Sunday School Lesson August 29, 2021

Subject: Lead Others to Serve

The Point: Lead others to serve God.

The Passages: 1 Kings 19:19-21, 2 Kings 2:6-14

Study The Bible: 1 Kings 19:19-21

1).  Lead others to follow and serve God.

19. Elijah left there and found Elisha son of Shaphat as he was plowing. Twelve teams of oxen were in front of him, and he was with the twelfth team. Elijah walked by him and threw his mantle over him.
20. Elisha left the oxen, ran to follow Elijah, and said, “Please let me kiss my father and mother, and then I will follow you.” “Go on back,” he replied, “for what have I done to you?”
21. So he turned back from following him, took the team of oxen, and slaughtered them. With the oxen’s wooden yoke and plow, he cooked the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he left, followed Elijah, and served him.

Lasting truths from: 1 Kings 19:19-21

* God sometimes uses other believers to help us identify our calling from God.

*  When God calls us to a task, our response should be complete surrender.

* Pursing God’s call includes both sacrifice and celebration.

2). Serve with the end in mind.

2 Kings 2:6-11

6. Elijah said to him, “Stay here; the Lord is sending me to the Jordan.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So the two of them went on.
7. Fifty men from the sons of the prophets came and stood observing them at a distance while the two of them stood by the Jordan.
8. Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water, which parted to the right and left. Then the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
9. When they had crossed over, Elijah said Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken from you.” So Elisha answered, “Please, let me inherit two shares of your spirit.”
10. Elijah replied, “You have asked for something difficult. If you see me being taken from you, you will have it. If not, you won’t.”
11. As they continued walking and talking, a chariot of fire with horses of fire suddenly appeared and separated the two of them. Then Elijah went up into heaven in the whirlwind.

Lasting truth from: 2 Kings 2:6-11

*  Wise believers find solid mentors who can teach them more about serving God.

*  God encourages us to ask for greater power to perform greater ministry for His glory.

*  Like Elisha, we should consider how our current opportunities can produce eternal benefits.

3). Serve so that the ministry is ongoing.

2 Kings 2:12-14

12. As Elisha watched, he kept crying out, “My father, my father, the chariots and horsemen of Israel!” When he could see him no longer, he took hold of his own clothes, tore them in two,
13. picked up the mantle that had fallen off Elijah, and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan.
14. He took the mantle Elijah had dropped, and he struck the water, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” he asked, He struck the water himself, and it parted to the right and the left, and Elisha crossed over.

Lasting truth from: 2 Kings 2:12-14

* In God’s economy, no leader is irreplaceable.

*  Believers should be ready to serve in every situation so effective ministry can continue.

*. God’s power is the ultimate sign God’s hand is on a leader.

Live It Out

As you reflect on this lesson respond to the following questions:

1. What would you like to see God do in your life? What is holding you back from asking Him to complete that work?
2. When have you had the chance to pick up the mantle from someone else? How did God prepare you for that transfer?
3. How does your life encourage others to follow God and serve Him? What principles from Elijah and Elisha lives can you apply in that regard?

Closing Prayer:

“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died on the cross to forgive me of my sins and rose from the dead to give me new life. I’m sorry for all the wrong I’ve done and ask You to forgive me. I now accept Your gift of eternal life. Thank You for Your love, forgiveness, and a new life in Jesus Christ. From this day forward, I choose to follow You. In Jesus’ name Amen.”