Home / Sunday School / Ruth Stays with Naomi

Old Testament · Ruth 1:1-22

Ruth Stays with Naomi

During a famine in Judah, Elimelech takes Naomi and their two sons from Bethlehem to Moab. Elimelech dies, and Naomi’s sons marry Moabite women, Ruth and Orpah; after about ten years, the sons also die. Naomi decides to return to Bethlehem after hearing that the LORD has provided food in Judah. Orpah returns to her people, but Ruth steadfastly commits herself to Naomi, Naomi’s people, and Naomi’s God. They arrive in Bethlehem at the beginning of the barley harvest, where Naomi expresses her grief and asks to be called Mara.

Coloring pages: 6Age/complexity: Explore (ages 3–5) · Imagine (ages 6–8) · Discover (ages 9–12)

Lesson resource collection

Color the story, one scene at a time.

Choose individual pages for your group, or print a coordinated story sheet when one is available.

Print Ruth Stays with Naomi: 4-Scene Story Sheet

Naomi, Ruth, and Orpah walking with simple travel bundles along a road from Moab toward Bethlehem, based on Ruth 1:6–7.

Returning Toward Bethlehem

Ruth 1:1-22

Ruth stays beside Naomi on the road from Moab to Bethlehem while Orpah says goodbye and turns back, based on Ruth 1:14–18.

Ruth Chooses to Stay

Ruth 1:1-22

Ruth and Naomi standing together on the road from Moab toward Bethlehem as Ruth promises to remain with Naomi.

Where You Go, I Will Go

Ruth 1:1-22

Naomi and Ruth return together to Bethlehem as women of the town notice them, with barley fields beginning to harvest nearby.

Naomi Returns to Bethlehem

Ruth 1:1-22

Naomi and Ruth arrive together at the edge of Bethlehem as women of the town notice them; the scene represents Ruth 1:19–22 and the beginning of the barley harvest.

The Town Notices Them

Ruth 1:1-22

Naomi and Ruth together near Bethlehem beside a barley field at the beginning of harvest, with Naomi burdened by grief and Ruth faithfully beside her.

Together at the Harvest Season

Ruth 1:1-22

Scripture reference

Ruth 1:1-22

Use this reference as you prepare and read the account with your class.

Talk together

A thoughtful question