Monday, October 21, 2024

Lessons on Humility | 1 Kings 21



This Fall our church is preaching through the life of Elijah. We had some great guests start the series out as I was on sabbatical but now that I'm back I want to share these small group questions with you. The life of Elijah is a story of encouragement to life for God when others around you might be living an ungodly life. Elijah learns to deeply depend on God to meet all his needs. His life is a life lived by faith; no retirement plan, no 401K, and no vacation policy. Elijah stands up to point God's people back to their true King during a dark time in the life of Israel. Study these questions by yourself or with others to grow in your faith! 

Small Group Questions | Lessons on Humility | 1 Kings 21

Elijah lived a life dedicated to God while others in Israel were following the idolatrous reign of Ahab and Jezebel. In 1 Kings 21 we read the story of King Ahab’s desire to acquire a vineyard owned by Naboth, a faithful Israelite who refused to sell his ancestral inheritance. Ahab, upset by the refusal, returns to his palace dejected while his wife goes to work at getting the land for her whining husband. With Naboth dead, God sends Elijah to confront the king on his murderous ways. In response, Ahab humbles himself and sees the error of his wicked ways. This chapter highlights themes of injustice, misuse of power, and God’s righteousness in holding wrongdoers accountable.

1) We all experienced a time in our life when we didn’t get our way or things didn’t go as planned. Share a story about a time in your life when things didn’t go your way and share how you responded to this. 

2)Read 1 Kings 21:1-7. Ahab has an extremely immature response to not getting his ways. In what ways do we sometimes act similarly to Ahab and how can we create more contentment in our lives? (read Prov. 11:25, Phil. 4:11-13, and James 3:16)

3) Read 1 Kings 21:7-17. Jezebel's actions to acquire the vineyard were deceptive and manipulative. What are some subtle or overt ways we see manipulation and injustice in our culture? How can we, as followers of Christ, stand against such actions and pursue justice? (see Isaiah 1:17, Amos 5:24, and Micah 6:8)

4) Read 1 Kings 21:17-19. Elijah confronts Ahab with a message from God. What role does boldness play in speaking truth to power, and how can we apply this in our own lives? How does Galatians 6:1 help us navigate difficult conversations with others?

5) Ahab's response to Elijah's prophecy includes repentance ( read 1 Kings 21:27-29). How do we discern genuine repentance in ourselves and others? What does Psalm 51 teach us about the nature of true repentance when we sin?

6) The injustices in this story can resonate with real-life injustices in our community. Read Proverbs 31:8-9, Mark 2:17, and Luke 10:25-37. How can we, as a small group, seek to promote to those who we come in contact with? 

7) In what ways does this passage challenge us to examine our own hearts for areas of greed, envy, or discontent? How can we practice gratitude and trust in God's provision? (See Jeremiah 17:9, Proverbs 4:23, and 1 Timothy 6:6-10)

Close your time in prayer. Pray for strength to invite a friend to meet Jesus. 


Monday, October 14, 2024

Following God | 1 Kings 19:15-21



This Fall our church is preaching through the life of Elijah. We had some great guests start the series out as I was on sabbatical but now that I'm back I want to share these small group questions with you. The life of Elijah is a story of encouragement to life for God when others around you might be living an ungodly life. Elijah learns to deeply depend on God to meet all his needs. His life is a life lived by faith; no retirement plan, no 401K, and no vacation policy. Elijah stands up to point God's people back to their true King during a dark time in the life of Israel. Study these questions by yourself or with others to grow in your faith! 

Small Group Questions | Following God | 1 Kings 19:15-21

Elijah was a prophet in Israel during the terrifying reign of Ahab and Jezebel. Elijah stood up for God when it seemed like many others were bowing to the idols of the day.  In 1 Kings 19 we read how Elijah was disappointed in the spiritual state of Israel. He was exhausted and felt alone. While meeting with God, Elijah is recommissioned to ministry. God gives Elijah clear instructions on his successor. Immediately Elijah goes and invites Elisha to ministry. Elisha is literally willing to burn all his bridges to follow Elijah and this call of God on his life. Study these questions to see where God is calling you to invest in the lives of others for the sake of the Kingdom. 

1) We all have someone who has made a significant impact on our life. This could be a sports coach, an employer, or someone in the church. Looking back, what made this relationship so unique and so impactful in your life?  

2) Read 1 Kings 19:15-18. Elijah was concerned with the spiritual state of Israel and felt alone. We read that God reserved 7000 who had not participated in idol worship. What are some idols that you can easily turn to in your daily life? 

3) We read how God instructed Elijah to anoint Elisha as his successor. The Bible has several stories of leadership transitions (read Deuteronomy 31:7-8, 1 Samuel 10:1, and Acts 1:8). What do these transitions teach us about God’s plan for His people? 

4) Read 1 Kings 19:19-20. Elijah is obedient to find Elisha and invite him to become his successor. Elisha is obedient to follow after Elijah. When thinking about the obedience of these two men, who holds you back from fully obeying God? 

5) The word “kiss” is used only twice in 1 Kings. The people would kiss the idol as their way to associate with idol worship. What is the modern day version of this? For example what do we do to signify our allegiance to God? 

6) Read 1 Kings 19:21. Elisha literally burns all his bridges and invites his neighbors so they will know what he is planning on doing. What are some things that hold you back from following Jesus and how can you get rid of them from your life? 

7) Pastor Neal said that we are a church with Elijah’s and Elisha’s. What one of these people do you resonate with more? How will you take the application of the sermon to invest your life into someone or find someone to disciple you? 

Close your time in prayer. Pray for strength to invite a friend to meet Jesus. 



Wednesday, October 02, 2024

Exhausted to Commissioned | 1 Kings 19:1-18



This Fall our church is preaching through the life of Elijah. We had some great guests start the series out as I was on sabbatical but now that I'm back I want to share these small group questions with you. The life of Elijah is a story of encouragement to life for God when others around you might be living an ungodly life. Elijah learns to deeply depend on God to meet all his needs. His life is a life lived by faith; no retirement plan, no 401K, and no vacation policy. Elijah stands up to point God's people back to their true King during a dark time in the life of Israel. Study these questions by yourself or with others to grow in your faith! 

Small Group Questions | Exhausted to Commissioned | 1 Kings 19:1-18

In James 5 we read that Elijah was a man just like us. That statement comes to light in our passage today. In 1 Kings 19 we read that Elijah is exhausted, alone, and ready to quit ministry. Elijah’s life is threatened by the evil ruler Jezebel and he is ready to leave. In his darkest moment we see God comfort and restore Elijah. Elijah chooses to flee Israel and ends up in a cave having a conversation with God.  What seems to be the lowest point of Elijah’s life becomes a moment of finding clarity in the will of God. In the quiet moment God speaks life into the exhausted prophet. If you’ve ever been exhausted or deflated, allow this passage of Scripture be an encouragement to you. 

1) Think of a time in your life when you were exhausted or deflated. You might have been battling a tough time in life or fallen into a time of depression. What was that time in your life like and how did you navigate it? 

2)Read 1 Kings 19:1-9. In this passage we read that Elijah’s life was threatened and God took the time to comfort him in his distress. Share about a time in your life when you were deeply scared and how you overcame that fear. 

3) In his distress we read that God comforted Elijah; God never forgot about Elijah. Read Psalm 23:1-3, Isaiah 40:31, Matthew 11:28-29, and 1 Samuel 30:6. How do we allow God to refresh us in some of our darkest moments? 

4) Read 1 Kings 9-10. Elijah felt alone and discouraged at the spiritual condition of Israel. He longed for God’s people to worship God. Looking at your life, what are some things that can bring deep discouragement in your daily life? 

5) Read 1 Kings 19:11-13a. Many of us would love to hear the voice of God in the same way Elijah did. Read: 1 Samuel 3:10, Psalm 5:3, John 10:27 and Revelation 3:20. How can we posture our lives in a way to hear the voice of God? And how come God never seems to show up in the ways we expect? 

6) Read 1 Kings 19:13a-18. The conclusion of our story is that God recommissioned Elijah back to ministry; God gave Elijah a new ministry assignment. Elijah obeys what God asks of him. Where do you have trouble obeying God’s commands? 

7) One of the things that Elijah complained about was feeling and being alone in ministry. It appears that Elisha will now be a ministry companion. Share with your group how doing life with others has encouraged your faith. 

Close your time in prayer. Pray for strength to invite a friend to meet Jesus.