HERE 2 THERE

PART 3 – DISAPPOINTMENT 2 HOPE

ICE BREAKER: If you could time travel back to any period in your life and relive it, what period would it be and why?

“When we become a Christ follower, God begins writing a new story with your life. A story of Faith, freedom, redemption and promise.” -Pastor Brian

1.What insight, principles or observations did you take away from this Sunday’s message?

2 Kings 2:1-8 When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. 2 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. 3 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.” 4 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. 5 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.” 6 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. 7 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. 8 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.

2. The Lord was about to take Elijah. Everywhere Elijah and Elisha went, the prophets knew it and told Elisha. Elisha always said, “Yes I know, so be quiet.” (2 Kings 2:1-7) How do you suppose they knew, and why is this included in the text? What does this reveal about Elisha?

2 Kings 2:9-10 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. 10“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.”

3. Elijah tells Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you”. What does Elisha’s request represent? (1Kings 3:9-12)

1 Kings 3:9-12 So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. 11 So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, 12 I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. 

4. Why do you suppose that it was imperative that Elisha be present and view Elijah being taken up?

2 Kings 2:11-12  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. 12 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.

5. Why do you suppose Elijah did not go the ‘old fashioned’ way, and just die? What do you suppose God is doing/wanting to show us here?

6. Other than people, tell of a life disappointment that you are comfortable sharing about?

7. What do you suppose God was doing in your life at that time?

8. Why do we as Christians still have disappointments? (John 16:33). Does Jesus save us from disappointments, why or why not? What is it that God is working on in our lives? (John 16:33, James 1:2-4, 2 Corinthians 3:18)

John 16:33  “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 

2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

9. What struggles are you facing right now that you feel comfortable sharing with your Circle Group? Have you felt like giving up? How have you seen God in your present struggle?

10. What does Psalm 27:14 demonstrate about disappointment? Why did the Psalmist have to say this? What is revealed about man and God in this verse?

Psalm 27:14. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

11. Pastor Brian said, “I need to place my hope, trust and confidence somewhere other than self.” How do we build our hope, trust and confidence in the Lord? How does the story end for those of us who are Christ followers? (Philippian 1:6; Revelation 21:2-5)

Philippians 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Revelation 21:2-5 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” 5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

2 Kings 2:13-14 Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14 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.

12. What do you suppose is the point of Elisha asking, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah”? How do you think Elisha felt at this time?

13. What does God show Elisha by dividing the waters of the Jordan? (compare 2 Kings 2:8, 9-10 and 14)

Pastor Brian made the point that God was with Elisha and will always be with every Christ follower. He then suggested some steps we can take when we feel disappointment:

Hold on to the trust that God will finish what he started.
Hold on to the trust that God will never leave us.
Make the time to meet with God – Bible reading plan, journal, talk to God and listen.
Hold onto God’s people.
Hold onto God’s ordained purpose.

14. It is up to us to spend time with God, through Bible reading, planning, journaling, talking to God, and listening. What can your Circle Group do to encourage you in these worship activities? Personal question: Do you have anyone to hold you accountable?

15. When God instituted the church, it’s to be people who help each other through anything- Pastor Brian. What can we/you do for others who are struggling with disappointment? (Hebrews 10:24-25)

Hebrews 10:24–25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

No matter how discouraged or disappointed we may feel at the river bank

God is still faithful!

If There is Time (Extra Questions)

2 Kings 6: 10-17 So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places. 11 This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?” 12 “None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.” 13 “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” 14 Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city. 15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. 16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

1. What is the difference in perspective between Elisha and his servant?

2. Do you tend to share Elisha’s perspective or that of his servant? (2 Kings 2:15-18)

2 Kings 6: 18-23 As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked. 19 Elisha told them, “This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to Samaria. 20 After they entered the city, Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see.” Then the Lord opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria. 21 When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?” 22 “Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.” 23 So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.

3. Pastor Brian challenged us to not allow ourselves to be blinded by our disappointment and miss the larger story that God is allowing us to be a part of. What can we do today to take the focus off the disappointments and put our trust in the hope and future God has for us?