Naomi (Ruth 1) | Games

 

Naomi, Orpah and Ruth are three women who don’t have a lot of choices left. Three women brought together through marriage and now all facing permanent widowhood. They, like so many, leave their home and reach out to those who they once held close and are now distanced from. These games look at the idea of travel, allegiance, and support.

 

Too much to carry – This is a really simple game reminiscent of egg and spoon races. Each child is given a paper plate and needs to carry the plate and whatever is placed upon it from one side of the room to the other. Set up 2 tables full of ‘objects’ to add, this works best if each child is given the same objects ie. a beanbag, a ball, a cup, a pencil, etc.
 

Hands and feet – This is a silly game designed to show us how we support each other. Have the kids get into teams of 5. Explain that you will call 2 numbers – that’s the number of hands and the number of feet the team can have touching the ground. Start with a high number like 10,10 (all hands and feet) to make sure the kids understand. Prepare for kids to lift other kids and stand on their hands!
 
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Naomi (Ruth 1) | Story

Naomi 
If you want the teachers page then please click on the image for the pdf.

Today’s hero is Naomi because she shows us the gift of Support.

Essential Teachers notes:
Naomi’s life seems like it couldn’t get any more unfortunate, she is desolate, a widow with nothing to rely on but the generosity of others. With 2 girls, probably still teenagers, to care for there seems little hope, but God hasn’t abandoned her, no matter what she thinks. Being a widow is a simple concept but a deep one, widows are constantly referenced throughout scripture, and Ruth’s loyalty is astounding. Orpah did the sensible thing, both for the others and for herself, be careful not to paint her in a bad light.

Main Passage : Ruth 1

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Simon the Zealot (Matthew 12) | Games

 

For people like Simon being a Zealot was a big deal, while some have suggested it may have been a mere nickname, this man was obviously full of religious fervour. Unlike the Pharisees, Sadducees, and other religious leaders Jesus’s message hit a note with the Zealots as he talked transformation, but Zealots were ready to use force to get their message across, and Jesus clearly disagreed. Also in this Story we meet the man with the withered hand, his transformation is not ideological but physical. These games look at aspects of the Zealots views, Simon’s commitment to God and transformation in general.

 

I will fight – for this activity you need a couple of toy swords or newspaper swords. Gather the children in a circle and put the swords in the middle. Remind the children that swords are weapons, and while these are toys, real weapons are not to be played with. Ask the children to come up with reasons why they might fight. This can be silly, I like red better than blue, I prefer apple juice to orange juice… etc. When you find a person on each side of the argument they can have a pretend fight for 30 seconds. Once most of the children have had a go ask for serious reasons, things actually worth getting hurt for. If they come up with a suggestion they can play fight with a friend as a reward. Zealots believed fighting was the way to convince people they needed to change, did fighting make anyone change their minds in this activity?
 

Foolish leader – play follow the leader, make it fun and interesting my making big shapes and adding sounds. At one point in the game have the leader do something it is either unwise or impossible for everyone to follow. Stop the game and talk about why it’s not always wise to follow everything someone does. start the game again, at the end discuss who would be a good leader to follow in life.
 
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Simon the Zealot (Matthew 12) | Worksheet

 
Simon the Zealot worksheet
This Simon worksheet is a bit of a mixture of things, with themes of sabbath, healing, transformation and most importantly Simon’s status as a Zealot! It’s a sheet that could be used with younger children working in groups but is better for independent readers.

To complete the worksheet you will need something to write and draw with.

The PDF can can be downloaded by clicking on the image.
 

Simon the Zealot (Matthew 12) | Craft 2

 

This is a simple craft that can tie into either character in the story. These beautiful and really simple hand shaped bowls are both a lovely thing to take home and use as well as being a great thing to create a bold wall display with. Please note this activity needs close supervision.

 
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