“Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” 2 And the word of the Lord came to him: 3 “Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. 4 You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” 5 So he went and did according to the word of the Lord. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan. 6 And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. 7 And after a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land.” 1 Kings 17:1-7
ICE BREAKER
Think of a time in your life when you could have spoken up for the Lord but didn’t. Maybe it was a time to share your faith or stand up for Godly principles. What kept you silent?
BIG IDEA
Where do I lack courage and mercy to stand up for the Lord? What am I going to do about it?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
“And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word.” 1 Kings 18:21
- The people of Israel were silent to Elijah’s question of which God will you serve. Sometimes it is difficult to speak up for God against the crowd. Sometimes it is easier to remain silent because of persecution and repercussions. How do you and I feel pressure today to not speak up? What do we perceive it will cost us to stand out?
- Elijah rebuked Israel for wavering between two opinions. How do you and I waver between two opinions today? Do we waver by what we worship? What captures our gaze more than Jesus? Do we waver in our relationships? Are we passionately pursuing Jesus more than anyone else? Are we loving God and others with the proper order in balance? Do we waver in our giving? Do we rationalize not to give or do we give out of a generous heart?
- Consider what may be holding you back and causing you to waver. We are called to courage. A definition of courage is grace under pressure. Fear can cause us to cave to the pressure to be quiet and tame. A pressure that keeps us in a small place. Courage calls us to move. Elijah wavered when confronted with spiritual attack. He was courageous to confront Ahab and the prophets of Baal one moment but the next retreated in terror from the demon entrenched Queen Jezebel. Elijah felt alone and thought he was the only one following God that was left. He was down trodden and felt hung out to dry. He was believing lies and his perception was inaccurate. Discuss in the group when you have responded in fear and followed Elijah’s pattern. In those moments do you see the spiritual attack and the lies from the enemy that you are agreeing with?
“Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” 3 Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.4 But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers.” 1 Kings 19:1-4
NOTES AND QUOTES
Compare and Contrast these four sections of scripture that involve Moses, Elijah, the people and the Lord. There are similarities in rebellion, idolatry, storms, earthquakes, clefts, showdowns, fire, wind, etc. There are dissimilarities also such as double questions, intercession and anger. How does unbelief stand out? How is that linked to fear and negate our faith and courage?
1 Kings 19:4-15, Exodus 33:12-23, Exodus 19:16-20, Matthew 17:1-21
