Journey of Faith: Embracing Imperfection and Growth

The story of Naaman in 2 Kings 5 offers a profound look at what it means to begin a journey of faith, even when we don’t have everything figured out. Naaman, a powerful general from Aram and an enemy of Israel, suffers from leprosy. Through the compassion of a young Israelite slave girl, he learns of the prophet Elisha and travels to Israel seeking healing. After a humbling encounter and a simple act of obedience—washing in the Jordan River—Naaman is healed. This experience radically shifts his understanding of God. He recognizes that the God of Israel is the one true God, far greater than the gods he’s known.

Yet, Naaman’s response is messy and incomplete. He asks for two mule-loads of Israelite soil to take home, believing he can only worship God on “God’s turf.” He also anticipates the compromises he’ll face back in Aram, serving a king who worships another god, and asks for forgiveness in advance. Naaman’s theology is half-formed, but his heart is moving in the right direction. He’s not a spiritual giant like Daniel, but he’s taking his first steps, and Elisha blesses him with the words, “Go in peace.”

This story reminds us that discipleship is about direction, not destination. God is more interested in the trajectory of our hearts than in our having all the answers or perfect behavior. The contrast with Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, is stark. Gehazi, who has witnessed God’s power firsthand, chooses greed and deception, moving away from God’s heart. The consequences he faces are a sobering reminder that our choices matter and that moving away from God leads to spiritual decay.

For those exploring faith, Naaman’s story is an invitation: God’s grace is available to all, regardless of background or past. For those who have been following Jesus for years, it’s a call to humility and perseverance. None of us have “arrived.” We are all works in progress, called to keep moving toward God, to encourage others on their journey, and to create space for God’s Spirit to shape us. Communion, then, becomes food for this journey—a reminder that God meets us where we are and nourishes us as we continue forward.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God meets us in our mess and honors the direction of our hearts, not just the accuracy of our theology or the perfection of our actions. Naaman’s half-formed faith was enough for God to work with, and Elisha’s blessing shows that God values movement toward Him over having it all figured out. This should encourage us to take honest steps, even if they’re imperfect, trusting that God will fill in the gaps as we go. [34:27]
• 2. Discipleship is a journey, not a finish line. The Christian life is not about reaching a static point of maturity but about continually pressing on, as Paul describes in Philippians, and running the race with perseverance. Our responsibility is to keep moving in the right direction, allowing God’s Spirit to shape us day by day, rather than assuming we’ve “arrived.” [36:29]
• 3. The choices we make daily either move us closer to God or pull us away. Gehazi’s story is a warning that even those who have seen God’s power can choose a path of self-interest and deception, leading to spiritual decline. Our direction can change at any moment, so vigilance and self-examination are essential to stay on course. [40:50]
• 4. We are called to see others as God sees them—by the trajectory of their hearts, not just their external actions. It’s easy to judge others for their visible compromises or mistakes, but God invites us to look deeper, to encourage the work He’s already doing in their lives, and to walk alongside them as they grow. This posture fosters grace and patience in our relationships. [48:06]
• 5. Spiritual practices and relationships are vital for staying on the journey. Whether we’ve been following Jesus for a short time or many years, we need rhythms—like prayer, Scripture, community, and communion—that open us to God’s transforming presence. Even spiritual giants remain “under construction” until the end; humility and intentionality keep us moving forward in faith. [50:28]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:10] - Introduction and Context: Naaman’s Story
• [05:45] - The Compassion of the Israelite Slave Girl
• [09:30] - Naaman’s Journey to Israel and Healing
• [14:20] - Naaman’s Requests: Dirt and Dilemmas
• [18:45] - Ancient Worldview: Gods and Geography
• [22:30] - Naaman’s Half-Formed Faith
• [26:00] - Discipleship: Direction Over Destination
• [32:38] - The Contrast: Gehazi’s Choice
• [36:29] - The Consequences of Our Direction
• [40:50] - Judging by Trajectory, Not Perfection
• [43:38] - Invitation to Faith and Communion
• [48:06] - Encouraging Others on Their Journey
• [50:28] - Staying on Course: Practices and Community
• [54:59] - Communion: Food for the Journey
• [56:33] - Closing Prayer and Announcements

Bible Reading

2 Kings 5:1–27 (ESV) — (Please read the full chapter together as a group. The story of Naaman and Gehazi is the main text for this study.)

Observation Questions

1. What role did the young Israelite slave girl play in Naaman’s journey toward healing and faith? How did her actions set the story in motion? [05:45]
2. When Naaman was told by Elisha to wash in the Jordan River, how did he initially respond, and what changed his mind? [09:30]
3. After being healed, what two unusual requests did Naaman make of Elisha, and what do these requests reveal about his understanding of God at that point? [14:20]
4. What did Gehazi do after Naaman left, and what were the consequences of his actions? [40:50]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think God honored Naaman’s “half-formed” faith and his imperfect understanding, rather than demanding perfect theology or behavior from him? [34:27]
2. The sermon says, “Discipleship is about direction, not destination.” What does this mean in the context of Naaman’s story, and how does it contrast with Gehazi’s choices? [36:29]
3. How does Elisha’s response to Naaman (“Go in peace”) shape our understanding of how God views our spiritual progress and struggles? [38:26]
4. What warning does Gehazi’s story offer to people who have been close to God’s work for a long time? How can someone’s direction change even after years of faithfulness? [40:50]

Application Questions

1. Naaman’s journey started because a young girl showed compassion to her enemy. Is there someone in your life who needs hope or encouragement, even if they have hurt you? What would it look like to respond with grace this week? [05:45]
2. Naaman’s faith was messy and incomplete, but he took honest steps toward God. Are there areas in your life where you feel like your faith is “half-formed”? What is one honest step you could take toward God right now, even if it feels imperfect? [34:27]
3. The sermon challenges us to focus on the direction of our hearts, not just our actions or having all the answers. How can you tell if you are moving toward God or away from Him? What signs do you look for in your own life? [36:29]
4. Gehazi’s story is a reminder that our choices matter and that even those close to God can drift. Are there small compromises or attitudes in your life that could be pulling you away from God? What would it look like to address them this week? [40:50]
5. The sermon encourages us to see others by the trajectory of their hearts, not just their visible mistakes. Is there someone you tend to judge by their actions? How could you encourage the work God is already doing in their life instead? [48:06]
6. What spiritual practices or relationships help you “run the race” and keep moving in the right direction? Is there a new rhythm—like prayer, Bible reading, or joining a small group—that you want to commit to this season? [50:28]
7. Communion was described as “food for the journey.” How does regularly participating in communion or other spiritual practices help you remember God’s grace and keep moving forward, even when you stumble? [54:59]