Guide 5/23/10

I Got The Power

2 Kings 6:8-22

Week of 5/23/10

Getting Started

This section of Scripture deals with having a 180-degree change of perspective. What’s a food that you once loved and now hate, or you once hated but now you love?

Digging Deeper

What did you take away from this past Sunday’s message?

Read verses 8-12. Elisha possesses the ability to know things and see things that most people don’t. Reading over 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, do you think that some of the gifts listed may include something similar to what Elisha possessed? Why or why not?

For further consideration, consult the first three messages on the general topic by Wayne Grudem - HERE

In verse 16 – 17, Elisha helps to give perspective to the servant. How does godly counsel help to change our perspective of challenge? How does ungodly counsel also influence how we view things?

Psalm 1; Pro.12:15;13:10;27:9.

In verse 17, Elisha prays for his servant to see the crisis from the proper perspective. What are some of the ways that prayer helps to give us a proper assessment of our problems? If you had to counsel someone on what to pray and how to pray in their difficulties, what would you say?

Prayer is in some way, inserting God into a circumstance; the exercised dependence on God.

Compare verse 17 with Ephesians 1:17-23. How does a rich understanding of the three truths of the gospel listed in Ephesians 1:17-23 empower us to live life well?

Read Psalm 119:18, in this prayer, someone is asking for their eyes to be opened? What is it that they want to see? Is that a good request? Why?

Read Numbers 22:31. When Balaam’s eyes were opened, what did He see? In both 2 Kings and Numbers 22, people needed their eyes opened to see angelic activity. Do you think angelic activity is common, or uncommon. Why?

In verses 21-22 Elisha leads the King to deal graciously with the Aramean army. What are some of the ways that we vent our stresses on people and circumstances when we don’t view them from God’s perspective? How does having God’s perspective on people and circumstances change how we handle them? Give some examples from your life.

In verse 23, Israel’s gracious actions towards the army resulted in the Arameans ceasing from raiding Israel’s territory. What’s the broader Biblical principle illustrated there. Can you think of other passages that describe this principle?

Romans 12:17-21 ¹⁷ Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. ¹⁹ Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY," says the Lord. ²⁰ "BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD." ²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Putting it Into Practice

If God could open you eyes in one way, or one area, or one decision, what would it be?

Consider that it was Elisha’s prayer that gave his servant perspective. Is there anyone in your life who needs your prayer to help him or her in their time of trouble?