42. Naaman is Healed
Background Scripture (read 2-3 times during the week)
Story Summary
Last week, we learned about many miracles Elisha performed as a prophet in Israel. This lesson is about another one of those miracles.
There was a man named Naaman, who was an important army commander for Aram (part of the Syrian kingdom). He was a brave soldier, but he had a skin disease. He was hopeless to have this condition healed. But lucky for him, one of his wife's servants was an Israelite. She knew of Elisha and the miracles he performed. She told Naaman's wife about Elisha and she encouraged Naaman to go to him to get healed.
After getting approval from the king of Aram, Naaman went to the king of Israel with a whole bunch of money and clothing, asking to be healed. At first, the king of Israel was upset because he didn't have the power to heal people. Why would the king of Aram send someone to him to be healed? He probably thought it was a trap. But Elisha put him at rest and told the king of Israel to send Naaman his way.
Naaman arrived at Elisha's house, but Elisha sent a messenger outside with the simple instructions on how to be healed: "Go. Wash yourself in the Jordan River seven times. Then your skin will be healed." (2 Kings 5:10) Naaman was upset! Here's why:
- He wanted personal service from Elisha. Apparently the person healing him was more important than the fact that he got healed.
- He was upset Elisha wanted to use the Jordan River and not a river from Damascus, near his home country. He was willing to see a foreign prophet, but not willing to wash in a foreign river?
- According to Naaman's servants, he was also upset that it was so simple. They told him that if Elisha had given him some really complicated or hard thing to do, he would have surely done it (or at least tried!)
Naaman's servants convinced him to go ahead and follow Elisha's advice. So he went to the Jordan River, dipped himself in it 7 times, and sure enough - he was healed! Naaman agreed that the God of Elisha was the one true God and promised to only serve him. Naaman tried to pay Elisha, but Elisha refused the gifts.
But remember Gehazi from the last lesson? He was the one who helped Elisha heal the Shunnamite woman. Well, he was very interested in getting hold of the money that Naaman brought to pay Elisha. He snuck away from Elisha and told Naaman that Elisha needed the money for some new prophets that just came to town. Naaman gave him the money. When Gehazi got back, Elisha asked where he went. "Ummm, nowhere?" Gehazi answered. He thought he had tricked Elisha. But God had revealed it to Elisha that Gehazi left and took the money. So Gehazi ended up with the skin disease Naaman had just been cured of!
1. Warm Up get your kids talking and engaged
Who in the class has had poison ivy? What did you have to do to get rid of it?
Today, we're going to learn about a man named Naaman who had a skin disease that wasn't going to go away. We're going to learn about how God healed Naaman through Elisha.
2. Teach the Story teach a holistic story
Consider starting the "Baby Powder Activity" reinforcement activity before teaching the story.
Read story from a Children's storybook Bible for younger children.
For older children, read the story from an age-appropriate Children's storybook Bible or tell the story yourself.
3. Bible Mastery give them basic Bible skills
Scripture for Kids to Read Aloud: 2 Kings 5:1-17
4. Comprehension Questions make sure they understand the story
First, ask the children if they have any questions about the story. What to do if you don't know the answer?
- Where was Naaman from? (Aram, part of Syria)
- What was his problem? (he had a skin disease, leprosy)
- Who told Naaman about Elisha, the prophet in Samaria? (a servant of Naaman's wife, who was originally from Israel)
- What did Naaman bring to Elisha? (lots of silver and fine clothes)
- How did Elisha deliver the instructions to Naaman on how he would be healed? (through a messenger, before Naaman got to Elisha)
- What was Naaman to do? (wash himself in the Jordan River 7 times)
- Why was Naaman upset? (he wanted Elisha himself to heal him, and he was upset that he wanted him to bathe in an Israelite river instead of one in Syria)
- Who convinced him to try anyway? (one of Naaman's servants)
- What happened after Naaman dipped himself in the Jordan River 7 times? (he was healed)
- Did Elisha allow Naaman to pay him? (no)
- Who went after Naaman and lied to collect the money anyway? (Gehazi, one of Elisha's servants)
- What happened to Gehazi when Elisha caught him? (he got leprosy instead of Naaman)
5. Faith Questions open up a conversation about faith and the gospel; close with prayer
- Jesus gives us simple instructions on how to be saved - "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).
- Have you followed those simple instructions?
6. Memory Verse hide God's Word in their heart
Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." Matthew 6:9-10Baby Powder Activity
Scripture So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy. 2 Kings 5:14
Supplies baby powder
- Put baby powder on student's arms and hands.
- Leprosy is an illness that caused light colored skin lesions. It was painful and cause muscle weakness.
- Naaman was healed of this illness when he dipped in the Jordan River 7 times.
- Allow the children to wash baby powder off when lesson is complete.
Water Transfer
Scripture You and your children after you will have Naaman's skin disease forever." Then Gehazi left Elisha. And he had Naaman's skin disease. His skin was as white as snow. 2 Kings 5:27
Supplies 2 clear glasses, water, food coloring, paper towel
- Fill one glass with water.
- Add a bit of food coloring to the water (if desired).
- Twist a piece of paper towel (the cheaper the better) and place one end in the first cup and another in the empty cup.
- Watch the water transfer from one cup to another.
- Naaman's leprosy was transferred to Gehazi.
Sticky Marshmallow Naaman
Scripture Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a very important man in the eyes of his master. And he was highly respected. That's because the Lord had helped him win the battle over Aram's enemies. He was a brave soldier. But he had a skin disease. 2 Kings 5:1
Supplies Naaman Outline Cutout Sheet, mini marshmallows, tape
- Tape one person picture on the wall for each student.
- Students will lick the marshmallow and stick it onto "Naaman"
- Count to 10 and see who can get the most marshmallows to stick to Naaman without falling off.
Sponge Naaman
Scripture So Naaman went down to the Jordan River. He dipped himself in it seven times. He did exactly what the man of God had told him to do. Then his skin was made pure again. It became clean like the skin of a young boy. 1 Kings 5:14
Supplies sponge, washable white paint, paint brush, bucket of water
- Cut a sponge into the shape of a person.
- Paint white dots (with washable paint) onto the sponge, as you tell the story.
- Dip sponge into water 7 times (squeeze slightly to help paint wash off)
Naaman Dip
Heads up! You need to laminate enough Naaman cutouts for each child in the class
Scripture So Naaman went down to the Jordan River. He dipped himself in it seven times. He did exactly what the man of God had told him to do. Then his skin was made pure again. It became clean like the skin of a young boy. 2 Kings 5:14
Supplies bucket of water, paper towel, laminated person cutouts (light brown paper), red washable markers
- Have students draw white spots onto the laminated person, using a washable marker.
- Dip Naaman in the water 7 times.
- If not completely off after 6 times, use a paper towel to finish, as you dip him in the last time.
Naaman Snack
Scripture So Naaman went down to the Jordan River. He dipped himself in it seven times. He did exactly what the man of God had told him to do. Then his skin was made pure again. It became clean like the skin of a young boy.1 Kings 5:14
Supplies blue kool-aid, cups, teddy grahams
- Provide each student a cup of blue kool-aid and teddy grahams.
- Allow students to dip their teddy grahams into the kool-aid prior to eating.
Marshmallow Naaman
Scripture Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a very important man in the eyes of his master. And he was highly respected. That's because the Lord had helped him win the battle over Aram's enemies. He was a brave soldier. But he had a skin disease. 2 Kings 5:1
Supplies brown construction paper or cardstock, crayons or markers, mini marshmallows, glue
- Give each child a piece of paper or cardstock and have them draw a picture of a person (Naaman)
- When they are done, allow the students to glue marshmallows on Naaman to illustrate his leprosy
Baby Doll Bath
Heads up! This activity could be done before teaching the lesson
Scripture So Naaman went down to the Jordan River. He dipped himself in it seven times. He did exactly what the man of God had told him to do. Then his skin was made pure again. It became clean like the skin of a young boy. 2 Kings 5:14
Supplies baby dolls, baby doll bathtub or buckets, water
- Allow the children to give the baby dolls a bath
Spot Removal
Heads up! Make sure you do not use cleansers that could be harmful to students
Scripture So Naaman went down to the Jordan River. He dipped himself in it seven times. He did exactly what the man of God had told him to do. Then his skin was made pure again. It became clean like the skin of a young boy. 2 Kings 5:14
Supplies large pieces of fabric, cleaners, brushes, sponges, water, plastic tub,
- Cut pieces of fabric into shape of a person.
- Make several different "stains" using washable markers, grass, etc on fabric.
- Provide several different cleansers (soap, baby wipes, vinegar, etc.)
- Split students into groups and have them see who can wash their person clean the fastest.
- Placing the fabric in a plastic tub will make this less messy for indoors.
Act Out Story
Scripture 2 Kings 5
Supplies letter for king, baby powder (for leprosy), tub of water, bag of silver
- Choose students to play each part of the story.
- Servant girl
- Naaman
- Israelite King
- Elisha
- Gehazi
Water Transfer Example