Bible Story: Day 1 - God Heals Naaman

Resources: Jordan River Pattern, Story Props: God Heals Naaman

You Will Need:

Introduction:Ask the children to tell about times they were sick or in the hospital. Encourage them to talk about anyone who helped them. They may mention their parents, doctors, nurses, or others. Some may even mention praying to God for help.

Tell the Story:
Before telling the story, read the scripture reference (see Resources) and review the paraphrase below. Cut out the story props (see Resources). Fold the flaps as indicated on the chariot piece to make it stand. On the other props, bring the ends of the strips together in a loop and tape so the pieces will stand. Cut the Jordan River pattern where indicated. Fold and tape the flaps at each end to form a box shape with an open top.

Open the Bible as you tell the story in your own words. Stand the Story Props in front of the children as indicated.

(Place the Naaman, wife, and servant prop.) The Bible tells us about Naaman (NAY-uh-mun). He was a very powerful man who was in charge of many soldiers. The king of Aram (Syria) was very pleased with Naaman because he won many battles. But Naaman had a problem he could not solve. Not even the king could help him! Naaman had a disease called leprosy. He had sores on his skin that got worse and worse. The doctors did not know how to help him.

There was a servant girl who helped Naaman's wife. The girl was not from Aram. She was from Israel, where God's people lived. She knew that God was the only one who could help Naaman. One day, she shared some good news with Naaman's wife. The girl told her that there was a prophet of God who could help him.

Naaman took his servants and left right away. (Replace first prop with Chariot Prop.) After a long journey, they finally found the prophet Elisha's house. When Naaman arrived, Elisha did not come out to greet him. Instead, he sent his servant Gehazi (geh-HAH-zee) to say that Naaman should go to the Jordan River and wash seven times.

That sounds easy! Do you think Naaman was happy to hear this? No! Naaman got mad! He was an important man in Aram and used to people giving him a lot of attention. He did not like it when Elisha sent a servant instead of coming out to talk to him. He didn't think it made any sense to wash in the Jordan River. He thought the rivers were better in Aram. He was ready to turn around and go home. But he still had leprosy!

Naaman's servants wanted to help. They knew he would not get well if he did not do what God's prophet said. They talked to Naaman and persuaded him to follow the directions. So they went to the Jordan River.

(Lay the Naaman Cleansed Prop in the Jordan River piece. Stand the Naaman at the River Prop beside it.) How many times did God want Naaman to wash? (Wait for children to respond. If necessary, say seven and hold up seven fingers.) Let's see what happened. (Count slowly as you lower and raise Naaman six times. On the seventh time, lay down the prop and lift the Naaman Cleansed Prop.) At first nothing happened, but after seven times, the leprosy was gone! Naaman knew that God had healed him. He promised to worship the true God for the rest of his life.

Story Treasure:
The Story Treasure for this story is a numeral 7. It will remind children that Naaman had to dip exactly seven times before he was healed. Place the number in the treasure chest. Continue to add Story Treasures to the chest as each is introduced. From time to time, show a treasure and ask the children which story it helps them remember.