Large Group/Small Group February 3, 2021 Passage: 2 Kings 5 ( and Naaman) God Is the Lord of Life Remember Verse Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD— that you alone are the Most High over all the earth. Psalm 83:18 LESSON OVERVIEW  Mementos for your church Traditions Connect Option 1: Basic Human Reflect Needs (for younger kids) Activity: Bandaged Praying for Others SUPPLIES SUPPLIES SUPPLIES Connect Question image*  Healthy snack foods (e.g., trail   Leaf template* Connect Activity image* mix, fruit, vegetables, granola   Construction paper (various bars)  Adhesive bandages (1 per child) colors)

 Bowls (approx. 12oz.; 1 per  Scissors child)  Trash cans (1–3)  Markers  Disposable cups (2 oz.; 1 per  Poster board (white or green) child) The Big God Story  Tape or glue sticks  Water (approx. 2 oz. per child) SUPPLIES  Optional: projector, Tree  Fort supplies (e.g., blankets or  Timeline image* image* sheets, pillows, chairs,  Timeline animation* clothespins, large boxes; 2–3  Images: Elijah Going Up to of each) Heaven, Map of Israel and  Paper (3 sheets) Aram, Naaman, 2 Kings 5:8, 2  Marker (dark-colored, 1) Kings 5:10, , SUPPLIES River of Damascus, Naaman  Remember Verse cards* Option 2: Electricity in Jordan River*  At Home Weekly: Lesson 11* Experiment (for older kids)  Audio: 2 Kings 5:15*  Bible  Bible  Small bowl or bucket SUPPLIES  Scrap cloth (approx. 12'' x 12'')  Water  Warm fluorescent light bulb or  Disappearing ink  Cloth or gauze from Worship tube  Bowl of water as Response (1 piece per  Balloon (1 per group) child)  Optional: Wool (approx. 1' × 1') Worship as Response Further Resources SUPPLIES To help you plan and lead  Verse images* Customizable copy of Lesson 10  Cloth or gauze (approx. 4'' x 4'' 2018–19 Scope and Sequence per child) Scissors TruStory How It Works Traditions and Remember  Chalkboards or marker boards Small Group Enhancement (4 small, portable) Verse At Home Weekly: Lesson 10  Chalk or dry erase markers SUPPLIES The weekly for the next lesson—to  Optional: chairs or stools (4)  Remember Verse image* be sent home for preteaching by  Remember Verse animation* parents—is found in BLESS. © 2018 David C Cook. TruResources are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Church and a national network of family and children’s ministry leaders. All rights reserved. Reproducible for church use only. *see Resources LEADER PREP Each week you’ll find a list of resources along with encouraging articles that help you prepare your heart to present the lesson.

Inspire Shares personal stories from fellow ministry leaders about how God has worked in their lives

One of my favorite places is the zoo. Following a recent trip to the world-renowned zoo 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 Lord 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 Lord of all life, for His majesty, His beauty, His love. Praise God, the One who is more beautiful than anything ever created. :

Tori Funkhouser Tru Team

Equip Offers perspective and context to the lesson’s Bible passage

In 2 Kings 5 we see an amazing illustration of how God is the Lord 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 (: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 in this. 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 (: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 Lord of life, used to heal and give life to others.

Support Provides reflection and assessment through encouragement, prayer, and time in God’s Word

In John 10:10, 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 Lord 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.

SMALL GROUP SECTION

Children engage in fun, creative activities designed to pique their curiosity about the day’s portion of The Big God Story.

Lead kids through an EXPLORE during which they engage with the idea of God providing everything we need for life. Option 1: Basic Human Needs (for younger kids) SUPPLIES  Healthy snack foods (e.g., trail mix, fruit, vegetables, granola bars; approx. 1–3 Tbsp./bites per child)  Bowls (approx. 12–oz.; 1 per child)  Disposable cups (approx. 2-oz.; 1 per child)  Water (approx. 2 oz. per child)  Fort supplies (e.g., blankets or sheets, pillows, chairs, clothespins, large boxes; 2–3 of each)  Paper (3 sheets)  Marker (dark-colored; 1)

SET UP 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.”

RELATE Human beings need basic necessities like food, water, and shelter to survive. Today your kids will have an opportunity to interact with some of these basic needs. Take them through each station, explaining what basic needs the items represent. Invite children to snack on a few bites of food and drink a few sips of water. Ask kids why they think we human beings need food, water, and shelter. When you get to the shelter station, have them make their own shelter out of blankets, pillows, chairs, and any other creative supplies. Option 2: Electricity Experiment (for older kids) SUPPLIES  Warm fluorescent light bulb or tube (1 per group)  Balloon (1 per group)  Optional: Piece of wool (approx. 1' x 1')

SET UP Place the supplies on a table and have leaders nearby. Blow up the balloon and tie it closed.

RELATE Today in The Big God Story we’re going to talk about how God is the Lord of Life. He created the air we breathe and the food we eat—and, most importantly, He offers us eternal life with Him. Many things in this world help us live, 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.

LARGE GROUP SECTION

Children participate in discovering God’s Word through Bible verse memorization, interactive storytelling techniques, and worship as response. Traditions and Remember Verse SUPPLIES  Remember Verse image (see Resources)  Remember Verse animation (see Resources)  Mementos for your church Traditions (rocks, marbles, gum balls, etc.)

RELATE Give the children mementos (such as rocks, marbles, or blocks) for accomplishments such as memorizing the Remember Verse or bringing their . Have them put the objects into a clear container or add them to a structure and celebrate when it’s complete.

This week’s Remember Verse focuses on a character trait of God that’s highlighted in today’s portion of The Big God Story.

Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD—that you alone are the Most High over all the earth. Psalm 83:18 Connect QUESTION Have you ever been sick for a long time? What did it feel like when you finally got better? Activity: Bandaged SUPPLIES  Connect Question image (see Resources)  Connect Activity image (see Resources)  Adhesive bandages (1 per child)  Trash cans (1–3)

RELATE Hand one adhesive bandage to each child. Encourage children to walk around the room and find someone they do not know. Have children discuss the Connect question. After discussing, have children stick an adhesive bandage on one another. If time permits, distribute more bandages and encourage children to continue to find new people, discuss the Connect question, and share a bandage. Place trash cans throughout the room for children to dispose of wrappers and bandages. The Big God Story Bible Passage: 2 Kings 5 Storytelling Technique: Audio, Images, Prop God Is the Lord of Life

SUPPLIES  Timeline image (see Resources)  Timeline animation (see Resources)  Images: 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 Resources)  Audio: 2 Kings 5:15 (see Resources)  Bible  Small piece of scrap cloth (approx. 12'' x 12'')  Disappearing ink  Bowl of water SET UP Randomly mark up the cloth with the disappearing ink and set it near the bowl of water.

RELATE In The Big God Story, the prophet Elijah had two unique encounters with God. 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 Most High God. Today, we are going to hear about the prophet who came after Elijah and how God used him to show that He is the Lord of Life. But first, let’s pray. Lead children in a Prayer of Release to pause, be still, and ask the Holy Spirit to quiet their hearts and minds. 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! (2 Kings 2). Tech: Cue Elijah Going up to Heaven image. Can you imagine watching your friend going up to heaven like that? Amazing! When Elijah went up to heaven, he left his job of being a prophet to Elisha. Elisha’s job as prophet was to continue the work of Elijah: to warn the nation of Israel against worshipping false gods. Because Israel wasn’t being faithful to the Lord, God called Elisha to remind them He is God—the Lord of Life. During the time when Elisha lived, Israel was at constant war with the nation of Aram, a Gentile nation. Tech: Cue Map of Israel and Aram image. What’s a Gentile? Interact with answers. 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. Tech: Cue Naaman image. He was a well- respected man who’d won many victories for his country. Unfortunately, he also had leprosy. Who knows what leprosy is? Encourage responses. 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 talked to Naaman’s wife. Have children open their Bibles. Read 2 Kings 5:3 aloud. Because of what the servant girl said, Naaman went to the king of Aram and asked if he might go to Israel. Read 2 Kings 5:4–5 for the group. 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 Lord 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 (prompt the kids to open their Bibles and follow along; Tech: Cue 2 Kings 5:8 image), “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 did not greet Naaman, but instead sent a messenger to tell him (Tech: Cue 2 Kings 5:10 image; prompt kids to follow along in their Bibles), “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan Tech: Cue Jordan River image. … 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?” (2 Kings 5:12). Tech: Cue River of Damascus image. Naaman expected a big show from Elisha in order for him to be healed. Since Elisha didn’t do that, 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 River. Tech: Cue Naaman in Jordan River image. As you talk, dip the cloth covered in disappearing ink into the water. Just like the ink has stained and covered this cloth, the leprosy covered and damaged Naaman’s skin. But, as he dipped in the Jordan river, 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 Lord of Life. After his healing, Naaman went to Elisha and said (Tech: Cue 2 Kings 5:15 audio; 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 Most High 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 Lord 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. 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 Lord 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 about when you first knew God and how He is the Lord of your life. Worship as Response This time allows kids to respond to God through worship. 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.

SUPPLIES  Verse images (see Resources)  Cloth or gauze (approx. 4'' x 4'' per child)  Scissors  Chalkboards or marker boards (4 small, portable)  Chalk or dry erase markers  Optional: chairs or stools (4)

PREPARE AHEAD Cut fabric or gauze to four-inch by four-inch squares, enough for each child to have one piece.

SET UP On each of the chalkboards (or marker boards), write one-word statements about what human beings are like without God healing and giving life (i.e., broken, lost, insecure, ashamed, etc.). Try to write one word per child (feel free to repeat words) and spread these words out so they cover most of the surface of the boards. Place the boards at the front of the teaching area against a wall or optional chair or stool so they stand up.

RELATE Our God is able to heal us in every way because He is the Lord of Life. He cares about everything in our lives, and He longs to give us full life through Him. Where do you need God to give you life? Do you need physical healing for yourself or someone you know? Or perhaps you need God to lead you in your relationship with Him. Distribute one piece of cloth or gauze to each child. This is your time to talk with God about being your Lord of Life. You may sit quietly and talk to Him about giving you life or about healing you or someone you know. Whenever you are ready, you may come forward with your cloth or gauze and erase one of these words. As you erase one of these “broken” words, ask God to do a healing in your life. Leaders are available throughout the room to pray with you if you would like to ask God to give you new life in Him. When you’re finished, hold your cloth and thank God for being the Lord of Life. Encourage leaders to station themselves throughout the room to talk with children about salvation and to pray with them. Once the majority of children have had the opportunity to come forward and erase a word, have leaders come up and erase any “broken” words that still remain on the chalkboards. Tech: Cue Verse images. Encourage the kids to notice the word life in each of the verse images. Have children save their cloth or gauze until BLESS.

SMALL GROUP SECTION

Children respond to what the Holy Spirit is teaching them as they reflect on the day’s portion of The Big God Story, engage in relationship, and create meaningful pieces of art individually or together. Reflect: God Is the Lord of Life Encourage the kids to open their Bibles and read the suggested passages.

QUESTIONS FOR YOUNGER KIDS  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 Naaman was mad that Elisha didn’t personally come out and heal him? 2 Kings 5:11–13  How did Naaman receive a new life that day? 2 Kings 5:14–15  God became the Lord 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? Invite kids to share stories—and, as leaders, share your own.

QUESTIONS FOR OLDER KIDS  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. Have you ever been so desperate for something in your life? What was it and what did you do? 2 Kings 5:4–6  How did Naaman receive a new life that day? 2 Kings 5:14–15  God became the Lord of Life for Naaman, and Naaman came to understand that there was only one true God. Do you have a story of a time you recognized how God Is the Lord of Life? Invite kids to share stories—and, as leaders, share your own. Praying for Others Children are given time to pray for people in their lives who don’t know God.

SUPPLIES  Leaf template (see Resources)  Construction paper (various colors)  Scissors  Markers  Poster board (white or green)  Tape or glue sticks  Optional: Projector, Tree image (see Resources)

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.

RELATE 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). Naaman recognized God as Lord of Life that day. Trees give us great examples 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 roots to grow, people need to be 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 Lord of Life. Today let’s take a few moments to ask God, “Who in my life doesn’t know You?” 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 Lord of Life—God. 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 Lord of Life.

Children receive a blessing from their leaders and sometimes one another. A blessing may be prayer of commission, a portion of Scripture, or words to encourage and guide.

SUPPLIES  Remember Verse cards (see Resources)  At Home Weekly: Lesson 11 (see Resources)  Bible  Small bowl or bucket  Water  Cloth or gauze from Worship as Response (1 per child)

RELATE Encourage the kids to dip their cloth or gauze in the water seven times, just as Naaman washed himself in the Jordan seven times. Then, have children wring out their cloth or gauze and hold it in their hands as you read from 2 Corinthians 5:17:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! May the Lord of Life meet all of your needs. May your old ways be washed away, and may you live the new life God has for you in Christ. Send home Remember Verse cards and the At Home Weekly with your kids.