Elijah Week1 Follow Up Questions

• Think of someone you consider to be a true Christ follower. What unique attributes of their character would you like to see in your own life? Why? Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word." 1 Kings 17:1 (NIV)

• God had more to do in Elijah before He could do more through Elijah. God is preparing each of us so that He can work through us. How have you seen God prepare you for His specific purposes throughout your life? Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: "Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. 1 Kings 17:2-3 (NIV)

• In 1 Kings 17:2-3, God led Elijah to a period of hiding in the Kerith Ravine. Kerith means “cut off or cut down.” Describe a painful experience that God used to shape you into who you are today. You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there." So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. 1 Kings 17:4-6 (NIV)

• God taught Elijah to depend on Him daily for food and water. What are you daily trusting God for right now?

• Describe a time in your life when things felt very desperate but you saw God meet your needs. What did you learn from the experience? Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. Then the word of the Lord came to him: "Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. 1 Kings 17:7-9a (NIV)

• Describe a time when you decided to step out on faith and obey God even though that decision didn’t seem to make sense to you at the time. Did that experience strengthen your relationship with God? If so, how?

• After the brook dried up, Elijah trusted God and moved on to Zarephath. Is there a “dry brook” in your life God is using to “motivate” you to move on to what He has next for you? Then the woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth." 1 Kings 17:24 (NIV)

Final thought: Just like Elijah, pain in our lives, can lead us to a total dependence on God and more intimate relationship with Him. Together, pray and ask God to help you see Him and depend totally on Him during the good times and the bad..

For Further Study To use this resource, simply select one or two questions from each category below that you think will help your group discussion. Alternatively, you can use these questions and scriptures in your own personal devotions during the week.

Open

• What was one of the worst pieces of news you’ve ever had to convey to another person? The best news? Explore Read 1 Kings 17:1-24

• What was the prophecy that Elijah took to Ahab, king of Israel? (17:1)

• After speaking with Ahab, why did God direct Elijah to hide? (17:2-3)

• How were Elijah’s needs met while he was alone in the desert? (17:5-6)• What two requests did Elijah make of the widow at Zarephath? (17:10-11)

• What step did Elijah ask the widow to take in faith? (17:13)

• What promise did Elijah make if the widow would be obedient to God? (17:14)

• What did the Lord do for Elijah, the widow, and her son? (17:15-16)

• When Elijah took the son from his mother, what question did he have for God? (17:19-20)

Reflect

• What was unusual about the ways God chose to provide for Elijah during the drought?

• What kind of faith is required for living with just enough for each day and no more?

• What is the importance of action to back up our words as believers?

• In what way do you find it easy or difficult to obey God when you don’t know what the outcome will be?

• In what peculiar but sufficient ways is God meeting your needs today? Apply

• What step of faith do you need to take at this time in your life?

Here are some suggestions you may want to use for your time with God this week:

Day 1: Read 1 Kings 17:1. Pray and ask God to continue preparing you for the great purposes He has in store for your life.

Day 2: Read 1 Kings 17:2-3. If you are going through any difficult circumstances right now, ask God to show you His purpose through these situations.

Day 3: Read 1 Kings 17:4-6. Pray and ask God to meet any needs you currently have. Pray for the needs of others that you know.

Day 4: Read 1 Kings 17:7-9. Have an honest talk with God by discussing a leap of faith that He is calling you to make. Commit to making that leap of faith.

Day 5: Read 1 Kings 17:10-24. Pray and ask God to help develop you into the man or woman that He has called you to be. Ask for His daily guidance in your life as He continues to work through you and transform you.