THE STORY OF RUTH

Today we are going to hear a story about two women named, Ruth and Naomi. The
story begins in the land of Bethlehem with, Naomi, and her husband, Elimelech. Bethlehem
was in the middle of a famine. Does anybody know what a famine is? (give them time to
answer). A famine is when the land is SO dry that they are unable to grow any food!
Naomi, and her husband didn’t know what to do, so they left the land of Bethlehem and
moved to the land of Moab. Naomi, had two sons named, Mahlon, and Chilion, and it was
in the land of Moab that her sons found wives.

But something horrible happened, Naomi’s, husband and two sons died. Naomi, felt
very small and very unimportant. Do you ever feel small or unimportant? (give them time
to answer). Naomi, decided that she would go back to the land of Bethlehem. Naomi, said
to her daughter’s-in-laws, “return to your own mother’s house.” One of her daughters-in-
laws left, but the other clung to her and said, “Where you go, I go, your people will be my
people, and your God will be my God.” Can you guess the name of her daughter-in-law?

Her name was, Ruth.

Naomi, and, Ruth, set out for the land of Bethlehem, and although they didn’t know
it, God, was taking care of them. God, knew that their hearts were sad with the death of
their husbands, and, God, knew that life was going to be hard for them, and so He
prepared a way for them. In Bethlehem, Ruth, needed to collect food for her and, Naomi.
She went to a field and picked up the grain that had fallen to the ground. The owner of
the field asked his workers, “Who is this women?”

The workers explained that she was with, Naomi, from the land of Moab. What, Ruth,
didn’t realize was that the owner of the field was a relative of, Naomi. The owner’s name
was, Boaz. Boaz, saw that, Ruth, was a good worker who cared for, Naomi. Boaz, was kind
to, Ruth, and invited her to join him and his workers for a meal. Boaz, then sent, Ruth,
home with grain for, Naomi. When, Naomi, saw the grain she was amazed and when she
found out that, Ruth, went to the field of, Boaz, she was grateful, “May he be blessed by
the LORD,” Naomi, said.

Naomi, wanted, Ruth, to be taken care of, and so, Naomi, sent, Ruth, to where, Boaz,
was sleeping. “Who are you?” Boaz, asked when he realized somebody was there “It is,
Ruth,” she explained. Boaz, was honored that, Ruth, would be willing to marry him, but,
Boaz, knew that there was a closer relative to her than him. The next day, Boaz, would go
to town at meet this relative, if this relative would not take care of her, then he would.
God, knew that, Boaz, would show kindness to, Ruth, and, Naomi. The next day, Boaz, and
the relative met and the relative gave, Boaz, permission to marry, Ruth.
Naomi, and, Ruth, felt very small, but, God, could see them and, God, knew what
they needed. God, prepared their way in meeting, Boaz. God, took care of them, and soon,
God, blessed, Ruth, and, Boaz, with a son.
 THE STORY OF DORCAS

There was a lady that lived in Joppa and her name was Tabitha. She was also called
Dorcas. The Bible says she was full of good works and she was a very giving person. She was a
Christian. Dorcas helped the women that didn’t have husbands. She made coats and clothing
for them.
But, one day Dorcas became sick and then died. The Christians heard that Peter was in a
town close by. They sent two men begging Peter to come quickly. Peter was one of the
disciples of Jesus.  Peter went to Joppa and the men took him to the upper room where Dorcas
was laying.
The women stood by Peter and they were crying because Dorcas had gotten sick and
died. The women showed Peter the clothing that Dorcas had made for them.
Peter sent everyone out of the room, and knelt down and he prayed. Who did Peter
pray to? (God) Peter turned to Dorcas and said "Stand up Tabitha." She opened her eyes and
when she saw Peter, Dorcas sat up. Peter held out his hand, and helped her up. Peter did a
miracle! 
Peter called to the people that were there and showed them that Dorcas was alive.
Everyone was so happy to have Dorcas again!

So many people heard about Dorcas being alive and they believed in Jesus!
 THE STORY OF THE SHUNAMITE WOMAN

As Elisha, the prophet, travelled from town to town there must have been many times
when it was difficult to find lodging. Israelite travellers (especially an Israelite going into a town
of Israel) could expect to be invited into someone’s home for a meal. If it were evening, the
traveller would be asked to spend the night. The Shunammite woman’s request that Elisha
have a meal and spend the night did not come as a shock to Elisha. After that, whenever he
was in Shunem, he visited and stayed with them.

The woman’s husband must have been as hospitable as she. When she suggested
they build an extra room onto their home for Elisha, her husband agreed. This family was
wealthy. Even for a wealthy person, it was no small matter to build an extra room onto a
house, plus there was the added expense of furnishing it. They did all this for a man who only
visited with them from time to time.

Elisha was impressed and touched by the generosity of these godly people. He wanted
to do something for them to show his gratitude. When he asked the woman what she needed,
she replied that she had everything she needed. It was Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, who realized
what the perfect gift would be – a son. Elisha called the woman and prophesied that she
would bear a son within the year.

The prophecy came to pass, but some years later the boy suffered from an illness while
helping his father in the fields. The boy died a few hours later. The woman immediately asked
her husband to let her go to Elisha. He agreed even though he did not understand why she
wanted to go.

When the woman saw Elisha, she did not berate him. She stated that she did not ask
for a son, but was given one and now he had been taken away from her. She believed that
Elisha could do something to help her son and he did.
 Elisha instructed his servant to hurry to the child. Gehazi did not even greet anyone, but
lay his staff on the boy’s face. The staff did not revive the child.

When Elisha arrived, he went into the room with the dead child, shut the door, prayed,
stretched himself on the child to warm him, and prayed. God heard his prayer and restored
the life to the child! The woman bowed before Elisha in humble gratitude before she took her
cherished son and left the room.

Elisha continued to see this family as the years went by.