Sermons

When You’re Under Attack 2 Kings 6:8-23

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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.

Horses and Chariots of Fire

8 Once when the king of Syria was warring against Israel, he took counsel with his servants, saying, “At such and such a place shall be my camp.” 9 But the man of God sent word to the king of Israel, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are going down there.” 10 And the king of Israel sent to the place about which the man of God told him. Thus he used to warn him, so that he saved himself there more than once or twice.

11 And the mind of the king of Syria was greatly troubled because of this thing, and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me who of us is for the king of Israel?” 12 And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” 13 And he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and seize him.” It was told him, “Behold, he is in Dothan.” 14 So he sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city.

15 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.18 And when the Syrians came down against him, Elisha prayed to the Lordand said, “Please strike this people with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness in accordance with the prayer of Elisha. 19 And Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” And he led them to Samaria.

20 As soon as they entered Samaria, Elisha said, “O Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” So the Lord opened their eyes and they saw, and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. 21 As soon as the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, “My father, shall I strike them down? Shall I strike them down?” 22 He answered, “You shall not strike them down. Would you strike down those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.” 23 So he prepared for them a great feast, and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the Syrians did not come again on raids into the land of Israel.

1. Realize God is all-knowing, so don’t fret.
(2 Kings 6:8-16, Ps. 147:5, Is. 40:28, Matt. 10:30, 19:26, Rom. 11:33, Jer. 32:17)
2. Pray that God would open your eyes.
(2 Kings 6:17, Acts 26:15-18, Ps. 119:18, Eph. 1:17-18)
3. Pray boldly, with a long-term view.
(2 Kings 6:18-19, Heb. 4:16, 13:6, 1 Thess. 5:17, Eph. 3:12, Prov. 28:1)
4. Love your enemies.
(2 Kings 6:20-23, Matt. 5:38-48, Luke 6:27-36, Rom. 12:14-21)

Reflection Questions:

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

       

      1. Read 2 Kings 6:8-16. Not many of us will ever find ourselves under the attack of a physical enemy army like Elisha and his servant did in 2 Kings chapter 6. However, we all find ourselves under attack from time to time. What do you most often find yourself under attack from in this season of your life (i.e. anxiety, depression, interpersonal conflicts, stress, health issues, relationship woes, ect.)? 

       

      1. Looking at your answers from question #2, what is your typical reaction when you feel under attack? 

       

      1. Looking at your answers from question #3, how would realizing that God is omniscient (all-knowing), help you to react in a way that is more God-honoring than you normally would when you are under attack? 

       

      1. Read 2 Kings 6:17. Looking at your answers from question #4, how could you better react to being under attack, by praying that God would open your eyes? How would your eyes being open to what God is doing in a situation, help you to react when you feel under attack? 

       

       

      1. Read 2 Kings 6:18-19. Instead of praying that God would strike the enemy’s army down, Elisha prays that God would blind them. Obviously, Elisha had a long-term view about not only how to handle the immediate attack, but also how to safeguard Israel from future attacks of this army. How can you better pray boldly, with a long-term mindset, just like Elisha did in 2 Kings 6:18? 

       

      1. Read 2 Kings 6:20-23. Elisha had an amazing opportunity to strike down and humiliate the enemy army. Instead though, he chooses to feed them and send them away. By doing so, he safeguards Israel from future attacks? Why do you think this strategy worked? 

       

      1. Read Romans 12:19-21. How do you think that Elisha implemented the concepts found in these verses in the way that he handled being attacked in 2 Kings 6? How could you implement these concepts in the same way in your life? 

       

      1. How could you help others to react to being attacked in a more God-honoring way, like Elisha does in this passage of Scripture?  

       

      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?