Christ-Light Connections: Elijah and Elisha & The Shunammite Woman

The LORD gives and the LORD takes away. From our vantage point we cannot always understand when and why the LORD acts as he does. In these two stories, God begins and ends life in unexpected ways. How grateful we are to have the promise that he will work out all things for the good of those who love him.

The Christ-Light theme this week is God is the LORD of life and death.

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OT3 8A

Elijah and Elisha — 1 Kings 19:14-21, 2 Kings 2:1-6, 8-14, 23-24

Context

The story begins just after the showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel. Elijah’s expectations for change had not been met. He is so discouraged that he longs for death, yet God still has plans for Elijah.

Big Ideas

God’s Answer to Elijah’s Discouragement (1 Kings 19:14-18)

Elijah had no companions of faith. He felt like the only one alive in a land of spiritual death. God lovingly encouraged Elijah by giving him the gift of fellowship through Elisha. This fellowship renewed Elijah and breathed life and strength into the remaining days of his ministry.

Christian lonliness is no small thing. Just as a coal away from the fire quickly grows dim and cools, so is a lonely believer.

Conversation Starter:

• In this time of social distancing, do you feel like coal away from the fire? How do you get spiritual support? How can you support others?

The Calling of Elisha (1 Kings 19:19-21)

Are you familiar with the phrase “passing the mantle?” As Elijah throws his coat/mantle over Elisha, he is calling Elisha to be his apprentice and eventually to take over his ministry. Elisha responds by going all in. He sacrifices and burns his farming equipment so that there is no turning back. It appears that he had no doubts about accepting God’s calling. Later, when God takes Elijah to heaven, Elisha’s apprenticeship is complete, and his ministerial work begins as he picks up Elijah’s mantle that falls from the sky.

Conversation Starters:

• Read 2 Peter 2:9. Describe your calling.
• What causes us to doubt God’s calling?

Mocking God’s Prophet (2 Kings 2:23-24)

Elisha is in the town of Bethel. Bethel literally means “ house of God.” Seven generations ago, King Jeroboam set up Bethel as an alternative site for worship, complete with a golden calf. The house of God became the house of idols. The youth, or young adults, inherited the attitude of scorn for God and his prophets. In this instance, their sin and unbelief resulted in punishment. That punishment sent a message: Rejection of God and his prophets results in pain and suffering.”

Conversation Starters:

• Jesus was also mocked. How did he respond? What was the message of Jesus’ response?
• How are God’s people mocked today? What message do you want to send as you respond to mockery?

Digging Deeper

The Seeds of Faith resource provides Law and Gospel points and discussion questions.

OT 8B

The Shunammite Woman — 2 Kings 4:8-37

Context

Elisha has taken up Elijah’s mantle as a prophet for the LORD. God has already used him to speak his words and to perform a few miracles. This next story turns our focus to the life of the Shunammite woman.

Big Ideas

The Shunammite’s Encouragement (2 Kings 4:8-17)

Shared faith and encouragement are essential for believers. The Shunammite woman recognized this as she prepared a home away from home for Elisha. Because of her love for the LORD and his called servants, she was moved to provide for Elisha generously.

Conversation Starters:

• Think of people who have shown you Christian hospitality. How did their actions encourage you?
• How can you show hospitality to God’s people?

“It’s All Right” (2 Kings 4:23)

What? How is this “all right?”

The text does not make it clear to which situation the woman is referring. Is it all right that her son has died, or is it all right that she is going to bother God’s prophet?

Such a casual phrase is shockingly correct for both questions. When can we come before our God with the distresses of our hearts? Through Jesus, the answer is anytime for any reason. Can death ever be all right? Through Christ’s resurrection, death is more than all right. Death is now just a sleep between this life and eternal life in paradise.

Conversation Starters:

• How does this story show that God is in control over life and death? (Don’t forget to include the woman’s barrenness and the miraculous birth of her son.)
• How does this story comfort you when it seems like life is not all right?