NASHVILLE (BP) – This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, Lifeway publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.
This week’s Bible study is adapted from The Gospel Project curriculum.
Bible Passage: 2 Kings 4
Discussion Questions:
- How do faith in Jesus’ resurrection and hope for the future resurrection impact your life?
- Knowing that God has the authority to defeat death, how should we approach death?
- How will the hope of the resurrection motivate you to action this week?
Food for Thought:
Death is a product of a broken, sinful world. All life dies at some point, and that can be tragic and lead to hopelessness. But as believers who trust in Jesus, we know death is not the end. We know that God has the power to overcome death. And for now, as our physical bodies pass away, our spiritual souls live on forever with the Lord. This point is brought to life in the narrative about Elisha and the Shunammite woman’s son.
In 2 Kings 4:18-20, we read that the Shunammite woman’s son felt sick and died. This is a very odd occurrence because in the verses before, 8-17, Elisha had just pronounced a blessing on her to have a son even in her old age, because of her hospitality to him. Why would he grant her a son just to have him die?
But the woman’s faith stands out. She immediately knew that she had to seek the Lord through Elisha, the man of God. She took a servant and hurried to find Elisha, knowing that God is the God of impossibilities. He is a God Who has the power to overcome death.
When the Shunammite woman reached Elisha, she expressed her confusion and sorrow. Elisha therefore sent his servant Gehazi ahead of him to place Elisha’s staff on the boy’s face. Gehazi obeyed as the woman walked after him, with Elisha following. Gehazi and the staff didn’t seem to do anything. But when Elisha arrived, the first thing he did was pray to the Lord. James 5:16 reminds us, “The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect” (CSB). Elisha then lay on top of the dead boy and the boy’s body warmed. Elisha got up from the bed, paced around and lay on the boy again. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. His mother entered the room with humble gratitude for her son’s renewed life.
Nothing is too difficult for God. He is sovereign over all things. He resurrects life and renews life in sinners like us. Because of Jesus’ own death and resurrection, we can be assured that He has overpowered death. “Where, death, is your victory? Where, death, is your sting?” as 1 Corinthians 15:55 states. No longer do we need to fear death. It has no victory over us. God has given us new, eternal life. God has resurrection power.
The Gospel Project
The Gospel Project is a chronological, Christ-centered study for kids, students and adults. The Bible is not a collection of stories. It is one story of God’s plan to rescue His people from sin and death. It is the story of redemption, the gospel message of Jesus Christ. More information can be found at Lifeway.com/gospelproject.
Related posts:
The Authority of the Bible 
LifeWay celebrates new headquarters in Nashville God the Son ~ His Redeeming Work on the Cross 
SBC DIGEST: GuideStone announces new chief insurance officer; LifeWay camps provide free digital worship experiences 
FIRST-PERSON: Peace that floods our hearts God’s Son ~ Born of a Woman 
FIRST-PERSON: What the Bible is & why it matters 
SBC DIGEST: IMB 2021 stats; First baptism among people group; Lifeway, B&H Español awards
