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Elijah #5

 [Elijah] DEFEATING DISCOURAGEMENT_ 

1 Kings 19_ 

 

[Group discussion] What helps you most when you are discouraged – time alone, time with friends, rest, exercise, listening to music, silence?  
Tell a brief story about how God used another person or a personal experience to help you during a discouraging time. 

 

Elijah has just arrived home from a powerful mountain-top victory over the forces of evil in Israel. A little note was pushed under his door - “You’ve got 24 hours to get out of town.”  
 
 

[Read 1 Kings 19] 

 

 
In what ways does a “mountain-top” experience set us up for spiritual attack? 

 

 

Back in chapter 18, Elijah had waged a spiritual battle with the enemies of God, he had struggled in prayer and he had run ahead of Ahab’s chariot all the way back to Jezreel. 
How would you describe Elijah’s spiritual, emotional and physical condition? 

 

 

What insight does Elijah’s condition provide about your times of defeat and discouragement? 

 

 

In verses 5-9, how does the angel minister to a discouraged Elijah? 

How might the angel’s example help you to minister to a struggling friend or family member? 

 

 

What events or circumstances might tempt you to say what Elijah said in verse 10? 

 

 

In verses 11-12, what was God demonstrating to Elijah in the wind, the earthquake and the fire? 

 

 

When God finally spoke in the whisper, what do you think God said? 

 

 

God gives Elijah work to do (verses 15-17). How would that encourage Elijah? 

 

 

In verses 19-21, what is the point of Elisha’s plow burning? 

How do you think that affected Elijah? 

 

 

Back in verse 18 we’re told that from God’s perspective, things are seven thousand times better than Satan wants us to believe. 
How can you apply that principle in your life today? 

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