Bern Leckie and Owen Lynch share thoughts and feelings about the end of the story in the books of Kings, along with Psalms 73 to 78.

The big, tragic message of this part of the story is that God’s people ended up exiled from their promised land, and the main reason given for this was their turning away from God.

Looking at how this happened, there are some intriguing details which might give us insight into how these people reflected on their circumstances, their identity and what they thought they would need to do differently to regain healthy and sustainable life in God’s kingdom.

In a couple of instances, leaders who seemed like they were seeking God to a great extent made mistakes which led to downfall, either for them or their descendants. Is it easy to draw messages from this, like not to be as proud as Hezekiah or as half-hearted as Joash? Or is it reasonable to think that the original audience for these stories might have wondered how these leaders could have known what to do to be fully correct?

Bern and Owen consider the possibility that not knowing, and having to seek God and listen better as a result, might have been an important part of the message, and one that applies to us too.

In next part of our boxset, we’ll return to Paul’s letters in the New Testament to see how he guided the church in 2 Corinthians, Philippians and Colossians. Listen along at your own pace at severnvineyard.org/bible.

Bern Leckie and Owen Lynch share thoughts and feelings about the middle of the story in the books of Kings.

History is often told in terms of leaders, what they did and how their power influenced the world, but in this part of a story of corrupt leadership, the focus moves to prophets Elijah and Elisha. They were given power from God to help ordinary, suffering people, and to demonstrate the importance of God’s power over all others powers.

A dramatic showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal, a foreign god, is commemorated in opera but would also be an incredible way to settle political differences if we could watch it today.

Elisha asked for double Elijah’s blessing, and the stories of his work among people sound practically Christlike to us. In fact, the people who saw Jesus would probably have reflected that he was a continuation, even a fulfilment, of what God was doing through Elisha.

The Holy Spirit flowed through him to heal and bless people outside of the Jewish family and faith community. What could that same Spirit, if we believe it flows through us, do to heal and bless our neighbours too?

In next part of our boxset, we’ll finish the story of Kings and look at the fall of God’s people into exile, as well as listening to how they shared their experiences with God in Psalms 73 to 78. Listen along at your own pace at severnvineyard.org/bible.

What it is like to follow Jesus? Dan Green looks at Simon Peter, whose story and character show several relatable sides to this.

Peter’s choice to follow and believe in Jesus was remarkable, given his life experience, but maybe not as much as Jesus’ choice to call and believe in Peter first. Peter’s response to Jesus involved much practical learning, faith risks, new experiences and changes of mind. His life became an emotional rollercoaster at times, but even though his low points included denying being a follower, Jesus restored him to the heights of trust and leadership responsibility because of the love he saw in Peter.

Dan asks four questions for reflection:

• What is Jesus inviting you into at the moment?
• How strong is your desire to say yes and to follow?
• Where are we asking ‘Lord if it’s you, please speak’?
• Where do we need God’s acceptance and affirmation?