Preschool Bible Lesson - Helping Others: The Story of Naaman

Overview

9:45     sign-in, free play

10:05   opening prayer, introduction

10:15   Bible lesson in flannel

10:30   Bible lesson craft: Obedient Naaman

10:45   Snack:  

11:15   Bible story retold: Naaman’s Servant Girl

11:20   lent activity: Get well Cards

11:30   closing prayer, free play time, coloring page

11:45   pick-up

Bible Story: Naaman (Story used with permission from www.missionarlington.org)

Back in Elisha’s time, there were other countries besides Elisha’s country of Israel.

One of Israel’s neighbors was Aram. The people of Aram would sometimes raid Israel

and take things back to their country. There was a famous hero in the country of Aram.

His name was Naaman. He was the commander of the army and had won many battles or

victories. He was very respected in his country.

Even though Naaman was a powerful man, he still had problems. He caught an awful

disease called leprosy. This disease affected the skin. It caused the person to have white

spots that were like big sores. The disease was also contagious, so others could get it from

you!

Naaman had a special little girl that helped his wife in their home. She loved God and

worshiped Him only. One day, the little girl told Naaman’s wife that she wished he could

visit Israel and see the prophet Elisha. She knew that he could help cure Naaman’s leprosy.

When Naaman heard this news, he immediately went to the king for his support. The

king gave Naaman a letter to take to the king of Israel asking for a cure. Naaman packed

much gold and silver and even clothes to take as payment for the cure. When the king of Israel read the note, he was upset. He did not know what to do. He did not think

to call Elisha. However, Elisha heard the news and sent a note to the king asking Naaman to come to his house.

Naaman eagerly traveled to Elisha’s home. His horses and chariots raced as fast as they could.

When Naaman knocked on the door, he got a surprise. Elisha did not greet him. Elisha sent his helper to the door to tell Naaman what to do. He instructed Naaman to dip 7 times in the Jordan River and he would be cured.

Naaman was furious! He stormed off very upset. He couldn’t believe that Elisha would not

personally come to the door and help him. After all, he was a very important man and he expected people to treat him that way. He also thought Elisha would stand over him and wave his hands and pray to God.

As Naaman and his helpers were traveling back to his country, his helpers came to him and

convinced him to do as Elisha said. So, Naaman stopped at the little Jordan river. It was dirty but he dipped into the water 7 times like Elisha said. When he finished the 7th dip, his skin was clean!! He was well! God had healed him!

Naaman went back to Elisha’s house and thanked him for his kindness. He told Elisha that he

knew that God was the only true God. He offered the gold, silver, and clothes to Elisha but Elisha refused. He wanted Naaman to see that it was God, not him, who did the miracle.

Naaman traveled back to his country a different person inside and out. Outside, his skin was clean. He was well. Inside, he knew in his heart that God was the only real and true God. He trusted Him and began to follow God alone.

We can also learn from our lesson how to help others know about God. The little girl spoke up and told her friends about God and how to find Him. We can do the same thing!

Bible Craft: Obedient Naaman

Materials:

Craft stick

Naaman paper man

Scissors

Wax crayons

Tape

Paper cup

Directions:

Have the children color the man and then color the paper cup to look like water. Get them to cut out the man and then tape the craft stick to the back of him. Cut a hole in the bottom of the cup so that the children can “dip” Naaman up and down in the cup.

Song for them to dip obedient Naaman: To the Tune of (Here we go around the mulberry bush)

Seven times did Naaman dip, Naaman dip, Naaman dip;

Seven times did Naaman dip, and then God made him clean.

Activity For Lent:

Jesus said that we can show love to God by helping others. Jesus said that when we help other people, we are helping him.

Thinking back to our Bible story about Naaman's servant girl, does anyone have any ideas of what we can do now to help the sick people that we know? Even though we are little, there are some big things that we can do.

One thing that we can do to help sick people in our parish is to make a get well card for them. Each of you will make one and then I will collect them and give them to Father. We will then make sure that they go to the people who need them. The cards that you make will make the sick people happy to know that you care.