Ruth and Naomi

Whither Thou Goest, by Sandy Freckleton Gagon

June 6–12

Ruth; 1 Samuel 1–3

“My Heart Rejoiceth in the Lord”

As you read Ruth and 1 Samuel 1–3, ask Heavenly Father how you might help the children learn from the truths in these chapters. Record the impressions you receive.

Record Your Impressions

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Invite Sharing

Ask the children to share what they know about Ruth, Naomi, Hannah, or Samuel. It might be helpful to show them pictures, such as those in this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families.

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Teach the Doctrine: Younger Children

Ruth

I can show love and kindness to those around me.

When Ruth’s husband died, she could have stayed in her home country, but she chose to go with her widowed mother-in-law, Naomi, and care for her. Consider how Ruth’s Christlike example could inspire the children you teach to be kind to those around them.

Possible Activities

• Invite the children to represent Naomi, Ruth, Boaz, or other characters as you tell their story from the book of Ruth (see also “Ruth and Naomi” in Old Testament Stories). Invite the children to raise their hands every time they hear an act of kindness in the story. How do we feel when people are kind to us? How do we feel when we are kind to others?

• Sing together a song about being kind, such as “Kindness Begins with Me” (Children’s Songbook, 145). Help the children think of ways they can be kind to their family and friends. If they need help, show them pictures of people showing kindness. For every idea mentioned, let the children draw a heart on the board.

1 Samuel 1:1–18

Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers.

When Hannah was sad because she could not have children, she turned to the Lord in faith and He answered her prayer. Help the children see that they can always pray to Heavenly Father, especially when they are sad.

Possible Activities

• In your own words, tell the children why Hannah was sad (see 1 Samuel 1:2–8; see also “Hannah” in Old Testament Stories). What can we do when we are sad? Read to the children 1 Samuel 1:10, and invite the children to listen for what Hannah did. Ask the children how they feel when they pray. Read from verse 18 to explain that after her prayer, Hannah “was no more sad.”

  Hannah and Samuel

  For This Child I Prayed, by Elspeth Young

• Use this week’s activity page to teach the children that they can pray to Heavenly Father and He will help them. While the children are coloring, sing or play a recording of a song that teaches about prayer, such as “A Child’s Prayer” (Children’s Songbook, 12–13).

1 Samuel 2:1–10

The Lord has done many wonderful things for me.

Hannah showed her gratitude to the Lord with a beautiful poem of praise. Her example can help the children think about the many things they can thank Heavenly Father for.

Possible Activities

• Read to the children some of what Hannah said after the Lord blessed her with a son (see 1 Samuel 2:1–2). Share with the children a blessing you have received from the Lord and how it made you feel. Then invite the children to talk about blessings the Lord has given them. How can we show our gratitude to Him?

• Sing a song together that describes some of the blessings the Lord gives us, such as “My Heavenly Father Loves Me” (Children’s Songbook, 228–29). Invite the children to draw pictures of blessings they have received from the Lord.

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Teach the Doctrine: Older Children

Ruth

I can have faith in the Lord.

Ruth made sacrifices to be faithful to the Lord and remain loyal to Naomi. How can you help the children learn from Ruth’s acts of faith?

Possible Activities

• Display a picture of Ruth and Naomi (see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Individuals and Families). Then write three headings on the board: Trials, Actions, Blessings. Invite the children to read Ruth 1:3–5, 8, 16; 2:1–3, 8–12; 4:13–17, and write under the headings what they find in these verses. How did Ruth show her faith in the Lord? Share an example of how you have been blessed because you have faith in Jesus Christ, and let the children share their own experiences.

• Sing together a song about faith, such as “The Lord Is My Light” (Hymns, no. 89) or “Faith” (Children’s Songbook, 96–97). What does the song teach us about trusting the Lord? How can we have faith in Jesus Christ even during difficult times?

1 Samuel 1

Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers.

When Hannah “was in bitterness of soul,” she turned to Heavenly Father in prayer (1 Samuel 1:10). How can you encourage the children you teach to do the same?

Possible Activities

• To help the children learn about Hannah from 1 Samuel 1, give each child a few verses to read from the chapter (or show the video “Hannah’s Faith,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Afterward, toss a ball or small object to one child and invite him or her to tell part of the story before passing the ball to the next child to tell another part of the story. When the story is complete, ask the children to share something they learned from Hannah’s example.

• Read together 1 Samuel 1:15, and discuss what it means to pour out our souls before the Lord. With the children, make a list of things that we can talk about with God when we pray. Sing together a song about prayer, such as “A Child’s Prayer” (Children’s Songbook, 12–13). Testify of God’s love for His children and His desire to hear and answer their prayers.

• Ask the children to list (individually or in groups) examples of people in the scriptures who prayed to Heavenly Father. (If they need help, you could point them to Luke 22:41–43; Enos 1:2–6; Joseph Smith—History 1:14–17.) Ask them to share what they learn from these stories.

1 Samuel 3:1–10

I can hear and obey the Lord’s voice.

When Samuel was a young boy, he heard the voice of the Lord but did not recognize it at first. How can you help the children you teach hear and act on the promptings they receive?

Possible Activities

• Invite one child to pretend to be Samuel and another to pretend to be Eli as you read 1 Samuel 3:1–10 (or show the video “Samuel and Eli,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org). What can we learn from Samuel about how to listen to the voice of the Lord? How do we show that we are willing to hear when the Lord speaks to us?

• Invite the children to think about how they would explain to someone how the Lord speaks to them. Invite them to look for answers in one or more of the following scriptures: Doctrine and Covenants 6:22–23; 8:2–3; 9:7–9.

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Encourage Learning at Home

Encourage the children to think of someone or something they can pray about this week. Give them opportunities in the future to share how Heavenly Father answered their prayers.

Improving Our Teaching

Children with disabilities. Please visit disability.ChurchofJesusChrist.org to find out how you can better meet the needs of children with disabilities.

activity page: Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers