Text Study for Sunday, November 8, 2026
Series Theme: People and Promise
Reading: Reading: 2 Kings 5:8-15a
CONNECTING QUESTIONS
What is one thing you wish could be healed in life or your world?
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Loving God, by covenant promise and enduring mercy you have joined us to yourself forever. By your Spirit may we join with all your faithful people in trust and hope, through Jesus Christ, our true King, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
CONTEXT
Our sermon series, People And Promise will focus on the ways God shows up!
Throughout history, God’s people have celebrated God’s goodness and trusted in God’s mercy. However, God’s people have also fallen short of what God desires, leaving behind suffering and pain. Scripture reminds us that God still loves and claims us! Just as God met people of the Old Testament where they were and worked through them to fulfill God's promise. A promise to be in relationship, to be life affirming, to defend, especially to remain with us even when we stray. God is with us today, in the joys and struggles, praise be to God!
From Dr Rachel Wren at EntertheBible.org:
Second Kings uses the history of the kings of Judah and Israel to explain the destruction of Jerusalem to those experiencing exile in Babylon in the hopes that they might gain a new self-understanding. It is a story of the monarchy’s failure and deserved judgment. But it is also a story of God’s unrelenting commitment to his people through divine words of hope, judgment, summons, and warning, as God seeks to maintain God’s covenantal relationship with the people. We, too, need to hear that a patient and merciful God awaits our response and listens to our prayers.
LOOK AT THE BOOK
How is it with your spirit this week?
What was one take-away from listening to the Carry On Cast podcast that connects with this Grow Guide?
Open to 2 Kings 5. Elijah’s successor, Elisha, now comes on the scene. In Chapter five, verse one, whom does Elisha meet and what do we learn about him?
What is the problem in this story? Ritual purity laws in Jewish culture meant some people were in and some people were out of the community. What would this mean for Naaman?
Jump to verse eight. How is Elisha described in verse eight? What do you think that means?
What does it mean to “rend your garments?” Why would you intentionally tear your clothing?
What does it mean that Naaman came to Elisha’s home given that he is a great warrior?
In verse ten, how does Elisha respond to Naaman’s visit?
What is asked of Naaman? How did Naaman respond? Does he do it? Why or why not?
What does Naaman’s story point out about human beings?
Why were people sometimes angry with Jesus when he healed people?
Jump to Mark 3:1-6. What do you learn about Jesus here?
How is Jesus good news for us this week?
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?
TAKING IT HOME
What is one thing to consider being less stubborn about this week?
Sending Prayer
O God, you made us in your image and send us into the world you so love by your Spirit’s power. As you have called all people to you, make us one in your name. Through your grace, let us live in community to the glory of your Son, for we pray in Christ’s holy name. Amen.