Bible Reading2 Kings 5:1-5, 15-17 Now Naaman was commander of the army of the king of Aram. He was a great man in the sight of his master and highly regarded, because through him the Lord had given victory to Aram. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy.
[47:50]Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife.
[48:12]She said to her mistress, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.”
[48:21]Naaman went to his master and told him what the girl from Israel had said.
[48:31]“By all means, go,” the king of Aram replied. “I will send a letter to the king of Israel.” So Naaman left, taking with him ten talents of silver, six thousand shekels of gold and ten sets of clothing.
[48:37][...] Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.”
[49:02]The prophet answered, “As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept a thing.” And even though Naaman urged him, he refused.
[49:17]“If you will not,” said Naaman, “please let me, your servant, be given as much earth as a pair of mules can carry, for your servant will never again make burnt offerings and sacrifices to any other god but the Lord.”
[49:25]John 6:8-11 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”
[50:22]Jesus said, “Have the people sit down.” There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there).
[50:38]Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.
[50:38]Luke 4:27 “And there were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed—only Naaman the Syrian.”
[49:47]1 Timothy 4:12 “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
[01:13:18]Observation questions- What details in 2 Kings 5 show the contrast between Naaman’s public strength and the pain he carried underneath his armor? [01:05:35]
- What did the young captive girl actually say, and who did she speak to first?
- What did Naaman bring with him when he went looking for healing, and what does his response after being healed show about the change in him? [49:02]
- In John 6, how did the disciples first describe the boy’s lunch, and what did Jesus do with it? [01:16:16]
Interpretation questions- The captive girl had every reason to remain quiet in Naaman’s house. What does her decision to speak reveal about serving others even in a painful or unfair situation? [01:08:25]
- Naaman had money, status, military power, and connections, yet none of those things could heal him. What does this reveal about the kind of need only God can meet? [01:10:36]
- Jesus pointed to Naaman the Syrian as the one who was cleansed. What does this show about God’s grace reaching people beyond the places and people others might expect? [01:14:01]
- Paul tells Timothy to be an example in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. What might it look like for a young believer to be an example without being disrespectful or pretending to have all the answers? [01:13:18]
Application questions- Where has God placed you right now—at home, school, work, in your neighborhood, or among friends—where someone may be hurting underneath the armor? What is one loving way you could notice, serve, or speak hope to that person? [01:06:47]
- Every home is serving something. What does your household currently teach about what matters most through its words, habits, conflicts, entertainment, and priorities? Where is there an opportunity to point more clearly toward Christ? [01:00:39]
- Is there a young person in your life who needs to know that their questions, gifts, and voice matter in the church right now? What could you do this week to listen to them, encourage them, or make room for them to serve? [52:00]
- What “five loaves and two fish” do you already have in your hand—time, kindness, prayer, a skill, a testimony, a listening ear, or a relationship—that you may have been calling too small? What would it look like to place it in Jesus’ hands? [01:16:58]
- Have you been holding back from speaking because you are afraid, feel too young, feel overlooked, or think someone else is more qualified? What is one situation where you can stand and speak with humility and courage this week? [01:09:01]
- Are you trying to wear someone else’s armor by copying their prayers, personality, methods, or calling? What has God placed in your own hands and made natural in your own life that He may want to use? [01:21:51]
- Jesus does not ask people to become perfect before they surrender to Him. Is there an area of your life—your plans, habits, relationships, fears, or future—that you need to open to His leadership today? [01:28:30]
