Leader Guide

Video Leader Guide

Welcome (1 minute)

Welcome back for the last lesson of our Superbook adventure, “Naaman and the Servant Girl.” Today, we are going to learn about God as our healer. So let’s worship our wonderful and powerful God as we stand and sing The Salvation Poem!

Play Video 7:(Song) The Salvation Poem (3 minutes)

Be sure to preview the song so you can sing along with the children.

The Salvation Poem

SuperTruth and Discussion (2 minutes)

Our SuperTruth for today is: “God heals me and makes me whole.” Let’s say that together. “God heals me and makes me whole.”

Have any of you been healed by God, or know someone who has been healed?

The Bible is full of true stories of how God has healed people with sickness, disease, and other physical problems. There is not one single thing that God cannot heal. Being whole doesn’t just mean being physically healthy—it also means being forgiven and set free from sin. Only God can forgive our sins. Many people who came to Jesus for physical healing also received forgiveness for their sins. Has Jesus changed since Bible times?

The Bible tells in Hebrews 13:8:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Let’s say the SuperTruth together again. “God heals me and makes me whole.”

Introduce Condensed Bible Story (1 minute)

If most or all children watched the Bible story video in a previous lesson, omit it here and go straight to the SuperVerse.

If you saw the full Superbook video in Lesson 1, you’ll remember that Joy was in charge of a big service project. However, it wasn’t going the way she thought it should. How did Joy change as she saw Naaman’s path to find healing? She realized that instead of bossing everyone around, she must listen and appreciate others, humble herself, and serve.

For those of you who haven’t seen our Bible story yet, we are going to watch a short version now. And if you’ve already seen it, watch again to see exactly what angers Naaman. Ready?

Play Video 4: Condensed Bible Story (11 Minutes)

Condensed Bible Story

Superbook takes Chris, Joy and Gizmo to meet Naaman, a Syrian military commander with leprosy. A lowly servant girl offers him hope, yet he must lay aside his pride to be healed.

Play Video 10C: SuperVerse Graphic 3

Graphic loops 2.5 minutes without audio; turn off or freeze video after children repeat the verse.

SuperVerse Graphic 3

SuperVerse (2 minutes)

Our SuperVerse today is found in Psalm 103:3:

He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.

Let’s say it together.

Did I hear you say that He forgives some of your sins and almost all of your diseases? No, ALL!

Oh, yes; all is so much better than some, isn’t it? No matter how I may sin, God will forgive me when I repent. No matter what sickness or disease I may have, God is able to heal me.

Naaman came to Elisha to be healed of leprosy. What did Naaman need to do to be healed? He had to obey Elisha’s instructions and wash seven times in the Jordan River.

Yes, God gave Naaman a miracle and healed him. How else was Naaman changed? His heart was cleansed and changed. He made a choice to worship only God instead of false gods.

Yes, God doesn’t just want to heal our physical bodies; He wants to forgive us and cleanse our sins, too. Only then can we be complete and whole!

Children will have more time to learn the SuperVerse in Small Group. Younger children may not be able to memorize the entire SuperVerse. They may simply repeat it several times while older children may memorize part or all of it. Be sure all children understand its meaning.

Introduce Signposts Video (1 minute)

Let’s watch our Signposts Video to learn how the story of Naaman points to Jesus and how He heals us and makes us whole!

Play Video 6: Signposts Video (4 minutes)

Signposts Video

Prayer and Send-Off (2 minutes)

Let’s pray before we move to Small Group.

Dear God, thank You for forgiving all our sins and healing all our diseases. You are the only One who can make us whole. Be with us today and open our understanding to learn more about You. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Today in Small Group, we are going to play a game very similar to “Tic-tac-toe”; however, I doubt you have played one this big! Are you ready to play?

Teachers take children to Small Group classes for Grades 1–3 and 4–6. If the combined group is small, all children may stay together for Small Group time.

Game

Let’s start with the question about our Bible story video in Large Group. What angered Naaman? Elisha did not come out to meet him and pray. Instead, a servant told to go wash seven times in the Jordan—not a river in Damascus.

After Naaman was healed of an incurable disease, how do you think he felt?

Read 2 Kings 5:14:

So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed!

Who remembers today’s SuperTruth? “God heals me and makes me whole.”

To be whole means to be healthy not just physically, but spiritually, too. Being truly whole means we are restored and returned to the original way God created us to be. God wants to forgive us so our sin condition is cured, too! Just as Naaman’s skin was washed clean—Jesus blood washes away our sin and makes us whole.

Today, we are going to play a game to make a whole line—a complete line of three in a row. It is played a lot like tic-tac-toe. The goal is to make a line across three connecting squares with the beanbags. Place one beanbag in a corner square. Does this form a whole or complete line? No!

Place a second beanbag in the opposite diagonal corner leaving the middle square blank. Is this a whole or complete line now? No!

You’re right; there is still a piece missing. Place a third beanbag in the middle square to complete the diagonal pattern.

Now this looks like a line that is whole, with no missing pieces! The first team to connect three in a row wins.

Divide the class into two teams. Teams stand next to each other, in single file, behind the line.

Place a pile of three beanbags of the same color on the line beside each team.

Start the game. The first player on each team walks quickly to the game board and drops the bean bag in a square of their choice, then returns to their team.

Players two and three take their turns, except now they must consider blocking the other team from completing their line of three in a row.

After the third player takes a turn, the remaining players take turns going to the board to move one of their own color bean bags to a new position, trying to position their team to complete the line.

Play until one team places their bean bags in a row. That team scores one point.

Play additional rounds so children each have a chance to play two or three times. The game is fast-paced, and most rounds will end quickly.

Conclusion: That game really goes quickly, right? Great job making the whole lines! We’ll discuss in our Signpost teaching how Jesus came to Earth to make us whole!

Teaching

Have a child select the first Signpost card from the pile and read it aloud. Tape the card to the wall or prop it up so children can see it. Lead a discussion with the information below. Repeat for the two remaining Signpost cards. Additional material is included for Grades 4–6 to look up and discuss.

Signpost 1 Whole Again!

Naaman was a mighty warrior and important man. He led men to victory in battles, and he was admired by the King of Syria. Yet, could any of these things help him win the battle against leprosy?

No; his disease had no cure back then. Naaman was powerless to help himself. How are we like Naaman?

We may not have a physical disease like leprosy that you can see with your eyes. We have something far worse than leprosy! We have the disease of sin in our hearts, and the Bible tells us that sin causes death! Can we cure ourselves of sin?

Jesus sacrificed His life to take the punishment for our sins and to heal our brokenness. Only God has the power to heal us and makes us whole again! And the Bible tells us that because of the wounds Jesus suffered, we are healed.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

2 Kings 5:1:

The king of Aram had great admiration for Naaman, the commander of his army, because through him the Lord had given Aram great victories. But though Naaman was a mighty warrior, he suffered from leprosy.

Mark 2:6–11:

⁶ But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, ⁷ “What is He saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” ⁸ Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so He asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? ⁹ Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’? ¹⁰ So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, ¹¹ “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”

Psalm 147:3 (nkjv):

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

1 Peter 2:24:

He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By His wounds you are healed.

Signpost 2 Washed Clean!

The Prophet Elisha told Naaman to wash seven times in the Jordan River, then he would be healed. Naaman went into the Jordan River with leprosy and came out of the river healed! This is like baptism, a symbol of becoming spiritually clean. Naaman received physical healing for his body that day in the Jordan River—yet even more important, he was washed clean spiritually.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

2 Kings 5:14–15a:

¹⁴ So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed! ¹⁵ Then Naaman and his entire party went back to find the man of God. They stood before him, and Naaman said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel.”

Acts 22:16:

“What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.”

Galatians 3:27:

And all who have been united with Christ in baptism have put on Christ, like putting on new clothes.

Signpost 3 Just Believe!

Why did Naaman think he deserved to be healed?

Naaman was an important and powerful man. Does Jesus love us because we are important and powerful, and because we have earned His love?

No, Jesus came into the world to die for our sins even though we don’t deserve His love and forgiveness.

Naaman brought silver and gold to pay Elisha for his healing; however, Elisha would not accept anything. The gifts of healing, forgiveness and salvation are freely given by God through Jesus. We cannot buy them, and we cannot earn them. God saves us and blesses us by His grace; because He loves us—not because of who we are or what we do.

What did Naaman first think about the instructions that he was given by Elisha’s servant?

Naaman thought that dipping into the Jordan seven times seemed too simple, too ordinary, and too foolish. Why did he change his mind?

Naaman’s officers convinced him to obey the simple instructions—and he was healed! Jesus is ready to heal our bodies, hearts and spirits. Sometimes people want to make it seem very complicated, but all we need to do is believe and obey Him!

Optional: have the children sing “The Salvation Poem” from memory.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6

Romans 5:8:

But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

1 John 2:2:

He Himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

Ephesians 2:8:

God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God.

Now, let’s move to the Discipleship Challenge and discuss the clothing God gives us to wear to bring Him glory!

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Display the sample craft from Lesson 1. Last time, you received three more garments to place in your basket. Who looked up the verses and filled in the blanks?

Allow children to share their answers for the second group of garments in Lesson 2. Discuss what each piece of clothing means to them and how they can bring God glory by wearing it.

Answers for Lesson 2 section of Garment Pattern:

1. Luke 24:49: I am clothed with power.

2. Psalm 30:11: I am clothed with joy.

3. Psalm 65:12 (niv): I am clothed with gladness.

Did you have a chance to display any of those characteristics in your life since last time? Would you like to share your experience?

We have three more garments for our Discipleship Challenge!

Give the Lesson 3 Garments to each child. Have them cut them out at home and continue the challenge by looking up the verses, filling in the blanks, and asking God to help them “wear” those characteristics in their everyday lives.

Give the patterns for the Clothing Basket and the entire Garment Pattern to children who missed the previous lessons so they can assemble their crafts at home.

Optional: if you have time, have the children look up the verses on the garments for Lesson 3 and discuss the answers:

1. Psalm 132:9 (nkjv): I am clothed with righteousness.

2. Isaiah 61:3 (nkjv): I am clothed with praise.

3. Galatians 3:27: I am clothed with Christ.

SuperVerse

Isn’t it wonderful that our God heals and forgives? We don’t have to look up our sickness to see if God is able to heal it. We don’t have to identify a specific sin and see if God is able or willing to grant forgiveness.

What does our SuperVerse say? Psalm 103:3:

He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.

There is no limit—God’s forgiveness and healing never runs out!

Read 1 John 2:1–2 (cev):

My children, I am writing this so that you won’t sin. But if you do sin, Jesus Christ always does the right thing, and He will speak to the Father for us. Christ is the sacrifice that takes away our sins and the sins of all the world’s people.

God does not want us to sin; however if we do—what is the answer?

Jesus Christ is the answer for every problem and sin. He takes away our sins and the sins of the world!

Have the children turn their backs to the board and cover their eyes. I am going to say the SuperVerse and stop in two places. When I do, shout the next word. Ready?

He forgives ____ my sins and heals ____ my diseases.

Good! Now I am going to leave out two more words.

He forgives ____ my _____ and heals ____ my _________.

Now let’s say the entire verse together by heart.

Prayer

Have children sit around you in a circle. God can heal instantly like He did with Naaman. He can also heal over time. He can work through doctors and nurses and hospitals and medicine. God heals our physical bodies in many different ways. God can also heal our minds and our memories when God also provides healing for our sin; it is called forgiveness. When Jesus forgives us, we are forgiven instantly! There is no other way to receive forgiveness and eternal life. Jesus is the only answer. He has the authority and the power to forgive our sins, make us whole, and take us to live with Him in heaven someday.

Let’s close our eyes and think about the SuperVerse. I’m going to say it in a different way—directly to God:“You forgive all my sins and You heal all my diseases.”

Allow time for children to think, pray silently, and ask God to forgive them and heal them or someone they know.

Close in prayer: Dear God, You heal us and make us whole. No one else can do this! Thank You for forgiving our sins. We pray for people we know who are sick and suffering, that You would heal them. Help us not to give up but to continue to pray and seek You. In Jesus’ mighty name we pray, Amen.

Song

Have children sit on the floor in a circle around you. Let’s say the SuperTruth together: “God heals me and makes me whole.”

Only God can make us really whole. To be whole means to be everything God created us to be. God created people in His own image, without sin. When Adam and Eve sinned, they were no longer whole. All of us have sinned so to be whole again, we must have our sins forgiven. We must trust in Jesus as our Savior. Then, when God sees us, He sees Jesus’ righteousness, not our sinfulness. We are made whole through the precious blood that Jesus shed on the cross.

Read 1 John 1:7b:

And the blood of Jesus, His Son, cleanses us from all sin.

Read Revelation 1:5b:

All glory to Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by shedding His blood for us.

Why did Jesus shed His blood? Because He loves us! The blood of Jesus frees us from our sins and cleanses us so we are seen as pure and righteous by God. We are restored to what we were created to be—whole!

Give one lyric sheet to each pair of children to share. This is a hymn that was written many years ago in 1876—yet the words are as true today as they were then. The song is called “Nothing but the Blood.” We are going to sing the hymn together. As you sing the words, think about what Jesus did and still does for you. Consider the price He paid to forgive your sins. You may give children the choice to read the words instead of singing. Discuss as many verses as time allows.

Matching Game

We are going to play a game to match cards with images of the story of Naaman. After each match, we will discuss the image on the card, and the events surrounding it. The team with the most points wins. Are you ready to match?

Divide the children into two teams.

Teams will alternate turns. A team’s turn consists of one child choosing two cards. Flip over each card as it is guessed to show all the children.

If the cards do not match, flip the card back down on the board.

If the cards match, remove them from the board, hold them up for the children to see, and ask for two people to quickly describe something that is happening in the scene—the important events or meaning surrounding it.

Give the matched cards to the player who matched them.

Play until all pairs of cards are removed from the board and discussed.

The team with the most pairs wins.

Conclusion: Great job! It all started with the faith of a young servant girl. Naaman humbled himself and obeyed Elisha’s instructions. He was healed and made whole!

Optional: read 2 Kings 5:14:

So Naaman went down to the Jordan River and dipped himself seven times, as the man of God had instructed him. And his skin became as healthy as the skin of a young child, and he was healed!

Activity

Give each child an activity page and pencil. Have them put their names on it and complete the maze while you lead the discussion below:

1. What was the first surprise Naaman faced when he knocked on Elisha’s door? Elisha didn’t come to the door to see Naaman. He sent his servant to speak with Naaman.See 2 Kings 5:10.
2. Why was this a humbling experience for Naaman? He was a powerful military commander and leader and expected to speak directly with Elisha instead of dealing with a servant.
3. When Naaman came to Elisha’s house, what did he expect him to do? Come out and meet Naaman, wave his hand over the leprosy, and call on the Lord to heal him.See 2 Kings 5:11.
4. What if Naaman, because of pride, decided to go to one of the rivers in Syria instead of the Jordan River? What if he had quit washing himself in the Jordan before he dipped seven times? In both instances, he would have been disobedient and not been healed.

Conclusion: God used a lowly servant girl who was strong in her faith to direct Naaman to God to receive his healing. Most important, Naaman chose to worship God instead of false idols!

Bible Study

Divide the children into three groups. Assign a different passage to each group. Give the groups a few minutes to read their Bible passage together. Lead a discussion with the questions below to compare similarities and differences among the three Bible accounts. Write notes and comments on the board under the three columns during the discussion.

Today, each group reads about the same event as recorded in three different books of the Bible—written by Matthew, Mark and Luke. Though the accounts are different, each one describes details of the same event: Jesus healing a man with leprosy. The books include details that are the same and different. How is that possible? Each writer has his own writing style and personality. They also witnessed something themselves or were told about it by an eyewitness who saw the event as it happened. Yet each writer was inspired and led by the Holy Spirit. See 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21. The writer of the book of Luke was Luke, the Physician. He was the Apostle Paul’s co-worker. The writer of the book of Mark was John Mark. He was a companion of Peter the apostle. He recorded Peter’s preaching about Jesus’ ministry. The book of Matthew was written by the disciple Matthew who was also called Levi. He was the former tax collector who answered Jesus’ call to become an apostle. Now, let’s explore the story together.

1. Matthew 8:1–4:

¹ Large crowds followed Jesus as He came down the mountainside. ² Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached Him and knelt before Him. “Lord,” the man said, “if You are willing, You can heal me and make me clean.” ³ Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” He said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. ⁴ Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”

2. Mark 1:40–45:

⁴⁰ A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If You are willing, You can heal me and make me clean,” he said. ⁴¹ Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” He said. “Be healed!” ⁴² Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed. ⁴³ Then Jesus sent him on his way with a stern warning: ⁴⁴ “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.” ⁴⁵ But the man went and spread the word, proclaiming to everyone what had happened. As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and He couldn’t publicly enter a town anywhere. He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to Him.

3. Luke 5:12–16:

¹² In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground, begging to be healed. “Lord,” he said, “if You are willing, You can heal me and make me clean.” ¹³ Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” He said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. ¹⁴ Then Jesus instructed him not to tell anyone what had happened. He said,“Go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.” ¹⁵ But despite Jesus’ instructions, the report of His power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear Him preach and to be healed of their diseases. ¹⁶ But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.

1. Have someone in the Matthew group read verse 1 aloud. Ask the other groups if they heard any details that were not listed in their book. Large crowds followed Jesus; He came down the mountainside.

Write the differences on the board under the Matthew column.

2. Have the groups each read the following verses aloud: Matthew 8:2–3; Mark 40:40–42; Luke 5:12–13.

• Did you hear any differences with how the man came to Jesus? Matthew said suddenly, Luke said bowed with face to ground, Mark and Luke said the man begged to be healed. Mark said Jesus was moved with compassion.
• What did Jesus say to the man in each account? Jesus said He was willing to heal the man.
• What did Jesus do to heal the man? He reached out and touched him.
• What was the result? Each account is the same. Jesus touched the man and he was instantly healed.

Write the differences on the board under the appropriate columns.

3. Have one person in each group read aloud Matthew 8:4, Mark 1:43–44, and Luke 5:14.

• What did Jesus tell the man not to do? Tell anyone what happened.
• What did He tell the man to do? To go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy.
• The book of Leviticus in the Old Testament contains a very long, detailed process that a person healed of a skin disease must go through before they are considered pure. See Leviticus 14:1–32.

4. Have the appropriate groups read aloud Mark 1:45 and Luke 5:15.

• Is this the same for all groups? Matthew doesn’t record this. Mark doesn’t say the man told anyone, just that the word got out. Luke adds that Jesus could not publically enter a town. He needed to stay in hidden places away from towns because of the crowds.

Write the differences on the board under the appropriate columns.

Conclusion: You just read three records of the same story from different writers. Although some details were different, is the main message the same or different?

What would you say the main message is in this Bible story? Jesus willingly touched the leper and he was healed!

There was not a disease in Elisha’s day, in Jesus’ day, or now, that God cannot or will not heal! He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases!