Sermons

How to Have Extreme Hospitality and Generosity 2 Kings 4:7-17

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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.

 

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.”

Elisha and the Shunammite Woman

8 One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food. 9 And she said to her husband, “Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way. 10 Let us make a small room on the roof with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there.”

11 One day he came there, and he turned into the chamber and rested there.12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, “Call this Shunammite.” When he had called her, she stood before him. 13 And he said to him, “Say now to her, ‘See, you have taken all this trouble for us; what is to be done for you? Would you have a word spoken on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army?’” She answered, “I dwell among my own people.”14 And he said, “What then is to be done for her?” Gehazi answered, “Well, she has no son, and her husband is old.” 15 He said, “Call her.” And when he had called her, she stood in the doorway. 16 And he said, “At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son.” And she said, “No, my lord, O man of God; do not lie to your servant.” 17 But the woman conceived, and she bore a son about that time the following spring, as Elisha had said to her.

 

Realize that you play a unique role in God’s Kingdom, so:
(1 Cor. 12 and 14, Rom. 12:3-8, Eph. 4:1-8, 1 Pet. 4:10-11)
1. Use what you have.
(2 Kings 4:8, Heb. 13:16, Matt. 25:14-30, 1 Cor. 10:31, 2 Pet. 1:3, 1 Tim. 4:14, Gal. 6:10)
2. Take the first step.
(2 Kings 4:9, James 4:17, Acts 20:24, Matt. 7:12, Eph. 5:15-16, Phil. 3:14)
3. Think through the details.
(2 Kings 4:10, Heb. 13:2, 1 Pet. 4:9, Rom. 12:13, Titus 1:8, 1 Tim. 3:2, 5:10, Lev. 19:34, Acts 28:1-2)
4.Don’t seek thanks or repayment.
(2 Kings 4:13, Matt. 6:3, Rom. 12:10, Phil. 2:3-4, 1 Cor. 3:3)

Reflection Questions:

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

     

    1. Take some time to read through 1 Corinthians chapters 12 through 14. As we discussed in the message, these chapters emphasize that God has gifted each of us differently, and that our gifts are to be used to build up His Kingdom. Take some time in prayer and ask God to reveal to you how He has gifted you to serve Him and build His Kingdom.
    2. Read 2 Kings 4:8. If you were in this woman’s situation, do you think you would have shown as much hospitality towards Elisha? Why or why not? 

     

    1. Read 2 Kings 4:8 again. The woman uses what she has to help Elisha. What resources, finances, skills, ect. do you have, and how could they be used, or better used, to build up God’s Kingdom? 

     

    1. Read 2 Kings 4:9. The woman didn’t wait for Elisha to ask. She took the first step in offering hospitality. How can you take the first step in offering hospitality and generosity towards those around you? 

     

    1. Read 2 Kings 4:10. The woman thought through all of the details when it came to hosting Elisha. How can you better think through all of the details when it comes to showing hospitality to those around you? 

     

    1. Read 2 Kings 4:11-13. 

     

    1. Read Romans 2:4. Reflect on God’s kindness and generosity towards you. How can you better show God’s kindness to others? 

     

    1. How can you help other believers to be more hospitable and generous towards others? 

     

    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?