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Elijah #3

 [Elijah] STANDING ALONE_ 

1 Kings 18:1-40_ 

 
In the film Dead Poet’s Society there’s a scene where the teacher, played by Robin Williams, takes his class outside into the courtyard and ask three of his students to simply walk around. Initially, they walk at their own pace, but eventually, they fall into a pattern of all walking to the same rhythm and beat. 
The teacher uses this exercise as a way to show how easily and quickly we “fall in line” with the people around us. 
It’s hard to think outside the box. 
It’s even harder to stand alone for what we know is right. 

 
[Group discussion] Where you encouraged as a child to think and act independently or to be more of a conformist?  
What effects has that influence produced in your life? 

 

Elijah had waited three years for this confrontation, and the scene couldn’t have been more dramatic. One man took on the king, 450 pagan priests and the storm god!... 

 
[Read 1 Kings 18:1-40] 

 

Look at (King Ahab’s official) Obadiah’s actions in verses 1-16. From this, would you characterise Obadiah as courageous or cowardly? 
Why? 

 

 

[Activity] Based on Obadiah’s response to Elijah (in verses 9-14), describe the effort that had been made to find Elijah and the reasons given as to why he couldn’t be found... 

 

 

If you had been told to face up to King Ahab, after three-and-a-half years of drought, how would you have felt? 

What would’ve given you the confidence to obey? 

 

 

Ahab called Elijah “the trouble of Israel”, but Elijah explained Israel’s problems differently. How might Elijah’s words, in verse 18, relate to some of the problems in our culture / nation today? 

 

 

What are some of the false gods in today’s society? 
And how do people ‘sacrifice’ to these gods? 

 

 

In verses 30-35, why does Elijah expend such effort to prepare the altar and douse the sacrifice? 

 

 

On what basis does Elijah ask God to answer his prayer (verses 36-37)? 

How might Elijah’s prayer change how you ask God to work in the world? 

 

 

What has God used in your life to convince you that He is real and powerful? 

 

 

Do you think that spectacular public miracles will convince the unbelieving world of God’s existence? 
Why or why not? 

 

What other means may God use to bring a person to faith? 

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