Purpose

To give children a tactile experience of “gleaning” and creating a bundle of wheat, connecting them to Ruth’s hard work in the fields of Boaz.

Setup

1. Count out 5-6 pipe cleaners in half if you want to save materials, or leave them full length for larger stalks of wheat.
2. Put bowls of yellow pony beads on the tables.

Instructions

1. The Grain: Give each child 5 pipe cleaners. Have them string 5-6 yellow pony beads onto the top of each pipe cleaner.
2. Fold the very tip of the pipe cleaner down over the last bead so they don’t slide off!
3. Slightly bend the beaded section at the top so it looks like the heavy, drooping head of a stalk of wheat.
4. The Bundle: Have the children gather all 5 of their pipe cleaners together in a bunch.
5. Give them a piece of ribbon or yarn to tie around the middle of the stalks, holding the bundle tightly together.
6. (Optional) Let them cut a leaf shape out of green construction paper, write “God Provides” on it, and tie it into the bundle.

Discussion While Crafting

• “Why did Ruth have to go into the fields to pick up leftover grain?” (Because she and Naomi were very poor and had no food).
• “Did Ruth complain about having to work hard?” (No, she was faithful and worked all day long).
• “Who owned the field and showed her incredible kindness?” (Boaz, the Kinsman-Redeemer).
• “Every time you see this bundle of wheat, remember that God provided for Ruth, and He provides for us, too!”