REALLIFE STUDY GROUP

“Marked for the Anointing”

TEXT: 1 Kings 19:19-21

In this passage of scripture, Elisha received his call to follow the mighty prophet Elijah and eventually become his successor. By looking at these few verses, we can glean several important points that will help us to move into the anointing God has for us.

STUDY GROUP QUESTIONS:

1. Learn how to plow. Notice what Elisha was doing when he received his call: he was busy doing the mundane, dirty work of plowing. He was not secluded in a tower, praying and seeking God, but going about his daily business when the call of God came.

a. Why is it necessary to learn ministry slowly and incrementally, from the bottom up?

b. Why do some Christians think they can skip this step?

c. What happens to Christians who launch into ministry before they have proven their faithfulness in the local church arena by doing unseen, often unglamorous tasks?

2. Work with a team. Elisha killed the oxen and shared the meat with the other plowmen. In other words, he was not a Lone Ranger operating apart from others. In addition, he willingly placed himself under Elijah’s guidance and authority.

a. In whatever area of influence God gives you, you will need to set the standard. People are watching you, whether they are your children, coworkers, neighbors or ministry partners. Have you ever unintentionally compromised your work for the Lord by something you said or did? What did you learn from the experience?

b. Why is it not valid for a ministry leader to say he listens only to God and not to others? Why do we all – even ministry leaders – need others to be in relationship with as we live out our God-given callings?

c. Discuss how we are affected, both good and bad, by the actions of others. What do you do when everyone else is doing something that you don’t think is right? How do you find the strength to live up to your own standards?

3. Walk in obedience. Elisha demonstrated that he was willing to pay the price and follow the call of God. He left the comfort of familiar relationships and burned his bridges so that he could not go back to his former life. He proved that he could be trusted with the call of God on his life.

a. What are some sacrifices we are sometimes called to make in order to follow the call of God on our lives? What is the greatest sacrifice you have ever had to make? Was it worth is? Share with the group.

b. Read Luke 9:62 and discuss. What happens if a person tries to straddle the fence in surrendering to God’s call on his life? Why does this never work?

c. God’s call and instruction will vary from person to person. He may not require the same thing from all His servants. Why is it harmful to assume God works with everyone in the same way at the same time? Do we sometimes grow resentful because others seem to have it easier than we do in following God? How can we keep such emotions in check?