Ruth and Naomi: Faithful Friends

Part 1: A long way from home (Ruth 1:1–5)

Long ago, before Israel had any kings, there wasn't enough food in the land around Bethlehem. The crops didn't grow, and people were hungry. This is called a famine.

In Bethlehem lived a man called Elimelech, his wife, Naomi, and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion. To find food, the family travelled a long way, to another country called Moab.

Moab was a different land, with different people. But the family made a home there.

Then something very sad happened. Naomi's husband, Elimelech, died. But Naomi still had her two sons, and they both married women from Moab. One was called Orpah. The other was called Ruth.

About ten years later, there was more sadness. Both of Naomi's sons died too. Now Naomi had no husband and no sons, and she was far from home.

[Pause, 2 seconds.]

Sometimes very sad things happen, and it's all right to feel sad when we hear about them.

Part 2: "Where you go, I will go" (Ruth 1:6–18)

One day, Naomi heard some news from home. The Lord had helped his people in Bethlehem. There was food there again!

So Naomi decided to go back home. Ruth and Orpah set off with her along the road.

But after a while, Naomi stopped. She turned to the two young women and said, "Go back, each of you, to your mother's home. You have been so kind to my family and to me. May the Lord be kind to you, too. May each of you find a new home and a new husband."

She kissed them goodbye, and they all cried.

"No," said Ruth and Orpah. "We'll come with you, to your people."

"Go back, my daughters," said Naomi. "Why would you come with me? I have no more sons for you to marry. Life has been very hard for me."

They all cried again. Then Orpah kissed Naomi goodbye and went back to her home in Moab, just as Naomi had asked her to.

But Ruth held on tight to Naomi. She wouldn't let go.

"Look," said Naomi gently, "Orpah is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her."

And Ruth said some of the most beautiful words in the whole Bible:

"Don't ask me to leave you. Where you go, I will go. Where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried."

[Pause, 2 seconds.]

Ruth was promising to stay with Naomi for the rest of her life, and to follow Naomi's God. She would leave her home and her country, so that Naomi would not be alone.

When Naomi saw that Ruth had made up her mind, she stopped arguing, and the two of them walked on together.

Part 3: Home to Bethlehem (Ruth 1:19–22)

At last, they reached Bethlehem, and the whole town was talking. "Can this really be Naomi?" the women asked.

Now, the name Naomi means "pleasant", or "lovely". But Naomi said, "Don't call me Naomi. Call me Mara." Mara means "bitter". "I went away full," she said, "but the Lord has brought me back empty."

Naomi felt sad and empty, and she told God so. It's all right to tell God when we feel sad. He listens.

But Naomi wasn't quite as empty as she thought. Ruth was right there beside her. And they had arrived in Bethlehem just as the barley harvest was beginning.

Part 4: In the fields (Ruth 2:1–16)

Ruth and Naomi had no food. But God had given Israel a kind law: farmers had to leave some grain behind in their fields, so that poor people and people from other countries could gather it. This was called gleaning. (Leviticus 19:9–10; Deuteronomy 24:19)

"Let me go to the fields," said Ruth, "and gather the leftover grain behind anyone who will let me."

"Go ahead, my daughter," said Naomi.

So Ruth went out to the fields. [Soft harvest sounds, under the voice.] Swish, swish went the harvesters, cutting the tall golden barley. Behind them came Ruth, gathering the stalks they had left, one by one.

As it happened, Ruth was working in a field that belonged to a man called Boaz. And Boaz was a relative of Naomi's husband, Elimelech.

Later that day, Boaz came out from Bethlehem to see his workers. "The Lord be with you!" he called. "The Lord bless you!" they called back.

Boaz noticed Ruth. "Who is that young woman?" he asked the man in charge of the workers.

"She's the young woman from Moab who came back with Naomi," said the man. "She's been working hard since early morning, with only a short rest."

So Boaz went over to Ruth. "Listen, my daughter," he said kindly. "Stay here in my field, close to the women who work for me. I've told my men not to bother you. And whenever you're thirsty, drink from the water jars."

Ruth bowed low. "Why are you being so kind to me?" she asked. "I'm a foreigner here."

"I've heard about everything you have done for Naomi since your husband died," said Boaz. "You left your father and mother and your own country, to live among people you didn't know. May the Lord reward you. You have come to shelter under God's care, like a little bird safe under its mother's wings."

"Thank you," said Ruth. "You have comforted me, and spoken so kindly to me."

At mealtime, Boaz invited Ruth to share the bread, and passed her some roasted grain. She ate until she was full, and even had some left over.

When Ruth went back to work, Boaz quietly told his workers, "Let her gather grain even among the bundles. Pull out some stalks on purpose, and leave them for her. Don't tell her off."

[Harvest sounds fade.]

Part 5: A surprise for Naomi (Ruth 2:17–23)

Ruth worked in the field until evening. Then she beat the barley stalks, to shake out the grain. And there was so much! It filled a whole big sack.

She carried it home to Naomi, with the food she had saved from her meal. Naomi's eyes opened wide!

"Where did you work today?" asked Naomi. "God bless the man who noticed you!"

"His name is Boaz," said Ruth.

"Boaz!" said Naomi. "May the Lord bless him! Kindness hasn't stopped coming to us, or to our family who have died. That man is one of our close relatives. He is one of the people who can take care of our family."

For the first time in a long time, Naomi sounded hopeful.

"There's more," said Ruth. "Boaz told me to stay with his workers until they've finished the whole harvest."

"That's good, my daughter," said Naomi. "Stay with the women who work for him. You'll be safe there."

So Ruth worked in Boaz's fields until the barley and wheat harvests were finished. She lived with Naomi, and they looked after each other.

[Pause, 2 seconds.]

Ruth was a faithful friend. She stayed with Naomi when life was hard, and worked hard to take care of her. And through Ruth's kindness, and Boaz's kindness, God was taking care of them both.

And this isn't the end of their story. There's more to discover in Ruth chapters three and four.

Aims

By the end of the session, children will:

1. Know the story of Ruth and Naomi from Ruth 1–2.
2. Understand that being faithful means staying loyal and keeping on caring for someone, even when it's hard (Ruth 1:16–17).
3. Notice that God cared for Ruth and Naomi through the kindness of people (Ruth 2:12, 2:20).
4. Think of one way to be a faithful friend, and to welcome someone new, this week.

Key verse

"Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God." (Ruth 1:16)

Background for leaders (5-minute read)

• When: "In the days when the judges ruled" (Ruth 1:1), before Israel had kings. The book of Judges describes a troubled time; Ruth is a story of quiet faithfulness in that setting.
• Moab: a neighbouring nation east of the Dead Sea, with its own gods (Ruth 1:15). Ruth is a foreigner in Bethlehem, and she knows it (Ruth 2:10).
• Grief: Naomi loses her husband and both sons (Ruth 1:3–5). She speaks honestly about her bitterness and blames no one but brings it to God (Ruth 1:20–21). The Bible makes room for lament. Children may notice that Naomi is sad and even cross; that's all right.
• Orpah is not the "bad" one. She does what Naomi asks, with tears (Ruth 1:14). Avoid setting Orpah up as a contrast to be criticised. Ruth's choice goes beyond what anyone expected of her.
• Gleaning: God's law told farmers to leave the edges of their fields and the dropped grain for the poor and the foreigner (Leviticus 19:9–10; Deuteronomy 24:19). Boaz goes further than the law: he offers protection, water, a meal and extra grain left on purpose (Ruth 2:8–9, 2:14–16).
• Loyal kindness: the Hebrew word hesed (loyal love, kindness that keeps its promises) appears at Ruth 1:8 and 2:20. It's a key idea of the whole book: Ruth shows it to Naomi, Boaz shows it to Ruth, and through them God shows it to both.
• An ephah of barley (Ruth 2:17): a large amount. Many Bible footnotes estimate about 13 kilograms (around 30 pounds), which was perhaps several weeks' worth of grain for two people.
• Guardian-redeemer (Ruth 2:20): a close relative with a duty to help family members in need. This sets up chapters 3–4, where Boaz marries Ruth. Their son Obed is the grandfather of King David (Ruth 4:13–17), and Ruth is named in Jesus' family line (Matthew 1:5). You don't need to teach this today, but older children may enjoy knowing "there's more to come".
• Safety in the fields: Boaz tells his men not to bother Ruth (Ruth 2:9), and Naomi says she'll be safe with his workers (Ruth 2:22). For children, keep this simple: "Boaz made sure Ruth was safe." See the safeguarding note.

You will need

• The audio story (or this script to read aloud), and a speaker
• Printed activity sheets (one per child), pencils and colouring pencils
• For the gleaning game: about 60 paper "barley stalks" (yellow paper strips) and a basket or bag for each team
• Optional: a large sheet of paper titled "Faithful friends" for the closing activity

Allergy and food note: this plan doesn't use food. If you add bread or grain to the story time, check allergies, dietary needs and your church's food policy first.

45-minute session plan

Discussion questions: ages 5–7

1. Who went with Naomi back to Bethlehem? (Ruth.)
2. How do you think Naomi felt when she got home? Why?
3. What did Ruth do to look after Naomi? (She went with her; she gathered grain; she brought food home.)
4. How was Boaz kind to Ruth? (He let her stay in his field, gave her water and food, kept her safe and left extra grain.)
5. Ruth was a faithful friend. What does a faithful friend do?
6. How could you be a kind friend to someone this week?

Discussion questions: ages 8–11

1. Ruth said, "Where you go, I will go" (Ruth 1:16). What was she giving up to keep that promise?
2. Orpah went back home, as Naomi asked. Ruth stayed. Was Orpah wrong? Why do you think Ruth chose differently?
3. Naomi said, "Call me Mara," which means "bitter" (Ruth 1:20). Is it all right to tell God when we're sad or upset? What does it tell us that the Bible includes Naomi's sad words?
4. God's law said farmers should leave grain for poor people and foreigners (Leviticus 19:9–10). How did Boaz go further than the rule?
5. Ruth said, "I'm a foreigner" (Ruth 2:10). How can we welcome people who are new to our church, school or country?
6. Naomi said that kindness hadn't stopped (Ruth 2:20). Where can you see God caring for Ruth and Naomi in this story?
7. What's one thing that would make it hard to be faithful to a friend? What could help?

Closing prayer

Dear God, thank you for Ruth, who was a faithful friend to Naomi, and for Boaz, who was kind. Thank you that you care for us, even when life is hard. Help us to be faithful friends, and to welcome people who are new. Amen.

Adapting the session

• Small or mixed-age groups: keep everyone together. Ask the younger questions first, then invite older children to answer one of the 8–11 questions.
• Children with additional needs: give a simple visual timetable of the session. Offer a seated or standing version of the movement games. Children can draw rather than write on the activity sheet. Let children wear ear defenders or sit further from the speaker if they find sound difficult.
• Online sessions: follow your church's online safeguarding policy. Play the audio through screen-share and use the wondering question as a "think and draw" moment.

A. Ruth's promise (Ruth 1:16)

Fill in the missing words. Use the word bank.

Word bank: go · stay · people · God

"Where you (blank) I will go, and where you (blank) I will stay. Your (blank) will be my people and your (blank) my God."

B. Put the story in order

Number the boxes from 1 to 6.

• Ruth gathers barley in Boaz's field.
• Naomi's family moves to Moab because there's no food in Bethlehem.
• Ruth says, "Where you go, I will go."
• Ruth brings home a big sack of grain for Naomi.
• Ruth and Naomi arrive in Bethlehem at harvest time.
• Boaz gives Ruth water and food, and keeps her safe.

C. Word search (ages 8–11)

Find these 10 words. They go across (left to right) or down.

RUTH · NAOMI · BOAZ · MOAB · BARLEY · FIELD · FRIEND · KIND · HARVEST · BETHLEHEM

D. A sheaf of kindness

Ruth gathered barley one stalk at a time. Draw or write three ways you can be a faithful friend this week, one on each stalk.

Answers (for leaders)

• A: go · stay · people · God
• B: 4 · 1 · 2 · 6 · 3 · 5 (in the order the boxes are listed)
• C: Across: MOAB and BOAZ (row 2). Down: BETHLEHEM (column 1, from row 2), FRIEND (column 2, from row 2), NAOMI (column 4, from row 5), KIND (column 5, from row 5), BARLEY (column 6, from row 4), HARVEST (column 7, from row 4), RUTH (column 9, from row 4), FIELD (column 10, from row 5).

Sensitive themes in this story

Ruth 1–2 includes the death of a parent and of husbands (Ruth 1:3–5), grief and bitterness (1:20–21), hunger and poverty (1:1, 2:2), leaving home and moving to another country (1:1, 1:16, 2:11), being a foreigner (2:10) and a hint that women working alone could be harmed (2:9, 2:22).

Some children in your group may have experienced bereavement, family breakdown, food poverty, migration or seeking asylum.

• Think beforehand about who is in your group. If you know a child has recently been bereaved or has moved country, consider letting their parent or carer know the theme in advance.
• Don't ask children to share personal experiences of loss, hunger or moving. Invite, never press, and always allow a child to pass.
• Keep the danger in the fields simple: "Boaz made sure Ruth was safe." Don't explore it further with children.
• Watch for children who seem upset. Have a second adult available to sit with a child quietly, in view of others.
• Use inclusive language about families. Not every child lives with both parents.

Running the session safely

• Follow your church's policy on adult-to-child ratios, recruitment checks (such as DBS checks in England and Wales) and never being alone with a child out of sight of others.
• Make sure the space for the gleaning game is clear of hazards, and offer a seated version for anyone who needs it.
• Follow your church's policy on photographs. Only take or share photos of children with the consent your policy requires.
• BrightPath Audio never asks for children's names, photos or voices. Please don't send us any.

If a child tells you something worrying

1. Stay calm and listen. Let the child speak in their own words.
2. Don't promise to keep it a secret. Explain kindly that you may need to tell someone who can help.
3. Don't ask leading questions or investigate.
4. As soon as you can, write down what the child said, in their words, with the date and time, and sign it.
5. Tell your church's safeguarding lead (often called the Designated Safeguarding Lead or Safeguarding Officer) the same day.
6. If a child is in immediate danger, call the emergency services (999 in the UK).

Where to get advice (UK)

• Thirtyone:eight (Christian safeguarding charity) helpline: 0303 003 1111
• NSPCC helpline for adults worried about a child: 0808 800 5000
• Childline for children and young people: 0800 1111

Outside the UK, contact your denomination's safeguarding lead and your local child protection services.

© 2026 BrightPath Audio. Free sample: you may print and use it with the children in your own church or home. Please don't sell it or post it online.
BrightPath Audio, UK sole trader · Brightpathaudio, 173594, Lytchett House, 13 Freeland Park, Wareham Road, Poole, Dorset, BH16 6FA · ICO registration ZC258939 · hello@brightpathaudio.com