A powerless and desperate widow reaches out to connect with the prophet Elisha.  Together, they offer what they have and do what they can,  and with God’s blessing there is a miraculous outcome. 

Their story provides a compelling lesson as to how God participates with His people to provide justice and restore dignity to the most marginalized.

Discussion Questions

Sunday, December March 2nd, 2025

1. Consider/share some ways you might connect  and become an ally to those in need. What are some things or reasons  that may hold you back ?

1. If you were asked “what do you have to offer?”  how might you answer?  Consider the resources, areas of influence, skills, talents, personal attributes that may be uniquely yours.  (Don’t be modest!) 

1. Open Relational Theology posits that we have real choice with real consequences and the outcomes are “open” or undetermined  to both us and God. A more traditional view would say that “God is in control” and will bring about the desired outcome.  Discuss the implications of both views:

1. Open view:  outcome is at risk. What we observe may not be what God desires, but he gives true free choice to people and experiences the outcomes with us.

2. Traditional view: God is in full control of everything; therefore what we observe must reflect what God desires. Everything happens for a purpose.

1. Discuss the following quote  from  The Divine Conspiracy (Dallas Willard) may apply to the modern context and current political climate: 
    “Our union with Jesus allows us now to be a part of His conspiracy to undermine the structures of evil, which continue to dominate human history, with the forces of truth, freedom and love.  We can quietly and relentlessly align with these forces because we know what is cosmically afoot.  To “overcome evil with good” is not just something for an individual effort here and there , it will actually come to pass on this earth”.