Ruth Gathers Grain in the Fields • Lesson 2 Bible Point ...

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25 Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Pre-K & K, Ages 5 & 6 Bible Point Families help each other in hard times. Ruth Gathers Grain in the Fields • Lesson 2 Bible Verse “Be kind to each other’’ (Ephesians 4:32a). Growing Closer to Jesus Children will n learn that family members help each other out of love, n understand we can rely on God to help our families, n teach Pockets that families help each other in hard times, and n experience helping each other as a class “family.’’ Teacher Enrichment Bible Basis n Ruth gathers grain in the fields. Having just arrived in Bethlehem from Moab, Ruth set out to find food for Naomi and herself by gleaning—joining the poor to gather grain left by the reapers. Ruth’s attitude provides even more information about her character. She must have realized how demeaning it would be for Naomi to perform such a task after having left Bethlehem years earlier as part of a wealthy family. Imagine, however, how difficult this task must have been for Ruth. She was an unknown foreigner, a widow, and likely considered an outcast. Workers in the field may have been less than kind to her. But she undertook the task diligently and politely. It may seem strange that Ruth was allowed to take grain from someone else’s field. However, God had provided for the unfortunate, directing landowners to allow “foreigners, orphans, and widows’’ to gather grain missed by the landowner’s workers in their first pass through the fields (Deuteronomy 24:19). Ruth was doing what any widow in Israel would have been allowed to do. Prayer • Read Galatians 6:2. How has your relationship with Jesus helped you be able to share the troubles of others? Pray: Dear Lord, thank you that you share my troubles. Help me to follow your example and reach out to… Before the Lesson n Collect the necessary items for the activities you plan to use. Refer to the Classroom Supplies and Learning Lab Supplies columns to determine what you’ll need. n Make photocopies of the “Today I Learned…’’ handout (at the end of this lesson) to send home with your children. n Pray for the children in your class and for God’s direction in teaching the lesson. Ruth 1:19–2:3

Transcript of Ruth Gathers Grain in the Fields • Lesson 2 Bible Point ...

25Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Pre-K & K, Ages 5 & 6

Bible Point Families help each other in hard times.

Ruth Gathers Grain in the Fields • Lesson 2

Bible Verse“Be kind to each other’’ (Ephesians 4:32a).

Growing Closer to JesusChildren will n learn that family members help each other out of love,

n understand we can rely on God to help our families,n teach Pockets that families help each other in hard times, andn experience helping each other as a class “family.’’

Teacher EnrichmentBible Basisn Ruth gathers grain in the fields.

Having just arrived in Bethlehem from Moab, Ruth set out to find food for Naomi and herself by gleaning—joining the poor to gather grain left by the reapers. Ruth’s attitude provides even more information about her character. She must have realized how demeaning it would be for Naomi to perform such a task after having left Bethlehem years earlier as part of a wealthy family. Imagine, however, how difficult this task must have been for Ruth. She was an unknown foreigner, a widow, and likely considered an outcast. Workers in the field may have been less than kind to her. But she undertook the task diligently and politely.

It may seem strange that Ruth was allowed to take grain from someone else’s field. However, God had provided for the unfortunate, directing landowners to allow “foreigners, orphans, and widows’’ to gather grain missed by the landowner’s workers in their first pass through the fields (Deuteronomy 24:19). Ruth was doing what any widow in Israel would have been allowed to do.

Prayer• Read Galatians 6:2.• How has your relationship with Jesus helped you be able to share the troubles of others?• Pray: Dear Lord, thank you that you share my troubles. Help me to follow your example and reach out to…

Before the Lessonn Collect the necessary items for the activities you plan to use. Refer to the Classroom Supplies and Learning Lab Supplies

columns to determine what you’ll need.n Make photocopies of the “Today I Learned…’’ handout (at the end of this lesson) to send home with your children.n Pray for the children in your class and for God’s direction in teaching the lesson.

Ruth 1:19–2:3

Lesson 2

Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Pre-K & K, Ages 5 & 626

What Children Will Do Classroom Supplies Learning Lab Supplies

WelcomeTime

Welcome!—Receive name tags, and be greeted by the teacher.

“Family Name Tags” (p. 23), crayons, markers, tape or safety pins

Let’s Get Started

Direct children to one or more of the

optional activities until everyone

arrives.

Option 1: Snack Sandwiches—Make sandwich snacks to share as a class later in the lesson, and hear how Ruth helped Naomi.

Whole-wheat bread, soft cream cheese, jam, plastic knives, wet wipes

Option 2: Grain Rubbings—Make grain rubbings on paper with crayons, and learn how Ruth gathered grain for her family.

Uncooked rice, bowls, white paper, newsprint, crayons

Option 3: Family Dress-Up—Dress up like family members, and talk about helping.

Dress-up clothes

Pick Up Our Toys—Sing a song as they pick up toys and gather for Bible Story Time.

CD player

Bible Story Time

Setting the Stage—Play a fun game to gather “grain.”

Bible, unpopped popcorn kernels, plastic spoons, paper lunch sacks

Bible Song and Prayer Time—Sing a song, bring out the Bible, and pray together.

Bible, construction paper, scissors, CD player, basket

Hear and Tell the Bible Story—Play a popcorn game, and hear how Ruth helped her family.

Bible, CD player, popped popcorn

Do the Bible Story—Play a game to identify ways families help each other.

“Helpers” handout (p. 35), scissors

Closing I Can Help, Too!—Teach Pockets to help during hard times.

Small bag, scrap paper

Time to Eat!—Sing a song, and share snack sandwiches.

Snack sandwiches from Option 1, napkins, CD player, wet wipes

This Lesson at a Glance

*See the end of this lesson for extra-time ideas and supplies.

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Ruth Gathers Grain in the Fields

27Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Pre-K & K, Ages 5 & 6

It’s important to say the Bible Point just as it’s written in each activity. Repeating the Bible Point again and again will help the children remember it and apply it to their lives.

Welcome Timen Welcome!SUPPLIES: “Family Name Tags’’ (p. 23), crayons, markers, tape or safety pins• Bend down and make eye contact with children as they arrive.• Greet each child individually with an enthusiastic smile.• Thank each child for coming to class today.• As children arrive, ask them how they put last week’s lesson into practice. Use

questions such as “Why do families help each other?’’ and “How did you help someone in your family?’’

• Say: Today we’re going to learn that families help each other in hard times.

• Hand out the “Family’’ name tags children made in Lesson 1, and help them attach the name tags to their clothing. If some of the name tags were damaged or if some of the children weren’t in class that week, have them make new name tags using the photocopiable patterns.

• Direct the children to the Let’s Get Started activities you’ve set up.

Let’s Get StartedSet up one or more of the following activities for children to do as they arrive. After

you greet each child, invite him or her to choose an activity.Circulate among children to guide the activities and direct children’s conversation

toward today’s lesson. Ask questions such as “How do families help each other?’’ or “How can families show God their love?’’

n Option 1: Snack SandwichesSUPPLIES: whole-wheat bread, soft cream cheese, jam, plastic knives, wet wipes

Set out whole-wheat bread, a tub of soft cream cheese, jam, and plastic knives. Have children clean their hands with wet wipes or at a nearby sink. Have children form an assembly line of groups such as the Spreaders, Jammers, Breaders, and Cutters. Spreaders spread cream cheese on the bread and then pass it to the Jammers, who spread jam over the cream cheese. Breaders add the top piece of bread to make a sandwich, and Cutters cut the sandwich into quarters. Tell children that in today’s Bible story, they’ll hear how Ruth gathered grain to share with Naomi. Gathering grain was hard work, but families help each other in hard times. Tell children they’ll be sharing the sandwiches later in the lesson.

Be sure to have children make enough snack sandwiches for everyone. If you don’t choose this option, make sandwiches before class to share in the Closing.

Lesson 2

Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Pre-K & K, Ages 5 & 628

n Option 2: Grain RubbingsSUPPLIES: uncooked rice, bowls, white paper, newsprint, crayons

Set out bowls of uncooked rice, white paper, crayons, and newsprint. Show children how to sprinkle the rice on the newsprint and cover it with white paper. Use a crayon to gently color over the grain to create a rubbing. Encourage children to work in pairs, one holding the paper on top of the rice while the other colors. Then have them switch. Tell children that today’s Bible story is about how Ruth gathered grain for her family’s food. Ruth worked hard because she knew that families help each other in hard times.

n Option 3: Family Dress-UpSUPPLIES: dress-up clothes

Set out dress-up clothes such as dresses, shirts, ties, hats, and so on. Invite children to dress up as their family members. As children dress up, ask questions such as “Who are you dressed as?’’ and “What special way does that person help your family?’’ Say that today’s Bible story is about how Ruth helped her family through a hard time. Explain that because they love each other, families help each other in hard times.

When everyone has arrived and you’re ready to move on to the Bible Story Time, encourage the children to finish what they’re doing and get ready to clean up.

n Pick Up Our ToysSUPPLIES: CD player

Lead children in singing “Pick Up Our Toys” (track 2) with the CD to the tune of “Skip to My Lou.” Encourage children to sing along as they help clean up the room.

You’ll be using this song each week to alert children to start picking up. At first they may need a little encouragement. But after a

few weeks, picking up and singing along will become a familiar routine.If you want to include the names of all the children in the class, sing the song

without the CD, and repeat the naming section. If you choose to use the CD, vary the names you use each week.

We will pick up our toys.We will pick up our toys.We will pick up our toys,And put them all away.

There’s [name] picking up toys.There’s [name] picking up toys.There’s [name] picking up toys,Putting them all away.

(Repeat.)

If you have access to stalks of wheat, use these instead of the rice.

track 2

Ruth Gathers Grain in the Fields

29Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Pre-K & K, Ages 5 & 6

Bible Story Timen Setting the StageSUPPLIES: Bible, unpopped popcorn kernels, plastic spoons, paper lunch sacks

Tell the children you’ll clap your hands to get their attention. Explain that when you clap your hands, children are to stop what they’re doing, raise their hands, and focus on you. Encourage children to respond quickly so you’ll have time for all the fun activities you’ve planned.

Before this activity, set out small paper sacks at one end of the room to be used as “grain sacks.’’ You’ll need one sack for every three children in your class.

Say: Let’s play a grain game! Pretend this room is a grainfield. First we have to plant our grain.

You’ll need a small bag of popcorn kernels. Let each child take a small handful of kernels and sprinkle them around the floor in a designated area. Say: What a great job of planting! Now let’s form families and gather our grain. Form family groups of three.

Say: Let’s pick up the grain and bring it home like Ruth did. I’ll give each of you a plastic spoon. When I flip the lights, you’ll have a minute to scoop up as much “grain’’ as you can on your spoon and then pour it in your family’s grain sack. I’ll flip the lights again when it’s time to stop. Assign each group a grain sack. Flip the lights to begin and end the game. When the game is over, ask children to sit on the floor in their family groups by their grain sacks.

You all did a wonderful job picking up the grain. Hold up your bags and give each other high fives.

Ask: • Why was it important to help each other as a family? (The work went faster; it was easier; we got more that way.)

Say: Just as you helped each other in our game, families help each other in hard times. Helping each other is a way families show love and kindness. Let’s see what the Bible says about this. Open your Bible to Ephesians 4:32 and read aloud: “Be kind to each other.”

Our Bible story today is about how Ruth helped her family during a hard time. Ruth and Naomi had a hard time getting enough food. Let’s hear how they helped each other and showed kindness through a hard time.

n Bible Song and Prayer TimeSUPPLIES: Bible, construction paper, scissors, CD player, basket

Before class, make surprise cards for this activity by cutting construction paper into 2x6-inch slips. Prepare a surprise card for each child plus a few extras for visitors. Fold the cards in half, and then stamp the family stamp inside one of the surprise cards. Bookmark Ruth 1:19–2:3 in the Bible you’ll be using. Return the family stamp and ink pad to the Learning Lab.

Have children sit with their family groups from “Setting the Stage.’’ Say: Now it’s time to choose a Bible person to bring me the Bible marked with today’s Bible story. As we sing our Bible song, I’ll pass out the surprise cards. Don’t look inside your card until the song is over.

You may want to have a broom and dustpan or vacuum cleaner handy to pick up stray popcorn kernels.

track 3

Lesson 2

Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Pre-K & K, Ages 5 & 630

Lead children in singing “Read God’s Book’’ (track 3) with the CD to the tune of “The Muffin Man.’’ As you sing, pass out the folded surprise cards.

Now it’s time to read God’s book,Read God’s book, read God’s book.Now it’s time to read God’s book.Let’s hear a Bible story.(Repeat 3x.)

After the song, say: You may look inside your surprise cards. The person who has the family stamped inside his or her card will be our Bible person for today.

Identify the Bible person, and then have the rest of the children clap for him or her. Ask the Bible person to bring you the Bible. Help the Bible person open the Bible to the marked place and show children where your story comes from. Then have the Bible person sit down.

Say: [Name] was our special Bible person today. Each week we’ll have only one Bible person, but each one of you is a special part of our class! Today we’re all learning that families help each other in hard times.

Let’s say a special prayer now and ask God to help us learn how families help each other. My helper will pass around this basket. When the basket comes to you, put your surprise card in it and say, “God, please teach me to help my family in hard times.’’

Have a child pass around the basket or box. When you’ve collected everyone’s surprise card, set the basket aside and pick up the Bible. Lead children in this prayer: God, thank you for the Bible and all the stories in it. Teach us today that families help each other in hard times. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

n Hear and Tell the Bible StorySUPPLIES: Bible, CD player, popped popcorn

Gather children in front of the family tree you made last week for the Bible story. Hold up the Bible. Say: Our story today comes from the book of Ruth in the Bible. Hold up the Bible Big Book: Ruth. Our Bible Big Book shows us pictures of the story. Open the Bible Big Book to page 1. Show the picture to children as you say: Last time we heard how Ruth and Naomi decided to go back to Bethlehem.

Point to the leaves on the bulletin board, and say: The only leaves left on the tree are for Ruth, Naomi, and God. God helped them arrive safely in Bethlehem, just in time for the grain harvest. They were so tired and hungry. Today’s lesson is about how Ruth helped her family through a hard time.

Open the Bible Big Book to pages 2 and 3. Show the picture to children as you say: Ruth’s work gathering grain was very important. Without grain, Ruth and Naomi wouldn’t have had enough to eat. You can help me tell the Bible story, but first you’ll need some popcorn. Give each child a small handful of popped popcorn. As you hear the Bible story, listen for the word grain. Whenever you hear the word grain, eat a piece of popcorn.

Have children listen to “Ruth, Part 1’’ (track 5) on the CD.

Have children clean their hands with wet wipes or at a nearby sink before eating their popcorn.

Choose children to be the surprise-card collector, the Bible replacer (to put the Bible away), and the cheerleader. Just be sure to keep track of who fills your roles each week so each child gets a chance to feel special.

track 5

Ruth Gathers Grain in the Fields

31Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Pre-K & K, Ages 5 & 6

This Bible story is featured in My First Hands-On Bible™. Order several now for your ministry at group.com.

Turn off the CD. Let children know that if they still have any popcorn left they may eat it now. Say: You all did a great job of listening. Ruth and Naomi faced hard times together. But God helped them, and they helped each other.

Ask: • How do you think Ruth and Naomi felt when they got to Bethlehem? (Tired; scared; hungry.)

• How did God take care of Ruth and Naomi? (He kept them safe on their walk; they got to Bethlehem in time for the harvest; he helped them get food.)

• Why did Ruth work so hard for Naomi? (She loved her; they were part of the same family; they were hungry.)

Say: Even though working in the fields was very hard for Ruth, she did it because she loved Naomi. God helped Ruth be strong. God helps us be strong by giving us Jesus as a friend. We can talk to Jesus anytime, and he loves us so much that he’ll always listen! Let’s talk to Jesus right now.

Let any children who are comfortable praying aloud do so, thanking Jesus for being our friend. Then pray: Jesus, thank

you that you love us so much and that you care about us and our families. Thank you that you help us to show kindness to our families. In your name, amen.

Return the Bible Big Book to the Learning Lab.Say: Ruth knew that families help each other in hard times. Let’s play a

fun game to show how families can help—even in hard times!

n Do the Bible StorySUPPLIES: “Helpers’’ handout (p. 35), scissors

Before class, make copies of the “Helpers’’ handout and cut the cards apart as indicated. You’ll need at least one card for each child. Place the cards face down on a table or other flat surface.

Say: The Bible tells us that Ruth gathered grain so she and Naomi would have something to eat. We’re going to use this sticky hand to help us do some gathering, too! And we’ll talk about some ways families today help each other.

Have kids take turns slapping the sticky hand onto the table to pick up one of the pictures. After each child retrieves a picture, ask:

• How does your picture show families helping each other? Let several children show their pictures and respond.

• When have you helped your family in this way? (I help my family by making my bed every day; I helped my dad yesterday by playing with my baby sister; I help by feeding our dog.)

• What’s another way you can help your family this week? (I can put away dishes; I can help my brother pick up his toys; I can help by remembering to smile.)

Say: We used the sticky hand to help us remember that families help each other in hard times. God wants us to “stick’’ together in hard times, like the sticky hand stuck to the cards. Return the sticky hand to the Learning Lab.

Let’s see what we can tell Pockets about what we’re learning.

The sticky hand is so much fun! Chances are it will grab more than one picture at a time, so just peel off any extras and put them back on the table, leaving one picture on the sticky hand.

If the sticky hand gets dirty and stops sticking, just run it under water and let it dry.

Lesson 2

Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Pre-K & K, Ages 5 & 632

Closingn I Can Help, Too!SUPPLIES: small bag, scrap paper

You’ll need a small bag for Pockets to carry. A bag with handles would be best, to put over Pockets’ arm. Crumple some scrap paper inside the bag to make it look full.

Have children sit in a circle. Take out Pockets the Kangaroo, and go through the following script. When you finish the script, put Pockets out of sight.

Pockets: (Carrying small bag) Hi, everyone! ’Bye, everyone!

Teacher: Hi and ’bye? What do you mean, Pockets? And what do you have in that bag?

Pockets: All my stuff. I’ve got my toothbrush, and my little bear, and my jammies. I’m going to go stay in my treehouse. (Pockets starts to leave.)

Teacher: Pockets, wait a minute. Why do you want to do that? How would your family feel?

Pockets: Oh, nobody’ll miss me. They’re too busy. I spend most of my time with the baby sitter anyway.

Teacher: Well, I know your parents have been working a lot lately, but…

Pockets: And they’re tired all the time—they never have time to play with me, or read to me, or anything.

Teacher: Pockets, even though they can’t spend as much time with you as they’d like, they love you very much. In our Bible story today, we learned that families help each other in hard times. Children, who can tell Pockets how Ruth helped her family? (Encourage children to say how Ruth gathered grain in the fields.) Maybe you could help your family, too.

Pockets: What could I do to help? I’m just a kid.

Teacher: Children, can you share with Pockets some ways you help your families? (Encourage children to tell Pockets how they help at home and how they plan to help at home this week.)

Pockets: Hey! I could do those things, too! I guess I was being selfish and feeling sorry for myself. I’m gonna go home to help right now! Thanks for teaching me about helping. ’Bye everyone!

(Have children say goodbye to Pockets.)Permission to photocopy this script from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum® Pre-K & K granted for local church use.

Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Avenue, Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

Hey! I could do those things, too! I guess I was being selfish and feeling

Ruth Gathers Grain in the Fields

33Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Pre-K & K, Ages 5 & 6

n Time to Eat!SUPPLIES: snack sandwiches from Option 1, napkins, CD player, wet wipes

You’ll need the snack sandwiches from Option 1. Have children form their family groups. Have children clean their hands with wet wipes or at a nearby sink.

Say: Today we learned that families help each other in hard times.

Ask: • How did you like staying in family groups today? (It was fun; it made things easier; I liked it.)

Say: Our Bible verse says, “Be kind to each other.” When we help others we’re showing kindness. Let’s sing the Bible verse song about kindness that we learned last week.

Lead children in singing “Be Kind and Loving’’ (track 4) to the tune of “Ten Little Indians’’ with the CD.

Be kind and loving to each other.Be kind and loving to each other.Be kind and loving to each other.Ephesians 4:32.(Repeat 2x.)

Say: As families today, we worked, played, and helped each other. Another thing families do together is share meals. Ruth and Naomi enjoyed sharing the bread they made. Let’s share the snack sandwiches we made together.

Pass around the plate of snack-sandwich quarters from Option 1. Say: Let’s say a prayer before we eat. Pray: Thank you, God, for giving us food and friends to share it with. In Jesus’ name, amen.

After children finish eating, say: Let’s say a prayer before we go home. Pray: Dear God, thank you for our families and for all the things our families do to take care of us. Help us remember that families help each other in hard times. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

track 4

Growing closer to Jesus extends beyond the classroom.Photocopy the “Today I Learned…’’ handout (at the end of this lesson) for this week, and send it home with your children. Encourage parents to use the handout to plan meaningful family activities to reinforce this week’s topic.

Lesson 2

Hands-On Bible Curriculum—Pre-K & K, Ages 5 & 634

n Lively Learning: Separating the GrainBefore class, fold several paper fans from construction paper.Set out a small bowl of dry lima beans, cotton balls, several pieces of brown

construction paper, and the fans. Explain to children that part of harvesting in Bible times was to separate the grain from the stems. Workers tossed the mixture up into the air—the grain fell and the stems blew away in the wind.

Give each child a paper fan, a piece of brown paper to be the threshing floor, two lima beans to be the wheat, and two cotton balls to be the chaff. Put the lima beans and cotton balls on the brown paper, and then use the fan to blow the cotton balls away from the beans. Talk about how hard it was for Ruth to work in the fields, and remind children that families help each other in hard times.

n Make to Take: Family StreamersBefore class, cut a sheet of construction paper into quarters for each child. Also, cut at least four 2-foot

lengths of ribbon for each child. Set out paper squares, ribbon, tape, scissors, and crayons to make family streamers. Have children use crayons to draw pictures of their families on the paper squares. Help children tape each picture to a ribbon. Then have them tie their ribbons together at the top. Encourage children to hang their streamers at home by a window or door where they’ll blow in the breeze. Remind children we’re all part of God’s family and that families help each other in hard times.

n Treat to Eat: Edible Family TreesBefore class, cut enough small cheese cubes and broccoli “trees’’ for each member of

your class. Have children clean their hands with wet wipes or at a nearby sink. Give each child a cheese cube and a broccoli tree. Direct children to push the broccoli trunk into the cheese so it will stand. Review the family tree used in the lesson. Remind children that Ruth helped Naomi through a hard time and that families help each other in hard times.

n Story Picture: Ruth Gathers GrainGive each child a photocopy of the “Today I Learned…’’ handout. Cover a work area with newsprint. Set

out brushes, glue, and small bowls of cornmeal. Have children brush glue on the grainfield in the picture and sprinkle it with cornmeal. Have them shake off the excess. As children work, remind them that Ruth worked hard to gather grain because families help each other in hard times.

For Extra Time If you have a long class time or want to add additional elements to your lesson, try one of the following activities.

35Permission to photocopy this page from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum® Pre-K & K granted for local church use.

Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Avenue, Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

HelpersPhotocopy this page, and then cut the cards apart as indicated.

Families help each other in hard times.

Permission to photocopy this handout from Group’s Hands-On Bible Curriculum® Pre-K & K granted for local church use. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc., 1515 Cascade Avenue, Loveland, CO 80538. group.com

Verse to Learn“Be kind to each other’’ (Ephesians 4:32a).

Ask Me…l How did Ruth help her family in hard times?

l What can you do to help our family in hard times?

l How does our family help each other?

Family Funl Make a family tree together. Use a large sheet of

construction paper and finger paint. Let family members make their own hand-print leaves above and around the trunk. As you work together, talk about how helping each other is one way families show love.

l Choose a large task for the whole family to tackle, such as cleaning the garage or working in the yard. Divide the task into small jobs that each family member can accomplish. Celebrate with an ice-cream outing when you finish.

Today your child learned that families help each other in hard times. Children learned that Ruth helped Naomi by gathering grain for food. Children talked about how to help their own families in hard times.

Lesson 2

Ruth Gathers Grain (Ruth 1:19–2:3)

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