No one enjoys being interrupted. Whether you are telling a story and are interrupted mid-story, or you are working hard on a task and are interrupted by someone asking for help, interruptions are almost always inconvenient and frustrating. We are beginning a brand-new series about a man named Elisha whose entire life was interrupted when God placed a call on his life to become a prophet. His response showed incredible faith and willingness to leave everything behind.
BREAK THE ICE
When are you most likely to get interrupted?
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
Bible Study Questions
1. When are times being interrupted can be a good thing?
WATCH SERMON RECAP
2. Read 1 Kings 19:19-21. In what circumstances was Elisha found? Is he who you would have expected to be the next prophet?
1 Kings 19:19-21
"So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. 20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,” he said, “and then I will come with you.” “Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?” 21 So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant."
"So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. 20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,” he said, “and then I will come with you.”
“Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?”
21 So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant."
3. What stands out to you about Elisha’s response?
4. Read Matthew 25:29. What does this verse teach us about how we live our lives?
Matthew 25:29
"For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them."
Application
1. Do you feel like you are being faithful in the little things of life? What is going well? What needs improvement?
2. Is there something God is calling you to do that requires a sacrifice? What is it?
3. Jesus left everything behind for you. What have you left behind in following Him?
MOVING FORWARD
Sometimes we need a reminder that the way we spend our time matters. As a group, commit to memorizing Matthew 25:29. Let this verse remind you that we are all called to be faithful with what we have been given and that God rewards our faithfulness.
GOING DEEPER
Elisha was certainly not the only person who had his life interrupted. There were many people in Scripture who God called out of their ordinary lives, left their lives behind, and sacrificed for Him. Today we will look at several of these people and learn from their responses.
Noah:
God came to Noah with a strange command that shifted life as he knew it. When many would have had questions and doubts, Noah simply obeyed. He obeyed even when the rest of the watching world would have thought he was out of his mind. He believed God would send a flood when there was no evidence that this flood was coming. Yet, his faith in God was unwavering.
Abraham:
God interrupted Abraham’s life with instruction that completely changed His life. The calling required much sacrifice, but the promised reward was far greater than anything he would have to give up.
Jesus’ Disciples:
Jesus’ call to His first disciples completely interrupted their lives. He came to them and issued the invitation of a lifetime without much detail. Then, they had to decide how they would respond to this invitation.
Reflect:
Noah, Abraham, and Jesus’ first disciples all needed faith to trust God when He gave commands with little detail that required sacrifices. They had faith that God was who he said He was and that His plan was better than their own. Hebrews 11:4 says, “And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to Him must believe that God exists and that He rewards those who sincerely seek Him.”
After everyone has shared, pray together. Pray that God would give you all increased faith in His plan and the courage to follow His call no matter what.
MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. Romans 8:28
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