Naaman Healed of Leprosy
Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-27
Theme: Salvation is simple: obey God in humble faith
Age Group: Nursery (Ages 0-2)
Overview
Lesson Overview: “God Loves You!” “God is so good, He always loves you!” Today we talk about a little boy named Jeremiah who felt scared, but God told him, “Don’t worry, I’ll always be with you!” Just like God keeps His promises, He loves you too! Let’s sing “God’s love never ends!”
Bible Story
God Loves You Too!
God was speaking to Jeremiah one day. He said, “I love you. I chose you when you were very young.”
Jeremiah was sad and felt small, but God told him, “I will help you. You are my special friend.”
God knew Jeremiah would have big jobs later, but first, he just needed to trust him. “Don’t be afraid,” God said gently.
“I am with you always. You are my child, and I love you.”
God Makes Us New
God wanted his people to be strong and happy. He said, “I will help them. I will make them new again.”
When they felt lost or lonely, God promised, “I will hold their hands. I will never leave them.”
Like a parent who hugs a little child, God wants us to feel safe and loved. He made us to love him and trust him forever.
“I am with you!” God whispered.
Why This Story Matters This story shows that God loves us all the time, even when we’re little or feel scared. He wants us to know we’re special, safe, and loved, just like Jeremiah was. That’s why we can hug God today and say, “I love you, too!”
Activities
- Snuggle Time (3 min): Lay the big blanket on the floor. Hold each child gently while reading Jeremiah 31:34, “I will be your Father, and you will be my children”, in a calm voice. Say, “God loves you so much! He’s like a big warm hug!”
- Wrap-Up (5 min): Let each child wrap the blanket around their arms like a hug. Say, “God wraps his love around you, just like this!” (Hold a stuffed animal or your hand close.)
- Draw a Hug (7 min): Give each child a sheet of paper. Say, “Draw your hug for God!” Let them scribble big, happy lines. Glue crayons to the paper to make it colorful.
- Sharing Time (3 min): Gather them up. Say, “God’s love is always with us, just like this hug!” Sing a short song (e.g., “Love is like a hug…”).
- 2. “God’s Promises Are Like a Big, Happy Song” (Music & Movement)
- Listen to God’s Love (3 min): Play a short kids’ song and hold the Bible. Say, “God’s promises are like a big happy song! He loves us, and his love never ends.” (Point to Jeremiah 31:34.) Ring the bell lightly.
- Sing & Clap (5 min): Sing the song together. When you sing “God loves you so much!”, clap or stamp your feet like a happy song. Say, “God’s love is always there, like a happy beat!”
- Make a Song Plate (7 min): Give each child a paper plate. Let them decorate it with glue and crayons to look like a musical note. Say, “This is our God’s-love song!”
- Shake & Share (5 min): Let children hold their plates and shake them like a happy song. Say, “God’s love shimmies and jumps, just like this!” Gather and pray, “Thank you, God, for your big, happy love!”
Discussion Questions
- Here are four simple, open-ended questions about God’s love based on Jeremiah’s story for babies and toddlers:
- When Jeremiah felt scared, what did God say to him? (Pause for them to share.)
- “God is always there to help you, just like He was with Jeremiah!”*
- What does it feel like when God loves us very much? (Hold hands or make a hug.)
- “Sometimes God wraps us in His arms, like He did for Jeremiah, He’s always kind to you!”*
- What can we do to show God we love Him? (Point to their hands or feet.)
- “We can pray, hug our families, and be gentle, just like Jeremiah did when he felt afraid.”*
- If you had a big, scary feeling, would you want to talk to God? (Make a question face.)
- “God always wants to listen! He loves you, even when you feel sad or scared.”*
Prayer Focus
“Dear God, you love us so much! We are your tiny children, and you hold us close like a hug. Keep us safe, and make us feel your love every day, just like you did for Jeremiah when he was young. Thank you for loving us, even when we cry or grow worried. Amen!” (Simple repetition: “God loves me,” “God holds me,” “Thank you, God!”)
Missions Spotlight
The Roma (Gypsy) people of Europe have been marginalized for centuries. Missionaries working among Roma communities in Eastern Europe share Jeremiah’s message that God never gives up on His people, including the Roma, whom God deeply loves.
To the Cross
Jeremiah wept over God’s people because they kept turning away. But God promised a ‘new covenant’, not written on tablets of stone but on their hearts. Jesus inaugurated this new covenant at the Last Supper: ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood.’
Family Take-Home
Here’s a simple summary for families: “Jeremiah was called by God as a young prophet, full of courage and faith, even though he felt afraid (Jeremiah 1:4-10). Later, God reminded him that even in hard times, He hears and guides His people (Jeremiah 31:31-34), promising a future of hope and renewal. Trusting God means believing in His plans, even when life feels uncertain!” (Perfect for a quick read while driving or before bed!)