Single lesson
Elijah Is Taken Up and Elisha Receives the Mantle
2 Kings 2:1–18
This lesson helps children follow the account of Elijah being taken up and Elisha receiving his mantle. Students will trace the story in order, notice key choices, and see how the passage shows Yahweh’s power and Elisha’s new role.
Before you teach
In this passage, Yahweh is about to take Elijah up into heaven. Elijah and Elisha travel from place to place while others already know Elijah will be taken away. At the Jordan, Yahweh acts through Elijah, and later Elisha crosses the river in a similar way. The account ends with others recognising Elisha and an unsuccessful search for Elijah.
Students will be able to sequence 2 Kings 2:1–18 and explain from the passage that Yahweh took Elijah away and the spirit of Elijah rested on Elisha.
Welcome: Follow all the way
4 minBriefly introduce the story and ask children to listen for repeated words and places. Explain that Elijah tells Elisha to stay behind several times, but Elisha keeps going with him. Tell the group they will listen for what Elisha chooses and what happens because of it.
2 Kings 2:2, 2 Kings 2:4, 2 Kings 2:6
Read and explain: From Gilgal to the Jordan
8 minRead verses 1 to 8 aloud. Point out the repeated pattern: Elijah is sent onward, and Elisha answers, “I will not leave you.” The sons of the prophets know Yahweh will take Elijah away. At the Jordan, Elijah rolls up his mantle, strikes the water, and the two cross on dry ground.
2 Kings 2:1, 2 Kings 2:2, 2 Kings 2:3, 2 Kings 2:4, 2 Kings 2:5, 2 Kings 2:6, 2 Kings 2:7, 2 Kings 2:8
Discuss: Elijah is taken and Elisha sees it
6 minRead verses 9 to 12. Explain that Elisha asks for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit, and Elijah says it is a hard thing, connected with whether Elisha sees him taken. Then a chariot of fire and horses of fire separate them, Elijah goes up by a whirlwind into heaven, and Elisha tears his clothes in grief.
2 Kings 2:9, 2 Kings 2:10, 2 Kings 2:11, 2 Kings 2:12
Make and respond: Sequence and mantle river
8 minChildren make simple sequence cards showing key moments: travelling, prophets speaking, Jordan crossing, Elijah taken up, Elisha taking the mantle, water dividing, prophets recognising Elisha, and the failed search. As they arrange the cards, ask them to match each scene to the order of the verses and say what choice or outcome appears there.
2 Kings 2:8, 2 Kings 2:11, 2 Kings 2:13, 2 Kings 2:14, 2 Kings 2:15, 2 Kings 2:17, 2 Kings 2:18
Closing: What the people learned
4 minFinish by reading verses 13 to 18. Emphasise that Elisha takes up Elijah’s mantle, strikes the water, and crosses back. The sons of the prophets say, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” They search for Elijah anyway, but do not find him. Review the story order together in one minute each.
2 Kings 2:13, 2 Kings 2:14, 2 Kings 2:15, 2 Kings 2:16, 2 Kings 2:17, 2 Kings 2:18
Questions to explore
What does Elisha say each time Elijah tells him to stay behind?
Have children find the repeated answer and notice that Elisha says the same thing at Bethel, Jericho, and before the Jordan.
2 Kings 2:2, 2 Kings 2:4, 2 Kings 2:6
What happens at the Jordan before Elijah is taken away, and what similar thing happens later with Elisha?
Compare the two moments when the water is struck and divided, first with Elijah and then with Elisha using Elijah’s mantle.
2 Kings 2:8, 2 Kings 2:14
How do the sons of the prophets respond when they see Elisha return?
Look for what they say about Elisha and then what they do, before they ask to search for Elijah.
2 Kings 2:15, 2 Kings 2:16
Make, think or respond
Story Sequence and Mantle Cards
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or crayons
- Bible text
- scissors
- optional sticky tape
Try it together
- Write or draw 6 to 8 key moments from the passage on separate cards.
- Read the passage sections again and work together to place the cards in order.
- Choose one card at a time and ask what choice was made or what outcome happened there.
- If desired, tape the cards into a long story line and retell the passage from start to finish.
This activity helps children follow the order of 2 Kings 2:1–18 and notice the repeated choices, the taking up of Elijah, and the recognition of Elisha.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, prepare fewer cards with simple pictures and let them choose between two possible next events each time.
- For older or confident readers, ask them to add the verse reference to each card and explain how the ending confirms Elisha’s new role.
An optional closing prayer
“God, thank you for your power and for what you showed in this passage. Please help us listen carefully to your word and learn from Elisha’s faithful following. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
2 Kings 2
1 When Yahweh was about to take Elijah up by a whirlwind into heaven, Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.
2 Elijah said to Elisha, “Please wait here, for Yahweh has sent me as far as Bethel.” Elisha said, “As Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.
3 The sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that Yahweh will take away your master from over you today?” He said, “Yes, I know it. Hold your peace.”
4 Elijah said to him, “Elisha, please wait here, for Yahweh has sent me to Jericho.” He said, “As Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you.” So they came to Jericho.
5 The sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came near to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that Yahweh will take away your master from over you today?” He answered, “Yes, I know it. Hold your peace.”
6 Elijah said to him, “Please wait here, for Yahweh has sent me to the Jordan.” He said, “As Yahweh lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you.” Then they both went on.
7 Fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood opposite them at a distance; and they both stood by the Jordan.
8 Elijah took his mantle, and rolled it up, and struck the waters; and they were divided here and there, so that they both went over on dry ground.
9 When they had gone over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you.” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be on me.”
10 He said, “You have asked a hard thing. If you see me when I am taken from you, it will be so for you; but if not, it will not be so.”
11 As they continued on and talked, behold, a chariot of fire and horses of fire separated them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
12 Elisha saw it, and he cried, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!” He saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.
13 He also took up Elijah’s mantle that fell from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan.
14 He took Elijah’s mantle that fell from him, and struck the waters, and said, “Where is Yahweh, the God of Elijah?” When he also had struck the waters, they were divided apart, and Elisha went over.
15 When the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho facing him saw him, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” They came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.
16 They said to him, “See now, there are with your servants fifty strong men. Please let them go and seek your master. Perhaps Yahweh’s Spirit has taken him up, and put him on some mountain or into some valley.” He said, “Don’t send them.”
17 When they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, “Send them.” Therefore they sent fifty men; and they searched for three days, but didn’t find him.
18 They came back to him while he stayed at Jericho; and he said to them, “Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t go’?”
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.
Source passages
Something to make together
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