Elijah – Wk 4
1. God meets us in moments of discouragement.
1 Kings 19:1-10 (NLT)
1 When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. 2 So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.”
3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. 4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”
5 Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” 6 He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again.
7 Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.”
8 So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God. 9 There he came to a cave, where he spent the night.
But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
10 Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
2. It’s easy to become discouraged when fear becomes our only companion.
3. Remind yourself why you don’t have to be afraid by declaring who the Lord is.
Psalm 27:13 (NKJV)
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
Psalm 27:1-13 (NLT)
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation—
so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
so why should I tremble?
2 When evil people come to devour me,
when my enemies and foes attack me,
they will stumble and fall.
3 Though a mighty army surrounds me,
my heart will not be afraid.
Even if I am attacked,
I will remain confident.
4 The one thing I ask of the Lord—
the thing I seek most—
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
delighting in the Lord’s perfections
and meditating in his Temple.
5 For he will conceal me there when troubles come;
he will hide me in his sanctuary.
He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
6 Then I will hold my head high
above my enemies who surround me.
At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,
singing and praising the Lord with music.
7 Hear me as I pray, O Lord.
Be merciful and answer me!
8 My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”
9 Do not turn your back on me.
Do not reject your servant in anger.
You have always been my helper.
Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me,
O God of my salvation!
10 Even if my father and mother abandon me,
the Lord will hold me close.
11 Teach me how to live, O Lord.
Lead me along the right path,
for my enemies are waiting for me.
12 Do not let me fall into their hands.
For they accuse me of things I’ve never done;
with every breath they threaten me with violence.
13 Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness
while I am here in the land of the living.
– The Lord is my light and salvation.
– The Lord is my protector.
– The Lord is my sanctuary.
– The Lord is my helper.
– The Lord is good.
Psalms 27:14 (NLT)
14 Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
Use this guide, declaring who the Lord is, to overcome discouragement.
Click here to open: How to Pray Through Times of Discouragement
COMMUNITY GROUP MEETING OUTLINE
Where your faith intersects with real life!
Reconnect:
Each person shares a recent high and low from their life.
Explore:
Review the message notes.
Big Idea: God meets us in moments of discouragement.
Consider:
Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.
▶ Read 1 Kings 19:1-2. What voices, literal or figurative, are in our lives that are shouting judgment at us?
▶ Read 1 Kings 19:3-4. Share a time when you felt discouraged. Was there a “mountain top” experience just prior?
▶ Read 1 Kings 19:9-10. When in your life has fear been your only companion?
▶ God’s still small voice, his gentle whisper is his way to bring healing, restoration, direction, peace, calm, encouragement, hope, correction, instruction, and renewed purpose for your life. Which of these do you need most in this season?
Activate:
Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share your decision with the Group.
Read Psalm 27:1-14. Ask God which of the following He wants to reveal Himself to you as at this time in your life: light and salvation, protector, sanctuary, helper, good, or something else.
Prayer:
Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.
Read Psalm 27:14 again. Ask God to give you and your group patience as you wait on Him and diligently seek Him.