God Helps Naaman Lesson 47

Lesson47:LKT 4/14/10 9:53 AM Page 401

Bible Story 2 Kings 5:1-16

God’s Word Teacher Challenge “Lord, you are great and powerful.” Realizing that the patch on his skin proved he had (See Jeremiah 10:6.) leprosy (now called Hansen’s Disease) must have terrified Naaman—in those days, it meant a slow God’s Word and Me death. In the crisis, everything shifted. His familiar God is powerful and can always help me. points of reference—an important position and wealth—suddenly evaporated. Help came from an unlikely source: a servant girl and a prophet of God. Once Naaman understood his need to humble himself, he was ready to be healed! ¯ How has your loving Father shifted your points of reference? ¯ How has the experience helped to align your perspective more closely with His? God often removes our points of reference—things we think define us. But that painful process helps us hear His call to humble ourselves and trust Him. He loves to heal our wounds as we humble ourselves beneath His loving hand! As you teach, notice the simplicity and humility of your children. Imitate them in this!

Teacher’s Planning 1. Choose which centers you will provide and the order in which children will par- ticipate in them. For tips on schedule planning, see page 9. 2. Plan who will lead each center, making sure to have one adult for approximately every six children. For staffing tips and ideas, see page 12.

Play to Learn Lesson 47 Active Game Center: Seven Times God’s Word Collect “Lord, you are great and powerful.” Bible. (See Jeremiah 10:6.)

Do God’s Word and Me Lead children to play a game like Follow the God is powerful and can always help me. Leader. As you and the children walk around the room, call out and lead motions for children to do seven times (jumping jacks, touch toes, clap hands, hop on one foot, etc.). Count aloud with children as they do the motions.

Talk About ¯ In today’s Bible story, a man named Naa- man was very sick. When he obeyed God and washed in a river seven times, God helped him and made him better. Let’s play a game and do things seven times. ¯ Austin, you jumped up and down seven times. You have strong legs! God helps you by giving you strong legs. ¯ The Bible says, “Lord, you are great and powerful.” “Lord” is another name for God. God is powerful and can always help us. Jasmine, when is a time you might need God’s help? ¯ God made many things that show how powerful He is. Our powerful God made big mountains. Kevin, what is another big thing that God has made? ¯ Pray briefly, God, You are so powerful. Thank You for helping us when we ask.

For Younger Children Instead of children lining up and walking around the room, children stand in a circle to perform the motions as you call them out. Each motion is performed for several moments, until you call out “Freeze!” Children remain frozen until you call out another motion.

For Older Children After a few rounds of play, older children volunteer to be the leaders. Join the line with the children as each volunteer leads the line in performing different motions seven times.

Play to Learn Lesson 47 Art Center: Sidewalk Scenes God’s Word Collect “Lord, you are great and powerful.” Bible, sidewalk chalk; optional—butcher paper, (See Jeremiah 10:6.) scissors, markers. God’s Word and Me Do God is powerful and can always help me. On sidewalks or patios, children draw pictures of big things God created (mountains, oceans, sky, sun, waterfalls, elephants, whales, tall trees, etc.). (Optional: Cut several long lengths of butcher paper. Children draw on paper either indoors or outdoors.)

Talk About ¯ The Bible says, “Lord, you are great and powerful.” “Lord” is another name for God. When we say that God is “great and powerful,” we mean that God is so powerful, He can do anything! God can always help us. ¯ One way God shows His power is by creating wonderful things in our world. Let’s draw some pictures of big things God made. ¯ Morgan, what is a big thing God made? (Ele- phant. Ocean.) Elephants and oceans remind us of how powerful God is. God can always help us. ¯ Pray briefly, Dear God, thank You for being so great and powerful. Thank You for the help You give us.

For Younger Children Draw outlines of pictures of big things God made. Children use sidewalk chalk to color pictures.

For Older Children Help children form pairs. Each pair chooses a scene (forest, beach, outer space, etc.) and works together to illustrate it.

Play to Learn Lesson 47 Construction Center: Great Builds God’s Word Collect “Lord, you are great and powerful.” Bible, manipulative building toys (Lincoln Logs, (See Jeremiah 10:6.) Duplos, Legos, blocks, etc.). God’s Word and Me Do God is powerful and can always help me. Children use blocks to build big shapes (squares, triangles, etc.).

Talk About ¯ The Bible says, “Lord, you are great and powerful.” “Lord” is another name for God. God is powerful and can always help us. God shows He is great by making us! Let’s use the hands God made for us to build a big shape with our blocks. ¯ Caleb, who gives you food to eat so your body grows strong? God helped you by giving you a grandma to care for you. ¯ Destiny, here is a long block to complete your section of the shape. I’m glad God gives us eyes to see. What can you see that God has made? That’s right! God made your friend Julia. ¯ God is so powerful. He can make people and trees and mountains. God made us, too. He helps us by giving us eyes to see and ears to hear. What is another way God helps us?

For Younger Children Children use blocks to build shapes of their own choosing. Use the Talk About ideas to connect children’s activity to the lesson.

For Older Children Children form a letter of the alphabet with blocks. Children name things God made that begin with that letter. Marie, you made the letter M. What great things did God make that begin with an M? (Mountains, mommies, melons, etc.) God is powerful. He made all these things! God loves us and can help us when we ask.

Play to Learn Lesson 47 Dramatic Play Center: Good Doctors God’s Word Collect “Lord, you are great and powerful.” Bible, several white shirts, toy doctor kits, dolls. (See Jeremiah 10:6.)

Do God’s Word and Me Children wear shirts to pretend to be doctors, God is powerful and can always help me. using doctor kit items on dolls.

Talk About ¯ In today’s Bible story, a man named Naaman was very sick. When Naaman obeyed God by washing himself in a river seven times, God made him well! Let’s pretend to be doctors helping sick babies. ¯ Robert, what will you do to take care of this sick baby? When have you gone to the doctor’s office? God helps you by being with you when you have to get a shot. God gives you a mom to hold your hand and give you a hug. ¯ Rachel, I think your baby has a cough. God gives us doctors to help us get better when we are sick. When have you been sick? Who helped you get better? ¯ The Bible says, “Lord, you are great and powerful.” “Lord” is another name for God. God is powerful and can help us. ¯ Pray briefly, Dear God, thank You for being so great and powerful. Thank You for the help You give us.

For Younger Children Provide adhesive and gauze bandages for children to use on dolls.

For Older Children Provide washcloths, adhesive bandages, notepads and pencils for children to use in their play.

Listen to Learn Lesson 47 2 Kings 5:1-16 Collect Bible, Bible Story 24 pictures from God’s Story for Me Poster Pack #2, Preschool Music #2 DVD or CD God’s Word and player, sheet of paper, marker. “Lord, you are great and powerful.” (See Jeremiah 10:6.) Prepare Print the following letters on the sheet of paper: God’s Word and Me b, d, p, t, s, m, f and k. God is powerful and can always help me.

Greet Each Other Look at the color of the clothes you are wearing today. Let volunteers name colors. Listen to hear when your color is called and do what I tell you to do. Children wearing red stand up and wave your hands. Children sit down. Repeat using other colors and motions (jump up and down, bend down and touch toes, reach for the sky, etc.).

Tell the Story Open your Bible to 2 Kings 5. Tell the story using the pictured motions (keywords in bold) or show Bible Story 24 pictures. What do you do when you have a scrape or a cut on your skin? Listen to hear what one man did when he had terrible sores on his skin. Naaman was a leader in the army. Naaman had a terrible problem: He had a sickness called leprosy. The sickness made painful sores on Naaman’s skin. Naaman knew he would get sicker and sicker. He might even die! His family must have been very sad. Naaman’s wife had a servant girl. This girl was from Israel. She knew that in Isra- el there was a man named Elisha who loved God. God helped Elisha do amazing things. The servant girl said, “I wish Naaman would go to see Elisha.” The girl thought Elisha might be able to help Naaman. Right away Naaman’s wife told Naaman the news about Elisha. Naaman decided to go see Elisha. The king of Naaman’s country wrote a letter to the king of Israel. Naa- man took the letter. He also took gifts of silver, gold and clothing. Naaman went to the king of Israel. The king read the letter. It said: “Here is Naaman. I want you to make his sickness go away.” But the king said, “I’m not God! I can’t make Naaman well!” Soon, Elisha heard about Naaman’s visit. Elisha asked the king to send Naaman to him. Naaman came to Elisha’s door. Elisha’s servant talked to Naaman. “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River,” the servant said. “Then you will be well.” At first Naaman was angry. He didn’t want to wash in the Jordan River. It was too muddy! But then Naaman changed his mind. He walked to the river. He waded in. He ducked under the water, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven times. He wiped the water from his eyes. He looked at his skin. The sores were gone! Naaman was all well! Naaman said, “Now I know there is only one God—the one true God!” God helped Naaman by making him well. God was good to Naaman!

Lesson 47

Talk About the Story How many times did Naaman have to wash himself in the river? (Seven.) God is so powerful, He was able to make Naaman well. God is powerful and can always help us, too. God helps us because God loves us. What are some ways that God helps us? (Is always with us. Gives us fami- lies to care for us. Hears our prayers. Gives us teachers who tell us about Him.)

Sing to God Let’s sing a song about God’s goodness. Lead children in singing “Good to Me” (on DVD or track 13 on CD). God is powerful and good. God can always help us.

Hear and Say God’s Word Holding your Bible open to Jeremiah 10:6, say verse aloud. “Lord” is another name for God. God can always help us. God is great because He can do such wonderful things. He is great and powerful. Lead children in repeating the verse a few times in this manner: Say the verse very quietly the first time and then a bit louder each time you repeat the verse, until you are speaking in a normal speaking voice. Continue repeating verse, getting softer on each repetition, until speaking very quietly again.

Pray to God Option: On a large sheet of paper, print the words Dear God, thank You for showing us “Thank You, God! God helps me ______.” Ask that You always have the power to children to name good things God helps them to help us. We are glad You love us and do. Print children’s responses on paper; place paper care for us. In Jesus’ name, amen. where parents can read it when class is dismissed.

Praise to God God is powerful and He has made many great things. Let’s see if we can use a few letters of the alphabet to name some of the things God has made. Show paper with letters printed on it. Invite volunteers to name things God has made with each letter shown (e.g., birds, dogs, people, tigers, seahorses, mountains, forests, kangaroos).

Talk to Learn Lesson 47 Bible Story Activity Pages Center Collect A copy of Activity 24 from The Big Book of Bible Story Name ______Activity Pages #2 for yourself and each child, scissors, Bible Story Activity 24 “Lord, you are great and powerful.” crayons or markers; optional—small leaves, glue. (See Jeremiah 10:6.)

Do Lead children to complete pages following the instruc- tions. (Optional: Children glue leaves to tree.) Use the conversation suggestions as children complete their pages and retell the story.

£ Preschool Puzzle Center • Teacher cuts off Naaman figure and cuts slit in page (see sketch on back of this page).

103 • Child colors page. • Child moves Naaman figure in slit, turning figure from side to side, to retell story action. • How did God help Naaman? • How does God help you? © 2010 Gospel Light. Permission to photocopy granted to the original purchaser only. Collect The Big Book of Bible Story Activity Pages #2 £ Copies of Bible Story Puzzle 47, Bible Verse Puzzle 47 and/or Challenge Puzzle 47 from The Big Book of Preschool Puzzles #2 for each child; pencils, crayons or markers.

Do Children complete the puzzles and color pages. Use the conversation suggestions on the pages.

Read-Aloud Story Center Collect A copy of Story Picture 47 from The Big Book of Read- Aloud Stories #2 for yourself and each child, crayons only. purchaser original to granted photocopy to Permission Light. Gospel 2010 © or markers. “Lord, you are great and

powerful.”(See Jeremiah 10:6.) Connect the dots. Color the picture. Do Read the story and distribute pictures. Use the conversation suggestions as children complete

their pages. #2 Stories Read-Aloud of Book Big The

Story Picture 47 47 Picture Story 99