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When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.”     2 Kings 2:9

So Elijah went and found Elisha son of Shaphat plowing a field.  There were twelve teams of oxen in the field, and Elisha was plowing with the twelfth team. Elijah went over to [Elisha] and threw his cloak across his shoulders and then walked away. 1 Kings 19:19

Elijah went up to [Elisha] and threw his cloak around him. 1 Kings 19:19 NIV

Elisha left the oxen standing there, ran after Elijah, and said to him, “First let me go and kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you!” … 1 Kings 19:20

Spiritual maturity closes the time-gap between God’s 
 command and our obediance.

“… I will go with you!” … 1 Kings 19:20

So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant. 1 Kings 19:21 NLT

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.  James 5:16

Discussion Questions:

Elisha was doing ordinary, repetitive work when God called him. Where does your life feel like “the same row, the same field” right now?

The message said, “God often chooses the one at the back of the line.” Have you ever felt overlooked, undervalued, or behind? How does knowing that God sees differently than people change your perspective?

Elisha did not receive a complete plan before he obeyed. Why do we often want God to explain everything before we say yes? Where might God be asking you to trust Him without having all the details?

What plow do you need to burn so you can fully follow Jesus?

Complete this sentence:  If I truly believed God has a calling bigger than the field I’m standing in, I would 

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A problem is a great thing,  if it drives you to depends on God.

So the king of Israel set out with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. After a roundabout march of seven days, the army had no more water for themselves or for the animals with them. “What!” exclaimed the king of Israel. “Has the Lord called us three kings together only to deliver us into the hands of Moab?” 2 Kings 3:9-10

 But Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, through whom we may inquire of the Lord?” An officer of the king of Israel answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.” Jehoshaphat said, “The word of the Lord is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to [Elisha]. 2 Kings 3:11-12

Elisha said, “As surely as the Lord Almighty lives, whom I serve, if I did not have respect for the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not pay any attention to you. But now bring me a harpist.” 2 Kings 3:14-15

Focus on the Presence of God.

See the Power of God.

Tune in to the Voice of God.

Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the Lord came upon [Elisha]. And he said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Make this valley full of ditches.’” 2 Kings 3:15-16 NKJV

For this is what the Lord says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink.  This is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord; he will also deliver Moab into your hands. 2 Kings 3:17-18

God can send the Water
,  but He asks you to dig a Ditch.

The next day at about the time when the morning sacrifice was offered, water suddenly appeared! It was flowing from the direction of Edom, and soon there was water everywhere. 2 Kings 3:20 NLT

Discussion Questions:

When things don't go according to plan, what is your first response: worry, trying to fix everything yourself, or turning to God?

Pastor Sean talked about having a "worship filter." What does that mean to you?  And what are some other filters that you have used?

Is there an area of your life where you're waiting to see evidence of change before trusting God?

Have you ever felt discouraged because you were doing what you believed God asked you to do, but nothing seemed to change?

How can we remain faithful while waiting on God's timing without assuming He will always answer in the way we expect?

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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 When they arrived at the Jordan, [the prophets] began cutting down trees. But as one of them was cutting a tree, his ax head fell into the river. “Oh, sir!” he cried. “It was a borrowed ax!” “Where did it fall?” the man of God asked. When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it into the water at that spot. Then the ax head floated to the surface. “Grab it,” Elisha said. And the man reached out and grabbed it. 2 Kings 6:4-7 NLT

God is not too big
 for the smallest details.

If it matters to you, it matters to God.
Be honest about how we got here...

The man of God asked, “Where did it fall?” 2 Kings 6:6

I lost my way

I lost my freedom

I lost my peace

I lost my joy

I lost trust

I lost my intimacy with God

When [the prophet] showed [Elisha] the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float. “Lift it out,” he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it. 2 Kings 6:6-7 And the God of all grace … will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:10 NIV

Discussion Questions:

Have you ever had a day that went from “Let’s go!” to “Oh no!” in a matter of minutes? What happened?

The message said, “God is not too big for the smallest details.” Is it easy or difficult for you to bring small concerns to God? Why?

What are some signs that you may still be “swinging the handle” going through the motions but have lost your spiritual cutting edge?

Read Luke 15:3–10. What does Jesus’ teaching about the lost sheep and lost coin reveal about God's heart toward what has been lost?

What is one thing you want to ask God to restore in your life during this season?

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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2 Kings 4:1 One of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, has died. You know that your servant feared the Lord. Now the creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves.”

When you’re running on empty and life keeps asking for more… what do you do?
1.  POUR YOUR LITTLE

2 Kings 4:2 Elisha asked her, “What can I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?”  She said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.”

Name one thing you have and place it in God’s hands.

_______________________________________

 2 Kings 4:3 Then he said, “Go out and borrow empty containers from all your neighbors. Do not get just a few.

Challenge: Ask one person for specific help or offer something specific to someone else.

2 Kings 4:4–5 4 Then go in and shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour oil into all these containers. Set the full ones to one side.” 5 So she left.

After she had shut the door behind her and her sons, they kept bringing her containers, and she kept pouring.

3.  BEGIN TO POUR

2 Kings 4:5–6.  So she left. After she had shut the door behind her and her sons, they kept bringing her containers, and she kept pouring. 6 When they were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another container.” But he replied, “There aren’t any more.” Then the oil stopped.

2 Kings 4:7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go sell the oil and pay your debt; you and your sons can live on the rest.”

Discussion or Journal Questions:

Bring Your Little: What have you been dismissing as “not enough” that you could offer God in this season?

Borrow the Jars: What makes asking for help difficult for you? What is one practical way this group could support you right now?

Shut the Door: Whose opinions or what distractions make it harder to follow God? How could you quiet that noise while staying open to wise counsel?

Begin to Pour: What is one faithful step you can take this week, even before you know how everything will work out?

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. …And the God of peace will be with you. Phil 4:6-9

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7

 Prayer can change your life, and  prayer can rewire your brain.

Worry is the sin of distrusting the  promises and power of God.

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. Romans 8:5-6

Do what I can.
Trust God with the Rest.

What I want.   1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10    Taking thoughts captive.

Discussion Questions:

What usually triggers that kind of “runaway train” thinking for you?

Why do you think prayer is often treated like a last resort instead of our first response?

Practically, what does it look like to let the Spirit direct your thinking? What is one situation where you need to “do what you can and trust God with the rest”?

Do you currently have 2–4 people who truly know you and can speak truth into your life? Why is that kind of relationship important?

Have everyone quietly identify one worry they are carrying.

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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Clinical Psychologists Elizabeth Anderson Dami Coker join us on Firast Wednesday to share their knowledge on mental health.

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world... they have divine power to demolish strongholds... and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

What happened then  can become the filter through which we interpret what is happening now . 

Numbers 13:27 They gave Moses this account: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. 28 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there. 30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.”

We saw the Giants there (the descendants of Anak come from the Giants)We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.  Numbers 13:33

Romans 12:2 — “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind...”

Just because I feel something strongly doesn't automatically make it true.

1.  DECIDE WHAT YOU’RE Looking FOR.

“I remain confident of this:  I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.”… I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. Psalms 27:13

2. CHANGE THE Frame. 

Reframing is looking at the same situation  differently by changing the
meaning you're assigning to it.

Philippians 1:12NWV (New Whiners Version:).     “This is really crappy. I'm quitting small group and never going back to church.

Philippians 1:12-14  Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.  As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ.  And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.

Reframing doesn't deny reality. It changes how I carry reality.

“Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is... Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.   Colossians 3:1-2

Discussion Questions:

FACT OR FILTER: What is one situation in your life where past experiences, fear, hurt, or insecurity might be affecting the way you see what’s happening now?

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR: Where have you seen God’s goodness lately, even in a season or situation that isn’t going the way you hoped?

LET JESUS FRAME IT: What is one situation you need to look at again through the perspective of Jesus? What might change if you prayed, “Jesus, help me see this the way You see it”?

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2

 Why do we behave irrationally?

Our strongest thoughts are steering our lives.

What comes into your mind—Comes out in your life.

Cannot have a positive life with a negative mind.

Don’t control what you think—Never control what you do. 

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your

thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Phil 4:8 NLT 

 meditate on these things. Phil 4:8 NKJV

 Meditation: To engage in mental exercise; to

focus one’s thoughts.

I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. Ps 119:15

… I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. Ps 143:5

What stronghold is holding you back?

What truth demolishes that stronghold?

Write it—Think it—Confess it—Until you believe it.

Here is a Daily Confession of Faith for you to use!

I am strong and mighty. I have the same power that raised Christ from the dead dwelling inside of me. I am a weapon of righteousness in a world of darkness.

I am not my past. I am not what I did. I am who God says I am. He says I am forgiven. He says I am redeemed. He says I am free.

I am not a hostage to unhealthy thoughts. The weapons I fight with are not the weapons of this world. I have divine power to demolish strongholds.  I have the mind of Christ directing my thoughts. I have the Word of God guiding my steps. I demolish every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God. I take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ. 

My God has not given me a spirit of fear, but a Spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind.  The Lord is my helper. I will not be afraid!

Jesus is first in my life. I exist to serve and glorify Him.

I love my wife and will lay down my life to serve her.

My children will love God and serve Him with their whole hearts. 

I will nurture, equip, train, and empower the people around me 

to do more for His kingdom than they can imagine.

I love people and believe the best about others.

I am disciplined. Christ in me is stronger than the wrong desires in me.

I am growing closer to Jesus every day. Because of Christ, my family is closer, my body is stronger, my faith is deeper, and my leadership is sharper.

I am anointed, empowered, equipped and 

called to reach people far from God.

I am creative, innovative, driven, focused, and blessed beyond measure—because the Holy Spirit dwells within me.

(*) My words, thoughts, and imaginations are under the power of Christ. 

I take all thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ.

I wake up with purpose, direction, and meaning every day of my life.

Pain is my friend. I rejoice in suffering because Christ suffered for me.

I bring my best—and then some. 

It’s what I bring after I do my best that makes the difference.

The world will be different and better because I served Jesus today.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Discussion Questions:

Have you ever had a moment where you thought, “Why did I do that? I know better than this.” What do you think was happening underneath the behavior?

What experiences, messages, relationships, or repeated circumstances can create unhealthy “wiring” in the way we think?

Sometimes dysfunctional thinking becomes so familiar that it feels normal. What are some thoughts people commonly accept as “just the way I am” that may actually need to be challenged?

Why is taking control of our thoughts different from simply trying harder to behave better?
 Which part of the daily confessions resonates with you most this week?

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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August 24, 2026      Week 1       

Your biggest battle is in your mind! 

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

Our strongest thoughts are steering our lives. 

For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. Prov 23:7 NKJV

Your life today is a result of all your past thoughts.

Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. Galatians 6:8

You can’t have a positive life when you have a negative mind.

1.  Name the Stronghold.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

You cannot defeat what you cannot define.

2.  Name the truth that demolishes that stronghold.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Cor 10:5

The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It judges the desires and thoughts of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life. 2 Peter 1:3

Discussion Questions:

If we could “turn up the volume” on your thoughts this week, what would we hear most often: worry, criticism, fear, pressure, comparison, control, something else?

A stronghold is something that has been reinforced over time. What is the difference between having a negative thought and having a negative thought become a stronghold?

Are there any old “mental pathways” you can recognize automatic reactions, assumptions, or patterns you tend to fall into?

What does it look like practically to take a thought captive rather than simply trying not to think about it?

Take a moment to find a verse in God’s Word that you can use to bring victory in your mind, and share it with the group.

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved

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August 16, 2026      Week 3

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus.  There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Acts 19:1-2

Depend on the power of the Holy Spirit.

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 NIV

For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. Galatians 5:17

What you feed grows.   

What you starve dies.

Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. Galatians 6:8

Whatever fills you, leads  you.

You have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. Romans 8:12-13 NLT

Follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Galatians 5:24-25

If your faith isn’t challenging you, it’s not changing you.

God's best for you is found outside your comfort zone .

The Holy Spirit may not always make sense, but it will always make a difference .

Discussion Questions:

What stood out to you most from this week’s message? Why?

What do you think it practically means to “walk by the Spirit” in everyday life?

Galatians 5:17 describes a conflict between the flesh and the Spirit. 

Where do you most commonly experience that internal tug-of-war?

Why is telling a trusted, mature believer about a struggle often such an important step toward freedom?

Where might God currently be asking you to move outside your comfort zone?

Thank you for listening to the Relate Community Church podcast! Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. If today’s message spoke to you, share it with a friend or leave us a review to help spread the word. To learn more about Relate Community Church, visit us at www.relatecommunity.com. You are always welcome here, and remember—you are loved