Through the books of 1 and 2 Kings, mention is often made of the ‘sons of the prophets’. Other translations make mention of a company or group of prophets. In recent times, this has come to be referred to as meaning a ‘school’ of the prophets or the institution within which the prophetic is taught and the gifts released in people identified as having the prophetic calling or mantle on their lives. Incidently, sons should be indicative of the relationship between the prophet teacher and his disciple.
Only one New Testament reference is made to ‘sons of the prophets’ and that was in the book of Acts during a sermon by Peter to the Jews in Jerusalem. This reference does not speak to me in the same way as the others do and seems more to refer to the Jews’ relationship to the ones who persecuted and killed Jesus rather than the prophetic gifting on their lives.

Elisha was identified as Elijah’s successor after God had spoken directly to Elijah (1 Kings 19:16) about anointing a prophetic successor for the work that needed to be done in Israel.

Theme scripture – Anointing for purpose (2 Kings 2)

As we follow Elisha’s progress from initiate/disciple to the recognition by his peers as a prophet in the same class as Elijah his master, we see certain principles emerge on which we should base our whole assessment of the prophetic role, calling, identification of potential, attitude, obedience, etc

Principle 1 – God and not human timing

There comes a time to move on from the place where you have settled and move into unknown territory. See 2 Kings 1
Gilgal means circle and often we find ourselves going around in circles, marking time so to speak while we are waiting for God’s specific call to move on. Many wrong turns can be taken at this particular time and place in our walk with God and there is a very real danger of moving out of God’s perfect timing and will for our lives. Notice in the verse that it says, ‘..and it came to pass..’. This speaks clearly of waiting for God’s timing to ‘come to pass’.

Principle 2 – Perseverance

In verses 2 through 6, Elijah tries to discourage the young disciple from following him but Elisha stays with it and goes where Elijah goes.
One interesting thing about these verses is in the names of the destinations the two men are going to.
Starting out from Gilgal - which means circle as we spoke about earlier
Going to Bethel - this means House of God
Going to Jericho - has a dual meaning as fragrance or moon because it was a place of Canaanite worship to the moon
Going to Jordan - know as the river of judgement

The pattern within these verses speaks plainly to me of God’s plan for allowing Elisha’s obedience, submission and perseverance to be tested at each of these places. Move on from the place you are (Gilgal); meet with God in His house (Bethel); go through the test of your allegiance to God or the world (Jericho); test your fruit at the place of judgement (Jordan).

Principle 3 – Participator not spectator

We also see from the same verses we examined regarding perseverance, that there were spectators on the sidelines watching what Elisha was going through. I believe there are always going to be people on the sidelines of our lives either cheering us on or waiting for us to fail. Our reaction to our detractors should be the same as Elisha’s – ‘Be quiet!’ Silence your critics with your absolute commitment to stick with what God has said and is doing. Keep being an active participant not a passive spectator.

Principle 4 – Be prepared for the fig check

In verse 8, we find Elijah striking the waters of the Jordan with his mantle while 50 sons of the prophets look on – again as spectators! At this stage, Elisha has passed through the tests of his commitment and faithfulness; his fruit has been checked and found to be good and now his reward comes from Elijah – “What may I do for you before I am taken away?”
I see this as Elisha’s final test of heart motive (the fig or fruit check) - what do YOU want from God? His answer brought a double portion of Elijah’s anointing as had Solomon’s answer to God brought about his reward, as had David’s heart motive brought him a kingdom, as had Abraham’s faith brought him a multitude of sons and so on.
Our faithfulness has its rewards but the reward is incidental to the underlying principle of heart motive through faithfulness. Our reward will always be in accordance with the task God has set us to do on the earth. I see this reward as being the ‘gifts’ spoken of in Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4.

Therefore, there is a specific calling for a specific purpose. The prophetic has a purpose to accomplish in the earth before the coming of the Lord, as have the other gift ministries given by Jesus. This purpose is the maturing of the body of Christ, hence the need for a ‘school’ of prophecy or put more simply, a company of prophetic disciples.

Basic outline for selecting the ‘sons of the prophets’

1) Identify those who:-

• have had confirmed, prophetic words spoken over their lives by known or recognized prophetic office.
• are convinced that God has called them to the prophetic ministry and have done what Peter suggested in 2 Peter 1: 10, to “be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;”
• have shown a prophetic anointing in the spoken, prayed or sung word and the word has been tested and found to be true
• are recognized by their peers as well as their local church as having the prophetic gift

2) Examine the state of their private and public lives:-

• Husband / or wife of one spouse (if married)
• Planted in a local church and submitted to a local church leadership
• Not spongers (work for a living etc)
• Good knowledge, understanding and application of the word of God
• Servants
• Not self-promoting
• Teachable
• Compassionate
• Passionate about God and
• have a love for His people

3) Spend some time watching them operate in their gift under local or outreach ministry times. All prophecy should be judged by local eldership.

4) Set the identified in place through the laying on of hands by the presbytery

Basic outline for the school

1) Initially may require formal teaching of the fundamentals of the prophetic, responsibilities etc

2) Practical sessions

• Word of knowledge
• Word of wisdom
• Word of prophecy

3) Sending out under proper authority, as teams into churches within networks to further practical times in local services, conferences etc

4) Set a time scale for the program

5) Important – test the servant heart through chores needing doing in the local church or community

Basic outline for the purpose

• Ephesians 4:12 ‘for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,’
• Encouragement
• Direction
• Foundation laying together with the Apostolic

Finally, I feel it is important to instil a sense of humility within the prophetic disciple as this is the power gift and power should NEVER be put in the hands of a novice.

1 Timothy 3:6 says,
‘not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil.’