Ruth and Naomi - Bible Lessons for Kids about Friendship
The Bible story of Ruth and Naomi beautifully illustrates loyalty, love, and God’s faithful provision. It’s a great lesson for children of all ages. This story follows Ruth’s commitment to Naomi and the ways God cares for them through difficult circumstances. There are some great teaching ideas, including hands-on crafts, engaging activities, and printable lesson plans designed to help bring the story to life in a way kids can understand and remember. Perfect for Sunday school, homeschool, or faith-based schools, these resources make it easy to teach this powerful story clearly and creatively.
STORY OF RUTH AND NAOMI
The Book of Ruth tells the story of Ruth and Naomi. Naomi was married to Elimelech, and they had two sons. Because of famine, they moved to Moab, and their sons married Moabite women. Ruth was married to one of Naomi’s sons. But then, Naomi’s husband and two sons died, leaving the women widowed.
Naomi decided to move back to Bethlehem and encouraged her daughters-in-law to stay in Moab with their families. Ruth said she would come to Bethlehem, and Naomi’s people would be her people, and Naomi’s God would be her God.
God provided for Ruth and Naomi in remarkable ways, and the women remained loyal to each other throughout the whole story.
Ruth and Naomi Bible Lessons for Kids
Are you preparing to teach a lesson on the story of Ruth and Naomi? Be sure to check out our scripted lessons, discussion questions, and printable crafts. Perfect for kids aged 3 to 8.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION ABOUT RUTH AND NAOMI
When she arrived in Bethlehem, Ruth showed her loyalty to Naomi by working in the fields and gathering grain left behind by the workers. This was a common practice in Bible times. In fact, Leviticus 19:9-10 and Deuteronomy 24:19-22 command landowners not to harvest everything from their fields. Instead, He says they are to leave the edges and any leftover grain for those in need.
’peas in a pod’ friendship CRAFT FOR OLDER KIDS
The expression “two peas in a pod” describes people who get along well and are always together. Ruth and Naomi were two peas in a pod because they stuck together, even through hardship. They had a beautiful friendship!
To help kids connect with the theme of loyalty from the story, create a printable peas-in-a-pod craft, as shown in Ruth and Naomi for Older Kids. First, brainstorm ways to be loyal or show kindness. These could include encouraging a friend, sharing a toy, or including someone who is left out. Then use these ideas to complete the pea-in-a-pod craft. Kids will write their ideas on each pea and glue them to the pod.
This cute craft will be a great reminder of the importance of loyalty and kindness in friendship.
puzzle piece CRAFT FOR PRESCHOOL KIDS
Ruth chose to be a loyal friend, and we can choose to do the same! God wants us to be loyal and kind to our friends. To help preschoolers connect with this idea, do the printable puzzle piece craft from Ruth and Naomi for Preschool.
This craft has two puzzle pieces that fit together. The first puzzle piece has a picture of Ruth and Naomi. The second puzzle piece says, “I can be a loyal friend. I can show kindness by…” Kids will draw a picture of one way they can show kindness to their friends.
We can choose to be a kind friend!
OTHER CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES FOR the story of RUTH AND NAOMI
Follow the Leader: Play ‘Follow the Leader’ around the classroom, giving each kid a turn as the leader. You could set up an obstacle course for the leader to guide the group through, or have the leader come up with fun actions for everyone to follow. Then make the connection: just as the kids followed the leader, Ruth followed Naomi back to Bethlehem.
Gleaning the Grain Relay Race: Set up a basket full of beanbags at the end of the room. Then form two teams. One kid from each team will race to the basket, take one beanbag, and bring it back to their team’s beanbag. Then the next kids will go. Pretend that the beanbags are the shafts of grain that Ruth gathered while she worked in the field. The team with the most beanbags wins.
Friendship bracelets: Ruth and Naomi were loyal and faithful friends. Friendship is a beautiful thing to be celebrated. Have kids make friendship bracelets for one or more of their friends. For some simple friendship bracelet ideas, check out Projects with Kids
Basket Weaving: Ruth would likely have collected her grain in a basket, so making a basket could be a fun activity for kids. Follow the instructions provided by But First We Craft and teach kids simple basket weaving.
For more ideas, check out Ruth and Boaz - Bible Lessons for Kids.
YOUTUBE VIDEOS ABOUT RUTH AND NAOMI
Watching a YouTube video about the story of Ruth and Naomi might be a great addition to your lesson. Below are some suggestions. As always, preview videos before showing them to your kids.
WANT TO CONTINUE LEARNING ABOUT OLD TESTAMENT STORIES?
This lesson is part of a seven-week series on beloved Old Testament stories. This series covers 7 “big names” in the Old Testament and includes lessons on Gideon’s Army, God Calls Samuel, Ruth and Boaz, The Fiery Furnace, Samson, and Solomon Asks for Wisdom.
