In 2 Kings 5, a proud army captain named Naaman learns that God can heal him when he obeys God’s simple instruction, even though it is not the kind of help he expected. Children ages 5 to 11 can follow this lesson in about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God is the one who heals, and He can do it in surprising ways. When we trust Him and do what He asks, even when it seems silly, we find that He is good.
Memory Verse
2 Kings 5:14
Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.
(WEB)
Have the children hold up one finger for each time Naaman dipped in the river, saying “one, two, three” and so on up to seven. Then they dip one hand down low like a pretend river and bring it back up clean.
The Story: 2 Kings 5 for Kids
Long ago there was a great soldier named Naaman. He led the army of the king of Syria, and the king loved him very much. But Naaman had a sickness called leprosy, and his skin was sore and spotted. Nobody could make him better.
A young girl from Israel had been taken prisoner, and she worked for Naaman’s wife. She was kind, and she missed her home. One day she said, “I wish my master could meet the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him!” Naaman’s wife told Naaman, and Naaman told the king.
The king of Syria wrote a letter to the king of Israel and sent Naaman with lots of gold, silver, and fine clothes. But the king of Israel was upset. He thought, “Am I God? I cannot make anyone well!” Then Elisha the prophet heard about it and said, “Send Naaman to me.”
Naaman arrived at Elisha’s house with his horses and chariots. Elisha did not even come out to see him. He sent a servant with a message: “Go and wash in the Jordan River seven times, and you will be clean.” Naaman was angry. He said, “The rivers at home are better than this dirty river!” He stomped away.
His servants gently said, “Father, if the prophet had asked you to do something big, you would have done it. Why not do this simple thing?” So Naaman went down to the river and dipped himself seven times. When he came up, his skin was healed, as soft as a little child’s!
Naaman went back to Elisha and said, “Now I know there is no God like the God of Israel!” But Elisha’s servant, Gehazi, ran after Naaman to get gifts for himself. He told a lie, and Elisha found out. Gehazi was sorry for what he did, but he had to face the sad result of his lie.
Read It Together
2 Kings 5:3
She said to her mistress, “I wish that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! Then he would heal him of his leprosy.”
(WEB)
Point out that the little girl did not have to speak up, yet she told her mistress about God’s prophet. Ask children how they might share about God when they are in a new or hard place.
2 Kings 5:10
Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall come again to you, and you shall be clean.”
(WEB)
Show that God’s instructions were simple, even if they seemed strange. Explain that Naaman had to choose to trust and obey, not to change God’s plan for his own.
2 Kings 5:15
He returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him; and he said, “See now, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel. Now therefore, please take a gift from your servant.”
(WEB)
Point out that Naaman finally declared that the God of Israel is the true God. Explain that when God does something good for us, we can tell others about Him.
Talk About It
- Why do you think Naaman was angry when Elisha told him to wash in the river?
- How did the little girl from Israel help her master, even though she was a prisoner far from home?
- What is a simple thing God has asked you to do that you might have thought was too easy or silly?
- How did Naaman feel after he was healed, and how did he show it?
- What did Gehazi do wrong, and what could he have done instead?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate River Painting
You will need a paper plate, blue and brown paint or crayons, cotton balls, and glue. Have children paint the plate blue to look like a river, then add brown paint around the edges for the banks. Let them glue cotton balls near the edge to show clean, healed skin, and talk about how the river helped Naaman.
Seven Dips Game
You need a tub or large bowl of water, a towel, and a timer. Children take turns walking to the bowl and dipping a hand in, counting out loud to seven. Afterward, have them dry off and say together, “God makes things clean when we obey Him.”
Take-Home Promise Card
Provide index cards, markers, and a small piece of string. Each child writes “Obey God” on the card, decorates it, and punches a hole in the top to tie on the string. Encourage them to take it home and place it somewhere they will see it each morning as a reminder to listen and do what God asks.
Teacher Notes
This passage shows that God is the true source of healing, and He is not limited to our methods or expectations. Naaman had to set aside his pride and trust God’s word. For adults, it is a lesson in humility and obedience, especially when God’s direction seems too simple to matter.
Be careful not to suggest to children that obeying God always results in physical healing or that a simple action guarantees a miracle. The point is that God is faithful and worthy of trust, and He may act in ways we do not expect.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You for being the one who makes us clean and whole. Help us to listen to You and to do what You ask, even when it seems small or strange. Give us hearts that trust You and want to tell others how good You are. Amen.
