“Study God’s Word”

Pray – (1/2 minute)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “. . . So they went down to Bethel. The company of the prophets at Bethel came out to Elisha and asked, ‘Do you know that the Lord is going to take your master from you today?’ ‘Yes, I know,’ Elisha replied, ‘but do not speak of it.’ Then Elijah said to him, ‘Stay here, Elisha; the Lord has sent me to Jericho.’ And he replied, ‘As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.’ ” (2 Kings 2:2c-4)
     Passage: Hebrews 5:11-6:1

Bethel was significant to Israel because it was the place where Abraham established after he had been given the covenant and blessing from God. Genesis 12:7 says, “He built an altar and called upon the name of the Lord.” Bethel was a place of worship, of listening and learning from God. When Elijah came there, he met up with a group of men who were preparing for prophetic ministry. It was a good place to be.

When a person becomes a believer, he or she needs to make a commitment to be part of worship every week and get involved in a small group for Bible Study and spiritual development. It is important for new believers to be with other believers and start their spiritual journey. However, many believers stop there. They enjoy their Bible Study group. They attend worship regularly. All that is good, but it’s not all God has for His children. Elisha could have stayed at Bethel with the other prophets, but he was determined to go on with Elijah to Jericho, where God was sending Elijah. Enjoy your Bethel place, but don’t stop there. Keep moving forward to the best God has designed for you.

Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
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Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)