Sermons

What to do in a Trail 2 Kings 4:1-7

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Small Group Guide:

Open with prayer.

Go around and give everyone a chance to share about how the past week has been. What’s one highlight? What’s one lowlight?

If your small group has talked about it before, feel free to use this time to hold people accountable to what they’ve asked to be held accountable for previously, and go through the “missional” part of this discussion guide.

 

Elisha and the Widow’s Oil

4 Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord, but the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.”2 And Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?” And she said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” 3 Then he said, “Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few. 4 Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels. And when one is full, set it aside.” 5 So she went from him and shut the door behind herself and her sons. And as she poured they brought the vessels to her. 6 When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another.” Then the oil stopped flowing. 7 She came and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest.”

 

1. View your trials as a chance to grow your faith.
(2 Kings 4:1-7, James 1:2-4, 12, Rom. 5:3-5, Gal. 6:9, Heb. 12:1)
2. Realize that trails almost always require a step of faith.
(2 Kings 4:3, 2 Tim. 2:15, Heb. 11:1, Psalm 9:10, Prov. 3:5-6)
3. During a trial, point your attention to God, not yourself.
(2 Kings 4:4, Matt. 6:24, 7:7, Col. 3:1-2, 1 Chorn. 16:11)
4.In trails, remember that you get out what you put in.
(2 Kings 4:7, 2 Cor. 9:6, Gal. 6:7-9, Prov. 22:8, Luke 6:38, Hos.10:12)

Reflection Questions:

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    1. Have you ever heard this passage of Scripture or topic taught on before? What stood out to you?

    2a. Read 2 Kings 4:1. The widow in this passage of Scripture is going through what is probably the most difficult time in her entire life. What’s has been the most difficult time in your life? 

    2b. Looking at your answers above, how did your relationship with God change during that time? Were you able to grow in your faith? 

    1. Read 2 Kings 4:2-3. Elisha asks this widow to take a step of faith, and she does! If you were in that situation, would you have taken that step of faith? 

    3b. Have you ever been in a situation where you had to take a step of faith? What happened? Looking back, would you have done anything differently?

    3c. Looking at your answers above, how can you better prepare yourself now, for when God asks you to take a step of faith in the future? 

    1. Read 2 Kings 4:4-5. Elisha specifically instructs the widow to pour the oil inside her home, with the door shut. This ensures that the focus is not on what this widow can do, but what God can do. How can you better focus on God instead of yourself? 
    1. Read 2 Kings 4:7. The widow is allowed to keep whatever money is left over to live on. If it was little, they would have to live on little; if it was much, they were able to live on much. This shows us that what we put into our relationship with God, is usually what we get out of it as well. How can you better prioritize your relationship with the Lord?
    1. What is your biggest take away about how this passage affects your life? What do you need to work on? Who can you share this with and ask you to keep you accountable to accomplishing this?



Prayer Time:

Pray for each other in your small group to be faithful take the step(s) that you shared above. Pray for each other and the interactions that they have with those who don’t know Jesus. Pray that God would soften the people’s hearts to what He has for them. Pray that God would give everyone opportunities to share the Gospel.

Staying Missional:

Share spiritual/missional conversations you’ve had where you live, work, and play:

Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
Who in your life do you think could be discipleable or open to spiritual/missional conversations?

What’s next?

Discuss the next step for your small group. When will we gather again and what purpose will it fulfill?