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June 19 (Large Group)

This week, we see Ruth making some bold decisions that helped turn around her and Naomi’s circumstances. Whatever we’re facing will not be anywhere near as hard as what Jesus went through, but we can be bold just the same because God gives us boldness. It takes boldness to put our hope in God!

Big Idea: God gives us boldness.

Bible Story: Ruth Asks Boaz for Help:Ruth 3; Psalm 42

Memory Verse: “The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.” (Psalm 121:8)

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DOWNLOAD THE PRINT VERSION

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WATCH THE STORY VIDEO

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Order of Service

Sample Service Time: 9am

8:45 Play & Check-in (Classrooms)

9:05 Icebreaker (Classrooms)

9:10 Transition to Auditorium

9:15 Large Group (Auditorium)

9:40 Transition to Classrooms

9:45 Small Group Time (Classrooms)

10:10 Check-out (Classrooms)

Icebreaker Game

POLL | Bold Examples

Being bold is not just about conquering fears. It can mean being confident in a decision you make or taking a calculated risk even though you know things could go badly.

INSTRUCTIONS: Ask kids which of the following are examples of being bold. If they agree, have them BOLDLY run to one side of the room. If they don’t think it’s boldness, have them remain seated.

Riding a scary roller coaster.

Catching a lizard in a paper cup.

Jumping into the swimming pool without getting used to the water.

Giving a speech in front of hundreds of people.

Standing up to someone who is being unkind.

Dressing in clothes that are not in style.

Admitting you made a mistake and apologizing for it.

Starting up a conversation with someone new.

Answering a question even though you’re not sure if your answer is right. See? Boldness takes many forms!

Large Group

Welcome → Worship → Introduce the Story → Story Video → Closing

WELCOME: Hey friends! My name is ________ and I’ll be your host today. It’s another week of Ever After, where we discover how the stories about God are even better than famous fairy tales! Last week we heard all about how Ruth’s story shows us in any situation, hope can always be found in Jesus. I have a question for you:What do you think is the main difference between a good story and a bad story?

(Allow responses.)

TRANSITION TO WORSHIP: Let’s bow our heads and close our eyes to pray as we prepare to worship. (Pray over the kids. Then start the worship songs.)

WORSHIP SONGS: All That I Need & With You

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ACCESS THE WORSHIP LIBRARY

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INTRODUCE THE STORY: It’s another week of Ever After, where we discover how the stories about God are even better than famous fairy tales! We are halfway through the story of our heroine, Ruth, who had just found favor with a man named Boaz who owned the field where Ruth collected grain. I can’t wait to tell you this next part. Let’s dive into chapter three!

Even before Naomi and Ruth got to Bethlehem, Naomi had always been concerned for Ruth. So far Ruth was proving to be hard-working and resourceful, taking care of Naomi in a foreign land.

Naomi couldn’t do much for Ruth in return, but she thought of a way that Ruth could be taken care of by someone else. Once she learned that Ruth had met Boaz, Naomi’s eyes lit up.

Boaz was not just any relative of her late husband’s. He was someone called a guardian-redeemer (or kinsman-redeemer) of the family. According to the law, Boaz could step in and take the place of Naomi’s husband and son’s family line. He could purchase all of the property as his own . . . but he could only do this if he married Ruth.

Ooh, the plot thickens! So one day, Naomi set a plan in motion. People like Boaz often slept with their grain – most likely to protect it from thieves – and that night would be no different. Naomi instructed Ruth to dress up nicely and find Boaz where he was sleeping. She was to go lie down near his feet and wait for him to wake up.

Peculiar, right? Ruth had no idea what would happen to her or what people would think of her actions. But she said she would do everything Naomi told her to do. And she did. Boaz woke up in the middle of the night and was startled to see Ruth was there! Do you think Boaz was happy or upset to see Ruth?

Ruth told Boaz that as a guardian-redeemer for the family, he had the opportunity to acquire all of Naomi’s husband’s lands if he would marry her. Boaz was moved by how brave Ruth was being by coming to him. He said he would absolutely help her with this to the best of his ability. Ruth returned home in the morning and told Naomi the good news. The women had done all they could do in the matter. It was all up to Boaz now!

Ruth must have been afraid of a ton of things as she followed Naomi’s instructions about approaching Boaz. But she decided to be bold instead and she was able to turn things around.The best part is, God gives us boldness, too, when we follow the plans God has for us.

Fear Box

INSTRUCTIONS: Place four tissue boxes with one item per box in front of you. Put these items in each box: cooked spaghetti or ramen noodles, a toy spider, slime, and feathers.

Pick a box and pretend that you’re struggling to put your hand inside to feel what it is a few times before you invite a volunteer to do it for you. Make sure you heighten the suspense a little to make it seem like something spooky is inside. Have them guess what it is they’re feeling then show the group.

Repeat for remaining boxes. Wow, you all are bold! I was a little scared but it turns out it wasn’t anything to be afraid of. There’s always a certain amount of fear that comes with not knowing what lies ahead, or what’s inside a box. And being afraid is not always a bad thing . . . sometimes you need to first have fear before you can be brave about it!

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