Mesa Valley Church of Christ Grand Junction, Colorado
Illustration for Ruth Chooses God

Old Testament people Ages 5–10 Story 8 of 25

Ruth · ESV memory verse below

Ruth Chooses God

Who is this?

Ruth was from Moab. She loved Naomi and chose the God of Israel when life was hard.

What happened?

Ruth left home, gleaned in Boaz’s field, and the LORD kindly brought her into Israel’s story—into the family of David, and at last of Jesus.

The story

In the days of the judges there was a famine. Naomi’s husband and two sons died in Moab. She set out to return to Bethlehem and told her daughters-in-law to stay. Life felt empty.

But Ruth clung to her. She said, “Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” Ruth chose the LORD, not only Naomi. They came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.

Ruth went to glean leftover grain. She “happened” to come to the field of Boaz, a worthy man of Naomi’s family. Boaz spoke kindly, protected her, and made sure she had food. The LORD was weaving care through ordinary work.

Later Boaz redeemed and married Ruth. God gave them a son. Neighbor women said Naomi had a redeemer. From that family came King David—and, many years later, Jesus the Messiah. God welcomes those who take refuge under His wings.

Memory verse (ESV)

Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.

Ruth 1:16

Talk about it

Ages ~4–7

  1. Did Ruth stay with Naomi?
  2. What did Ruth gather in the field?

Ages ~8–12

  1. What did Ruth mean by “your God my God”?
  2. How do we see God’s kindness in “small” details like a field?
  3. Who might feel like an outsider that our family can welcome?

Family activity

Share one way your family can be loyal like Ruth—help a neighbor or invite someone to the table.

Parent take-home

Read Ruth 1:1–18 and skim chapter 2. Ruth chose Naomi’s people and Naomi’s God; the LORD kindly wove her into David’s line—and at last into Jesus’ family. Practice Ruth 1:16; thank God that outsiders can belong to Him by faith.

Talk on the way home

  1. What choice did Ruth make when Naomi started home?
  2. Whose God did Ruth choose?
  3. How was Boaz kind in the field?

Longer family guide: Week 8 on the family page.

Print coloring and activities (PDF) All children’s stories

In the PDF: coloring page, memory verse with blanks, plus kid activities (draw). Draw the main moment—keep it simple. Label one word from the story.

For parents and teachers

Ruth is a quiet book—grief, loyalty, work, and kindness. Let children hear her vow in 1:16–17. Point out that God was bringing David’s line to pass through a Moabite widow who chose the LORD.