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Attentiveness

Character Goal: Attentiveness is being aware of others and their needs in order to serve them in a way that brings God glory.

Biblical Character: The Servant Girl

Scripture Readings: 2 Kings 5:1‑15

Discussion Questions:

• Who is Naaman and how is he described?
• What do we know about the servant girl from this passage?
• What did she suggest to Naaman’s wife? What does this tell us about her faith in God?
• Considering her role as a servant and the high position of her mistress, do you think she might have been hesitant or intimidated of telling Naaman’s wife how her husband could be healed? What do you think helped her move beyond her fears or doubts?
• As an athlete or a friend, have you been in an intimidating situation where you knew something that could help someone else but were afraid to say anything? What happened?
• The slave girl was taken captive against her will and put in a situation that wasn’t ideal, but she still had concern for the needs around her. Hard circumstances often cause us to focus on our own needs rather than the needs of others. What circumstances has God allowed you to be in, and how can you be attentive to those around you in order that they may experience God in their lives?
• Because of the servant girl’s faith in God, she was able to impact another family for eternity. How can your faith and attentiveness to your teammates’ needs impact them spiritually?
• What did Naaman decide to do?
• When he arrived at Elisha’s house, what did the messenger say to him?
• Why did Naaman become angry?
• How did Naaman’s attendants encourage him?
• What happened to Naaman’s body after he did what Elisha had told him? What does this teach us about faith and obedience?
• What did he proclaim when he returned to the prophet’s house?
• How do you usually react when being told to do something to improve your skills or fitness? What can you learn from this story that would encourage you to take the advice of someone wanting to help you?
• Naaman’s life was transformed as a result of the miracle that God performed in his body. Who played a vital role in this valiant soldier’s life?
• The servant girl is only mentioned in one sentence in all of Scripture, but because of her faithfulness to be attentive to those around her, she had a huge impact for the glory of God. What does this tell us about the responsibility we have as believers to be attentive to the spiritual and physical needs of those around us and how it can impact God’s kingdom?
• What does this story teach you about God? Women? How can you apply these truths to your life?
• What is one thing I learned from this story that I can apply to my life before the next lesson?

Core Truths:

• We are to share with others what we know to be true about God.
• Our faith in God greatly impacts the lives of others.
• In order to be attentive to the needs of others, we must be intentional to serve them in a way that brings glory to God.

Training for Godliness:

As athletes, it is easy for us to get wrapped up in our own needs. It is easy to think only about MY training, MY statistics, MY position, MY plan, MY reputation—but what about the rest of the team? How can you improve team dynamics, cohesion, and maybe even records by not just thinking of yourself but noticing other’s needs and helping to meet some of those? You can’t be everything for every person, but Andy Stanley, American pastor and teacher, has said, “Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone.” Start small, focus on just one teammate and watch God work! Report back to the group at the next FCA meeting and tell others how you helped one person who you noticed had a need. By acting on your faith, you will be like the little servant girl who had the courage to tell the family how great God is!

Memory Verse: “She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle.” - Proverbs 31:27