Elijah’s wonderful victory over the prophets of Baal turns into a fearful flight for his life. Running to the mountain of God, Elijah has a powerful encounter with God that transforms him. He speaks and listens, and is sent out by God renewed in 1 Kings 19:1-18.
Sermon OutlinE
“The word of the Lord came to him: ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’” (1 Kings 19:9)
The Exhaustion of Success (1 Kings 18-19)
- The thrill of success (1 Kings 18:20-46)
- The fear associated with success (1 Kings 19:1-3)
Praying Our Exhaustion
- Running away (1 Kings 19:3)
- Prayer that is weary of life (1 Kings 19:4)
- The non-answer of God (1 Kings 19:5-8a)
- Running hungrily after God (1 Kings: 19:9a)
Praying from Here to There
- Elijah’s “Here” (1 Kings 19:9-10)
- Disorientation of the Liminal Space (1 Kings 19:11-14)
- God’s “There” (1 Kings 19:15-17)
- Elijah’s response (1 Kings 19:18)
Learning to Pray with Elijah
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- When have you most needed to hear from God? What did you do to hear from Him?
- This week we continue our series “Great Prayers of the Bible” by looking at the life of Elijah in 1 Kings 19:1-18. Whether you are on your own or with a small group, begin your study in prayer, and then read 1 Kings 18:16-19:18.
- Summarize in your own words what happened in Elijah’s showdown with the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18. What do you think Elijah learned most about God from that experience?
- Read 1 Kings 19:1-3. Do you get the sense that this is a different Elijah than 1 Kings 18? What do you think happened to him in the midst of this rush of events?
- When have your circumstances lead you to act in a way that is inconsistent with your beliefs? What happened?
- In 1 Kings 19:3-9, Elijah rushes by foot to Mt. Horeb, the mountain of God, which is another name for Mt. Sinai (see Exodus 3:1; 17:6; 33:6; Deuteronomy 4:10; 5:2; 1 King 8:9), where God delivered the Ten Commandments to Moses. Why do you think that Elijah rushed to that spot?
- God asks Elijah a question twice (1 Kings 19:9, 13). Why do you think God does this?
- What do you notice about the appearance of God and the voice of God in 1 Kings 19:11-13?
- What does God speak back to Elijah and what does this tell us about what God wants from Elijah after his long journey to Mt. Horeb?
- What is one specific thing that God is speaking to you through this study? If you are with a small group, discuss that with one another and then take extended time to pray about what you share. If you are studying on your own, write it down, pray about it, and share this with someone during the next few days.
DIG DEEPER
- Join in with other activities in Eastbrook Church’s Summer of Prayer here.
- Prepare for the 24-7 week of prayer during July 15-21.
- You can also access other resources for prayer for July at Pastor Matt’s blog.