2 Kings 2–7: Lesson 84

2 Kings 5

Small and Simple Things

Sometimes we may not recognize the spiritual value of doing the small things Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ invite us to do. In 2 Kings 5, the Lord healed Naaman, a Syrian captain, of his leprosy because he followed the prophet’s simple counsel to wash himself seven times in the Jordan River. This lesson can help students obey the small and simple things the Lord asks us to do.

Student preparation: Invite students to read Alma 37:6–7, looking for what they can learn about small and simple things. Or you could encourage students to pay attention to small things they do often that make a big difference in their life or that affect their relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Possible Learning Activities

Drip irrigation

Consider displaying an image like the following or bringing a plant to class and demonstrating how drip irrigation works. The information in the next paragraph could help you explain it.

Drip irrigation is a technique used to water plants. Unlike other forms of irrigation that apply large amounts of water infrequently, drip irrigation involves slowly dripping small amounts of water onto the soil. The steady drips of water keep the soil moist where it is most useful to the plants.

Consider placing students into small groups to discuss answers to the following question.

• In what ways could the principles of drip irrigation apply to our spiritual progress in Heavenly Father’s plan?

Invite a few groups to share what they discussed. Then consider displaying the self-assessment below and inviting students to think about how accurate it is in their life.

Take a moment to reflect on the small efforts you are making as a disciple of Jesus Christ and the results you are experiencing. Then ponder the truthfulness of this statement for you:

• I recognize how the small and simple things I do, or don’t do, affect my life and my relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Invite students to be receptive to thoughts and feelings they receive from the Holy Ghost about small and simple things they can do to strengthen their relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Naaman healed of his leprosy

2 Kings 5 contains the account of Naaman, a Syrian captain who learned a powerful lesson about doing the small and simple things the Lord commands.

Read 2 Kings 5:1, looking for everything you can learn about Naaman.

• What did you find?

You may want to explain that leprosy was a terrible skin disease. It may have caused Naaman to develop disfiguring sores and could have resulted in death.

As an alternative to students simply reading the following verses, you could label three parts of your classroom as “Syria,” “Elisha’s house,” and “Jordan River.” Invite four volunteers to represent the following people by reading aloud the accompanying verses in the designated places. Students representing Naaman and his servant could move from place to place, while the little maid and Elisha’s messenger remain in their location.

• Syria: The little maid read verses 2–4

• Elisha’s house: Elisha’s messenger read verses 9–10

• Elisha’s house: Naaman read verses 11–12

• Jordan River: Naaman’s servant read verses 13–14

Read 2 Kings 5:2–4, 9–14, looking for what Elisha, as a prophet of God, told Naaman to do to be healed of his leprosy.

• What are some important lessons a teenager today could learn from Naaman’s experience?

Students may state a truth like obedience to the Lord’s small and simple invitations brings great blessings. You might invite them to write this truth as a note next to 2 Kings 5:13–14 in their scriptures and mark the phrases in these verses that teach this truth. Making notes in their scriptures can help students remember truths they learn. You could also invite students to read Alma 37:6–7, and link or cross-reference these verses to 2 Kings 5:13–14.

Small and simple things

The following activity is designed to help students identify small and simple things Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have asked us to do and to discuss how we can be blessed by doing them.

One way this activity could be done is by placing students in small groups and giving each group a piece of paper and scissors. Invite each group to draw and cut out three large water drops. For step 1 below, groups could write a different small and simple thing that the Lord has invited us to do on each droplet, then place them on the board.

1. Make a list of small and simple things the Lord has asked us to do that can lead to great blessings.

   If needed, the following statement could help groups identify small and simple things the Lord has asked us to do as well as ways we are blessed by doing them.

   President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency shared some examples of small and simple things the Lord has invited us to do.

   

   Consider the scripture study we’ve been taught to incorporate into our daily lives. Or consider the personal prayers and the kneeling family prayers that are regular practices for faithful Latter-day Saints. Consider attendance at seminary for youth or institute classes for young adults. Though each of these practices may seem to be small and simple, over time they result in powerful spiritual uplift and growth. This occurs because each of these small and simple things invites the companionship of the Holy Ghost, the Testifier who enlightens us and guides us into truth. (“Small and Simple Things,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2018, 90)

   Before completing the following step, invite each group to select one drop that a different group placed on the board.

2. Search the scriptures and words of the prophets, looking for the great blessings the Lord offers if we do this small and simple thing.

   Invite multiple groups to share what they learned.

   As part of this discussion, you might invite students to reflect on experiences they have had doing small and simple things. You could then invite volunteers to share how the Lord has blessed them and how their relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ was strengthened as a result.

   The previous prompt can help students verbalize their feelings, experiences, and testimonies. You might also share your testimony or experiences with doing small and simple things the Lord asks of us. For additional training, see: “Bear testimony often and invite learners to share their feelings, experiences, and testimonies” in Teacher Development Skills.

   You could also watch “Abide the Day in Christ” (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) from time code 2:30 to 4:23. Students could identify how Sister Amy A. Wright, First Counselor in the Primary General Presidency, and her family were strengthened through the small and simple things they had done.

   You could also have students read 2 Kings 5:15 to see the blessing of testimony Naaman received through his obedience to the small and simple thing the prophet invited him to do.

Small and simple things in my life

To help students make a plan to obey the small and simple things the Lord has asked them to do, display the following instructions.

Respond to the following in your study journal:

1. Think of a small and simple thing the Lord has asked you to do that you feel you are already doing well. How has obeying the Lord’s instruction strengthened your relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

2. Select a small and simple thing the Lord has asked you to do that you feel inspired to do better. What will you do to improve your obedience to the Lord’s invitation? How could that strengthen your faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

You could invite a few willing students to share their response to the first question. Encourage students to follow through on their plan to improve.

Additional Resources

What can I learn from Naaman about following the prophet?

Elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

As recorded in the Old Testament, when Naaman sought a cure for his leprosy, he was indignant at being asked to dip himself seven times in a nearby ordinary river. But he was persuaded to follow the prophet Elisha’s counsel rather than rely on his own preconceived notions of how the miracle should occur. As a result, Naaman was healed. When we trust God’s prophet on the earth today and act on his counsel, we will find happiness, and we too can be healed. We need to look no further. (“Jesus Christ Is the Treasure,” Liahona, Nov. 2023, 98)

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared:

The account of Naaman reminds us of the risk of picking and choosing the parts of prophetic counsel that fit our thinking, our expectations, or today’s norms. Our prophet continually points us to our own River Jordans to be healed. (“The Things of My Soul,” Liahona, Nov. 2021, 40)

How can I be blessed by acting in faith on the small and simple things the Lord has invited me to do?

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shared:

The spiritual pattern of small and simple things bringing forth great things produces firmness and steadfastness, deepening devotion, and more complete conversion to the Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel. (“By Small and Simple Things Are Great Things Brought to Pass” [Brigham Young University Women’s Conference, Apr. 29, 2011], womensconference.byu.edu)

Supplemental Learning Activities

Media options

To help students visualize the events in 2 Kings 5:1–14, you could show all or portions of the video “Naaman and Elisha.” You could also have students read from these verses. The following scripture references and time codes may help:

2 Kings 5:2–4 (time code 2:15 to 5:42)

2 Kings 5:8–10 (time code 6:50 to 7:40)

2 Kings 5:11–12 (time code 7:41 to 9:40)

2 Kings 5:13–14 (time code 9:41 to 14:30)

You could also listen to or read the lyrics from “Small Things” from A Great Work: 2021 Youth Album. You could do this at the end of the “Small and simple things in my life” section before students share how they have seen the Lord’s blessings by doing small and simple things.

Sharing what is in our heart

If students would benefit from learning about missionary work from the story of the maid in 2 Kings 5, consider having a student read the following statement from Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we have the privilege to share the love our Heavenly Father has for all of His children. This may seem like a large or intimidating task—but it is actually quite simple. Share what is in your heart! Extend invitations in a normal and natural way. Stay with the following principles: love God; love your neighbor; and believe, love, do. (“Sharing the Gospel in Normal and Natural Ways” (blog), Aug. 16, 2019)

Invite students to read 2 Kings 5:2–4 and ask them to share how the maid is an example of what Elder Uchtdorf is teaching. You could then invite students to consider who they could share the feelings of their heart with.

Small and simple testimonies

The story of Naaman can also help us see the importance of listening to the people Heavenly Father has placed in our lives. To do this, students could write Who? and Message to Naaman? as headings for two different columns in their study journals. They could read the following scriptures and answer the questions for each set of verses.

2 Kings 5:2–4

2 Kings 5:9–10

2 Kings 5:11–13

Students could then discuss how each of these small and simple messages helped Naaman strengthen his relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

To help students understand the effect they can have in helping others come unto Jesus Christ, you could read Doctrine and Covenants 101:39 and then watch “Lessons at the Well” from time code 6:28 to 7:54.

Students could then share examples of people from their lives who have helped them come unto Jesus Christ.