Why is it that doing the right thing can sometimes be so hard? If it is God’s will, shouldn’t it be easy? Shouldn’t all the pieces just fall into place? As believers, we often feel that the right thing should be the easy thing. But is it easier to give up or to be faithful? There are times when God will clear your path and things will line up in a way that we know, without a doubt, that it was God. Other times, God tests us. He wants us to rely on Him in every facet so that when the good does happen, we give Him all the glory.
Naaman is a great picture of being faithful when giving up would have been much easier. Naaman expected the man of God to just heal him. But not only did Elisha not heal him, he would not even come out and talk with Naaman. Instead of giving up and leaving angry, Naaman decided to listen to what he was told to do. And that is when God, not Elisha, did an amazing thing. To God be the glory.
Here is a snapshot of what we will show the kids this week:
Bible Story Focus: I can go God’s way even when it’s hard. (Naaman • 2 Kings 5:1-14)
Memory Verse: “God’s way is perfect.” 2 Samuel 22:31, NIrV
Key Question: Whose way is perfect?
Bottom Line: God’s way is perfect.
Bible Story & Worship
Watch the Bible Story Video with your kids so you can recap and discuss it with them in the “Bring Jesus To Their Level” section. Then join your kids in worship as we sing and dance for God.
Bible Story Video – Naaman
Worship – Perfect
Worship – Jump Around
Activities
Next, use the Memory Verse video to practice our monthly verse. As you practice the memory verse, have some fun with it. It is a pretty simple one so have them say it in different voices (low high, silly, etc.) Build up the anticipation of a small prize at the end of the month when they can say all by themselves. Practicing over and over, even when they seem to know it, will help it to stick for more than just this month. The activity sheet and coloring page are fun resources to help reinforce story and/or big idea.
Memory Verse with Hand Motions
Bible Story Activity
Coloring Page
Bring Jesus To Their Level
Finish up your church at home by recapping the story and practicing the memory again. Then say: “Our Bible story, today, was about how Naaman did what God told him to do, even though it was hard. He trusted that [Bottom Line] God’s way is perfect. Today, we’ll make a list of things that are hard to do but we know when we do them we 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. Or, maybe it’s hard to tell people to go God’s way sometimes. Think about it, and each of us will share something that’s hard for us to do.” (Have each family member list something.)
“Thank you for making this list with me. Let’s pray and ask God to help us go His way, even when it’s hard. Would anyone like to pray before I pray?” (Give your children an opportunity to pray if they want to.)
PRAYER: “Dear God, we want to JUMP, JUMP, and go Your way, but sometimes it’s hard. Please help [child’s name] to [what they listed] and [family member’s name] to [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.”
As we wrap up, I would like to leave you with one of the kids’ favorite ‘good-bye’ songs:
Let Me See Your Alligator
Thank you for the opportunity to partner with you in the discipleship of your kid(s). My prayers are with you.
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6
