2 Kings 2–7

Share a scenario like the following with students, and invite them to discuss the question:

• What words or advice could you share to support your friend?

Invite students as they study 2 Kings 2–4 to look for truths that can inspire them to support those the Lord calls as His prophets.

Explain that the Lord revealed to Elijah that Elisha would succeed him as a prophet (see 1 Kings 19:16, 19). Elisha knew that the Lord would soon take Elijah from the earth (2 Kings 2:1–3). On Elijah’s final day, Elisha followed Elijah from city to city until they arrived at the Jordan River.

Invite students to study 2 Kings 2:8–14, looking for how the Lord helped Elisha. (If students need help understanding the symbolism of these verses, invite them to read the entries for 2 Kings 2:9–10 and 2 Kings 2:12–13 in Scripture Helps: Old Testament.)

Consider asking questions like the following to help students share their insights from these verses:

• How do you think Elisha may have felt when Elijah was taken up into heaven?

• What about this experience might have brought Elisha comfort or confidence?

• What do you think Elisha and the others present learned about the Lord through this experience? (Students may use different words, but help them to identify this truth: The Lord gives power and authority to those He calls as His prophets.)

Explain that the Lord gave Elisha power and authority to perform many miracles. Display the following scripture references and the accompanying questions. Encourage students to choose one or more sets of verses to study and take notes on what they learn. They could use the questions to guide their note-taking. (This could be a helpful place to introduce the skill “Taking Meaningful Notes” in Scripture Study Skills.)

• 2 Kings 2:7–8, 14–15 (Parting the Jordan River)

• 2 Kings 2:19–22 (Healing the waters)

• 2 Kings 4:1–7 (Multiplying the oil)

• 2 Kings 4:8–17 (Childless woman conceives)

• 2 Kings 4:18–21, 32–37 (Child raised to life)

• 2 Kings 4:38–41 (Poisonous food made harmless)

• 2 Kings 4:42–44 (Bread and grain multiplied)

• What do you think the people learned about Elisha from what occurred?

• What does this account help you understand or feel about the Lord?

After students have had sufficient time to study and write down their thoughts, you could invite them to share insights with the class or with another student. Explain that today, God’s prophets direct His miraculous latter-day work as they preside over the Church. You might then ask:

• What evidence have you seen that the Lord is with His prophets today?

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

Consider discussing the following experience shared by Elder L. Whitney Clayton, an emeritus member of the Seventy, along with the accompanying questions:

12:46

A few years ago, I spoke with a young bishop who was spending hours each week counseling with members of his ward. He made a striking observation. The problems that members of his ward faced, he said, were those faced by Church members everywhere—issues such as how to establish a happy marriage; struggles with balancing work, family, and Church duties; challenges with the Word of Wisdom, with employment, or with pornography; or trouble gaining peace about a Church policy or historical question they didn’t understand.

His counsel to ward members very often included getting back to simple practices of faith, such as studying the Book of Mormon, … paying tithing, and serving in the Church with devotion. Frequently, however, their response to him was one of skepticism: “I don’t agree with you, Bishop. We all know those are good things to do. We talk about those things all the time in the Church. But I’m not sure you’re understanding me. What does doing any of those things have to do with the issues I’m facing?” (“Whatsoever He Saith unto You, Do It,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 98)

• What assumptions do you think the individuals in Elder Clayton’s account may have been making about the counsel they received?

• Why do you think the bishop offered the counsel that he did?

Invite students to think about how important it is for them to engage in “simple practices of faith” in their efforts to follow Jesus Christ. Encourage them as they study to look for truths that can help them better understand the importance of following the Savior in simple ways.

Explain that 2 Kings 5 contains an account of Naaman, the Syrian captain who sought help from the prophet Elisha. Invite students to read 2 Kings 5:1, looking for details about Naaman. Then consider asking:

• What did you notice about Naaman and his situation?

Invite students to read 2 Kings 5:2–15, looking for what happened to Naaman. Consider asking questions like the following to help students share their insights from these verses:

• How did Naaman initially respond to Elisha’s counsel? When have you seen similar responses to direction from God or His servants?

You could remind students of the story about the young bishop from the start of the learning activity. Read the rest of the story together.

12:46

Over time, that young bishop and I have observed that those who are deliberate about doing the “small and simple things” [Alma 37:6]—obeying in seemingly little ways—are blessed with faith and strength that go far beyond the actual acts of obedience themselves and, in fact, may seem totally unrelated to them. It may seem hard to draw a connection between the basic daily acts of obedience and solutions to the big, complicated problems we face. But they are related. In my experience, getting the little daily habits of faith right is the single best way to fortify ourselves against the troubles of life, whatever they may be. Small acts of faith, even when they seem insignificant or entirely disconnected from the specific problems that vex us, bless us in all we do. (“Whatsoever He Saith Unto You, Do It,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 98)

You could invite students to summarize in their own words a truth they learned from Naaman’s experience and Elder Clayton’s story that would be meaningful for young adults to understand. Students may use other words, but help them identify truths like these: Obedience to the Lord requires us to be humble. As we humbly obey the Lord’s simple instructions, He will bless us.

Invite students to list on the board some small and simple invitations or instructions that the Lord has given them. They could include teachings from the scriptures or invitations from general or local Church leaders.

After some ideas have been listed, consider inviting students to discuss the following questions with a partner or small group:

• What are some reasons why some people might ignore these invitations or instructions?

• What difference can following these invitations make in our relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

Ask various students to share their insights with the rest of the class. As part of this discussion, consider sharing the following statement from Sister Tracy Y. Browning of the Primary General Presidency:

One significant caution from Naaman’s account is that resisting obedience to God’s laws and commandments may prolong or delay our growth. We are blessed to have Jesus Christ as our Master Healer. Our obedience to God’s laws and commandments can open the way for our Savior to provide the understanding and healing He knows we need, according to His prescribed treatment plan for us. (“Seeking Answers to Spiritual Questions,” Liahona, Nov. 2024, 82)

You could invite a few students to share examples of how the Lord has blessed them as they have followed instructions like the ones listed on the board.

After sufficient time, ask students to choose a small and simple invitation from the list on the board they feel they could act on. Encourage them to write down how they plan to improve their obedience to God in that area.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

Invite students to identify challenges that young adults commonly face. You could ask a member of the class to write the students’ responses on the board. Then consider asking:

• What are some of the thoughts or feelings people might experience when they face these challenges?

• What can be helpful to remember when we experience challenges like these?

Invite students to think of a personal challenge they or a loved one are facing. Encourage them as they study to be sensitive to promptings of the Spirit that can help in this situation.

Explain that during the prophet Elisha’s ministry, the Northern Kingdom of Israel and Syria were at war. Invite students to study 2 Kings 6:8–12, looking for what frustrated the Syrian king. (It may be helpful to point out that “the man of God” mentioned in verses 9–10 was Elisha.) Consider asking:

• What advantage did the Kingdom of Israel have over the Syrian army?

Invite students to read 2 Kings 6:13–17, looking for what happened when the Syrian king brought an army to capture Elisha. Encourage students to mark words and phrases that stand out as they read. To help students share their insights, you could ask a question like the following:

• What lessons do you think Elisha’s servant learned that might be relevant for young adults today? (Students may identify a truth like this: God’s power is greater than any opposition we might face. The Lord can help us recognize His help and protection in our lives.)

Consider inviting students to find scriptures that illustrate how the Lord is involved in our lives. For example, students could study some of the following verses: Isaiah 41:10; Mosiah 24:13–15; Doctrine and Covenants 38:7; 84:88. Invite them to share their insights with a partner or small group.

You might discuss the following statements by President Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency and Sister Michelle D. Craig, formerly of the Young Women General Presidency:

Like that servant of Elisha, there are more with you than those you can see opposed to you. Some who are with you will be invisible to your mortal eyes. The Lord will bear you up and will at times do it by calling others to stand with you. (Henry B. Eyring, “O Ye That Embark,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 58)

There may be times when you, like the servant, find yourself struggling to see how God is working in your life—times when you feel under siege—when the trials of mortality bring you to your knees. Wait and trust in God and in His timing, because you can trust His heart with all of yours. But there is a second lesson here. My dear sisters and brothers, you too can pray for the Lord to open your eyes to see things you would not normally see. (Michelle D. Craig, “Eyes to See,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 15)

• What difference do you think recognizing the Lord’s help and protection can make in our lives?

• What has helped you see the Lord’s involvement in your life?

Testify of the truths you have discussed today. Encourage students to look for evidence of the Lord’s involvement in their lives over the next few days. You could follow up with students in a future class and invite them to share their experiences.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”