Leader BIBLE STUDY Everyone seems to get sick at some point in his or her lifetime most often many, many times! Illness is probably no stranger to the kids you teach. In today s Bible story, Naaman a commander for the Syrian army was really sick. He had leprosy, a skin disease that was likely disfiguring and isolating. Without a cure, Naaman would face great suffering. But help came from an unlikely source: a young slave girl. The people of Israel and Syria were often at odds with one another. The Syrians sometimes attacked the cities in Israel and plundered them. They took what they wanted, including people to work as slaves. The young slave girl who served Naaman s wife had been taken from her home in Israel. As an Israelite, the girl knew about the one true God. She was familiar with God s prophets, including Elisha, who had performed miracles to help and heal people. The girl told her mistress that Elisha the prophet could heal Naaman. So the king of Syria sent a letter to the king of Israel, asking him to cure Naaman of his leprosy. But the king of Israel had no power to heal Naaman. The power to heal comes only from God. Elisha called for Naaman. But what happened next was not at all what Naaman expected. Naaman expected Elisha to call upon the name of God, wave his hand over Naaman, and miraculously heal him. Instead, Elisha instructed Naaman to go wash in the river. Naaman was angry! If Naaman wanted to wash in the river, he could have done that back home! But Naaman s servants urged him to wash. He did, and he was made clean. Not all sick people will be healed on this side of heaven, but our physical maladies are symptoms of an even greater illness sin. Jesus death and resurrection provided healing forgiveness and eternal life for those who trust in Him. 1 Younger Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 13 Session 4
Younger Kids Bible study OVERVIEW Session Title: Elisha and Naaman Bible Passage: 2 Kings 5 Big Picture Question: Who heals us from our sin? Jesus heals us from our sin. Key Passage: 2 Kings 17:13-14 Unit Christ Connection: The prophets called God s people to repentance as Christ calls people to repentance. Sin continued to divide and ultimately destroy the Northern Kingdom, but Christ s perfect kingdom is forever. Small Group Opening Welcome time Activity page (5 minutes) Session starter (10 minutes) Large Group Leader Countdown Introduce the session (1 minute) Timeline map (1 minute) Big picture question (1 minute) Sing (5 minutes) Key passage (4 minutes) Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) Discussion starter video (3 minutes) The Gospel: God s Plan for Me (optional) Prayer (5 minutes) Small Group Leader Key passage activity (5 minutes) Bible story review (10 minutes) Activity choice (10 minutes) Journal and prayer (5 minutes)
The BIBLE STORY Elisha and Naaman 2 Kings 5 Naaman (NAY muhn) was the commander of the Syrian army. The king of Syria respected Naaman, and Naaman was good at his job. He led the army to attack cities in Israel. They took things from the cities. They even took people to be slaves in Syria. But Naaman was sick. He had leprosy, a serious skin disease. One of the Israelites who was captured to be a slave was a little girl. She served Naaman s wife in Syria. The slave girl saw that Naaman was sick, and she wanted him to be healed. A prophet in Samaria could heal Naaman, she told Naaman s wife. Samaria was a city in Israel. Naaman heard what the little girl said, and he went to talk to the king of Syria. The king of Syria agreed to send Naaman with a letter to the king of Israel. The letter read, I have sent you my servant Naaman for you to cure him of his skin disease. When the king of Israel read the letter, he was upset. Am I God? Do I have the power to give life and take it away? Why does this man think I can cure a skin disease? The king of Israel could not heal Naaman. The power to heal comes only from God. Elisha the prophet heard the king was upset and called Naaman to his house. Naaman arrived and stood at the door. He was ready to be healed! But what happened next was not what Naaman expected. Elisha didn t come to the door. Instead, a messenger told Naaman, Go wash seven times in the Jordan River. Wash in the river? If Naaman wanted to wash in the river, he could have done that at home! Had he traveled all the way to Samaria for nothing? Naaman was angry. He had hoped Elisha would call on the name of the Lord, wave his hand over Naaman s skin, and heal him. Naaman started to leave, but his servants encouraged him to do what Elisha said. So Naaman went to the Jordan River. He dipped himself in the river seven times. Then Naaman s skin was healed! It looked as good as the skin of a young child. Naaman and all the people with him went to Elisha. I know that 3 Younger Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 13 Session 4
the God of Israel is the one true God, Naaman said. He thanked Elisha and offered him a gift of gold, silver, and clothing. But Elisha would not take the gift. So Naaman left to go back home. Elisha s servant Gehazi (gih HAY zigh) stopped Naaman. Gehazi asked him for silver and two changes of clothing. He lied to Naaman about why he wanted the gifts. Gehazi said the gifts were for visitors, but Gehazi really wanted them for himself. Naaman gave Gehazi some silver and clothing. When Gehazi returned to Elisha, Elisha said, Where have you been, Gehazi? Gehazi lied again. I didn t go anywhere, he said. But Elisha knew Gehazi had been greedy. He knew he had taken gifts from Naaman. Instead of thinking about God, Gehazi only thought about himself. As punishment, Gehazi s skin became diseased. He had leprosy like Naaman had, and his skin was white like snow. Christ Connection: Naaman was sick with a skin problem. His disease went away when he washed in the river. All people are sick with a sin problem. We all need a Healer. When we trust Jesus as Lord and Savior, God forgives our sin and heals us. 4
Small Group Opening Session Title: Elisha and Naaman Bible Passage: 2 Kings 5 Big Picture Question: Who heals us from our sin? Jesus heals us from our sin. Key Passage: 2 Kings 17:13-14 Unit Christ Connection: The prophets called God s people to repentance as Christ calls people to repentance. Sin continued to divide and ultimately destroy the Northern Kingdom, but Christ s perfect kingdom is forever. bucket, 1 or more ice water towels Tip: Don t allow kids to keep their hands in the water for more than 10 seconds. Gameboard activity page, 1 per kid coins or playing pieces, 1 per kid LOW PREP index cards or small pieces of paper tape marker Welcome time Arriving Activity: Water dip Fill a small bucket with ice water. If you teach a large class, use two or three buckets of ice water. Invite the kids to see if they can dip their hand in the water and hold it there while everyone else counts to ten. Keep towels available to dry their hands. Let them try again as time allows. Say In today s Bible story, a man was asked to dip his entire body in water with a promise of a miracle. Activity page (5 minutes) Guide boys and girls to complete the activity page. Say To win your game, you had to obey the instructions. A man named Naaman was asked to obey some very important instructions too. We ll see if he did. Session starter (10 minutes) Option 1: Number seven Before class, write a number between 1 and 6 on one side of several index cards or small pieces of paper. Make sure you have enough for each kid to get two. Tape a start line. 5 Younger Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 13 Session 4
Encourage the kids to line up behind the start line. Shuffle and lay out the cards upside down several feet away. When you give the command to go, the kids should run to the line of cards and take two of them. They should then go back to the start line. Invite them to flip the cards over. The goal is for them to have two numbers that when added together equal seven. Shuffle the cards and play again. For younger kids, make one number seven card and let the kids pick just one card. The winner is the kid who has the number seven. Say We were trying to get to the number seven for a special reason. It s a very important number in today s Bible story. adhesive bandages Option 2: Bandage twist Invite the kids to form a tight circle and choose a volunteer. Place a large adhesive bandage on the back of the volunteer s shirt. Only stick half the bandage on the volunteer. Leave the plastic covering on the other half. Make sure that half sticks out and that kids are able to reach it without moving their feet. Explain that the volunteer is going to spin around as fast as he can with his hands at his sides. The kids in the circle will try to be the first one to grab and remove the bandage. They may only use one hand, may not move their feet, and may not touch the volunteer. The kid who removes the bandage first is the winner and the next volunteer. If the volunteer can spin around seven times without someone grabbing the bandage, he is the winner and chooses the next volunteer. Say We don t usually use a bandage for a game. We use it to help heal a cut. In today s Bible story, healing came for a man named Naaman in a different way. Transition to large group 6
Large Group LEADER Session Title: Elisha and Naaman Bible Passage: 2 Kings 5 Big Picture Question: Who heals us from our sin? Jesus heals us from our sin. Key Passage: 2 Kings 17:13-14 Unit Christ Connection: The prophets called God s people to repentance as Christ calls people to repentance. Sin continued to divide and ultimately destroy the Northern Kingdom, but Christ s perfect kingdom is forever. countdown video Countdown Show the countdown video as your kids arrive, and set it to end as large group time begins. goggles Timeline Map Introduce the session (1 minute) [Large group leader enters wearing goggles.] Leader How many of you like to go under the water? Going under the water can be a lot of fun, unless you are headed down a river with lots of rapids. Then, it can be very scary! You would rather stay in the raft, but sometimes you face the unexpected. That s why you need a life jacket and friends you can trust to help just in case you come out of your raft. In today s Bible story, a man named Naaman found himself in some big trouble. He had to trust God and one of God s prophets to get help. Timeline map (1 minute) Leader Before we learn about Naaman, let s see what we have learned so far about the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Remember, Israel used to include all of God s chosen people. However, sin split them into two different 7 Younger Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 13 Session 4
countries, Israel and Judah. Israel is in the north and Judah is in the south. Do you remember which country we have been talking about? That s right! We ve been talking about Israel. We found out about all their bad kings and how God used Elijah to prove He is the one true God. Last week, we learned that Elijah felt very alone and scared of the evil queen who was trying to kill him. We learned something very important through that. How does God help in times of trouble? God promises to never leave or forsake us. Big picture question (1 minute) Leader At the end of our story last time, we saw that God chose someone to become a prophet after Elijah. Do you remember the prophet s name? It was Elisha. God called Elijah to come home with Him one day, and Elisha took his place. That s a great story for another day, but you can find it and read it anytime you want in 2 Kings 2. Do you know where you can find 2 Kings? That s right, in your Bible. I hope you have your Bible today. We will need our Bibles to answer our big picture question. Who heals us from our sin? Running song Sing (5 minutes) Leader You may already know the answer, but we will get to see a reminder of just who heals us of our sin in today s Bible story. There s one thing for sure. We have someone we can always go to in good times and in bad times. Let s sing our theme song. Sing together Running. 8
Key Passage Slide or Poster Keep My Commands song Elisha and Naaman video Bibles, 1 per kid Bible Story Picture Slide or Poster Key passage (4 minutes) Leader Elijah and Elisha warned the people that they needed to be healed from sin, but the people in Israel just would not listen. Do you remember our key passage? Let s say it. See if you can do it without looking at the words. Show the slide or poster of the unit s key passage, 2 Kings 17:13-14. Lead the boys and girls to read the verses together. Sing together Keep My Commands. Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) Leader Today s story isn t about bad kings or people sinning. It s about how God used Elisha to heal a very sick man. Let s find out more. As always, don t forget to listen for the answer to our big picture question, Who heals us from our sin? Show the Elisha and Naaman video, or choose to tell the Bible story in your own words using the script provided. For a shorter version of the story, read only the bold text. Leader Naaman was a man with a lot of power. He was a military leader in Syria, but he didn t have the power to heal himself from a disease. When Naaman heard that a man of God might be able to heal him, he went. Naaman didn t like what Elisha the prophet said. Elisha didn t even come to the door when this powerful man knocked. Elisha sent a messenger to tell Naaman to dip himself seven times in a muddy river called the Jordan. Naaman expected something more, so he went away mad. His servants encouraged him to obey Elisha. He did and on the seventh time he came out of the water, Naaman was healed. Naaman wanted to pay Elisha for his healing, but Elisha knew it was God who had healed Naaman not him. When Elisha refused, his servant Gehazi 9 Younger Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 13 Session 4
secretly followed Naaman and asked for the money and clothing. Elisha knew what Gehazi had done even though he had lied. As punishment, Gehazi received Naaman s leprosy. Not every sick person receives healing, but we are all sick with sin. We can t save ourselves. Like Naaman, we need to be healed. We have a cure for sin. Jesus provided the cure for sin when He came to earth, died on the cross, and was raised from the dead. Who heals us from our sin? Jesus heals us from our sin. Ask the following review questions: 1. What disease did Naaman have? (a skin disease called leprosy, 2 Kings 5:1) 2. Who did Naaman visit? (Elisha, 2 Kings 5:9) 3. What did Elisha s messenger tell Naaman to do? (Wash in the Jordan seven times, 2 Kings 5:10) 4. What happened with Naaman obeyed? (He was healed, 2 Kings 5:14) 5. Who heals us from our sin? Jesus heals us from our sin. 10 Unit 13 Session 4 discussion starter video Discussion starter video (3 minutes) Leader Naaman didn t believe that dipping in the dirty Jordan River would heal him. Have you ever ignored something that should have been obvious? Watch this video. Show the Unit 13 Session 4 video. Leader Have you ever refused to do something you knew you should have done? Did you wish you had done it later? Naaman s servants said he had nothing to lose. After seeing God s power, Naaman though he wasn t an Israelite realized that the God of Israel was the one and only God. Everyone has something to be healed of.
It s called sin. Dipping in a river won t help us. When we repent and trust Jesus, God forgives our sin and heals us. The Gospel: God s Plan for Me (optional) Use Scripture and the guide provided with this session to explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Assign individuals to meet with kids who have more questions. If this is not possible, encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other Christian adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian. Big Picture Question Slide or Poster Prayer (5 minutes) Show the big picture question slide or poster. Leader Let s see if you know the answer to the big picture question. Who heals us from our sin? Jesus heals us from our sin. Ask the kids the big picture question. Encourage them to do a particular action seven times as they answer. Sample actions might be jumping up and down, turning around, stomping, and so forth. Before transitioning to small group, make any necessary announcements. Lead the kids in prayer. Pray that God will allow the kids to see their sin and need for forgiveness. Dismiss to small groups 11 Younger Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 13 Session 4
The Gospel: God s Plan for Me Ask kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means good news. It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids. God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean. We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23) God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9. Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:18. We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus. Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus. 12
Small Group LEADER Session Title: Elisha and Naaman Bible Passage: 2 Kings 5 Big Picture Question: Who heals us from our sin? Jesus heals us from our sin. Key Passage: 2 Kings 17:13-14 Unit Christ Connection: The prophets called God s people to repentance as Christ calls people to repentance. Sin continued to divide and ultimately destroy the Northern Kingdom, but Christ s perfect kingdom is forever. 13 Key Passage Slide or Poster dry erase board and markers (optional) large craft sticks markers Bibles, 1 per kid Small Group Visual Pack Big Picture Question Slide or Poster Key passage activity (5 minutes) Make sure the key passage, 2 Kings 17:13-14, is visible for each child, either as the printed poster or written on a dry erase board. Read the verses together. Say The people of Israel were a lot like Naaman. They didn t want to accept the cure for their sin. God wanted His people to repent and only worship and obey Him. He warned them that their sin would be punished; they still refused to listen. We don t have to be like them. We have a cure for sin. Who heals us from our sin? Jesus heals us from our sin. Prepare two sets of large craft sticks with the key passage on them, three or four words per stick. Form two groups and see which group can put the sticks in order the fastest. Bible story review (10 minutes) Encourage the kids to find 2 Kings 5 in their Bibles. Help them as needed. Say Is 2 Kings in the Old Testament or New Testament? (Old Testament) Does anyone know which division of the Bible 2 Kings is part of? (History) Name Younger Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 13 Session 4
four other Books of History. (Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther) Second Kings tells us how God disciplined His people because they would not worship and obey Him. Use the small group visual pack to show kids where today s Bible story is on the timeline. Review the Bible story provided by using the bold text, or summarize the story in your own words. Allow the kids to silently act out the Bible story. Choose kids to be Elisha, Naaman, Naaman s servants, Israel s king, Syria s king, Gehazi, and Naaman s servant girl. Say Naaman finally obeyed Elisha s messenger and was healed from his leprosy. Gehazi disobeyed Elisha by taking payment from Naaman that Elisha had refused. After also lying to Elisha, Gehazi received Naaman s leprosy. Gehazi s sin is a reminder that we all sin. We should be punished for our sin, but Jesus took our punishment. Who heals us from our sin? Jesus heals us from our sin. We just need to repent and trust in Him. Show the big picture question slide or poster. Say Can anyone tell me the big picture question and answer? Who heals us from our sin? Jesus heals us from our sin. LOW PREP Activity choice (10 minutes) Option 1: Seven challenge Challenge the kids to do a certain action seven times. See who can do them faster. Here are a few ideas: jumping jacks, hop on one foot, squats, run in circles, push-ups, and so forth. Say Elisha, God s prophet, sent his messenger to tell 14
Naaman to dip himself seven times in the Jordan River. At first Naaman refused because he expected his healing would be different. In the end, Naaman obeyed and was healed. We all face different types of sicknesses but there is one sickness that we all have. It s called sin. Romans 3:23 says everyone has sinned. There is only one cure for sin. The cure is Jesus. Who heals us from our sin? Jesus heals us from our sin. adhesive bandages, 1 or more per kid scissors double-sided tape fabric pieces journals Journal Page, 1 per kid (enhanced CD) markers or crayons Bible Story Coloring Page Option 2: Adhesive bandage craft Provide kids with small pieces of fabric, one or more large adhesive bandages, a pair of scissors, and double-sided tape. Demonstrate how to apply the tape on top of the bandage. Place a piece of fabric on top of the tape. Invite the kids to cut the fabric around the bandage. Once complete, the kids will have a decorative adhesive bandage. If time allows, provide the kids with more fabric and bandages and encourage them to make another one. Say Bandages don t cure any sicknesses, but they do help wounds heal when we have a cut or other injury. There is only one cure for sin. Who heals us from our sin? Jesus heals us from our sin. Journal and prayer (5 minutes) Distribute each child s journal and the journal page provided with this session. Instruct the kids to draw a picture of Naaman standing in the Jordan River. Writers may write prayer requests for people whom they know are sick. Say Here s one last review of our big picture question and answer. Who heals us from our sin? Jesus heals us from our sin. 15 Younger Kids Bible Study Leader Guide Unit 13 Session 4
Make sure each child puts this week s sheet in the journal, and then collect them. Keep the journals in the classroom so they will be available every week or as often as you wish to use them. If time remains, take prayer requests or allow kids to complete the coloring page provided with this session. Pray, thanking God for healing sickness, but more importantly for healing sin. Pray for each child by name, asking God to show them that Jesus is the only way to receive true forgiveness. 16
Journal Page Key Passage: 2 Kings 17:13-14 Session 1: Israel s History of Evil Kings 1 Kings 16 Session 2: Elijah Confronted Evil Ahab 1 Kings 18 Session 3: Elijah Ran from Jezebel 1 Kings 19 Session 4: Elisha and Naaman 2 Kings 5 Session 5: The Northern Kingdom Was Destroyed 2 Kings 17:1-23 OK to print
The LORD testified against Israel and against Judah, by all of His prophets, every seer, saying, Turn from your evil ways, and keep My commandments and My statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My servants the prophets. Nevertheless they would not hear. 2 Kings 17:13-14 Unit 13 Key Passage Poster (NKJV) OK to print
The LORD warned Israel and Judah through all his prophets and seers: Turn from your evil ways. Observe my commands and decrees, in accordance with the entire Law that I commanded your ancestors to obey and that I delivered to you through my servants the prophets. But they would not listen. 2 Kings 17:13-14 Unit 13 Key Passage Poster (NIV) OK to print
The LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep my commandments and my statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by my servants the prophets. Notwithstanding they would not hear. 2 Kings 17:13-14 Unit 13 Key Passage Poster (KJV) OK to print
The LORD warned Israel and Judah through every prophet and every seer, saying, Turn from your evil ways and keep My commands and statutes according to all the law I commanded your ancestors and sent to you through My servants the prophets. But they would not listen. 2 Kings 17:13-14 Unit 13 Key Passage Poster (HCSB) OK to print
The LORD warned Israel and Judah by every prophet and every seer, saying, Turn from your evil ways and keep my commandments and my statutes, in accordance with all the Law that I commanded your fathers, and that I sent to you by my servants the prophets. But they would not listen. 2 Kings 17:13-14 Unit 13 Key Passage Poster (ESV) OK to print
Who heals us from our sin? Jesus heals us from our sin. Unit 13 Session 4 Big Picture Question OK to print
Gameboard Instructions: Invite a friend to play a board game. Determine who will go first. That player should flip a coin. If the coin lands on heads, move one spot. If it lands on tails, move two spots. To advance, you must complete the action on the spot where you land. After one turn, the next player does the same. The winner is the first to reach the finish line. Unit 13 Session 4 Younger Kids Activity Pages
Elisha and Naaman 2 Kings 5
Unit 13 Session 4 Elisha and Naaman OK to print
Today we will be tasting/ touching/sniffing: Please notify the leader if your child should not participate. Instructions: Print this poster. You may laminate it and reuse it throughout the quarter. Use a dry erase marker to fill in the necessary information. Display the poster where parents and kids can see it before class. UNIT 13 Allergy Alert OK to print