Introduction: Every single person has been ill at some point in their life.
Question: What is the worst sickness or illness you have ever had?
Question: What would you do if you had a cure for every illness on earth?
We are going to talk about curing illness. In fact, we are going to talk about a cure for every illness in existence.
II Kings 5:1
– Naaman was commander of the army of Aram.
– Aram and Israel were at war.
Question: How is Naaman described, and how do you picture him?
Question: How would leprosy have effected Naaman?
Leprosy is often an illustration for sin. All sin has an effect on us.
Question: What are some ways that sin can hurt us?
II Kings 5:2-3
– An Israelite slave-girl was captured by the Arameans.
– She told Naaman about a potential cure for his leprosy.
Question: What are some serious diseases or illnesses that people suffer from today?
Question: What would a person be willing to do to get cured? How valuable would that cure be?
II Kings 5:4-7
– Naaman went to the King of Israel instead of going to the prophet.
– He didn’t listen to what the girl told him.
– The king was unable to cure him, and even assumed that Naaman was picking a fight.
Question: Where are some places that people often go to find healing for their lives besides God? (Drugs, relationships, entertainment, etc…)
Much like the King of Israel was unable to cure Naaman, these places often leave us feeling worse off in the end than we were at the beginning. These things are not the answer.
II Kings 5:8-12
– Naaman finally went to the prophet, Elisha.
– However, Naaman became angry because he didn’t like what Elisha told him to do.
Question: Why did Naaman get so upset at Elisha?
Question: What are some things that the Bible says that upset people today?
Sometimes being cured requires us to do things we don’t like doing. (ie. Swallowing pills, exorcising and dieting, chemotherapy, etc…) However, being cured is worth it. We must be willing to do whatever it takes.
II Kings 5:13-14
– Naaman eventually listened to Elisha.
– He went and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan River, and his flesh was made even better than before.
Question: Would Naaman have been healed if he dipped himself in a different river?
Question: Would Naaman have been healed if he dipped himself in the Jordan five times? Six times?
Question: What was it that actually healed Naaman? (Obedience to the word of the prophet – the Word of God!)
Question: Why do so many people refuse to obey the Word of God today?
Obedience to God is the real cure for every problem on earth. Even if we had a physical disease, our obedience to God’s Word would eventually get us to heaven where we would not have the disease anymore.
Challenge: Don’t react like Naaman did when he heard what Elisha had to say. Being cured may be uncomfortable, but it is totally worth it!
