7-21-2014 Young Adults Study Sheet

Young Adults Discussion Sheet

Summer Days of Elijah

1 Kings 19 – Ready to Give Up

1.                 After the miracles of fire from heaven, and the rain after 3 years of drought, Jezebel makes a threat on Elijah’s life.  Can you relate to having someone out to get you?  What kinds of thought processes does that bring up for you?

2.                 Elijah has a very dramatic reaction to this threat – in v. 3-4.  How would you describe his reaction?  What should someone do when they find themselves in this emotional place?

3.                 An angel meets Elijah under a tree and makes some food for him.  What can we take from this part of the story?  Why do you think God sent this angel to do this for Elijah?

4.                 When Elijah gets to the mountain and has a conversation with God, the first thing Elijah says is kind of a pity-party for himself.  Why do you think Elijah feels this way?  When is it normal to feel like this?

5.                 God tells Elijah that His presence is going to pass by the mountain.  As you read the descriptions of what happens next, what do you think God was saying to Elijah through these events?

6.                 Again Elijah pours out his complaint to God – and God answers him.  He is to anoint Elisha to succeed him as prophet, and he is not alone.  Would you see either of these answers as meaningful for our lives?  Is there any connection to how God will answer us in our pity-party?

7.           After Elisha is called, he goes and slaughters his oxen and burns his plowing equipment.  What do you think about this?

For next time….  1 Kings 21… Naboth’s Vineyard

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mkPeJ83lVlUbRll-n9zCMrw4o1R-hg1de8wzNbBoojM/pub

Days of Elijah Pt. 2

Young Adults Discussion Sheet

Summer Days of Elijah

1 Kings 18

1. This chapter starts with “After a long time”…. Meaning that Israel went three years without rain. What does it feel like to wait ‘a long time’ for something you need?  Is there anything that helps – anything that makes it harder?

2. We see Obadiah (who was in charge of Ahab’s household) was a devout believer.  Is it unusual that the most evil king would have someone like that so close to him?  What challenges and opportunities did Obadiah have because of that position?

3. Ahab’s comment to Elijah about ‘the troubler of Israel’ brings up the reality of different perspectives on shared circumstances.  Why did Ahab blame Elijah?  Why did Elijah blame Ahab?

4. Elijah sets up a contest between himself and the prophets of Baal.  What do you notice about this setup?

5. The prophets of Baal get to go first – how would you describe their attempt to get fire from Baal?

6. How would you describe Elijah’s efforts to get fire from God?

7. God had told Elijah that rain was coming – yet at the end of the chapter, we see Elijah praying for rain…. Why do you think he does that?

For next time….  1 Kings 19… Ready to Give Up