Prayer
Because the primary goal of our time together is to establish relationships and learn how to walk with one another in all that God has called us to be and do, we’d like to begin by praying for one another. So, does anyone have anything you’d like us to pray for or anything to share regarding how you’ve seen God moving in your life that we can celebrate together?
Opening Question
What story, book, or movie has the very best ending (in your opinion)?
When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here; the Lord has sent me to Bethel.”
But Elisha said, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.
The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?”
“Yes, I know,” Elisha replied, “so be quiet.”
Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, Elisha; the Lord has sent me to Jericho.”
And he replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So they went to Jericho.
The company of the prophets at Jericho went up to Elisha and asked him, “Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?”
“Yes, I know,” he replied, “so be quiet.”
Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here; the Lord has sent me to the Jordan.”
And he replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them walked on.
Fifty men from the company of the prophets went and stood at a distance, facing the place where Elijah and Elisha had stopped at the Jordan. Elijah took his cloak, rolled it up and struck the water with it. The water divided to the right and to the left, and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?”
“Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.
“You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.”
As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two.
Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. “Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.– 2 Kings 2:1-14
The Cloak
In the sermon, we heard how Elijah’s cloak had provided a sacred space for Elijah in difficult, challenging times. Is there an object, place, or practice that serves as a sacred space for you that “shelters” you and brings you peace in arduous times?
Have there been times when prioritizing spiritual practices (i.e. generosity, gathering with other believers in worship, reading scripture, prayer, contemplation, etc) has helped you “cross over” and make progress in your walk with God?
Once rolled up, Elijah’s cloak, which had been with him in all his journeys and in every season, performed a miraculous act unlike any it had provided before when he struck the water with it. What hope can this story offer us about the sacred spaces and practices we cultivate and choose?
The River
Like Moses did with the Red Sea, Elijah splits the waters of the Jordan. However, a whole nation isn’t there to witness Elijah split the water, only fifty prophets.
In the sermon, we heard that this story underscores that ministry done in secret matters most. How is this idea contrary to what our culture teaches us about impact, significance, and success?
When you consider Elisha’s future, and the futures of the other fifty prophets present, how did God use Elijah’s private ministry moment by the Jordan in the lives of people who weren’t present that day?
Where has God called you to love him and others in unseen, private ministry?
The Blessing
In the sermon, we heard that the double portion Elisha asked for signified his desire to be considered Elijah’s son.
Elisha knew about the mighty acts as well as the pain and suffering Elijah experienced. Do you think he expected to experience similar highs and lows when he asked to be Elijah’s heir? In your own life, do you assume that personal growth, prosperity, and greater influence will also involve greater obstacles and frustrations?
Is there a person, whom you know personally, from history, or from scripture, whose legacy and life you desire to emulate? What is it about that person you most admire?
Suffering, challenges, and defeat offer opportunities for us to grow into people of greater faith and character. How does the gospel act as both a comfort and a path to victory when we, like Elijah and every other person, face injustice, evil powers, and personal pain and failure?
Closing Thought
In your final time together, read these lyrics aloud and then take turns naming one line that stands out to you as significant or meaningful.
The Jordan is waiting for me to cross through
My heart is aging I can tell
So Lord, I’m begging for one last favor from You
Here’s my heart, take it where You willThis life has shown me how we’re mended and how we’re torn
How it’s okay to be lonely as long as you’re free
Sometimes my ground was stoney
And sometimes covered up with thorns
And only You could make it what it had to beWhen I leave I’m gonna go out like Elijah
With a whirlwind to fuel my chariot of fire
And when I look back on the stars
It’ll be like the candlelight in Central Park
And it won’t break my heart to say goodbye.– “Elijah” by Rich Mullins