Teacher Bible Study Lesson Overview/Schedule

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 13, Session 4: Elisha and Naaman

TEACHER 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.

LESSON OVERVIEW/SCHEDULE 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.

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 13, Session 4: Elisha and Naaman

Transition Time Welcome time Activity Sheet/Table Centers Session starter (10 minutes)

Lesson Countdown Introduce the session (2 minutes) Timeline map (2 minutes) Big picture question (2 minutes) Tell the Bible Story (8 minutes) Key passage (5 minutes) Discussion starter video (5 minutes) The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional) Sing (4 minutes) Prayer (2 minutes)

Table Time Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes) Key passage activity (5 minutes) Activity choice (10 minutes) Prayer (5 minutes)

THE BIBLE STORY/OVERVIEW

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.”

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 13, Session 4: Elisha and Naaman

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 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.

TRANSITION TIME 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.

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 13, Session 4: Elisha and Naaman

Welcome time chart paper marker Greet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group. Make a list of times in the Bible people were healed. Ask kids to think about what it means to be healed.

Activity page Table Centers (Miscellaneous Activities) “Problems and Solutions” / “Tell the Story” activity page, 1 per kid Bibles pencils markers Challenge boys and girls to match the problems to the solutions of their choice in the activity page “Problems and Solutions.” Invite kids to share why they selected the solutions they chose. Say • In today’s Bible story, a man had a serious problem. He needed to be healed from an illness. We also need to be healed. Listen to our story to discover what the man needed to be healed from and why we also need to be healed.

As time allows, provide kids with markers and help them think of ways they can tell the gospel through pictures on the activity page “Tell the Story.”

Session starter (10 minutes) Option 1: Find a Group Tell kids that you will call out a category and they need to find out if anyone else in the group fits the same category. For example, if you call out “eye color,” kids should attempt to find out if anyone else in the group has the same eye color. Encourage kids to stand in like groups. Call out several categories, ending with “guilty of sin” and “innocent of sin.” Suggested categories: eye color, birthday month, birth year, school, number of siblings, hair color, type of shoes, guilty of sin, or innocent of sin Say • We are unique. We have different eye colors, birth years, or siblings. But we all have one thing in common. We are guilty of sin. Not one of us is innocent. Who is the only person to be innocent of sin? Jesus. Sin is like an illness or disease. It is a sickness that we suffer from. We need a cure. We need to be healed from our sin. Today we are talking about healing. In our Bible story, a man needed to be healed physically. We will also discuss how we need to be healed spiritually.

Option 2: Seven Times Challenge Challenge kids to do a task seven times without laughing or quitting. Suggestions: 7 jumping jacks, smile 7 times, wink, clap, stomp, lift a book up high, sit down and then stand up, say the alphabet, count to 10, walk around the room.

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 13, Session 4: Elisha and Naaman

Say • In today’s Bible story, a man was commanded to do something seven times. We will discover what his response to the command was.

Transition to large group

LESSON 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 countdown video (insert provided DVD with lesson videos and worship) Show the countdown video as you clean-up table centers, set up classroom chairs for lesson and set it to end as large group time begins.

Introduce the session (2 minutes) sling [Large group leader enters with arm in a sling.] Leader • Hey, river rafters! As you can see, I am not going to be rafting today. I was practicing my rafting skills and I injured my arm. Now I have to wait for it to heal before I can raft. Have any of you had an injury that you had to wait for it to heal? Did you break a bone or hurt a muscle? I need a couple of volunteers to share what injury they have had. Choose a couple of volunteers to share. Leader • Wow! It is easy for us to get hurt. Do you know what the worst part of being injured is? My arm doesn’t really hurt or anything. The worst part is waiting for my arm to heal. Waiting, waiting, waiting. It feels like it is taking forever for my arm to heal. Today we are talking about healing in our Bible story. Look at our timeline map with me.

Timeline map (2 minutes) Timeline Map – small group visual pack (Additional copies provided for Table Time Review) Leader • I need three volunteers to come up here and tell me about our last three stories. Make sure you point to the picture on the timeline map. Select three volunteers to share about the last three Bible stories.

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 13, Session 4: Elisha and Naaman

Leader • Good work! You can go back to your seats now. Well, at the end of our story last week, Elijah picked someone to be the next prophet for Israel. Elijah and Elisha traveled together for a little while before Elijah went to heaven. Elisha then became the prophet to the Northern Kingdom.

Big picture question (2 minutes) 11x17 poster provided Leader • Our big picture question is, Who heals us from our sin? In our Bible story, a man named Naaman had a skin disease. He needed to be healed. Probably no one in this room has the skin disease that Naaman had. But we do have a different disease. We have the disease of sin. Sin makes us spiritually sick. It separates us from God. It leads to spiritual death. The good news is that God knew we needed healing from our sin. Let’s open our Bibles to 2 Kings 5 to hear Naaman’s story and find the answer to our big picture question, Who heals us from our sin?

Tell the Bible Story (8 minutes) “Elisha and Naaman” video Bibles, 1 per kid Bible Story Picture – 11x17 poster provided Big Picture Question: “Who heals us from our sin?” – 11x17 poster provided Open your Bible to 2 Kings 5 and tell the Bible story in your own words, or show the Bible story video “Elisha and Naaman.” Leader • Naaman was not an Israelite. He was a Syrian army commander who attacked the cities of Israel. During the attacks, the Syrians would take Israelites back to Syria to be their servants. One of the Israelite servants was a young girl. She served Naaman’s wife and told her mistress about the prophet Elisha. If the servant girl had not said anything, would Naaman have traveled to Israel and experienced God’s power to heal him? Probably not. But she did share, and Naaman traveled to Israel. At first Naaman didn’t want to follow Elisha’s instructions. Why? They weren’t the instructions he wanted. Have you ever had a problem but you didn’t want to follow the instructions you were given to fix it? You wanted different instructions instead? Who remembers our big picture question? Who heals us from our sin? Jesus heals us from our sin. Sadly, a lot of people in our world are like how Naaman was at first. They don’t like the solution to their sin sickness. They don’t believe in Jesus. They won’t become a Christian because they don’t like what God says. It is very sad. God sent Jesus to die on the cross so we could be healed from our sin. Do you remember our key passage?

Key passage (5 minutes) Key Passage Poster: 2 Kings 17:13-14 (11x17 poster, provided) Worship Song: “Keep My Commands” (on provided DVD) Leader • Our key passage tells us that God’s people refused to listen to Him. They refused to obey His

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 13, Session 4: Elisha and Naaman

commandments. As we sing our key passage song “Keep My Commands,” think about whether or not you have chosen to listen to God and obey His commands today. Sing “Keep My Commands.” Ask for five volunteers to quote the key passage from memory together. Lead the group to read the key passage.

Discussion Starter Video (5 minutes) Unit 13, Session 4 discussion starter video (on provided DVD) Leader • Why don’t people always want to follow God? Watch this video with me. Show the “Unit 13 Session 4” video. Leader • What was the solution to the problem? Why wouldn’t the kid do that? Do you ever have a problem and you refuse to try the solutions people suggest? Every human, except Jesus, has a problem. What is it? We sin. We are guilty of sin. We need to be healed from our sin. Who heals us from our sin? Jesus heals us from our sin.

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional) Leader • Even when people don’t listen to God’s commands and believe that Jesus died on the cross for their sin, we should always share the gospel with people. Using Scripture and the guide provided, explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Tell kids how they can respond, and provide counselors to speak with each kid individually. Guide counselors to use open-ended questions to allow kids to determine the direction of the conversation. If you cannot provide a response time, encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian.

Sing (4 minutes) Worship Song: “Running” (on provided DVD) Leader • Name a reason you can praise God. Great answers! We can praise God for sending Jesus. We can praise Jesus for healing us from our sin. Sing with me. Lead kids to sing “Running.”

Prayer (2 minutes) Leader • Before I pray, review our Bible story with me. When I call on you, tell me one fact from today’s Bible story. Call on as many kids as time allows. Leader • You did a great job listening! Who heals us from our sin? Jesus heals us from our sin. After I pray, watch your small group leader for the signal to row your way to small group. Close in prayer. Pray for kids to trust in Jesus and receive His healing for our sin sickness.

Dismiss to small groups for Table Time

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 13, Session 4: Elisha and Naaman

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.

TABLE TIME 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.

Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes) Bibles, 1 per kid Timeline – small group visual pack First Aid Kit “bandages” markers Guide boys and girls to read 2 Kings 5:10-15.

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 13, Session 4: Elisha and Naaman

Open a first aid kit and explain what some of the items are. Ask kids to identify which items were used to heal Naaman. (None. God’s power healed Naaman.) Which items can heal us from sin? (Nothing but Jesus’ payment for our sin can heal us from our sin.) Say • Who heals us from our sin? Jesus heals us from our sin. Who is sick with a sin problem? (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.) Lead each kid to write the big picture answer on a bandage card, provided in your Table Time Review bin. If you choose to review with boys and girls how to become a Christian, explain that kids are welcome to speak with you or another teacher if they have questions. God rules. God created and is in charge of everything. (Genesis 1:1; Revelation 4:11; Colossians 1:16-17) We sinned. Since Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23; 6:23) God provided. God sent His Son, Jesus, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9) Jesus gives. Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again so we can be welcomed into God’s family. (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18) We respond. Believe that Jesus alone saves you. Repent. Tell God that your faith is in Jesus. (Romans 10:9-10,13)

Review the timeline in the small group visual pack.

Key passage activity (5 minutes) “Key Passage Puzzle” Instructions 11x17 copies of the Key Passage Poster (x4 per classroom), each cut into 50 square pieces Key Passage Poster: 2 Kings 17:13-14 (provided) Four copies of the Key Passage Poster have been provided. Each poster has been cut into 50 square pieces. Divide the children into four groups. Provide each group with a bag of puzzle pieces. Challenge kids to assemble the key passage puzzle. After assembled, lead kids to read the passage. Remove 5 pieces of the puzzle and challenge kids to say the passage. Repeat several times, removing 5 additional pieces each time. You may opt to allow the kids to take turns selecting the pieces to remove. Say • Elisha was another one of the prophets God sent to His people in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. God wanted His people to follow Him, but sadly, they continued to sin.

Activity choice (10 minutes) Option 1: Raft Review tape Tape three outlines of a river raft on the floor. Tape a letter A in the first raft, B in the second, and C in the third.

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 13, Session 4: Elisha and Naaman

When you ask a question, you will give three possible answers. Kids should “swim” to the raft they believe is the correct answer and sit down inside. 1. Of which army was Naaman the commander? (A) Assyrian, (B) Syrian, (C) Philistine (B. Syrian; 2 Kings 5:1) 2. What was wrong with Naaman? (A) He had the flu; (B) He had chicken pox; (C) He had leprosy. (C. He had leprosy; 2 Kings 5:1) 3. Who told Naaman’s wife about Elisha? (A) a young servant girl, (B) a young servant boy, (C) an old servant woman (A. a young servant girl; 2 Kings 5:2-3) 4. Who did Naaman first go visit to ask for healing? (A) Elisha, (B) the king of Israel, (C) Gehazi (B. the king of Israel; 2 Kings 5:6) 5. Who told Naaman to go wash in the river? (A) Elisha, (B) a messenger, (C) the king of Israel? (B. a messenger; 2 Kings 5:10) 6. Who encouraged Naaman to obey Elisha’s instructions? (A) the messenger, (B) Gehazi, (C) Naaman’s servants (C. Naaman’s servants; 2 Kings 5:13) 7. What did Elisha accept from Naaman as a thank-you gift? (A) gold, silver, clothing; (B) nothing; (C) a sacrifice (B. nothing; 2 Kings 5:16) 8. Why did Gehazi say he wanted the gifts from Naaman? (A) for visitors, (B) for family members, (C) for the poor (A. for visitors; 2 Kings 5:22) 9. What did Gehazi say when Elisha asked where he had been? (A) the market, (B) nowhere, (C) to see Naaman (B. nowhere, 2 Kings 5:25) 10. What happened to Gehazi? (A) He became the next prophet; (B) He became rich; (C) He was given Naaman’s skin disease. (C. He was given Naaman’s skin disease; 2 Kings 5:27) 11. Who heals us from our sin? (A) Jesus heals us from our sin; (B) Jesus heals us from our sin; (C) Jesus heals us from our sin. (A, B, C. Jesus heals us from our sin.)

Option 2: Mini-Water Bottles strips of paper markers mini water bottles glue sticks Prior to decorating, guide kids to wrap their paper strips around the water bottle labels and mark any overlap. Guide kids to create a message about Jesus on their paper strips. They may write the gospel plan, today’s big picture answer, or anything else about Jesus. Allow kids to decorate their papers. Remind kids that the overlap section they marked will be covered and doesn’t need decoration. After decorating, help kids use glue sticks to attach the paper to the label on the water bottle. Say • Who heals us from our sin? Jesus heals us from our sin. Why do we want people to know that Jesus heals us from our sin? Encourage kids to give their water bottle to a friend, neighbor, or family member who is not a Christian.

4th-6th Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 13, Session 4: Elisha and Naaman

Prayer (5 minutes) Close the group in prayer, thanking God for sending Jesus to be our Healer.

Clean-Up Room

Instructions: Draw a line from each problem to the solution of your choice.

Unit 13 • Session 4 • Older Kids Activity Pages

Israel, the Northern Kingdom

3. God Saves

1. God Rules 2. We Sinned

4. Jesus Provided 5. We Respond

Unit 13 • Session 4 • Older Kids Activity Pages

Israel, the Northern Kingdom

© 2013 LifeWay Family Journal Page ORD Israel, the Northern Kingdom The L warned Israel and Judah Elisha and Naaman by every prophet and every seer, Consider visiting a member of your church who is homebound 2 Kings 5 (cannot travel to church each week). Spend time getting to Preschool know each other and praying for each other. You may also Key Passage: 2 Kings 17:13-14 saying, “Turn from your evil ways wish to have a short time of singing and devotional. Encourage Big Picture Question: Who heals us from our sin? kids to share the story of Elisha and Naaman. Take a picture Jesus heals us from our sin. and keep my commandments and together and attach it below. Consider calling, writing notes, Christ Connection: Naaman was sick. He had a problem with his skin. When Naaman washed in the and visiting this person throughout the year. river, his skin got better. No one can obey God all the time. We are all sick with a sin problem. When we trust my statutes, in accordance with in Jesus, He heals us. God forgives us and makes us better. all the Law that I commanded your Kids Key Passage: 2 Kings 17:13-14 Big Picture Question: Who heals us from our sin? fathers, and that I sent to you by my Jesus heals us from our sin. Christ Connection: Naaman was sick with a skin problem. His disease went away when he servants the prophets.” But they washed in the river. All people are sick with a sin problem. We all need a Healer. When we trust Jesus as Lord and would not listen. Savior, God forgives our sin and heals us. 2 Kings 17:13-14

UNIT 13 • Session 4 #" OK TO PRINT OK TO PRINT Israel, the Northern Kingdom

© 2013 Lifeway © 2013 Lifeway 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

#" OK TO PRINT Israel, the Northern Kingdom