ELEMENTARY KIDS & FAMILIES For Sunday, February 14, 2016
This resource is designed to allow your family to have time in God’s Word BEFORE your children attend church. Because God’s plan is for parents to be the primary spiritual nurturers of their children’s faith, we want YOU to be the one to introduce this part of The Big God Story to them. HomeFront Magazine: A Spiritual Parenting Resource This monthly magazine gives your family ideas for creating fun, spiritually forming times in your home—setting aside sacred space in the midst of your active, everyday lives. Visit www.HomeFrontMag.com to subscribe to the print edition or to have a digital copy sent directly to your inbox.
DID YOU KNOW? • Naaman was a general in the Syrian army who approached Elisha for healing from leprosy. • Elisha was a prophet of God who followed in the footsteps of God’s prophet Elijah. • Elisha saw Elijah being carried to heaven in a whirlwind of fire. This was part of a double blessing promised by God. • While Elijah performed 14 miracles, the Bible records 28 miracles performed through Elisha by God.
GOD IS THE LORD OF LIFE Part of The Big God Story 2 Kings 5 Naaman is a Gentile who grew up not knowing God. God uses Elisha to not only miraculously heal Naaman from leprosy (a physical healing) but also heal him from sin (a spiritual healing). God becomes Naaman’s source of life, just like He’s our source of life today.
JUST FOR FUN Gather as a family and turn off the lights. While sitting in the dark, talk about the source of the power that brings light into your home. Share with your children that there is a power source for all life—God. Turn the lights back on, and read 2 Kings 5:1–16. Ask your kids where Elisha received the power to heal Naaman. Talk about why you think Naaman wanted something more than to wash himself seven times in the Jordan River to be healed. What was Naaman’s response when he was healed? If you know anyone who needs healing, pray for that person. Thank God for being the source of healing and life.
YOUNGER KIDS Many of your child’s spiritual experiences are still tied to the experiences of his parents. Inviting your child into your everyday spiritual practices will help reinforce the importance of spiritual matters and will continue to build on the foundation of knowing God more fully
OLDER KIDS Your child is moving toward more independence, both emotionally and spiritually. Encourage her to develop her own prayer life and study of Scripture so she can know God more deeply.
© 2015 David C Cook. TruResources are developed in partnership with ROCKHARBOR Church and a national network of family and children’s ministry leaders. All rights reserved.
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REMEMBER VERSE Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD—that you alone are the Most High over all the earth. Psalm 83:18
TEACHABLE MOMENTS After reading Scripture, discuss the following together: • How did God use Naaman’s servant girl as part of his healing? • Naaman was healed both physically and spiritually. What is spiritual healing? • Sometimes God chooses to heal people, and sometimes He doesn’t. What might be some reasons that God chooses not to heal someone while he lives here on earth?
BLESSING For more information about blessing your child see the Blessing section in HomeFront: A Spiritual Parenting Resource. A blessing to pray over your child: (Child’s name), may the Lord of Life meet all of your needs. May your old ways be washed away, and may you live the new life God has for you in Christ.