12. Never act in his benefit, but his master’s.How did all those tasks prepare Elisha and Gehazi to be good prophets?
13. Carrying out their tasks as servants correctly helped them to develop these virtues: Humbleness. Self-control. Concern about the necessities of others. Development of theirfaith. Trust in God. Leaving the self aside and serving others. … Every believer must be a servant. Jesus, as our Master, became a servant to be a model.
14. GEHAZI: A FAITHFULSERVANT Gehazi was a faithful servant to Elisha for years. He learnt through his preaching and miracles during that time. Do we use correctly the teachings of our Master while we are faithful servants of our Lord?
15. THE CHANGE OF ATTITUDE OF GEHAZI FIRST MEETING WITH THE SHUNAMMITE SECOND MEETING WITH THE SHUNAMMITE He was sensitive to the woman’s feelings. He looked for a solution to her necessities. He was insensitive to the woman’s feelings. He was unable to solve her necessities. In the years between the two meetings, Gehazi stopped worrying about his mission and started to put himself and his necessities in the centre of his thoughts.
16. “Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, had had opportunity during the years to develop the spirit of self-denial characterizing his master’s lifework. It had been his privilege to become a noble standard-bearer in the army of the Lord. The best gifts of Heaven had long been within his reach; yet, turning from these, he had coveted instead the base alloy of worldly wealth. And now the hidden longings of his avaricious spirit led him to yield to an overmastering temptation” E.G.W. (Prophets and Kings, cp. 20, pg. 250)
18. GEHAZI: A CHANGEFUTURE He could have been the next prophet of Israel, becoming co-protagonist in the divine history. Instead of that, he lived telling the great exploits of the man he served. Despite everything, he was used by God to do one more miracle: giving the Shunammite’s possessions back to her. Remember what God did for you in the past, but never forget that He will do greater things for you in the future. Live always as a faithful servant, because the Lord you serve will never disappoint you.
19. “The church of Christ is organized for service. Its watchword is ministry. Its members are soldiers, to be trained for conflict under the Captain of their salvation. Christian ministers, physicians, teachers, have a broader work than many have recognized. They are not only to minister to the people, but to teach them to minister. They should not only give instruction in right principles, but educate their hearers to impart these principles. Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessing can be retained only as it is shared” E.G.W. (The ministry of healing, cp. 9, “Teaching health principles”, pg. 148)
20. ADAPT it!Teaching Approach Effective for SMALL GROUPS ASSOCIATE truth – Why should I study this lesson?DISCOVER truth – What does the Bible say about this truth?APPLY truth – How can this truth affect my life today?PLAN using the truth – How can I use this truth today?TRANSFER truth to life – What changes do I need in my life? We invite you to download and study each one of the 13 lessons about Characters of the Old Testament Slideshare.net/chucho1943
