Welcome to week five of our new series, Correcting Spiritual Drift. This week, Pastor Aaron Buer explains how Elisha’s response to Elijah provides four demands for us to discuss about following Jesus.
SHARE LIFE
Building healthy and life-giving relationships.
Updates
What has been new or challenging in your life since last time the group met? Spend 20–30 minutes checking in with each other.
Share Part of Your Story
Do you get into March madness? If so, what do you do?
Safe Environment
Part of a safe environment for a small group is consistency. Often Spring can be a hectic time for a group. Have a conversation about what Spring will look like for your group. When will you meet? How often? What kind of commitment will it take from you to make it work?
PURSUE GOD
Taking next steps toward Christ together.
Have someone read 1 Kings 19:19-21. What is going on here?
My Priorities
How does Elisha respond to Elijah? What action does he take? What does he say?
What were Elisha’s priorities before this encounter? What do they appear to be now?
What are some of the things we make the biggest priorities in our culture? Are those things good things or bad things?
What are some of the priorities in your life? Do you feel like they are a bigger priority in your life than God?
What are some ways we can make God the biggest priority in our life? What might that look like daily? Is there something you want to start doing?
My Identity
What does Elisha do with his farming tools? Why might this be significant?
Elisha’s identity shifts in this passage. What does his identity shift from and to?
Our identity shifts when we choose to follow Jesus. What are some places you found your identity before following Jesus? What are some of the aspects of our new identity in Jesus?
One of the biggest threats to our spiritual life is drifting back to our old identity. Why do you think that’s a significant threat?
In what areas of your life do you think you are most tempted to drift back into your old identity? What are some things you do (like “kill the cows” and “burn the plows”) to prevent that drift?
My Community
How does Elisha involve his community in his radical reorientation? What do you think this signifies?
What are some ways community in the past helped you follow Jesus? What’s the significance of baptism in the community? Have you been baptized? If not, why not?
How can your small group help hold each other accountable? What are some tangible things you can regularly do?
Are there any secret struggles you need to bring to your group for accountability?
My Heart
Does Elisha become a powerful prophet right away? About how long does he serve as Elijah’s assistant?
Pastor Aaron Buer suggested that Elisha’s years of service weren’t just preparation for greatness, but actual greatness. What do you think about that?
When you think of greatness, what comes to mind? Have someone read Matthew 20:25-28 aloud. How does Jesus define greatness?
What might greatness look like in your life?
This week, Elisha’s call shows us four demands for following Jesus. Which one of these challenges you the most? What’s one tangible step you can take to move in that area this week?
INVEST IN OTHERS
Valuing people outside the group and outside the faith.
Discuss how you and your group can better engage the people in your life outside your small group.
Relational Investment
This March, the Invest in Others section looks at relational investments. As a group, spend some time praying for each of the people you have shared about that you would like to come to know Jesus. Pray for those relationships and ask God to give you opportunities to share part of your story with them.
Download a printable PDF here.