F-260 2 Kings 6:1-23 An Axhead Floats - 2 Kings 6:1-7 When have you felt the sinking feeling that comes with losing or damaging someone else’s property? What do you think you would enjoy or loathe about being involved in a church building project? Why is the presence and attention of the leader such an encouragement to the people working under him or her? Why did the prophets want to build a new community living and meeting space? (6:1-2) What hesitations, if any, did Elisha have about the proposed building project? (6:2) What did the prophets want from Elisha? (6:3) What building material was chosen by the prophets? (6:4) What accident befell one of the workers? (6:5) Why was the worker especially distressed about the loss of an axhead? (6:5) From what material was the axhead made that was used to cut down trees? (6:5) To whom did the younger prophet turn when he found himself in a predicament? (6:5) What question did Elisha ask the prophet who had lost the axhead? (6:6) What strange action did Elisha take at the place where the axhead dropped? (6:6) What miraculous occurrence followed when Elisha threw the stick in the river? (6:6) What command did Elisha issue when the axhead floated up? (6:7) How did the potentially disastrous incident of the lost axhead end? (6:7) In your opinion to what extent were the setbacks in the building project a result of someone’s disobedience? What was a common practice of groups of “prophets” in Elisha’s day? Why did the prophets who followed Elisha need more room? What did the prophets want from Elisha besides his “go-ahead.” What is good or bad about having your immediate boss oversee your work? What is the most responsible way to handle the situation if you lose or damage someone else’s property? How was Elisha’s presence important to the miracle of the axhead floating? Why is faith the believer’s most important tool when beginning a project? What project of concern to you could benefit from the presence of an older and wiser member? How? What borrowed item do you need to return to its owner in good condition this week? Elisha Traps Blinded Arameans - 2 Kings 6:8-23 What can inside information about the enemy do for a fighting force? When is the spread of secrets or confidences alarming or dangerous? What two kingdoms were at war? (6:8) Who was making the decisions about the movement of the troops of Aram? (6:8) How was the king of Israel avoiding the king of Aram again and again? (6:9-10) How did the king of Aram assume the enemy was getting privileged information? (6:11) What did one of the officers tell the king of Aram about his “security leak”? (6:12) Where did the king of Aram catch up to Elisha? (6:13-14) What was the reaction of Elisha’s servant when he saw the army of Aram surrounding the city? (6:15) Why was Elisha not alarmed by what the servant reported? (6:16) What did Elisha ask God to show his servant? (6:17) What did Elisha ask God to do to the force that was closing in on him? (6:18) With their perception altered, what was Elisha able to do with the army that had come after him? (6:19) Once he had led them to Samaria, what did Elisha ask God to show the Arameans? (6:20) When the king of Israel saw his enemies at his mercy, how did he propose to seize the day? (6:21) To what ethic of warfare did Elisha appeal when he ordered the king to spare the prisoners? (6:22) What was done for the Arameans who found themselves at Israel’s mercy? (6:23) How did the war between Aram and Israel go after this incident? (6:23) What advantage did Israel have in its conflict with Aram? What negative consequences can issue from a breach of confidence? Why was Elisha not alarmed about a whole army seeking to capture him? What was the purpose of the blindness that God brought on the Arameans? What are the advantages and disadvantages of military versus divine help? How can mercy for one’s enemies show greater strength than vengeance? What problem might seem less intimidating if you asked God for His help and intervention? How can you monitor your intentions and behavior so you don’t betray the people who confide in you?