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.