Groups Discussion Guide
Read Scripture. Go Deeper. Ask Questions. Take Action.
We Are Not Alone
Scripture
When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.
“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Main Idea
When Elisha's servant panicked at an enemy army, he saw only what was in front of him, while Elisha knew a heavenly host surrounded them. Scripture is full of angels, real created beings actively involved in the purposes of God. Because they are, we are not alone in three ways:
- We Are Not Alone in Our Worship: angels behold God clearly and respond with worship, giving us a pattern to follow.
- We Are Not Alone in Our Warfare: real spiritual conflict surrounds us, and angels are engaged in the battle alongside us.
- We Are Not Alone in Our Work: God sends angels to help those who receive salvation, though only we can preach the gospel.
Angels are not just spectators watching human history unfold. They are actively involved in the purposes of God.
Discussion Questions
- When Elisha's servant first looked out, he saw only the enemy army and was terrified. Where in your own life do you tend to see only the natural threat and forget the help God has around you?
- Pastor Justin said that most of the battles we face are spiritual and not merely emotional, relational, or circumstantial. How would seeing your struggles that way change the way you pray?
- Angels worship because they see God clearly, and Scripture says joy comes when we behold Jesus accurately. What helps you see God more clearly, and how does that shape your own worship?
- One job God has given us that angels cannot do is preach the gospel. Who is one person in your life God may be sending you to tell about Jesus?
Summary
In 2 Kings 6, an army surrounds Elisha and his servant panics, seeing only the horses and chariots arrayed against them. Elisha prays that his servant's eyes would open, and the young man sees the hills full of horses and chariots of fire. Both men saw an army, but one saw only the natural threat while the other knew a heavenly host stood guard. Scripture mentions angels in 34 of its 66 books, far more than it mentions marriage, faith, or baptism. These are real created beings, not the winged figures of pop culture, and they are actively involved in whatever God is doing.
Because angels are engaged in God's purposes, we are not alone. We are not alone in our worship, since angels behold God clearly and delight to praise Him, and we who have received His salvation have even more reason to respond. We are not alone in our warfare, since real spiritual conflict surrounds us, and knowing this frees us to pray instead of scramble to fix everything on our own. We are not alone in our work, because God sends angels to guide, protect, and strengthen those who will receive salvation. Yet one task belongs to us alone: preaching the gospel. Expect God's help, keep praying, and keep telling others the good news that only we can share.
Take Action
- Before you try to fix a hard situation this week, name it as a spiritual battle and bring it to God in prayer first.
- Read 2 Kings 6:15-17 slowly this week, asking God to open your eyes to the help He has placed around you.
- Tell one person this week about who Jesus is and what He has done, sharing the good news only you can share.
