1Lesson Goals
I will be able to:
- retell the main events.
- use the story’s vocabulary.
- practise the language focus.
- explain an idea with evidence.
Start here: Look at the picture. What could help someone beginning a new life?
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Ruth and Naomi
Family, loyalty and a new beginning; practise journeys and reasons with because.
Teacher note: This lesson retells only Ruth 1–2, rather than the whole book. Introduce mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. Explain barley and gleaning. Let students use invented examples for family and loss. Learners can discuss the story without sharing personal beliefs.
2Read the Story
Naomi lived in Moab with her family. After her husband and her two sons died, she decided to return to Bethlehem. Her daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, began the journey with her. Naomi encouraged them to stay in their own country. Orpah said goodbye, but Ruth stayed.
Ruth chose to go with Naomi. She promised to share Naomi’s home, people and faith in God. They arrived in Bethlehem when the barley harvest was beginning.
Ruth gathered grain left behind by the workers in a field belonging to Boaz. This work is called gleaning. Boaz heard about her care for Naomi. He offered her protection, water and food, and told his workers to leave extra grain for her. Ruth took grain and leftover food home to Naomi. Their lives were difficult, but Ruth’s loyalty and Boaz’s kindness brought help.
Simplified retelling for English learners; not a direct Bible quotation. Based on Ruth 1–2. AI illustration.
3Vocabulary
Match 1–6 with A–F.
- journey
- loyalty
- harvest
- grain
- glean
- protection
A. collect crops left after the main harvest
B. keeping someone safe from harm
C. a time when crops are collected
D. a trip from one place to another
E. seeds of crops used as food
F. staying faithful to a person or promise
Use two words in your own sentences.
4Check Your Understanding
- Where did Naomi decide to return?
- Which daughter-in-law said goodbye?
- What did Ruth choose to share with Naomi?
- What was beginning when they arrived?
- What does gleaning mean?
- How did Boaz help Ruth?
- What did Ruth take home?
Answer in sentences where you can. Point to evidence in the reading.
5Language Focus
Because introduces a reason. Example: Ruth gathered grain because she needed food.
- Join: Naomi returned to Bethlehem. She had heard there was food there.
- Join: Boaz helped Ruth. He had heard about her kindness.
- Join: Ruth took grain home. She wanted to support Naomi.
6Think & Speak
Discuss in pairs. Give a reason for each answer.
- Which actions show Ruth’s loyalty?
- What might be difficult about moving to a new place?
- How can a community welcome a newcomer?
Useful language: She showed loyalty when… / One difficulty could be… / A community can…
You may use imagined examples.
Ruth and Naomi — Continued
7Use Your English
Write 60–80 words about welcoming someone to a new community. Include two sentences with because. Use an imagined situation if you prefer.
Plan: Who? What happened? What was the result?
Check capitals, verbs, spelling and punctuation.
8Puzzle or Game
Character clues: one partner chooses Ruth, Naomi, Orpah or Boaz. Give three clues without naming the person. Your partner guesses and points to evidence in the reading.
Extra challenge: Explain your answers to a partner using complete sentences.
9Success Criteria ✓
- I can retell the main events.
- I can use three new words.
- I can complete the language task.
- I can support an answer with evidence.
Exit reflection: One thing I learned…
One thing I want to practise…
10Show What You Can Do
Write 5–6 sentences explaining how Ruth and Boaz supported others. Give two examples from the reading.
Write below or prepare a 45-second spoken response. Use your own words.