少儿圣经故事:以利沙(4)/Elisha Lesson(4)

??Introduction："Yes, Captain Naaman!" " No, Captain Naaman!" " Right away, Captain!" All the servants would have scurried 1 here and there when Captain Naaman came home from a battle. You see, he was the captain over the entire army of the king of Syria. Let's read about him right from II Kings 5：Now Naaman…was a great man with his master (the king), and honourable 2, because by him the LORD had given deliverance to Syria：he was a mighty 3 man in valour (that means courage!).

??But one day the servants were whispering here and there, and there were doctors coming and going from the wealthy home of Captain Naaman. What was wrong？Perhaps the little servant girl from Israel didn't know at first, but then she heard the dreadful news：Captain Naaman had leprosy!" Oh, no! Not leprosy, " she groaned 4. Leprosy was a terrible skin disease that caused a slow and painful death.

??The little girl knew that even though Naaman was a very important and wealthy man,

??none of those things could cure the disease of leprosy. In her country of Israel the little girl knew that anyone who had the disease of leprosy would have to be separated from their loved ones. They could no longer live in their home with their family, but were separated and made to live apart. If anyone came near, they had to cover their mouth and cry ？Unclean!" so people would be warned to stay away.

??Gospel (sin)：Naaman's leprosy reminds me of the terrible problem that you and I have. In fact, we were born with it. That problem is sin. God, Who is perfectly 5 pure and holy, says that sin causes us to be unclean in His sight. Sin is anything that breaks God's laws, like saying angry words, or being lazy to do our work, or even just thinking bad thoughts. In Psalm 6 53：2 & 3 we read that God looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, that did seek God. Every one of them is gone back：they are altogether become filthy 7 (or unclean); there is none that doeth good, no, not one. That means God sees everyone as sinners, as unclean. And remember that leprosy caused separation from loved ones and home？God says the terrible punishment for sin is a FOREVER separation from Him and from His beautiful home in Heaven.

??Can you see how leprosy reminds us of sin？??The little maid from Israel could have been glad that Naaman had leprosy. After all, he led the armies that had kidnapped her from her country of Israel. She could have said, "That's what Naaman deserves for treating the people of Israel so badly!" Instead, she felt compassion 8 and wanted to help. She went to her mistress, who was Captain Naaman's wife, and said, "If only my master would go to Samaria in Israel and see God's prophet there! I know he could cure Naaman's leprosy!" How could this little girl be so sure？Oh, no doubt she had heard much about this prophet of God, whose name was Elisha. She knew that the true and living God had given Elisha power to do many miracles, like raising a dead child to life! She could tell what she knew!

??Main Teaching：Telling others what we know about Jesus is called WITNESSING. Do you think it was easy for this little girl to be a witness in an enemy country, among people who had been cruel to her and to her family？If you know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour 9 from sin, God wants you to be a witness for Him. A witness for Jesus tells others how they can also come to believe on Jesus. Let's say our Bible verse, Isaiah 43：10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen？" Where would it be easy to be a witness？Can you think of some places where it might be hard to witness？??It was probably not easy for the little servant girl from Israel to be a witness for the true and living God in a home where people worshipped idols 10.

??As soon as that little girl told Naaman's wife about the prophet in Samaria, someone went and told the king. The king wasted no time in writing a letter to the king of Israel, and sending Naaman with gifts of gold and silver and rich clothing.

??Soon Naaman was in his chariot and on his way to the land of Israel. Arriving with servants and gifts, the proud Captain probably created quite a stir in the palace of the king of Israel. What really upset the king, however, was the letter from the king of Syria! Let's you and I peek 11 over the king's shoulder and read that letter! I am sending Captain Naaman to you, O king, that you may cure him of his leprosy. The king of Israel exploded! The Bible tells us that he tore his royal robes and said, " Am I God, to kill and to make alive？Why does the king send to me to cure this man's leprosy？! See now, he is just trying to start a quarrel with me."

??But the king did not have to worry long, for Elisha the prophet of God heard about this important visitor to the palace. Elisha sent a messenger to the king that he should send Naaman to him. II Kings 5：9 says, So Naaman came with his horses and with his chariot, and stood at the door of the house of Elisha. Naaman was probably full of pride and impatience 12 as he waited for Elisha to come out. Imagine his surprise when a lowly servant came out and said simply, "Go wash in the Jordan River seven times and you will be clean from your leprosy."

??Does that sound easy？How much would a cure like this cost Naaman？But the Bible says Naaman was SO ANGRY! He turned away in a rage!" I thought the prophet would come out and call on the name of the Lord His God and strike his hand over me and recover me. Aren't the rivers of Syria much better than this muddy Jordan in Israel？Couldn't I just wash in them and be clean？" Naaman was turning to go back to Syria, still dying of his leprosy because he wanted to be cured HIS WAY, not God's way. But his servants came up gently to plead with their proud master."Sir, if the prophet had asked you to do some hard, expensive thing, wouldn't you have done it？How much rather then something so easy, so free？. just wash and be clean？" Perhaps Naaman had to calm down and think a minute. While he does, Let's you and I think too.

??Gospel (way)：Do you remember that we said leprosy is a lot like sin？Just as God had ONE way for Naaman to be clean from his leprosy, even so God has made ONE way for us to be clean from our sins. That ONE way was through the suffering and death of ONE person, the Lord Jesus Christ, God's perfect Son. Revelation l：5 says, Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood. Jesus came down to earth and willingly allowed His enemies to nail His hands and feet to a cross. They thought they were killing 13 Jesus to get rid of Him. Jesus knew He was giving His life to save us from the punishment of sin. He died, was buried and came alive in 3 days. Now the Lord Jesus is in Heaven again with His Father God. Acts l6：3l says Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved. That is God's ONE way for you to made clean from your sin. We cannot be made clean OUR way.

??And Naaman could not be made clean HIS way. As he put aside his pride and thought about it, he realized his servants were right. Then Naaman went to the Jordan River. Did you know, boys and girls, if you went over to the Middle East today to the land of Israel, you could also see the Jordan River？It is still a muddy river, not really the kind of water you would want for a bath. But in stepped Captain Naaman, for he realized it wasn't the water that would make him clean. It was believing and obeying God's Word! Let's dip down now with Naaman. One time, two times, three times, four. Oh, perhaps Naaman's skin still didn't look any different. But, God said didn't say four, He said seven, so Let's go down with Naaman again, and again, and？. again! Seven times! Up from the water Naaman came that seventh time, and LOOK! The Bible says Naaman's skin became again like a little child's, so smooth and young, and he was CLEAN from his leprosy!

??Oh, I'm sure there were many joyful 14 shouts from Naaman and his servants as they helped him out of the water!

??Quickly Naaman and his servants returned to Elisha's house. This time the prophet himself came out. Behold 15, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel：??Naaman declared, right in front of all his servants! Naaman realized that the gods of Syria were nothing but idols, they had not been able to help him. The God of Israel was the true and living God!

??Gospel (God's love)：That is the same true and living God Who made the world and all things. He is the same God Who made you and loves you so much! Ephesians 2：4 & 5 says But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins？God loves you and wants to make you clean from your sin so you can live with Him in His wonderful home in Heaven someday. His love for you is the same yesterday (or many years ago when Naaman lived), today, and forever. He is the true and living God!

??And Naaman was declaring that very thing right in front of all his servants and to Elisha. Then Naaman began to bring out all the gifts from the king of Syria. He was so glad to be able to give them all to Elisha. But to his surprise, Elisha would not take even one piece of silver, nothing. Naaman insisted, but Elisha still refused. Why？Probably because Elisha knew God had done the miracle, and only God should have the glory and thanks.

??Naaman returned to the land of Syria. Can you just hear the shouts of joy and see the happy tears of Captain Naaman's wife and family？How do you think the little maid from Israel felt？Now there were two WITNESSES in that home, both telling what they knew about the true and living God.

??Challenge：If you know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour from sin, will you be His witness, even in hard places？Pray, asking God to help you tell others how they can be made clean from their sin!

??Invitation：If you have never yet believed on the Lord Jesus and asked Him to make you clean from your sin, remember God's Word tells us there is only ONE WAY. Acts l6：3l says Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. God says our sin causes us to face the terrible punishment of being separated from Him forever. But Jesus died on the cross to save you from that punishment. He's alive now in Heaven and ready to save you. Believing on the Lord Jesus means A-we ADMIT to Him that we have sinned,

??B- we BELIEVE that He died as the perfect Son of God for our sins, C- we CALL on the Lord Jesus in prayer, asking Him to save us and make us clean from our sin.

??Would you bow your heads and close your eyes right now, please？??If you have never believed on the Lord Jesus that you might be saved, and you want to do that right now, would you say this prayer after me, and mean it with all your heart？Jesus is listening. Dear Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned. I realize my sin makes me unclean in the eyes of God. But I believe that You are the perfect Son of God. You never sinned. And yet because You loved me, You died and gave Your precious blood to pay for my sin. Please come into my life and save me and make me clean from my sin. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

??引子：

??“是，乃缦元帅！”“不，乃缦元帅！”“马上，元帅！”只要元帅乃缦一从战场上归来，所有仆人都会疲于奔命。因为，他是亚兰王所有军队的元帅。让我们读读列王记下第5章关于他的记载，┉乃缦，在他主人面前为尊为大，因耶和华籍他使亚兰人得胜。他又是有大能的勇士。

??但是有一天，仆人们到处窃窃私语，并有医生在乃缦家中来来往往，到底发生了什么事？也许从以色列来的小女仆开始并不知道，但不久她就听到了可怕的消息，乃缦元帅长了大麻风。”噢，不，不要是大麻风。”她哀吟道。大麻风是一种严重的皮肤病，会让人缓慢而痛苦地死掉。

??这个小女孩知道乃缦虽然是一个非常有地位而且富有的人，但确实没有任何办法可医治大麻风的。在小女孩家乡，只要长了大麻风的，都不得不和所爱的人分离。他们不能再和家人生活在一起，只能独自居住。要是有人走近，他们还必须掩嘴而叫”不洁净！”，于是人们警觉而离去。

??福音（罪）：

??乃缦的大麻风使我想起一个有关你我的致命问题。事实上，我们生来就有这个问题。这个问题就是罪。纯全圣洁的神说罪使我们在他眼中看为不洁净的。罪是任何违背神律法的事，比如发怒气，懒于工作，或者仅仅思邪念。在诗篇53章第2，3节中，我们读到：神从天上垂看世人，要看有明白的没有，有寻求他的没有。 他们各人都退后，一同变为污秽，并没有行善的，连一个也没有。这就意味着神看每个人都是罪人，是不洁净的。并且，是否记得大麻风导致病人和所爱的人以及家庭分离？神说对罪的可怕处罚是人与他以及美丽天家永远的分离。

??你能看见大麻风是怎样使我们想起罪的吗？

??这个从以色列来的小女仆本可以对乃缦长大麻风而感到高兴。毕竟，是乃缦带领军队把她从以色列的家乡绑架而来的。她可以说，”这是乃缦残酷对待以色列人民的报应！”相反，她深表同情并想办法帮忙。她去对乃缦元帅的妻子，也就是她的主母说：”但愿我主人去见那位在以色列撒玛利亚的先知，我知道他定能治好元帅的大麻风！”这个下女怎么会这么确定呢？噢，无疑她已经听到过许多有关这位神先知的事，这位先知的名字叫以利沙。她知道又真又活的神已给了以利沙能力去做很多神迹，就象他让一个已死的小孩又活了过来。她讲述了她所知道的。

??重点：告诉别人我们所知道的耶稣基督叫做见证。你认为小女孩在敌国，向对她和她的家人做了那样残忍事的人做见证是件容易的事吗？那么如果你知道主耶稣是你罪的救主，神想你成为他的证人呢？ 一个耶稣的证人会告诉别人他们也能来信靠耶稣。让我们用圣经的话，以塞亚书43章10节，耶和华说：”你们是我的见证，我所拣选的仆人。┉”在哪些地方容易作这样一个证人？你能想到某些地方是难于做见证的呢？

??对于从以色列来的小女仆来说，在崇拜偶像的家中为又真又活的神做见证也许并不容易。

??这个小女孩一告诉乃缦妻子关于撒玛利亚先知的事，马上就有人去告诉了国王。国王迅速写信给以色列的国王，并让乃缦带着金银以及贵重衣服前去。

??不久乃缦就坐着战车去了以色列的国土。带着仆人和礼物，这个骄傲的元帅的到来也许在以色列王的宫殿中引起了一阵骚动。但真正让国王不安的却是叙利亚王的信！让我们透过王的肩膀偷读这信：”我打发臣仆乃缦去见你，你接到这信，就要医治好他的大麻风。”以色列王发怒了！圣经告诉我们他撕裂自己的王服说到：”我岂是神，能使人死使人活呢？这人竟打发人来，叫我治好他的大麻风。你们看一看，这人何以寻隙攻击我呢？”

??但王并没有忧愁很久，因为神人以利沙已经听到了有个重要的客人去了王宫。以利沙就让王送乃缦到他那里。列王记下5章9节说，于是，乃缦带着车马到了以利沙的家，站在门前。乃缦可能在以利沙出来以前充满了骄傲和急躁。然后，试想一下，接着一个小个的仆人出来，简单地说道：”你下到约旦河中沐浴七回，你的大麻风就被洁净了。”

??这是不是太简单了？这样的治疗会花掉乃缦多少钱呢？圣经告诉我们乃缦非常生气！他甚至发怒走了！”我想他必定会出来见我，站着求告耶和华神的名，在患处以上摇手，治好这大麻风。叙利亚的河不比这泥泞的约旦河好吗？我难道不能在那里清洗得洁净吗？”乃缦准备转身回叙利亚去了，那样的话他就会死于大麻风，因为他想用自己的方法医治，而不是神的方法。但他的仆人屈步向前求告他骄傲的主人：”我父啊，若先知让你做又大又难的事，你难道不会做吗？何况这是又容易又免费的事…只是沐浴就得洁净呢？乃缦不得不静下来想一想了，然后他做了。让我们也来想一想。

??福音（方法）：

??你是否记得我们说大麻风就象罪？就象神只有一个方法使乃缦的大麻风得洁净，神也为我们预备了一条道路来洁净我们的罪。那条道路就是借着神无瑕疵的儿子，主耶稣基督，所受的苦难和牺牲。启示录1章5节上说，他爱我们，用他自己的血使我们脱离了罪恶。耶稣来到世上，甘愿让仇敌钉他的手脚上了十字架。他们认为他们正在杀死除去耶稣基督。但耶稣知道他正在用他的生命来救我们免于罪刑。他死了，葬了，并在第3天复活了。主耶稣又回到了天堂和他父神在一起。使徒行传16章31节说当信主耶稣，你和你一家都必得救。 这就是神预备的唯一的方法来帮助我们脱离罪。我们是不能靠自己的方法让我们得洁净的。

??乃缦也不能用他自己方法得洁净。一旦他将骄傲去除并思考，他就意识到他的仆人是对的。于是乃缦去了约旦河。你知道吗，少年人？如果你现在去中东的以色列国，你仍能看见约旦河。它仍是一条泥泞的河，并不是你希望能洗澡的圣水。但乃缦元帅步入了约旦河，因为他认识到并不是水能使他得洁净，而是相信并且顺从神的道！让我和乃缦一起倒下吧。一次，二次，三次，四次。哦，也许乃缦的皮肤看起来没有任何变化。但神并不是说四，他说的是七。所以让我们和乃缦继续倒下去一次又一次！第七次！乃缦从水里出来第七次了，看！圣经上说乃缦的皮肤变得象小孩子一样嫩滑，他的大麻风得洁净了！

??很快乃缦和他的仆人回到了以利沙的家中。这次先知自己出来了。如今我知道，除了以色列之外，普天下没有神。乃缦就在他所有的仆人面前宣告！乃缦意识到叙利亚的众神只不过是偶像。他们不能帮助他。以色列的神才是真神！

??福音（神的爱）：

??就是这同一个真神创造了世界和万物。他就是那位造你又万分爱你的神！以弗所书2章4和5节说道：然而神既有丰富的怜悯，因他爱我们的大爱，当我们死在过犯中的时候…神爱你，并希望你脱离罪，以后能在他美妙的天家里和他同住。他对你的爱在昨天（或者在乃缦生活的时代前），今天和永远都是一样的。他是真神！

??现在乃缦站在他仆人和以利沙面前宣告。接着乃缦拿出了从叙利亚王那里带来的礼物。他非常高兴能给以利沙礼物。但让他吃惊的是，以利沙并不要任何一样礼物，什么都不要。乃缦坚持送，但以利沙仍然拒绝。为什么？也许以利沙知道这是神做的奇迹，只有神配得荣耀和赞美。

??乃缦回到了叙利亚地，你能想象乃缦妻子和家人的欢呼声和他们幸福的泪水吗？你认为从以色列来的女仆的感受又会如何呢？现在那个家中有两个证人。他俩都要传讲他们对真神的认识。

??挑战：如果你知道主耶稣是你罪的救星，你会做他的见证者吗？在苦难的地方呢？祷告，让神来帮助你给别人讲述他们能从罪中得到拯救！

??邀请：如果你还没有信主耶稣并让他帮助你脱离罪，记住神的话告诉我们这是唯一的办法。使徒行传16章31节说：当信主耶稣，你必得救。神说我们的罪会使我们面临极可怕的惩罚，就是和神永远的分离。但耶稣在十字架上可以救你免于那惩罚。他现在活在天上甘心救你。相信主耶稣意味着：

??A- 我们向他承认我们犯罪了；

??B- 我们相信他是神无瑕疵的儿子并且是为我们死的；

??C- 我们在祷告中呼叫主耶稣，请他救我们并使我们得从罪中洁净。

??你愿意现在就低头并闭上你的眼睛吗？

??如果你从未信过主耶稣，信他能救你，但你现在想相信，你能跟我一起从心底来祷告吗？耶稣正在听呢。亲爱的主耶稣，我承认我犯了罪。我意识到罪让我在神的眼中是为不洁净的。但我相信您是神无瑕疵的儿子。您从不犯罪。但您因着爱我的缘故，您死了，并用您的宝血来偿还我的罪。请您进入我的生命，救我，让我从罪中洁净出来。谢谢您，耶稣。阿门。