The Biggest Story Curriculum
Grime and Punishment
BEFORE THE LESSON
Read 2 Kings 5.
Pray for God’s help. Ask for the Spirit’s help in understanding the passage and for the Lord to open the children’s eyes to see who he is, what he has done, and how they should respond to him.
Study the lesson plan below. Use these sections as suggestions. Think of ways to teach it in your own voice.
Pray for God’s help. Ask for the Spirit’s help in understanding the passage and for the Lord to open the children’s eyes to see who he is, what he has done, and how they should respond to him.
Study the lesson plan below. Use these sections as suggestions. Think of ways to teach it in your own voice.
The Big Picture
Help children see how this story connects with the other lessons. Build anticipation by introducing the setting and the significance of what is about to happen in this week’s story. {5 minutes}
Remember Elijah, the amazing prophet of God? Remember when he called down fire from heaven and the fire licked up all the water and burned up his big sacrifice? He was a powerful prophet of God—in word and deed. Do you know something amazing about this amazing prophet? He never died! Seriously. One day Elijah was with Elisha, another prophet, and as they were talking, “behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them,” and then “Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven” (2 Kings 2:11). God took him straight up to heaven. (Not a bad way to go!) Right before that, Elisha asked Elijah something very important: “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me” (2:9). He wanted to continue to serve God during Israel’s dark days. He wanted to speak God’s messages and show God’s power. That double portion was given to him. As a messenger, he instructed kings, rebuked enemies, and promised food for hungry people. And as a miracle worker he multiplied cooking supplies, unpoisoned a deadly stew, made an axe head float, and brought the dead back to life. And Elisha’s story shows that God’s message and power were not for Israel alone—Israel’s God also blesses the nations! Let’s open the Bible to find out more.
Remember Elijah, the amazing prophet of God? Remember when he called down fire from heaven and the fire licked up all the water and burned up his big sacrifice? He was a powerful prophet of God—in word and deed. Do you know something amazing about this amazing prophet? He never died! Seriously. One day Elijah was with Elisha, another prophet, and as they were talking, “behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them,” and then “Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven” (2 Kings 2:11). God took him straight up to heaven. (Not a bad way to go!) Right before that, Elisha asked Elijah something very important: “Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me” (2:9). He wanted to continue to serve God during Israel’s dark days. He wanted to speak God’s messages and show God’s power. That double portion was given to him. As a messenger, he instructed kings, rebuked enemies, and promised food for hungry people. And as a miracle worker he multiplied cooking supplies, unpoisoned a deadly stew, made an axe head float, and brought the dead back to life. And Elisha’s story shows that God’s message and power were not for Israel alone—Israel’s God also blesses the nations! Let’s open the Bible to find out more.
Teach The Story
Video: Grime and Punishment: The Story of Elisha and Naaman (2 Kings 5)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbr6lkUKZQA
The people of Syria were at war with Israel. The commander of the army, Naaman, was a strong man but also sick. Really sick! He had leprosy—a terrible, uncurable skin disease. In his household was a little girl from God’s people. She was the servant of Naaman’s wife and had been kidnapped and forced to serve them. But instead of hating her enemies, she loved them. When
she learned of her master’s leprosy, she told Naaman’s wife that there was a prophet in Israel who would cure him: Elisha! Naaman wasted no time. He traveled to see the prophet. When he arrived in Israel, Elisha told him: “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean” (2 Kings 5:10). Naaman was furious! “What? Why would I do that dirty thing in your dirty river? We have better rivers back home.” He got into his chariot and started to ride away. One of his servants, however, asked him to just try what the prophet asked and see if it works. Naaman humbled himself. His great need led him to obey God. He returned, walked down into the river, and dipped his whole body under the waters seven times, just as God
had said. And do you know what happened? It worked! The prophet’s word worked. “His flesh,” the Bible says, “was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean” (5:14). Next Naaman stood before Elisha and said these important words, “I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel” (5:15). A little girl had told him about this God. In his great need, he’d looked to this God. And now he knew this God was real. He then offered the prophet some money for this miracle. He didn’t know that Israel’s God operates by grace. Elisha refused the money. He knew about God’s grace. God’s work was a gift, not something to buy. The end. Well, not exactly. Later Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, wanted that money. So he tricked Naaman. While the servant girl had told the truth about God to Naaman, Gehazi lied about God and said Elisha now wanted the money. Gehazi cared more about his own profit than letting this foreigner know about God’s free grace. To cover his tracks, he lied to Elisha too. Not a good move. Two really bad moves. God then made his move. He judged Gehazi’s greed and dishonesty by giving him leprosy. Quite the reversal, huh?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbr6lkUKZQA
The people of Syria were at war with Israel. The commander of the army, Naaman, was a strong man but also sick. Really sick! He had leprosy—a terrible, uncurable skin disease. In his household was a little girl from God’s people. She was the servant of Naaman’s wife and had been kidnapped and forced to serve them. But instead of hating her enemies, she loved them. When
she learned of her master’s leprosy, she told Naaman’s wife that there was a prophet in Israel who would cure him: Elisha! Naaman wasted no time. He traveled to see the prophet. When he arrived in Israel, Elisha told him: “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean” (2 Kings 5:10). Naaman was furious! “What? Why would I do that dirty thing in your dirty river? We have better rivers back home.” He got into his chariot and started to ride away. One of his servants, however, asked him to just try what the prophet asked and see if it works. Naaman humbled himself. His great need led him to obey God. He returned, walked down into the river, and dipped his whole body under the waters seven times, just as God
had said. And do you know what happened? It worked! The prophet’s word worked. “His flesh,” the Bible says, “was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean” (5:14). Next Naaman stood before Elisha and said these important words, “I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel” (5:15). A little girl had told him about this God. In his great need, he’d looked to this God. And now he knew this God was real. He then offered the prophet some money for this miracle. He didn’t know that Israel’s God operates by grace. Elisha refused the money. He knew about God’s grace. God’s work was a gift, not something to buy. The end. Well, not exactly. Later Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, wanted that money. So he tricked Naaman. While the servant girl had told the truth about God to Naaman, Gehazi lied about God and said Elisha now wanted the money. Gehazi cared more about his own profit than letting this foreigner know about God’s free grace. To cover his tracks, he lied to Elisha too. Not a good move. Two really bad moves. God then made his move. He judged Gehazi’s greed and dishonesty by giving him leprosy. Quite the reversal, huh?
Gospel Connection
Show how the story points to Jesus and his rescue mission as the Snake Crusher. {5 minutes}
Even though Naaman was not part of God’s people, the Israelites, he obeyed the voice of God. As a result, he was healed from leprosy and came to know the greatness of God. The blessing that comes from obeying God’s word is not just for Israelites—it’s for all people and all nations. The servant girl knew this; Gehazi didn’t. But Jesus knew it too! He showed us that when a leper came to him for healing. This leper believed that Jesus had the authority (like Elisha) to speak God’s words and heal diseases. And he was right. One day, the leper approached Jesus, knelt before him, and begged, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean” (Matt. 8:2). The Bible says Jesus had deep compassion for this sick man (Mark 1:41). Jesus’s heart was touched. Then, Jesus’s hand touched this untouchable man and answered, “I will; be clean” (1:41). Do you know what happened? As Naaman was when he came out of the Jordan River, this man was suddenly and completely cleansed. Scales fell off his skin. Bruises and wounds were instantaneously healed. The tips of toes and fingers grew back. Something as awesome as Genesis 1 occurred—perhaps better: A new creation. A sort of resurrection from the dead. What a great picture of the gift of God’s grace, grace that is for Israel, foreigners, lepers, our enemies—everyone!
Even though Naaman was not part of God’s people, the Israelites, he obeyed the voice of God. As a result, he was healed from leprosy and came to know the greatness of God. The blessing that comes from obeying God’s word is not just for Israelites—it’s for all people and all nations. The servant girl knew this; Gehazi didn’t. But Jesus knew it too! He showed us that when a leper came to him for healing. This leper believed that Jesus had the authority (like Elisha) to speak God’s words and heal diseases. And he was right. One day, the leper approached Jesus, knelt before him, and begged, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean” (Matt. 8:2). The Bible says Jesus had deep compassion for this sick man (Mark 1:41). Jesus’s heart was touched. Then, Jesus’s hand touched this untouchable man and answered, “I will; be clean” (1:41). Do you know what happened? As Naaman was when he came out of the Jordan River, this man was suddenly and completely cleansed. Scales fell off his skin. Bruises and wounds were instantaneously healed. The tips of toes and fingers grew back. Something as awesome as Genesis 1 occurred—perhaps better: A new creation. A sort of resurrection from the dead. What a great picture of the gift of God’s grace, grace that is for Israel, foreigners, lepers, our enemies—everyone!
Discuss The Story
1. Question: Was Naaman an Israelite? How did he come to know that the God of Israel is the one true God?
Takeaway: There is no God in all the earth but the Lord, the God of Israel.
2. Question: In Naaman’s day was there any cure for leprosy? How did the Lord cure his leprosy? How did Jesus heal the leper who came to him? Why did God cure their leprosy?
Takeaway: The Lord is powerful and merciful: he cures the uncurable and touches the untouchable.
3. Question: What were some of the things Elisha did that showed he was a great prophet? How was Jesus similar to Elisha? How is Jesus greater than Elisha?
Takeaway: Like Elisha (the prophet of God), Jesus (the Son of God) was powerful in words and works.
Memory Verse:
Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel. 2 Kings 5:15
Takeaway: There is no God in all the earth but the Lord, the God of Israel.
2. Question: In Naaman’s day was there any cure for leprosy? How did the Lord cure his leprosy? How did Jesus heal the leper who came to him? Why did God cure their leprosy?
Takeaway: The Lord is powerful and merciful: he cures the uncurable and touches the untouchable.
3. Question: What were some of the things Elisha did that showed he was a great prophet? How was Jesus similar to Elisha? How is Jesus greater than Elisha?
Takeaway: Like Elisha (the prophet of God), Jesus (the Son of God) was powerful in words and works.
Memory Verse:
Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth but in Israel. 2 Kings 5:15
Activity Or Craft
Option 1 (Activity):
"Listen and Obey Game"
Supply List: none
Before Class: Prepare the space.
Have children sit in a circle. Whisper a command to one child. (Examples: Flick the lights on and off. Put a chair on a table. Give someone a high five). The child then whispers the message to the person seated next to him until the command is passed all the way around the circle. The last child to hear the command should stand up and does the task she heard. Reveal the original command if it’s different than what the child does. Whisper a new command to a different child to start sending around the circle. Play continues until each child has had a turn to follow the instructions. Remind children that even Naaman, who was a great leader, had to follow instructions to be healed.
Option 2 (Activity):
"Army Statues"
Supply List: none
Before Class: Prepare the space.
Explain that Naaman was a commander in the Syrian army. Have one child be the army commander and close his eyes and count to ten. While the commander counts, the other children march as soldiers around the room. When the commander reaches ten, have the commander open his eyes and say, “Attention!” The soldiers/children must immediately stand perfectly still on one leg while giving a salute. If the commander sees a child move, he calls his or her name. That child is out and must sit to the side. The commander then shuts his eyes and begins counting again. Play continues until only one person remains and is crowned the winner.
Option 1 (Craft):
"Get Well cards"
Supply List: paper, crayons, markers, colored pencils
Before Class: Gather supplies. Create a list of people in the church who are sick.
Set paper, crayons, markers, and colored pencils on the tables. Have each child pick someone from the list to make a “get well” card for. Remind them of the servant girl who cared about Naaman when he was sick. Make sure that all people on the list are receiving at least one card. Have children fold a piece of paper in half and write and decorate the “get well” card. Collect the cards from children and deliver.
"Listen and Obey Game"
Supply List: none
Before Class: Prepare the space.
Have children sit in a circle. Whisper a command to one child. (Examples: Flick the lights on and off. Put a chair on a table. Give someone a high five). The child then whispers the message to the person seated next to him until the command is passed all the way around the circle. The last child to hear the command should stand up and does the task she heard. Reveal the original command if it’s different than what the child does. Whisper a new command to a different child to start sending around the circle. Play continues until each child has had a turn to follow the instructions. Remind children that even Naaman, who was a great leader, had to follow instructions to be healed.
Option 2 (Activity):
"Army Statues"
Supply List: none
Before Class: Prepare the space.
Explain that Naaman was a commander in the Syrian army. Have one child be the army commander and close his eyes and count to ten. While the commander counts, the other children march as soldiers around the room. When the commander reaches ten, have the commander open his eyes and say, “Attention!” The soldiers/children must immediately stand perfectly still on one leg while giving a salute. If the commander sees a child move, he calls his or her name. That child is out and must sit to the side. The commander then shuts his eyes and begins counting again. Play continues until only one person remains and is crowned the winner.
Option 1 (Craft):
"Get Well cards"
Supply List: paper, crayons, markers, colored pencils
Before Class: Gather supplies. Create a list of people in the church who are sick.
Set paper, crayons, markers, and colored pencils on the tables. Have each child pick someone from the list to make a “get well” card for. Remind them of the servant girl who cared about Naaman when he was sick. Make sure that all people on the list are receiving at least one card. Have children fold a piece of paper in half and write and decorate the “get well” card. Collect the cards from children and deliver.
Contact Hannah Kitchens at hannah@gatherwithus.church for more information.