Introduction

• We’ll be studying some things in the Bible that are not discussed as often.
• We’ll look primarily at the Bible, also pulling in other sources for additional information as necessary.

Naaman

• Text: II Kings 5:1-19

What do we know about Naaman?

• His position? Head gui of Syrian army under the King of Aram (Syria)
  • Not a captain?
  • Translation could mean captain, general, ruler, prince, etc.
  • Context indicates a top military officer.
• King considered him to be a great man
• Highly respected
• God chose to give Aram victory through Naaman (I Kings 22:29-40)
• Valiant warrior
• Leper
• Laws of leprosy (Leviticus 13-14)
  • Lepers were unclean
  • Prophet’s purity?

What can we guess about Naaman?

• Inspiring leader
• He and his wife communicated with each other
• Very good relationship with his king (Hadadezer – generous gifts to take and a letter)
  • Talent of silver: A weight of 75 pounds. Ten talents is work about $654,480 today.
  • Shekel of gold: A weight of about 0.4 ounces. Six thousand shekels would be worth about $5,759,520 today.
• Believed that Israelite prophets were subject to their king in what they did as prophets.
  • John 11:48
• His actions scared the king (Jehoram) into thinking he was trying to start a war.
• Given to ceremony (arrived with chariots and horses, expected ceremony from Elisha)
• Short temper (furious over Elisha’s failure to reciprocate ceremony and command to wash in the Jordan River)
• Willing to listen (took correction from his servants)
• Had loving concern from those who served him (servant girl, other servants)
• Willing to humble himself (obeyed and dipped in the Jordan seven times)

Some things we can learn

• God’s favor doesn’t imply faultlessness on our part.
• Was faith a requirement for Naaman’s healing?
• Kindness to your servants can pay off, even if you don’t deserve it.
  • Servants took a risk correcting the boss
  • Servant girl may just have remembered Proverbs 24:17; 25:21-22
    • Same principle at work between God and Elisha
    • II Kings 6:21-23 – God’s reward to her?
  • Servant girl was likely a faithful Israelite at a time of great unfaithfulness
    • Jehoram was king at the time.
    • He was an evil king who led Israel to sin.
    • Put away pillar of Baal (where his brother was murdered by his parents)
    • Continued all the rest of his parents’ sins

Introduction

• Proverbs 22:24-25

Like it or not, the way I behave is affecting people.

I may be having a bad influence.

• Matthew 18:4-6
• Romans 14:13
• I Corinthians 5:6-8 – One sinner can have a tremendous effect on the entire congregation.
• Even if I think I am hiding my sin, my influence on others is not as good as it should be.
• I Corinthians 8:9
• II Timothy 2:14 – Wrangling with words could ruin others.

But there is enormous potential for good influence!

• Matthew 5:13-16
• Philippians 4:8-9 – Can I tell other people to copy what they’ve seen me do?

Three areas to think about …

Joy

• Acts 13:47-49
• Often, we can do our best teaching when we are at the lowest point in our lives.

Humility

• I Peter 5:5
• Proverbs 11:2
• Acts 26:1, 9, 15, 19 – Paul humbly admitted his previous mistakes.
• I Peter 2:12, 15

Healthy relationships

• I Timothy 3:4-5 – How did the man manage his family relationships?
• Ephesians 6:1
• Proverbs 17:17; 18:24

“Your life as a Christian should make non-believers question their disbelief in God.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Introduction

• The book of Deuteronomy contains speeches that Moses gave to the people of Israel before they crossed over to the promised land.
• The three promises to Abram (Genesis 12)
  • “I will make you a great nation” – Fulfilled in Exodus 1:7
  • “To your descendants I will give this land” – Fulfilled in Joshua 21:43
  • “In you all the nations of the earth will be blessed” – Acts 3:26

Deuteronomy 1

• Deuteronomy 1:1-5 – Opening
  • It was only an eleven day journey from Horeb to Kadesh-barnea yet it took them forty years because of their disobedience.
• Deuteronomy 1:6-8 – Moses begins his first speech
• Deuteronomy 1:9-18 – Moses appointed leaders
  • Deuteronomy 1:10 – Moses needed help because of the enormous size of the group.
• Deuteronomy 1:19-46 – Spies and rebellion
  • Moses retells the history of spying out the land and the rebellion.
  • Deuteronomy 1:32 – They did not trust God.

Deuteronomy 2

• Deuteronomy 2:1-23 – Wandering in the wilderness
  • Israel tried to pass through Edom, but Edom refused.
  • Deuteronomy 2:7 – God provided for them – they didn’t lack anything.
  • Deuteronomy 2:14 – It took them thirty-eight years to cross the Zered River. All the previous generation had died off.
• Deuteronomy 2:24-37 – Victory over Sihon, king of Heshbon
  • See Numbers 21.

Deuteronomy 3

• Deuteronomy 3:1-11 – Victory over Og, King of Bashan
• Deuteronomy 3:12-20 – Two and a half tribes
  • See Numbers 32.
• Deuteronomy 3:21-29 – Moses pleads with God.
  • Deuteronomy 3:22 – God is the one fighting for you! Compare Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 11:30. They still had to go and fight, even through God was giving them the victory. Similarly, just because salvation is a gift of God doesn’t mean we don’t have to do anything to receive it.
• Deuteronomy 3:23-27 – Moses pleaded with God to go into the land but God said no, and God was just in His decision.

Introduction

• Galatians 2:20
• What is the difference between saying, “I go to church” and “Christ lives in me”?
• Obeying God involves a complete change of life.
• Matthew 22:37
• Romans 6:4, 6
• I John 1:6-8
• Acts 2:42 – Obeying Christ involves changing habits and routines.
• I Corinthians 15:33
• James 4:4

Physical

• II Corinthians 11:23-28 – What was Paul’s attitude toward his physical body?
• I Timothy 2:9; 4:6
• Our attitude toward our body should change completely.

Mental

• Colossians 3:1
• Luke 23:33 – Jesus had a different mindset! We are trying to be like this.

Emotional

• Philippians 3:20
• I Thessalonians 2:19 – Paul rejoiced because of other Christians
• III John 1:4
• Our joy is pinned on God.

Social

• I Kings 22:8-9, 13-14 – The prophets did not have many friends! If we are speaking truth, we may not have many friends either.
• I Peter 4:11
• I must be willing to give up my social life if that’s what it takes to serve God.

Financial / vocation

• Philippians 3:4-11
• Can we serve God in our line of work?

Death / eternity

• Philippians 1:21 – To die is gain!

Introduction

• Jeremiah 35:5-10, 16 – God is having Jeremiah set up a lesson. The Rechabites carried out the legacy of their father. They still followed his commands some 300 years later. How can we leave a legacy like this?

Overview

• Objective-based program
  • What should the children have learned by the time they leave the program?
• Two-tiered curriculum structure
  • Up to fifth grade: study through the Bible every three years.
  • Sixth grade and up: focus on New Testament and Old Testament wisdom, with topical studies
• Classes do not change age/grade range

Class overview

• Class 1 (0-2 years)
  • Become comfortable being in Bible class
  • Hear Bible words, stories, and songs
• Class 2 (2-3 years)
  • Learn basic Bible class conduct
  • Learn Bible words, short stories, big ideas
• Class 3 (grades -1 to K)
  • Refine Bible class conduct
  • Learn Bible storie3s and basic lessons
• Class 4 (grades 1-2)
  • Learn Bible story details and basic application
• Class 5 (grades 3-4)
  • Longer term recall
• Class 6 (grade 5-6)
  • Begin self-guiding to answers
• Class 7 (grades 7-8)
  • Become independent Bible students
  • Build independent faith
• Class 8 (high school and up)
  • Prepare for independent lives
  • Prepare for adult responsibilities

Curriculum update notes

• Grades 7-8
  • Two-year cycle
  • Sundays: New Testament narrative
    • Five quarters in the gospels
    • Two quarters in Acts
    • One quarter TBD
  • Wednesdays: Bible study skills, daily living
• High school
  • Four-year cycle
  • Sundays
    • Old Testament poetry and wisdom literature
    • Chapter a week: Acts – Revelation
  • Wednesdays: Four general topic areas, rotating quarters
    • Q1: The church
    • Q2: Daily living
    • Q3: Evidence
    • Q4: Split classes
• Classes through sixth grade
  • Bible a wide, firm foundation of knowledge of the scriptures

What can I do as a teacher?

• Younger grades
  • II Timothy 3:15 – Don’t shy away from memorization and recitation.
• Middle grades
  • Luke 10:25-28 – Engage the students in the learning process.
• Older grades
  • Luke 9:2 – Engage students in the teaching process.
• Make the most of class time.
  • Ephesians 5:16 – Be deliberate
  • I Corinthians 14:26 – Do all things for edification
• Adjust the curriculum as you feel appropriate for the age/group
• Don’t teach the book. Teach THE BOOK.
• Use workbooks as a topical guide.

What can I do as a parent?

• Take responsibility for your child’s spiritual development
  • Deuteronomy 6:7; 11:19
  • Have your children prepared for class.
  • Mark 2:27
  • Study and discuss other scriptures and topics instead of the lesson, if that is the need of the moment.
• Give feedback to teachers, class deacon, elders
• Be patient, think long term
  • Student, teachers, and topics change

Reminders and notes

• Teach!
• Only man teachers for boys once boys hit 13 years old.
• Teachers may open the high school class to other students at their discretion.
• Two-quarter special opportunity
  • Last two quarters of 2024/2025, topic is teacher’s choice.

What is a teacher’s goal?

• Interest – Acts 13:15-18, 38-44
• Comprehension – Matthew 13:13, 16
• Application – Matthew 7:24
• Retention – Numbers 15:40
• Encourage – Philippians 1:6-10
• Matthew 10:25