Chapter Summaries
Summary Of Chapters In Chasing Chariots
Chapter 1 – Kings 2:11-18 (Deal with Change) When Elijah left this earth in a chariot it meant tremendous change for Elisha and other followers. The change was radical and came about in an instant. This is how much of our life is spent when change confronts us. Find out about the discovery made by Elisha and compare it to how you deal with change.
Chapter 2 — 2 Kings 5:1-14 (Seek Healing) Naaman was a great general with a reputation to maintain among his people. When he followed the advice of a young Jewish girl to seek healing from Elisha he resented the humiliation. He almost allowed his ego to be his worst enemy. What would you not do if God asked you to do it?
Chapter 3 — 2 Kings 5:15-27 (Sidestep Judgment) The second in line of command to Elisha was Gehazi. He resented the healing and blessings that Naaman received from God. He chased Naaman’s chariot and demanded a gift for the prophets. Elijah refused a great gift from Naaman for the healing and sent him on his way. But Gehazi had a personal judgment to settle with Naaman and made his claim while losing his relationship to God.
Chapter 4 — Exodus 14:1-7, 19-27, 30 (Execute Your Exodus) The Israelites were commanded to leave Egypt and to take a strange route that confused them. Immediately they lost confidence and when they were pursued by the Pharaoh’s 600 chariots they believed they had made a bad decision. We are often asked to break ties and go in a different direction. It is hard to leave some things behind. It doesn’t take much trouble to lose confidence in God. Study on and see what happens that gave new courage to the Israelites and can do the same for us.
Chapter 5 — 1 Samuel 8:1-22 (Make Proper Requests) Be careful what you pray for or special requests that you make when talking with God or with people. God called Samuel to lead Israel and provided for a succession of leaders. But in time the people wanted a king so that they could be like others. We can be like the Israelites and interrupt the plan that God has for us with our impatience. Check out the results of the requests that were made and compare your own life’s course with God’s plan for you.
Chapter 6 — Judges 4:1-16 (Seize What God Has for You) Deborah, a very influential power in Israel and recognized as a Judge or ruler of the people has great confidence in God’s sense of direction for Israel. All of the people that first formed the nation are now gone but she must be alert to the enemies that surround her. After reviewing her options she sends for Barak to lead her armies against overwhelming odds. Barak, believing in Deborah’s faith asks her to accompany him to the battlefield. In time the opportunity that God has prepared Barak all of his life for is present and with confidence he wins the battle. You have been chosen by God for a particular role. Do you recognize the moment? Can you seize the opportunity?
Chapter 7 — Joshua 17:11-18 (Outgrow Your Blessings) Some Christians never leave the place where they started. God has been putting aside blessings for many years but they have gone unclaimed because they are always looking back at what God has done and not what God is doing. We need to outgrow what we have and take on the bigger tasks. Joshua finally convinces the Manassites that is all right for them to expand their area because their needs are great and God has provided for them. It is as true today that many are filled with foreboding and do not trust themselves to prayer, education and service because they have never believed that God can take them forward.
Chapter 8 — 1 Kings 18:19-41, 44 (Renew Faith) Elijah was faced with a major problem. Everyone believed that their ancestors were people of great faith. The present generation practiced a faith of some tradition and convenience. There were too many other things to be concerned about than trusting in the God of their fathers. What had happened? What could be done to change it? Sounds like today doesn’t it? We want our faith to be on fire but we don’t know what to do to make it be long term and consistent. The question is how do we get there? Elijah challenged the people to make a choice between the available Gods to worship. Then he brought his faith to a test of fire between the deities. Is your faith up to such a challenge?
Chapter 9 — 2 Kings 6:8-23 (Open Eyes of Faith) Elijah faces a new crisis when King Aram surrounds Israel with many chariots and warriors. When a messenger, his second in command, tells Elijah of his fears there is no panic but instead a simple comment to open his eyes of faith and let God do the rest. There are interesting results. We are under attack spiritually our entire lives even though we may not recognize it for several reasons. An awareness of evil spirits can be quite revealing to our faith in a loving God. In your faith journey do you recognize the invisible spirits that claim your life? Have you ever felt like you were living in darkness?
Chapter 10 — Acts 8:26-40 (Mature In Christ) This is the only Bible study in the “Chasing Chariots” from the New Testament. Philip, the disciple of Jesus, follows his spiritual directions and goes south to discover what God now wants him to do. In time he comes to an Ethiopian eunuch resting in his chariot and reading from the book of Isaiah. He was interested in becoming closer to God. Philip begins with the passage in Isaiah and leads the Ethiopian to Christ. While all of us are unworthy of God’s grace, Philip encourages followers to follow Jesus and in so doing we will all be acceptable to a Holy God. It takes a sense of maturity in our faith to lead others to Jesus but it is possible for all believers to discover that kind of faith.
Chapter 11 — 2 Kings 6:24-25; 7:1-16 (Shout the News) Many claims made are “just too good to be true.” How many times have you watched TV, listened to a politician, or read about a miracle diet that will allow you to eat whatever you want and still lose weight? Many people feel the same about a relationship with Christ, the Savior. It is too good to be true. As the word of God is heard less and less. the late night TV hosts, the anchor newsperson, and the president seem to carry more weight and are a bigger influence in our life. But there is a formula that can change of this so that a transformed believer can experience what many say, “It is too good to be true.”