Ministry Handoff...

Read 1 Kings 19:15-21

The prophet Elijah is commanded to anoint several people to several different roles and responsibilities. The first was to anoint Hazael king over Aram; then Jehu as King over Israel; then Elisha to succeed Elijah.

Do you ever wonder what Elijah must have been thinking after he's told to anoint Elisha? The first two, Hazael and Jehu, they were easier I'm sure for him to accept. But Elisha was going to replace him. And that meant something new and different was going to happen with Elijah.

We're told in v. 21 that Elisha becomes Elijah's attendant, meaning he was going to serve alongside Elijah until the time when the Lord would call Elijah home. And it means Elijah would need to prepare Elisha for replacing him in ministry.

The question we should ask ourselves is who are we preparing to follow us in ministry. Who are we in the process of helping to serve God in our place when it's time for us to pass on our faith to the next generation?

God makes it clear to Elijah and I believe He makes it clear to us, we are to be intentional with preparing the next generation to follow God. And it's important for us to realize this begins with how we are following God ourselves. If we're not following God the way God intends and desires then we'll be passing on something, but not what God wants us to pass on. Let's begin this week with entrusting ourselves to our heavenly Father so when it's time to pass on our faith and ministry to another, we're ready.