Between The Cloak And Chariot

“After a year of unprecedented stress, workers are also burned out and reexamining how to live their lives. People have had epiphanies over the past year. We all want to pursue life, liberty and happiness, and many of us have realized our job isn’t the best way to get there.”
- Anthony Klotz, “Welcome to the Summer Of Quitting”, LA Times

15 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram.

16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.

17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu.

18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel — all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.

19 So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him.

20 Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,” he said, “and then I will come with you.”
“Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?”

21 So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.
- 1 Kings 19:15-21

“The result of all this is that he does not know what to do with leisure… Unless a man has been taught what to do with success after getting it, the achievement of it must inevitably leave him a prey to boredom.”
- Bertrand Russell, The Conquest of Happiness

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.

14 He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. “Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.
- 2 Kings 2:8-14

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Mixer

If you had to binge watch your parents’ favorite tv show, what would it be?

‘Neighborly’ - Daily Devotional

To get the Daily Devotionals delivered to you every morning, text ‘dailydevotional’ to 97000.

1. In Middle School Director Cristina’s 6/17/21 entry, Misunderstood, she reminds us that “Jesus was in the business of redefining identities.” How are you doing with taking on your new identity as “child of God”? Still struggling with the old; tentative about the change; embracing the new? If Jesus were to dine with you today, as he did with Matthew, what do you imagine he would say to help you?
2. In Pastor Harry’s 6/18/21 entry, You’ve Got A Friend In Me, he reminds us that we all need a “wingman.” Are you one - in your family, your friendships, your work, your leisure? Do you have one, or more? What does a wingman need to be?

Sermon Questions

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:15-21, 2 Kings 2:8-14

1. What impacted you about Sunday’s message? What do you agree or disagree with?
2. Read 1 Kings 19:15-21 and 2 Kings 2:8-14. Who do you identify with more in your current season, Elisha or Elijah?
3. Where are you in understanding this: “I am not just thrown into the world, but I am called into the world by God for a purpose?”
   • Are you in the process of carrying the cloak?
   • Are you at the point of putting on the cloak?
4. How do you determine what God’s purpose for you is?
   • Crisis, Criticism, Curiosity, Cursing
   • God’s general calling (who you are supposed to be) vs God’s specific calling (the task God calls you to do) on your life?
5. You may not have the clarity of a chariot, but you have the supernatural power of the cape. Are you ready for the “graduation”?

Go Deeper - with Goodbook

Dr. Mark Strauss and Pastor Ken Ingold
Comparative World Religions
Week 4 || Session 4 || Buddhism

1. What did you learn about Buddhism that was new to you?
2. What are your thoughts on the Four Noble Truths? What “truths” do you agree with and what “truths” do you disagree with? Why?
3. In what ways is the eightfold path similar to Christianity and in what ways are they different?
4. What are the primary differences between Buddhism and Christianity? Why do these differences matter?

*Are you joining the Goodbook Q&A Zoom on Tuesday evenings? Email ken@thechurchrb.org

Serve

Grab your Table Group and join us for Good Neighbor Day on June 26! Register online or in app!

Pray

Pray for Grads everywhere this week! Whether you have a grad, know a grad, or are a grad - this prayer is for you! Heavenly Father, Giver of all Knowledge and Wisdom, and Giver of Good Things, we ask for Your special interest to be upon the students of yesterday, who are stepping into the learning and leadership of tomorrow. We love them so much and are excited to see what is next in their lives. LORD, You have specially designed each one with a specific purpose in this world, and for Your Kingdom. You have equipped them with knowledge, character, potential and passion. Help them each to know how to be students of life under Your instruction. Help them to resist the call of Babylon to pursue anything other than Your Will upon them and for them. Help them to find their voice and raise it for the good of all people everywhere - and for your Glory and Honor! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

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