Dead End Desperation Week 2

When we give our lives to Christ, everything changes. He gives us salvation, hope, peace, and so much more. He also gives us gifts and talents, so He can use us to make a difference. When we leverage our gifts and talents for Him, we have the opportunity to have a significant impact. We have to decide, however, if we will use these gifts and talents to point people to Christ or keep them to ourselves. Today we will look at the story of Elisha, a man who understood the impact He could have for God and asked for even greater opportunities to make a difference in his world.

BREAK THE ICE

Who is someone who has had a lasting impact on your life? How?

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

Bible Study Questions

 1. What things distract us from leveraging our time and talents for Christ?

WATCH SERMON RECAP

2. Read 2 Kings 2:1-6. What is significant about this interaction between Elijah and Elisha?

 2 Kings 2:1-6

"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."

3. Read 2 Kings 2:7-13. What did Elisha ask for in these verses?

2 Kings 2:7-13

"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.

9 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.”

11 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.

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

4. Describe Elijah’s departure. What did this mean for Elisha?

Application

1. Do you often think about the impact you could have on the world? Why or why not?

2. What are areas in your life where you have influence? How can you honor God in these areas?

3. If you could ask for a “double portion of God’s Spirit,” how might God bless your life and ministry?

MOVING FORWARD

Just like Elisha, we, too, can have a profound impact for Christ. We can follow his example by boldly asking God for an even more significant influence and impact for Him. Spend the next few minutes sharing how you can impact this week. When everyone is finished, pray together. Ask God to give you all a “double portion,” more opportunities to have an impact for Him.

GOING DEEPER

Asking for a double portion is a big responsibility. This double portion is more than we can carry on our own. Therefore, we need God’s help. One of the ways we ask God for help when He gives us a double portion is through fasting. Fasting acknowledges that we need help and challenges us to turn to prayer. It acknowledges that we are weak, but God is strong, and His power is strong through us. Let’s take a few minutes to understand what fasting is and the times to fast.

Definition of Fasting:

Before we go over fasting, let’s get an understanding of what fasting is. Fasting is abstaining from food (or something else that takes up a portion of our time and attention every day) for a set amount of time and praying instead. Fasting allows us to focus on prayer and what God might be saying to us.

Fast During Big Decisions:

 Fasting is always wise during moments of big decisions. When we need God’s wisdom and help, fasting from food or something else that might distract us helps us to focus on God and what He might be trying to show us. So we see in the book of Acts that Paul and Barnabas fasted when they had to make big decisions.

1. Read Acts 14:23.
2. Why did Paul and Barnabas fast in this verse?
3. Why is fasting helpful during moments of big decisions?
4. What big decision do you need to make currently where fasting would be helpful?

Fasting Before Taking Big Steps:

There are times when God calls us to take big steps of faith. In times like this, fasting is an important step to take to focus on God and ask for His help and courage to obey Him. Esther did this when she knew she needed to stand up for God’s people by taking a bold, risky step.

1. Individually read Esther 4:1-17, then come back together.
2. Why did Esther and her maids fast?
3. Describe the intensity of Esther’s situation.
4. Is there a big step God is calling you to take where fasting would be helpful for you?

Fasting to Confess Sin:

Another time fasting is helpful is when we realize sin in our lives or when God reveals a particular sin in our lives. Fasting allows us to confess sin, turn away from it, and tell God we are sorry for our sin. It also allows us to focus on God and His kingdom instead of sin. The Ninevites knew this and fasted and prayed when they realized their sin.

1. Read Jonah 3:3-5.
2. Describe the Ninevites’ response when they were called out for their sin.
3. What did the Ninevites’ response to fasting reveal about their attitudes toward their sin?
4. Do you find yourself responding to sin in the same way? Why or why not?

Challenge:

Let’s practice fasting together this week. As a group, pick a timeframe for when and how long you want to fast. Then think about what you want to fast from during this timeframe and share with your group what you will fast from. Remember to spend time in prayer as you fast. Next week, when you come back together, talk about your experience fasting and what God showed you through your time fasting and praying. This is an incredible opportunity to grow spiritually by engaging in fasting along with your group.

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