She Did What She Could

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June 1, 2003 - 2 Kings 5:1-27

Open It

  1. In what way can a serious illness make a person more or less inclined to trust God?

  2. Why is it important to be ready to offer assistance to one in need?

Explore It

  1. Who was the servant girl that sought to help Namaan? (5:2)

  2. How did she become a servant girl in Namaan's household? (5:2)

  3. Who did the servant girl approach? (5:2)

  4. What information did the servant girl share? (5:3)

  5. How did the king of Israel react when he received the letter from the king of Aram? (5:7)

  6. What message did Elisha send to the king when he heard of the letter and the king's reaction? (5:8)

  7. What promise did Elisha make to Naaman? (5:9-10)

  8. What was Naaman's reaction to the instructions to wash in the Jordan? (5:11-12)

  9. How did Naaman's servants reason with him to help him overcome his pride? (5:13)

  10. What happened when Naaman obeyed Elisha's instructions? (5:14)

  11. How had Naaman changed internally by the time he went back to Elisha? (5:15)

Get It

  1. Why did the servant girl speak up?

  2. What risks did she take in speaking up?

  3. How did it help Naaman that God (through Elisha) chose the Jordan to wash and heal him?

  4. How can our unwillingness to humble ourselves actually deprive us of good gifts from God?

  5. Why do you think Naaman's cleansing was a conversion experience for him?

Apply It

  1. What tangible benefits do you see in humbling yourself to do what God requires of you?

  2. What can you do to serve someone else without payment?

NOTES

Leprosy, much like AIDS today, was one of the most feared diseases of the time. Some forms were extremely contagious and, in many cases, incurable. In its worst forms, leprosy led to death. Many lepers were forced out of the cities into quarantined camps. Because Naaman still held his post, he probably had a mild form of the disease, or perhaps it was still in the early stages.

In Elisha's day, Aram was growing in power and frequently conducted raids on Israel, trying to frustrate the people and bring about political confusion. Israelite captives were often taken back to Aram after successful raids. Naaman's servant girl was an Israelite, kidnapped from her home and family. Ironically, Naaman's only hope of being cured came from Israel.

The little girl's faith and Naaman's quest contrast with the stubbornness of Israel's king (2 Kings 5:7). A leader in mighty Aram sought the God of Israel; Israel's own king would not. We don't know the little girl's name or much about her, but her brief word to her mistress brought healing and faith in God to a powerful Aramean captain. God had placed her for a purpose, and she was faithful. Where has God put you? No matter how humble or small your position, God can use you to spread his Word. Look for opportunities to tell others what God can do. There's no telling who will hear your message!

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