August 2026 Bible Study

By Major Paula Wild

Bible Study: “Elijah, Elisha & the God Who Revives”

Focus: God Strengthens Us to Endure Hardship

Scripture: Hebrews 11:34b-38

Main Passages: 1 Kings 17:8–24 & 2 Kings 4:1–37

In 1 Kings 17, God sends the prophet Elijah to deliver a message to King Ahab during a severe drought brought on by Israel’s disobedience. As Elijah travels, God provides for his needs and directs him to a widow living in Zarephath. When Elijah arrives, the widow explains that she only has enough flour and oil to prepare one final meal for herself and her son before they expect to die of starvation. Elijah tells her that if she prepares a meal for him first, her jar of flour and jug of oil will not run dry. The widow obeys Elijah’s instructions and, just as he said, God miraculously provides for them—the flour and oil never run out until rain finally returns to the land.

Sometime later, the widow’s son becomes seriously ill and dies. In great sorrow, she turns to Elijah. Elijah takes the boy, carries him to the upper room, and lays him on the bed. He stretches himself out over the child three times and cries out to God, pleading for the child’s life to return. God hears Elijah’s prayer, and the boy is revived. When Elijah brings the child back to his mother, she declares with certainty that Elijah is truly a man of God and that the word of the Lord from his mouth is true.

In 2 Kings 4, we find similar stories involving Elisha, the prophetic successor to Elijah. After Elijah is taken up to heaven, Elisha continues his ministry with God’s power upon him.

The first account involves a widow whose husband had died, leaving her in debt. Creditors were coming to take her two sons as payment. Desperate, she goes to Elisha for help. Elisha asks her what she has in her house. She replies that she has only a small jar of oil. Elisha tells her to borrow as many empty containers as she can from her neighbors. Then, she is to pour oil from her jar into the empty vessels. She does exactly as instructed, and miraculously, the oil continues to flow until every container is full. Elisha then tells her to sell the oil, pay off her debts, and live on what remains.

The second story centers around a woman in the town of Shunem. She and her husband had shown great kindness to Elisha by offering him food and a place to stay whenever he passed through. As a gesture of gratitude, Elisha prophesies that she will give birth to a son, even though she had been unable to have children. The following year, just as Elisha said, she gives birth to a son.

Years later, the boy becomes suddenly ill while working in the field and dies. In anguish, the woman travels to Mount Carmel to find Elisha. When she reaches him, she pours out her grief. Elisha returns with her to Shunem. He goes to the boy’s room, prays to God, and stretches himself over the child—placing his mouth on the boy’s mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on the boy’s hands. He gets up, walks around, and repeats the process. Suddenly, the boy sneezes seven times and opens his eyes. God, through Elisha, revives the child.

Opening Prayer

“Lord, open our hearts to hear from You. Help us to see how You provide, revive, and strengthen us through every trial. May the examples of Elijah and Elisha inspire us to trust You fully, no matter how desperate our circumstances. Amen.”

Introduction: A God Who Sees and Revives

Hardship has a way of stripping us down to the rawest places of faith. It often feels like God is far away—but Scripture tells a different story. Through the ministries of Elijah and Elisha, we see that God is not distant in our distress. He sees, He provides, and—most powerfully—He revives.

Read: 1 Kings 17:8–24

Background:
King Ahab led Israel into idolatry, provoking God’s judgment through a drought. In the midst of this national crisis, God cared for His people—especially those who trusted Him.

Key Moments to Highlight:

• God provides for Elijah through a Gentile widow (vs. 8–16)
• The miraculous provision of flour and oil never running dry (vs. 14-16)
• The widow’s son dies, and Elijah intercedes (vs. 17–21)
• God listens to Elijah’s cry and brings the boy back to life (v. 22)

Spiritual Insights:

• God works through obedience—even when instructions don’t make sense.
• Provision and revival often follow faith in the impossible.
• God responds to heartfelt, persistent prayer.
• Through hardship, the widow moved from despair to deeper faith: “Now I know you are a man of God” (v. 24).

Read: 2 Kings 4:1–7 & 2 Kings 4:8–37

Story 1 – A Widow in Debt (vv. 1–7):

• She had nothing but a jar of oil.
• Elisha asks her to borrow as many empty containers as possible.
• As she pours, the oil does not stop flowing until every jar is full.
• She sells the oil, pays her debts, and lives off the rest.

Story 2 – The Shunammite Woman’s Miracle Son (vv. 8–37):

• She offers hospitality to Elisha and receives a promise of a child.
• Her son later dies unexpectedly.
• She travels in faith and desperation to Elisha.
• Elisha stretches himself over the child and prays.
• God revives the boy, confirming His power and faithfulness.

Spiritual Insights:

• God often starts with what we already have, even if it seems small.
• Miracles follow faithful obedience, even in our lack.
• God honors generosity, persistence, and bold faith.
• The process of revival can be personal, close, and deeply spiritual.

God Strengthens Us to Endure Hardship

In both Elijah and Elisha’s stories, God enters the story when people are at the end of themselves. He reveals Himself as:

• Provider – In scarcity, God meets real needs.
• Sustainer – In prolonged hardship, His provision endures.
• Restorer – Even when something dies—dreams, hope, relationships—God revives.
• Strength-Giver – He empowers His people to endure, act, and trust.

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you ever felt like you were down to your “last jar of oil” spiritually, emotionally, or financially? What did you learn about God in that season?
2. What role does obedience play in receiving God’s provision in both stories?
3. Why do you think both prophets were instructed to physically engage with the boys (laying on them, praying over them)? What might that teach us about compassion and persistence?
4. How can we hold on to faith when we don’t see immediate answers to our prayers?
5. Who do you relate to most in these stories—Elijah, Elisha, the widows, or the mothers?

Personal Application:

Reflect:

• What hardship are you currently walking through that feels like a dead end?
• Where might God be inviting you to trust Him with something small?
• Are you praying boldly and persistently for revival—in yourself or others?

Respond:

• Take time this week to “gather jars”—prepare room for God to work.
• Choose one area of lack and ask God to meet you there.
• Pray persistently over something that feels “dead” and ask God to breathe life into it.

Closing Encouragement

God is still the God who revives. Whether you’re in a season of drought, debt, or deep grief—He is present. He may not always answer as we expect, but His power has not changed. Trust Him in the waiting, in the praying, and in the pouring out.