date: Bible Passage: 2 Kings 5 (Elisha and Naaman) REMEMBER VERSE Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 God Is the Source of Life Schedule Anticipate 5 10 minutes Celebrate & Respond Large Group 35 55 minutes Respond & Bless Small Group 20 25 minutes Environment: KNOWING In this lesson we see the environment of KNOWING highlighted in how God showed His people through the healing of Naaman that He alone is the source of life.. TruResources are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Church and a national network of family and children s ministry leaders. All rights reserved.
Inspire NOTES: One of my favorite places is the zoo. Following a recent trip to the world-renowned one in San Diego, I couldn t stop thinking about the incredible experience. It was like a dream. From the chimpanzee somersaulting on the grass and the polar bear diving backward into the water to the koala hugging the eucalyptus tree, each creature was beautiful and unique. Each animal showed a different facet of the awesome, fearsome, and creative God we serve. It s overwhelming to consider that God is the source of all of this diverse life. I stood in awe at every detail, from the orange stripes of the tiger and the fierce gaze of the bald eagle to the pattern on the diamondback and the black lining of the flamingo s pink wings. What s even more amazing is that I get to be in relationship with the creative One who fashioned each creature with its own distinct beauty. Praise God, the source of all life, for His majesty, His beauty, His love. Praise God, the One who is more beautiful than anything ever created. Along with the writer of this classic hymn, I sing: Fair is the sunshine, fairer still the moonlight, and all the twinkling, starry host: Jesus shines brighter, Jesus shines purer, than all the angels heaven can boast. All fairest beauty heavenly and earthly, wondrously, Jesus, is found in Thee; none can be nearer, fairer, or dearer, than Thou, my Savior, art to me. Münster Gesangbuch, 1677; translated by Joseph August Seiss, 1873 Tori Funkhouser TruStory Team 2
Equip In 2 Kings 5 we see an amazing illustration of how God is the source of life. In the passage, we read how God healed a Gentile warrior named Naaman through the prophet Elisha. Naaman was a Syrian general who went to Elisha for healing from his disease of leprosy. This great army commander had no idea with whom he was dealing. A little background on Elisha can help us understand this prophet of God a little better. Elisha learned his trade from the powerful prophet Elijah. While Elijah was still alive, Elisha boldly asked for a double portion of what Elijah had (2 Kings 2:9). In response, Elijah told his successor that if Elisha could see Elijah while he, Elijah, was being taken up to heaven, Elisha would receive that double portion. As Elijah neared the end of his ministry, he told Elisha to hold back and wait for him while he went on. But Elisha refused to leave his master s side. Three times Elisha disobeyed his master. Because of his persistence and bold spirit, Elisha saw Elijah ascend to heaven in the chariot, and Elisha received the double portion of blessing. In Scripture, Elijah performed 14 recorded miracles, Elisha 28 and one of them posthumously (2 Kings 13:21)! When Naaman approached the house of Elisha, he undoubtedly expected a great and formal welcome because of his role as a great army commander. But Elisha didn t even bother coming to the door. Instead, Elisha told Naaman through a servant to go wash in a river. Naaman became incensed. Yet God used His prophet to heal the army commander of his leprosy. Elisha was truly a prophet of God a man whom God, the source of life, used to heal and give life to others. Environment of KNOWING Nothing could be more important than knowing and being known by God. We live in a world that denies absolute truth, and yet God s Word offers just that. As we create an environment that upholds and displays God s truth, we give children a foundation based on knowing God, His Word, and a relationship with Him through Christ. God is holy, mighty, and awesome, yet He has chosen to make Himself known to us! The 10 environments give us ways to create a climate that puts God on display. Encourage your families to discover more about creating the environment of KNOWING in their homes by checking out HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource and Spiritual Parenting by Michelle Anthony. 3
Support In John 10:10 Jesus says, The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. God is the only One who offers us real life, and He offers us the fullest, most complete life in Him. Spend some time in prayer before the Lord. Ask, Where in my life am I not going to You the ultimate source of life, satisfaction, comfort, and love? Then take a piece of paper and write down what a full life of knowing God looks like. Put it in a place you see often, such as your bathroom mirror, to give you a constant reminder of the full life Christ offers. TIMELINE ADAM & EVE NOAH ABRAHAM JACOB JOSEPH MOSES JOSHUA EHUD DEBORAH GIDEON RUTH JONATHAN ABIGAIL ELIJAH ELISHA JONAH HABAKKUK MARY JOSEPH JESUS PARABLES OF JESUS GOOD SAMARITAN WORKERS IN THE FIELD LOST SHEEP/COIN/SON WISE/FOOLISH BUILDERS UNMERCIFUL SERVANT PETER MARTHA & MARY THIEF ON THE CROSS MARY STEPHEN BARNABAS PAUL EPHESIANS 1 PETER ROMANS 7 CHURCHES YOU & ME OUR FUTURE WITH JESUS 4
NOTES: Lesson Overview Experience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare Anticipate// Small Group Check-In Celebrate// Large Group 5 10 min. 20 35 min. Encourages interaction among kids, leaders, and parents; engages the kids in curiosity and anticipation of the lesson; and creates an inviting atmosphere. Establishes community and tells stories both personal and biblical in a fun and engaging way. Sources of Life OPTION 1: Basic Human Needs (for Younger Kids) healthy snack foods (e.g., trail mix, fruit, vegetables, granola bars) bowls plastic cups water fort supplies (e.g., blankets or sheets, pillows, chairs, clothespins, large boxes) paper marker OPTION 2: Source of Life Experiment (for Older Kids) warm fluorescent light bulb or tube balloon optional: piece of wool OPTION 3: Matching the Source (for Younger and Older Kids) Sources of Life cards (see tru.davidccook.com) scissors Traditions mementos for your church Traditions (rocks, marbles, gumballs, etc.) Remember Verse cards, slide, and animation (see tru.davidccook.com) Connect Activity OPTION 1: Seven Times Connect Activity 1 slide (see tru.davidccook.com) OPTION 2: Matching the Source Connect Activity 2 slide (see tru.davidccook.com) Sources of Life cards (see tru.davidccook.com) optional: Matching the Source instructions (see tru.davidccook.com) The Big God Story Bible Timeline slide and animation (see tru.davidccook.com) slides: Elijah going up to heaven, map of Israel and Aram, Naaman, 2 Kings 5:8, 2 Kings 5:10, Jordan River, river of Damascus, Naaman in Jordan River (see tru.davidccook.com) audio: 2 Kings 5:15 (see tru.davidccook.com) cloth disappearing ink bowl of water 5
NOTES: Lesson Overview Experience Time Summary Supplies/Prepare Respond// Large Group 15 20 min. Creates space for children to respond to the Holy Spirit in worship and community as a large group. God Is the Source of Life verse slides (see tru.davidccook.com) Respond// Small Group 15 20 min. Discusses truth, reflects on the lesson, engages in relationships, and creates a project or a piece of art individually or together. Reflect: God Is the Source of Life Bibles questions Create: Praying for Others to Know God as Their Source of Life construction paper (various colors) leaf cutouts (see tru.davidccook.com) scissors markers poster board tape or glue sticks optional: projector, tree image (see tru.davidccook.com) Bonus Engage: God Is the Source of Our Prayers (for Older Kids) Bibles verse sheet (see tru.davidccook.com) pens paper Bless// Small Group 5 min. Sends the kids out with a sense of peace and blessing so they can be a blessing to their families and others. Bible (for the blessing) HomeFront Weekly (1 per child; see tru.davidccook.com) HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource 6
SMALL Group SECTION Anticipate// 5 10 min. Small Group Leaders An energizing time for parents and kids to start engaging with the material that will be presented in the lesson. It is intentionally designed to spark curiosity and cultivate a sense of awe and wonder about God. Encourage parents to participate in this time with their kids. Sources of Life God is the source of life. And He s the source of healing for both our souls and our bodies. Naaman found this to be true when he traveled all the way to Israel to be healed (physically and spiritually) by the one true God. Lead kids through an ANTICIPATE during which they engage with the idea of sources of life. SUPPLIES OPTION 1: Basic Human Needs (for Younger Kids) healthy snack foods (e.g., trail mix, fruit, vegetables, granola bars) bowls plastic cups water fort supplies (e.g., blankets or sheets, pillows, chairs, clothespins, large boxes) paper marker OPTION 2: Source of Life Experiment (for Older Kids) warm fluorescent light bulb or tube balloon optional: piece of wool OPTION 3: Matching the Source (for Younger and Older Kids) Sources of Life cards (see tru.davidccook.com) scissors Partner Church Comments We built shelters with sheets and the kids loved it. Maple Valley Presbyterian Church We changed the Matching the Source game into a real memory matching game by making two copies of each card. Peninsula Covenant Church SET UP OPTION 1: Basic Human Needs (for Younger Kids) Set out the food, water, and fort supplies at three different stations in your room. Label each station with the basic human necessity it represents. One sign should say FOOD, another should say SHELTER, and another should say WATER. OPTION 2: Source of Life Experiment (for Older Kids) Place the supplies on a table (have leaders nearby). Blow up the balloon. OPTION 3: Matching the Source (for Younger and Older Kids) Print the Source of Life cards (one per child) and cut them apart. ENGAGE OPTION 1: Basic Human Needs (for Younger Kids) Human beings need basic necessities like food, water, and shelter in order to survive. Today your kids will have an opportunity to interact with some of these basic needs. Take them through each station, explaining what needs the items represent. Ask kids why they 7
NOTES: think we humans need each thing. When you get to the shelter station, have students make their own shelter out of blankets, pillows, chairs, and any other creative supplies. OPTION 2: Source of Life Experiment (for Older Kids) Today in The Big God Story we re going to talk about how God is the ultimate source of life. He gives us the air we breathe and the food we eat and, most importantly, He offers us eternal life with Him. Many things in this world give life, including things we use in our everyday lives, like electricity. With only a small electrical cord, we re able to plug in something such as a lamp and have light and power. Today we re going to try a creative way to generate electricity. Take a balloon and rub it against someone s hair or a piece of wool cloth until you get a static charge. Then quickly shut off the lights and have a leader put the balloon against the light bulb. You should see small sparks. Make sure you use the part of the balloon with the greatest charge, as this will get you the best results. Have different kids help with the experiment. Option 3: Matching the Source (for Younger and Older Kids) Today we re going to learn about a man named Naaman, a man who had a powerful encounter with God. Through that encounter Naaman came to know who God is and that He s the ultimate source of life! Many things in this world are considered sources of life. Today we re going to play a game dealing with some of those sources. (Hand a card to each child, making sure each card has a match within the group.) Each of you has a card. Some of your cards name something that gives life, and some of your cards name something that receives life. You need to find another person in this room with your matching card your source of life, or vice versa. For example, if you re the sun, that means you re the source of life for a plant, so you ll look for a person holding a plant card. Once you find your partner, sit down. Use the following pairs from the Sources of Life cards, or feel free to think of your pairs and make additional cards. Older Child Options sun and plant power outlet and vacuum cleaner oyster and pearl caterpillar and butterfly wheat and bread tree and paper grapes and raisins Younger Child Options mother and baby match and fire bee and honey egg and chicken clouds and rain 8
LARGE Group SECTION Celebrate//20 35 min. Host/Storyteller Kids get to be a part of the faith community of God s family. They participate in traditions and share them with newcomers, connect through fun and interaction, and experience The Big God Story through storytelling. Welcome and Traditions REMEMBER VERSE This week s Remember Verse comes from the environment of KNOWING. The environment changes every four weeks. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 Connect Activity 1: Seven Times Meet seven new people and give each one seven high fives! Activity 2: Matching the Source (see ANTICIPATE OPTION 3 and tru.davidccook.com for accompanying resources) In the World Videos A Video Tradition Every week before the service, look through the lesson. Think about the lesson title, digest the material in The Big God Story section, and imagine a video short that could introduce what the kids will hear. For instance, if the lesson talks about Noah and the flood, film your child responding to a rainbow she found in the sky. Or if the lesson discusses Peter walking on water, film yourself or a friend trying to walk on water something that would help the kids imagine some part of The Big God Story in the midst of their everyday world. 9
NOTES: The Big God Story Leader Tip Before sharing this part of The Big God Story, tell your kids they re about to hear a true story that s recorded in the Bible. Open your Bible to 2 Kings 5, and invite kids to follow along in their own Bibles as you storytell. Partner Church Comments A quilter s ink pen that can be bought at a sewing or craft store works great, and it s cheap too. Peninsula Covenant Church God Is the Source of Life SUPPLIES Bible Timeline slide and animation (see tru.davidccook.com) slides: Elijah going up to heaven, map of Israel and Aram, Naaman, 2 Kings 5:8, 2 Kings 5:10, Jordan River, river of Damascus, Naaman in Jordan River (see tru.davidccook.com) audio: 2 Kings 5:15 (see tru.davidccook.com) cloth disappearing ink bowl of water SET UP Cue the slides and audio. Mark up the cloth with the disappearing ink and set it near the bowl of water. ENGAGE Last week in The Big God Story we heard about the prophet Elijah and two of his very unique encounters with God. Do you remember what those were? (Allow the kids to answer.) Yes! In one encounter, God made a fire blaze from heaven. In the second, He spoke gently to Elijah through the whispering wind. Through these two encounters, God showed He is Yahweh, the Lord, in two very different ways. Elijah had a disciple named Elisha who served Elijah in the same way that Joshua served Moses (for fun, every time you say Elijah and Elisha, have the kids say the names with you emphasizing the juh and shuh at the end of their names). Amazingly, when Elijah finished his ministry on earth, God took him up into heaven in a whirlwind (show slide of Elijah going up to heaven) (2 Kings 2)! Can you imagine watching your friend go up to heaven like that? Amazing! When Elijah went up to heaven, he left his job of being a leader to Elisha. Elisha s job as prophet was to continue the work of Elijah: to stop the nation of Israel from 10
The Big God Story NOTES: worshipping false gods. Because Israel wasn t being faithful to the Lord, God called Elisha to remind them He is God the source of life. During the time when Elisha lived, Israel was at constant war with the nation of Aram, a Gentile nation. (Show map of Israel and Aram.) What s a Gentile? (Allow kids to answer). A Gentile was someone who wasn t part of God s original chosen people, the Israelites. The commander of the army of Aram was a man named Naaman. (Show slide of Naaman.) He was a well-respected man who d won many victories for his country. Unfortunately, he also had leprosy. Who knows what leprosy is? (Allow kids to answer.) Leprosy is a skin disease that can cover and eat away at the body! And back in Bible times, people didn t know how to cure it. Because Naaman had leprosy, he probably wanted healing pretty badly! Naaman s wife had a servant girl who d come from Israel. She believed in the Lord and said to Naaman s wife, If only my master would see [Elisha]... He would cure him of his leprosy (2 Kings 5:3). Because of what the servant girl said, Naaman went to the king of Aram and asked if he might go to Israel. The king said, By all means, go, and he sent a letter to the king of Israel asking him to cure Naaman of his leprosy (vv. 4 5). The king of Aram was desperate for his great commander to be cured and even willing to ask his enemy for help to make this happen! When the king of Israel received the letter from Aram, he got so upset that he tore his robes! That s because the king of Israel knew he didn t have the power to cure Naaman. Only God, the true source of life, could cure him. The king may have also been afraid that if he wasn t able to cure Naaman, Israel and Aram might go to war again. Elisha had much more faith that God would be able to heal Naaman. So Elisha said to the king (show slide of 2 Kings 5:8 and prompt the kids to open their Bibles and follow along): Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel. After Naaman left the king of Israel, he went straight to Elisha s home. There, Elisha sent a messenger to tell him (show slide of 2 Kings 5:10 and prompt kids to follow along in their Bibles), Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan (show slide of Jordan River) and you will be cleansed. Naaman was furious! He had traveled a long way to meet Elisha, and he d expected that Elisha himself would come and heal him. Naaman said, Are not the rivers of Damascus better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn t I wash in them and be cleansed? (show slide of river of Damascus) 11
The Big God Story Partner Church Comments Leaders held up a blanket to be the Jordan River, and a child with dot stickers all over (representing leprosy) dipped in the river seven times to get rid of his stickers (leprosy). River West Church NOTES: (2 Kings 5:12). Naaman expected a big show from Elisha in order for him to be healed. But Elisha didn t do that, so Naaman left in a rage. But, because one of Naaman s servants convinced him to wash and be cleansed (v. 13), Naaman agreed to dip seven times in the Jordan. (Show slide of Naaman in the Jordan. As you talk, dip the cloth covered in disappearing ink into the water.) Like the ink has stained and covered this cloth, the leprosy covered and damaged Naaman s skin. But, as he dipped in the Jordan, His diseased flesh (continue to dip the cloth in the water), which had likely been covered in sores, was completely restored and made new just like the skin of a child (v. 14). (Dip the cloth in the water until it s clean.) You know how a baby s skin is really perfect and soft? Well, that s what Naaman s skin was like after he was healed! (Show the kids the clean cloth.) Even though the cleaning of this cloth was a trick, God s healing of Naaman s leprous skin wasn t a trick, because God is the healer, the source of life. After his healing, Naaman went to Elisha and said (play audio of 2 Kings 5:15 and prompt kids to open their Bibles to the same verse), Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. Through this declaration, Naaman showed that it wasn t just his body that had been transformed his heart had been transformed too. His healing had made him believe in Yahweh, the one true God. Naaman received a new life physically and spiritually as he trusted in God! Through the healing of Naaman, God showed His people that He alone is the source of life. Naaman, a Gentile, was able to know God through His healing the lesser healing of his body, and the greater healing of his soul, through knowing God. God still offers us true life today. That s why He sent His Son, Jesus, to live and die and rise again so we might know Him. When Jesus came to earth, He said He came so that we might have life to the full (John 10:10). He is the source of life, and He offers us the fullest life that we could ever ask for. There is no other place in this world where we can receive life, except through Him. (Share when you first knew God and how He became the source of your life.) 12
LARGE Group SECTION Respond// 15 20 min. Host/Worship Leader This is a time for kids to worship through silence, prayer, singing, giving, sharing, thanksgiving, and many other ways. Make plans for your worship time but prepare yourself and your team to hold them loosely if the Holy Spirit leads the group in a different direction. God Is the Source of Life SUPPLIES verse slides (see tru.davidccook.com) SET UP Cue the verse slides. ENGAGE In today s part of The Big God Story, God healed Naaman physically and spiritually. What do you think was more important: God healing Naaman from his leprosy or giving him salvation through knowing Him? (Allow kids to answer.) The physical healing of Naaman was an amazing miracle, but, ultimately, the most important thing that happened to Naaman was that he encountered Yahweh, the one true God the ultimate source of all life. Naaman was made alive that day because he received God s salvation. God can heal us physically. We ve seen that through today s part of The Big God Story. But that s not the real point of this story. Whether or not God chooses to heal doesn t change who God is. He is God, the Lord, and He offers us something greater than physical healing. He offers us life through Him forever! Let s hear some of what Scripture says about our God who is the source of life. Read through the verses out loud with the kids. If you want, have them look up the verses in their Bibles. As they read, encourage them to notice the word life in each verse. Leader Tip As the Holy Spirit leads, you may have the opportunity to speak with kids who don t yet know Jesus or His gift of salvation. For help on talking with kids about beginning a personal relationship with Jesus, refer to the resource titled Explaining God s Salvation Plan for Kids found among this week s resources at tru.davidccook.com. Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6) [Jesus] said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. (John 8:12) This is what he promised us even eternal life. (1 John 2:25) The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23) It s truly amazing that God gives us the chance to know Him. Today, let s spend some time responding to the God who is the source of life. Let s spend some time worshipping Him and bowing down before Him, recognizing who He is and thanking Him, the Source, for the gift of salvation He offers us. (Allow kids to visit the prayer walls and thank God for being the source of life.) 13
SMALL Group SECTION Respond// 15 20 min. Small Group Leaders A time to engage in relationship, reflect on the lesson with spiritual conversation, and/or create a meaningful project or piece of art. NOTES: Resource Tip Classic Games activities are available for this lesson. Premium, Unlimited, and Combo users may access this resource at tru.davidccook.com. Reflect: God Is the Source of Life During a time when Israel wasn t following God and worshipping only Him, God showed a Gentile man named Naaman that He alone is truly the source of life. When Naaman needed healing from his leprosy, he went to Israel so God could use the prophet Elisha to heal both his physical body and his soul. And after Naaman s healing, he acknowledged Yahweh God as the Lord of his life. (Leaders: Encourage the kids to open their Bibles and read the suggested passages.) Questions for Younger Kids What are some examples of sources of life? In whose footsteps did Elisha follow? (1 Kings 19:19 21) What was God s special plan for Elisha? How did God use Naaman s servant girl to work in Naaman s life? (2 Kings 5:2 3) Why do you think Naaman was mad that Elisha didn t personally come out and heal him? (2 Kings 5:11 13) Naaman was so desperate for healing that he went to his enemy for help. (2 Kings 5:4 6) Have you ever wanted something so badly that you were willing to do anything for it? What was it and what did you do? How did Naaman receive a new life that day? (2 Kings 5:14 15) Sometimes God chooses to heal people, and sometimes He doesn t. How does that make you feel about God? Is God still good even if He chooses not to physically heal someone? God became the source of life for Naaman, and Naaman came to understand there was only one true God. Do you have a story of a time you realized our God is the one true God? (Allow kids to share stories and, as leaders, share your own.) Questions for Older Kids What are some examples of sources of life? In whose footsteps did Elisha follow? (1 Kings 19:19 21) What was God s special plan for Elisha? What does it mean to be a Gentile? How did God use Naaman s servant girl to work in Naaman s life? (2 Kings 5:2 3) Why do you think the king of Israel became so upset when he received a letter from his enemy asking him to cure Naaman? (2 Kings 5:7) Why do you think Naaman was mad that Elisha didn t personally come out and heal him? (2 Kings 5:11 13) Naaman was so desperate for healing that he went to his enemy for help. (2 Kings 5:4 6) Have you ever been so desperate for something in your life? What was it and what did you do? How did Naaman receive a new life that day? (2 Kings 5:14 15) Naaman was healed both physically and spiritually when he came to Israel. What is spiritual healing? 14
NOTES: Partner Church Comments Writing the names of friends and family members who have yet to know Jesus was so great that we made it one of our RESPOND stations and we just might make it one for a while. Mountainbrook Community Church Sometimes God chooses to heal people, and sometimes He doesn t. How does that make you feel about God? Is God still good even if He chooses not to physically heal someone? God became the source of life for Naaman, and Naaman came to understand that there was only one true God. Do you have a story of the time God became the source of life for you? (Allow kids to share stories and, as leaders, share your own.) Create: Praying for Others to Know God as Their Source of Life SUPPLIES construction paper (various colors) leaf cutouts (see tru.davidccook.com) scissors markers poster board tape or glue sticks optional: projector, tree image (see tru.davidccook.com) SET UP Use the leaf template to cut out leaves from various colors of construction paper. Draw a tree with roots on a poster board (or, using a projector, project the tree image onto poster board and trace it). Hang up the poster board tree, low enough for the kids to be able to interact with it. Have leaders pass out leaves and markers to the kids. ENGAGE Naaman was a Gentile who grew up not knowing God. God used Elisha to not only miraculously heal Naaman from leprosy (physical healing) but also heal him from sin (spiritual healing). God became Naaman s source of life that day, in the same way that God is our source of life today. Trees give us great examples of sources of life. The sun helps them grow leaves and fruit. The trees roots grow deep into the ground and tap into water sources. And just like a tree needs to have deep roots to grow, people need to be deeply rooted in God to be able to know Him. There are many people in our lives maybe friends at school, family members, and other people we know who don t know God as their source of life. Today let s take a few moments to ask Him, Who in my life doesn t know God? When you think of someone, write his or her name on a leaf and attach it to the tree. We want to fill this tree with the names of people we ll pray for, that they might know the true source of life God. 15
NOTES: When the kids finish putting their leaves on the tree, spend some time in prayer as a group for the names on the tree. Pray that God, through His Spirit, would reveal to these people that He alone is the source of life. Bonus Engage: God Is the Source of Our Prayers (for Older Kids) SUPPLIES Bibles verse sheet (see tru.davidccook.com) pens paper SET UP Print a copy of the verse sheet for each child. ENGAGE In today s part of The Big God Story, God healed Naaman physically and spiritually. It s tempting to think that the best part of today s story was Naaman s physical healing. But, the truth is, the best part is that God healed Naaman s soul, through belief in Him. Often we might go to God and ask for simple answers to our questions, worries, or problems. We want the quick answer, the answer we can see or touch. We might even go to God like we would go to a vending machine, expecting that we ll put in a prayer and out comes the answer we want. Though that s not how God works, He s still the source we need to go to for everything. What types of worries, problems, questions, or prayers do you have today? Allow the kids to answer, if they d like. Remind them God is the true source of life. Encourage them to write down their questions, concerns, etc. Also encourage the kids to look up the Scriptures on the verse sheet working alone or together in groups. As the kids search through Scripture, pray they would discover for themselves that God is their true source of life. 16
SMALL Group SECTION Bless// 5 min. Small Group Leaders A blessing can be a prayer of commission, a portion of Scripture, or words of encouragement or guidance. As you bless your kids, tell them they have the opportunity to also be a blessing to others. Encourage them to freely share the joy and love they have received from God. Encourage the kids to hold their hands in front of them, palms up. Then open a Bible and read Psalm 1:1 3: Blessed is the [person whose] delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. A blessing can be offered in order to ask God s Spirit to overflow from the child s life to bless others or prayed over a child for the purpose of declaring God s protection, joy, or wisdom. May each of you may be blessed and delight in knowing God through His Word. May you be like a deeply rooted tree, grounded in your knowledge of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. May everything you do prosper and be blessed. HomeFront Weekly: Be sure to send home the HomeFront Weekly for next week s lesson! This preteaching tool for parents encourages families to spend time in God s Word together before children arrive at church. HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource This magazine gives families ideas for creating fun, spiritually forming times in their homes setting aside a sacred space for family in the midst of their active, everyday lives! As the new issue becomes available each month, you can print it for your families or encourage them to visit HomeFrontMag.com to subscribe to have the magazine sent directly to their inbox. HomeFront is also available as an app for your iphone, ipad, or Android device. 17