Elijah

This week is part one on our study on Elijah.

Read 1 Kings 17:1-24.

1. The Kerith Brook

• What does 1 Kings 17:4 & 6 tell us about God’s provision of Elijah’s physical needs?
• Discuss how Elijah “did as the Lord told him” and trusted God to do what He said He would do.
• Can we tend to limit God’s means of supplying our needs?
• Read God’s promises in Matthew 6:25 & 33, Philippians 4:19, Romans 8:32. Are there conditions?

2. The Widow at Zarephath

• What does the words “So she did as Elijah said…” tell us about the widow and her view of who Elijah was (v.12 & 18) and who he served?
• What did her actions show remembering she only had enough food for one final meal for her son and herself?
• Why do you think Elijah told her to “make a little bread for me first”?
• Consider the widow’s final summation of who she believed Elijah to be? (v.24) What was it about him that led her to say this?
• Why was he introduced as “… Elijah from Tishbe” but later referred to as “… a man of God and that the Lord truly speaks through you.”
• What should we base our assurance on that we can say the same about our spiritual leaders?

Discuss the following…

In a nation that was required by law to care for its prophets, it is ironic that God turned to ravens (unclean birds) and a widow (a foreigner from Jezebel’s home territory) to care for Elijah. God has help where we least expect it. He provides for us in ways that go beyond our narrow definitions or expectations. No matter how bitter our trials or how seemingly hopeless our situation we should always look for God’s caring touch. We may find His providence in some strange places.” #

3. Mount Carmel

Read 1 Kings 18:1-40.

What are the main points you glean from this passage about:

1. Elijah?
2. Ahab?
3. The people of Israel?

Consider Elijah’s authority and confidence though feeling he was the only one there who was zealous for God, as he …

1. Confronted the wicked King Ahab. 1Kings 18:17-20.
2. Spoke to the people of Israel. 1 Kings 18:21-24.
3. Spoke to the 450 Baal and 400 Asherath false prophets. 1 Kings 18:25-29.
4. His prayer of faith and dependence on God. 1 Kings 18:36-37.

Where did Elijah’s authority and confidence come from and how are they developed?

Imagine being in the crowd, experiencing everything that happened (1 Kings 18:20-39) and hearing the response of the people of Israel in 1 Kings 18:39. How do you think you would have responded?

Have you had a ‘Mount Carmel’ experience seeing God powerfully at work where your overwhelming response has been “The Lord-He is God! Yes the Lord is God?” If so how has this changed your faith in and walk with God? Share with your group.

4. Conclusion

Imagine the spiritual and emotional high Elijah would have experienced. In part two of our study on Elijah we look at Elijah’s vulnerability resulting from his ‘high’ and God’s way of helping him work through the resulting rollercoaster ‘low’ that followed in the next few weeks.

# taken from ‘Life Application Study Bible’

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Bible Study Elijah