Week 8: Session 7 — The Mantle

1.When Elijah throws his mantle over Elisha's shoulders (1 Kings 19:19), Elisha immediately leaves twelve yoke of oxen — his livelihood, his future, his inheritance — and follows. Shirer points out that the call to discipleship always costs something concrete. What has your own response to God's call cost you in practical, measurable terms? Was it worth it?

2.Shirer draws attention to the fact that Elisha asked to say goodbye to his family before following — and Elijah's response was essentially, "Go back — what have I done to stop you?" This is not discouragement but a test of genuine desire. How does this exchange challenge the tendency to wait for conditions to be perfect before fully committing to a calling?

3.The final journey of Elijah and Elisha in 2 Kings 2 involves Elijah testing Elisha's resolve multiple times — at Bethel, Jericho, and the Jordan — and each time Elisha refuses to leave him. Shirer frames this as a portrait of tenacious discipleship. Is there a spiritual commitment, a calling, or a relationship in your life that God is testing your resolve to maintain? What does your response reveal about the depth of your desire?