Elisha and Naaman
2 Kings 5
“Long ago God spoke… by the prophets… In these last days, He has spoken to us by His Son.” Hebrews 1:1-2
Dear Parents,
Everyone gets sick at some point in his or her lifetime … often many times! Illness is probably no stranger to your kids. 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 upset! He could have washed in a river back home! But Naaman’s servants urged him to wash. He did, and God healed him.
Naaman was sick with a skin problem. His disease went away when he trusted God’s instruction from Elisha and washed in the river. All people have a sin problem that leads to death. We all need a Healer. When we trust Jesus as Lord and Savior, God forgives our sin and heals us.
Help your kids understand that 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.
Check this session’s Activity Page and Big Picture Card as well as the Gospel Project for Kids Family App for ways to interact with the Bible content this week.
KEY PASSAGE: Hebrews 1:1-2
BIG PICTURE QUESTION:
- How many gods are there? There is one true God.
BIBLE STORY: ELISHA AND NAAMAN
- Naaman was sick with a skin problem.
- Elisha told Naaman to wash in the Jordan River seven times.
- God healed Naaman.
- Naaman said God is the one true God.
FAMILY DISCUSSION STARTERS:
- Why do you think the servant girl told Naaman about Elisha?
- Why was Naaman upset about Elisha’s instructions?
- How can we be made well from our sin problem?
FAMILY ACTIVITY:
- Deliver child-friendly magazines and activities to a local children’s hospital.
- Ask your church leadership about any people in your congregation who may be homebound. Plan an outing with your family to visit them, bring them a meal, and pray over them for healing.
NEXT WEEK “God Called Isaiah” (Isaiah 6)
