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.