For Sunday, January 23, 2011

Bible Study preparation for Sunday, January 23, 2011.

1) 2 Kings 5:1-7
Who was Naaman? Where was he from? What was his success? What was his weakness? What was the role of the servant girl in this story? How is God using your situation and influence to draw others to Himself? What did Naaman take with him for the journey? Why do you think he packed these things? How did the king of Israel respond to the letter?

2) 2 Kings 5:8-14
What was Elisha’s response to the king’s actions? According to Elisha, God’s prophet, what was the purpose in this entire event? Are you tearing your clothes over events God may have planned for another purpose? Pray for fresh perspective.
How did Elisha answer Naaman’s visit and request? Why? What was Naaman’s response? What do you think caused him to act this way? How well did Elisha’s remedy work?

3) 2 Kings 5:15-19
What did Naaman learn through his healing experience? What has God healed in your life? What did it teach you about God and His relationship with you? In your opinion, what were Naaman’s motives in offering the gift? Where they the same or different from his first visit to Elisha? Why wouldn’t Elisha take the gifts? Why did Naaman ask for dirt? And what request did he make? In what way was Elisha’s response to him perfectly fitting?

4) 2 Kings 5:20-27
Who was Gehazi? What was his problem? What was his attitude? How did his actions concerning the “gift” reveal his awareness of his guilt? Put yourself in Gehazi’s shoes in the moment of verse 25. What emotions and/or physical sensations do you think he felt? Have you ever had one of these moments? How did Elisha know what he had done? What were Gehazi’s consequences? Would you rate these consequences as fair or extreme?