GOD MATH: A Family DevotionalSample

Leprosy + 7 Baths

There are lots of unexpected things in this God Math story. First, we have a slave girl who points her master, a big important man in the enemy army, to Israel because she actually wants him to be healed. And when the big important man goes to visit the king of Israel, hoping to be magically cured, he gets redirected to a prophet who doesn’t even bother to come out of his house. He just sends a messenger to say, “Oh by the way, you just need to wash yourself seven times in the river and your incurable disease will go away.”

Naaman isn’t impressed. He wanted some personal attention from Elisha, and he wanted magic. Instead, he got a boring old command to take a bath.

Would you have done it?

Naaman wasn’t going to, but he decided to give it a try. And, surprise! He discovered God Math. One incurable disease plus seven obedient baths turned this enemy into a worshipper of the One True God. (Check out 2 Kings 5:15-18 for that part)

Leprosy + 7 Baths = Miraculous Healing. Amazing!

Conversation Starters:

Brainstorm another God Math equation for this story!

God was willing to cure Naaman, but it had to be God’s way, not Naaman’s way. Can you think of a time when you (or someone you know) tried to do things your way instead of God’s way? How did it work out?

Prayer prompt:

Ask God if there’s something he wants you to try doing his way, instead of your own way.