Naaman Learned the Best Way

2 Kings 5:1-14

Our story comes from the Bible. It is found in the book, or part, of the Bible called “Second Kings” (2 Kings). It is the second book in the Bible that tells about the kings of Israel and Judah.

Naaman was the commander of a huge army for the king of Aram. Everyone did whatever he said.


There was only one problem. Naaman had leprosy. It meant that he had boo-boos all over his body. And they hurt a lot. He could have gone to the doctor but there was no medicine that could help.


Naaman heard about a prophet named Elisha who loved God and might be able to help him. So Naaman went to Samaria to find Elisha.


When Naaman arrived at Elisha’s house, Elisha didn’t come to greet him. Instead, he sent a messenger out to talk to Naaman. Do you know what the messenger said? The messenger said, “God can make you all better! All you have to do is go down to the Jordan River and take SEVEN baths!”


“That is NOT a good idea,” Naaman thought. That would mean going in the water seven times, washing with soap seven times, and then getting dried off seven times. It was TOO hard!
Naaman did NOT want to do what God said. It was too hard, but it was the only way to make him better. So, after thinking about it, Naaman went to the Jordan River and took seven baths in the water.






One, two...


...three, four...



..five, six...


...seven! And just like that, Naaman was healed! He was ALL better. There were no more painful spots!


We can learn a thing or two from Naaman. God’s way may be hard sometimes. But God’s way is ALWAYS perfect. It is always right. It is always the BEST way.


Bible Paraphrase: God’s way is perfect. – 2 Samuel 22:31, NIrV

Text Truth: I can do what God says even when it’s hard.

Family Devotional

Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” — 2 Kings 5:2

As we read 2 Kings 5:1-14, we find a maidservant able to be a friend to her master. This was not a natural place for a friendship to form. The girl and her master were separated by many barriers—age, status, position, religion. However, the girl didn't let these things get in the way. She did what children do naturally. She cared enough about someone else to get involved. 

She also believed that her master, Naaman, could be healed.

 Adult-child friendships may be rare but when they do happen, they are meaningful to both adult and child. It may be time to accept friendship from your preschoolers. Children can be good friends and often have much to teach us about friendship.


Activities You Can Do at Home
Bible Rhyme

The Bible paraphrase is in the third line of the rhyme. Teach the words and actions a line at a time. Have your child repeat each line back to you.

One friend and one friend,
(Hold up one finger on each hand.)
Together they know
(Hold fingers together.)
A friend loves at all times,
(Hug yourself.)
For God made them so.
(Reach arms up.)



Reflections on Friendship

As you tuck your child in bed, talk about the day. Compliment your child on ways she has been a good friend to others.


Be a Friend

You might take your child to visit an elderly church member. Your child can take along a My Sunday Pictures card to show, or take a favorite toy. Just talking awhile with one or two people will brighten everyone's day. After, talk about your experience and how much fun it is to just be a good friend. 


Stories of Friendship

Read stories where children are good friends. Talk about how preschool age children can be good friends. Tell a Story about when a child was a good friend to you.


Act Out the Bible Story

You’ll Need: plastic people, container of water

Use plastic people and a container of water to act out Naaman's story. Have the little girl and Naaman's wife talk. Then Naaman and Elisha can talk together. Have your child dip Naaman in the container of water seven times. 


Thank God for Friendship

Pray for the people you visited through the Helping Hands activity. Thank God for helping us to be good friends, just as Naaman's little friend was.

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The illustrations are the copyright of Sweet Publishing and licensed by FreeBibleimages for free download under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike 3.0 unported license. www.freebibleimages.org
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