Message Series: In the Wilderness
Week 3
Scripture: 1 Kings 19: 4-18
Group Check in:
How is it with your soul?
Prayer Request? Praises?
How has God shown up in your life this week?
Icebreaker:
What distracts you the most?
What was your bravest moment in life so far?
Overview:
Elijah’s journey south was a profound moment of grief, defeat and despair. His massive victory over the prophets of Baal only led to his life being threatened by the most powerful figure in Israel at the time. He flees south to wallow in grief and wait for death to come, but what he finds when he arrives in that wilderness is God himself, who declares that He isn't finished neither with Elijah, nor with Israel. Elijah hears the voice of God calling him to press onward.
The promise of the gospel is not the elimination of our human lives. It does not remove the obstacles, but we will never be alone. We will traverse the wilderness together.
1 Kings is a story that begins with monumental victory, followed by crushing defeat and despair that ultimately gives way to Hope for the future.
It never hurts to hear how God has shown up in the past, because we know that God hasn’t changed and will continue to walk with us through our wildernesses.
The role that our memory has in the wilderness is profound.
When chaos is raging around us and when fear is upon us, we tend to not hear God; instead, we hear God in the sheer silence.
The darkest night isn’t your last night…the lowest point isn’t your final rest. God is not finished yet with you. God will be with you through the wilderness. Don’t forget. Remember.
We must do a ruthless elimination of all the noise around us. All the noise and distractions that drown out God’s voice. Listen intently. Do not listen to the chaos around us, but listen in the silence for God.
Discussion Questions:
Have you ever been in a place where even your victories turn out to be defeats? Where no matter what you do, your world seems to fall in around you?
Does the noise around you keep you from hearing God’s voice? How can you listen intently, and put all the other distractions away?
From watching the news, reading the paper, and scrolling social media, we are inundated with information. Our bodies can become over-stimulated. Elijah needed to rest his body and be restored (read 1 Kings 19:5-7). How are you restoring yourself?
One of the greatest lies that is told to us is we are alone. Even after the incredible miracles Elijah witnessed, he still felt alone. (1 Kings 19:10, 14) Describe a time in your life where you have felt alone. Who was there to help you through this time?
On Mount Sinai, God met with Elijah and asked him: “What are you doing here?” It seems that Elijah was there because of fear. How are you battling the feelings of fear this week? (Read Joshua 1:9 and 1 Peter 5:7)
This week's challenge: Set the timer for 5 minutes in your day and practice silence before God. Try to get away from any distractions and just be still in His presence.
Share with your Groups:
FOR OUR NEIGHBORS
SUMMER CHALLENGE
There is something about summer that just brings the life out of us, isn't there? Well, those sun-filled days are here and of course you will be looking for some adventure this summer. We have you covered! We have crafted a list of activities that you, your family or a group of friends can do together this summer. Take this opportunity to get to know your neighbors!
Join our Facebook Community Group so that we can share stories and swap ideas as we go along. We also heard there might be some PRIZES given away in our Facebook group!