the promised Savior, came from Ruth and Boaz’s family!

I wonder … How did Ruth feel about moving to a new land?I wonder … Why did Boaz decide to care for Ruth and Naomi?I wonder … Why should I serve others?I wonder … How would God like to use me to be a blessing to others?

“Kids loved doing the family tree. Since the

groups were smaller we used handprints instead of

just thumbs and then put the child’s name on their

print.”—Good Shepherd Church

“We had leaf cutouts. They wrote their name on them

and drew or wrote how they could be a blessing. Then we

put them on our tree.”—Maple Valley Presbyterian Church

“WONDER QUESTIONS went very well; the kids really responded well when asked.”—Good Shepherd Church

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

15

1.11



Bless:: 5 min.Small Group Leaders


A blessing can be a prayer of commission, a portion of Scripture, or words of encouragement and guidance. A blessing can be offered in order to ask God’s Spirit to overflow from the child’s life in such a way that blesses others, while it can also be prayed over a child for the purpose of declaring God’s protection, joy, or wisdom.

“‘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).

Children, the Lord loves you and has blessed you. Now you’re able to bless others. May you show kindness to those who are hurting and in need. May God use you to share His love with this world.


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

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

Bible Passagehwcdn.net/d3u9i9g7/cds/tru/SamplesPage/TW_1-11_Ruth.pdf · • Mail Time envelope art printed and attached to a large envelope (see tru.davidccook.com) • Bibles (your