Naaman

2 Kings 5:1-14

Our true story comes from a part of the Bible called First Kings (1 Kings). It is the first of two books in the Bible that tell us about the kings of Israel.

We begin with a man named Naaman. Naaman was a very important guy. He was in charge of a big army. He was used to doing things his own way. When he gave an order, his army followed him. He was used to being IN CHARGE!


One day, Naaman got sick. He had lots of spots on his skin, and it hurt really bad.


Yes, Naaman was so sick. And there was no medicine that could make the spots go away. He heard about a friend of God’s who might be able to help him.


So, Naaman took his horse and chariot and went to Samaria, to find God’s friend, Elisha.


When Naaman got to Elisha’s house, a messenger came out and told Naaman that if we wanted to get better, he needed to go wash himself SEVEN times in the river.


Can you believe it? Naaman was angry because he thought that Elisha would make him better right away. Seven baths sounded too hard! Do you know what? Sometimes following God’s way IS hard. But we have to remember that God’s way is perfect.


Naaman would have to make the choice to jump, jump, and go God’s way! And guess what? Finally, Naaman DID go God’s way. He went to the river to take those seven baths!


Let's count Naaman's baths. One! Two! 


Three! Four! 


Five! Six! 


Seven! Whew! Seven baths was hard! BUT, when Naaman finished, guess what? All of his spots were gone. God had healed him and made him all better!



Way to jump, jump, and go God’s way, Naaman! It was hard, but Naaman did it! And we can, too! We can go God’s way, even when it’s hard. Why? Because God’s way is perfect. 







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

Text Truth: I can go God’s way even when it’s hard.



Family Devotional

So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and stopped at the door of Elisha’s house. 10 Elisha sent a messenger to say to him, “Go, wash yourself seven times in the Jordan, and your flesh will be restored and you will be cleansed.”
—2 Kings 5:9-10

Our Bible story was about how Naaman did what God told him to do, even though it was hard. He trusted that God’s way is perfect. We have been learning a new Bible verse that says the same thing.

God's way is perfect. —2 Samuel 22:31, NIrV

With your family, make a list of things that are hard to do but you know when you do them you go God’s way. Maybe it’s hard to share with your brother or sister sometimes. Maybe it’s hard to tell the truth sometimes. Maybe it’s hard to tell people to go God’s way sometimes.

Pray with your family. Allow any family members to pray if they wish. In your own words, tell God that you want to JUMP, JUMP, and go His way, but sometimes it's hard. Ask God, "Please help [family member's name] to [do what they listed] and [family member's name] to [do what they listed]. (Continue with each family member.) We know Your way is perfect, and it is always best to JUMP, JUMP, and go Your way. We love You, God. In Jesus’ name, amen." Thank God for His love and let God know that you love him. Close your prayer by saying, "In Jesus' name, amen."

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Story illustrations are the copyright of Sweet Publishing and licensed by FreeBibleimages (http://freebibleimages.org) for free download under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Share-alike 3.0 unported licence.
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