Elijah – Wk 5

Philippians 1:6 (NLT)

6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.

1 Kings 19:15-21 (NLT)

15 Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. 16 Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet. 17 Anyone who escapes from Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and those who escape Jehu will be killed by Elisha! 18 Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!”

19 So Elijah went and found Elisha son of Shaphat plowing a field. There were twelve teams of oxen in the field, and Elisha was plowing with the twelfth team. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak across his shoulders and then walked away. 20 Elisha left the oxen standing there, ran after Elijah, and said to him, “First let me go and kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you!”

Elijah replied, “Go on back, but think about what I have done to you.”

21 So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant.

1. Continue to trust and obey the Lord’s direction.

2. Believe that your best days are ahead, not behind.

Hebrews 10:35-36 (NLT)

35 So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! 36 Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

2 Kings 2:9 (NLT)

9 When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.”

And Elisha replied, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.”

3. Build a bridge of hope for the next generation.

COMMUNITY GROUP MEETING OUTLINE

Where your faith intersects with real life!

Reconnect:

Each person shares a recent high and low from their life.

Explore:

Review the message notes.

Big Idea: Finish well.

Consider:

Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.

▶ Read Hebrews 12:1. Think through a few Biblical characters. Name some who finished well and some who weren’t so attentive. What made the difference?

▶ Read Hebrews 10:35-36. In what area(s) of your life do you need to consciously continue to obey and trust the Lord’s direction? (ex. praying for someone to come to faith, not giving in to discouragement, waiting for a promise to be fulfilled, etc.)

▶ Read Philippians 1:6. On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being complete confidence, how would you rate your hope for the future and why?

Activate:

Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share your decision with the Group.

Read 3 John 1:4. Ask God who He would love for you to focus on as you build bridges of hope for the next generation? Is there something specific you should start or continue to do?

Prayer:

Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.

Pray together for our kids wing expansion to be fully funded. Ask God to show each of us our part.