Elijah (Week Four) Questions for discussion and reflection

At the end of 1 Kings 19 we find Elijah emerging from the pain of depression with a newfound mission of raising up an apprentice. Elijah obeyed God and passed the torch onto Elisha.

Read 1 Kings 19:19-21.

1. What was the significance of Elijah throwing his cloak over Elisha?

2. Why do you think Elisha was so willing to go with Elijah? Why did he burn the plowing equipment and cook the oxen?

3. What can we learn from Elisha’s example? How can we wholeheartedly pass our faith on to others?

Yesterday we looked at Elijah's response of fear to the threat made against his life by Jezebel (1 Kings 19:3). Check out this video by Max Lucado from the Small Group Exchange. Max Lucado explains how small groups are used by God to help people overcome their fears.

How can we create group environments where people are willing to share their fears?

Elijah (Week Three) Questions for discussion and reflection

Has there been a time in your life when you, like Elijah, experienced feelings of depression following a spiritual breakthrough?

In what ways does fear contribute to loneliness or depression? What are some of your fears?

Read 1 Kings 19:1-18.

1. Describe Elijah’s prayer when he got alone with God. What does this tell you about Elijah? How did God respond?

2. While in the cave, what did God ask Elijah and how did he respond? Does anything strike you as unusual about this question?

3. What did God command Elijah to do?

4. What can be learned from the way in which God spoke to Elijah?

5. Focus on one of the application points in the message, rest, solitude, honest prayer, community and mission. Which one or two of these are you most needful of in your life right now? What is your plan to put this into practice?

Elijah: Dependance-- Questions for reflection and discussion

Describe a time when you took a bold godly risk (such as sharing the gospel with a co-worker, giving sacrificially to someone in need, initiating a new ministry venture, etc.). What was the outcome?

Read 1 Kings 18:1-15. Because of the long drought in Israel brought on by Ahab’s wickedness, the famine had become severe. Elijah had good news for the people, God told him the drought was about to end. Elijah’s dilemma was that he needed to face Ahab.

1. What risks did Obadiah take by relaying Elijah’s message to Ahab? How did this demonstrate his dependence on God?
2. In this passage, how did Obadiah demonstrate passive dependence? active dependence?

Read 1 Kings 18:16-40. Keep in mind that the false god Baal was believed to be the god of the sun and rain.

3. What did the prophets of Baal attempt in order to get their god to act? Why didn’t it work?
4. Why do you suppose the people remained indifferent as to which god they believed in? (Compare 1 Kings 18:21 with 1 Corinthians 2:14)
5. How did Elijah’s confidence in God’s power and sovereignty allow him to take this risk?

Read 1 Kings 18:41-46.

6. What enabled Elijah’s confidence that the small rain could would develop into a sustained rain?
7. What are potential “Mt. Carmel Moments” in your life? Look over the following list. Do you sense God’s calling toward any of these? Share your thoughts and take some time to pray together as a group.

Move out of your seat and into a ministry (many opportunities to choose from)
Invite someone who is far from God into your home to share a meal with your family.
Launch a brand new Life Group.
Adopt a neighborhood in our community and begin to serve them and share Christ with them.
Become a Life Group apprentice.
Join the Jefferson County Launch Team.
Find an organization in our community where you can volunteer and make a difference.
Tell someone about your faith in Christ.
Get Baptized.
Go on a short-term mission trip.
Start a non-profit business that will help those in need…widows, poor, single moms, etc.
Move overseas to share the gospel with another people group.
Move to another community in Western Pa and launch a new campus.

ONLINE VIDEO TRAINING :: Russ Robinson: Learn on the job

ONLINE VIDEO TRAINING :: Russ Robinson: Learn on the job

Those of us who attended last year’s Group Life conference heard from Russ Robinson. Check out this video clip to hear Russ' take on the importance of on the job training when it comes to group ministry. Leaders, what can we do to turn more ministry over to your apprentices in order to prepare them to birth a new group?

Articles :: How to Get out of Summer SLUMP by Eric Metcalf

Articles :: How to Get out of Summer SLUMP by Eric Metcalf
Here are some more ideas for group leaders to consider this summer. Rather than experiencing a "slump" summer is potentially an opportunity to build community and mission. Last week my group used our meeting night to do a service project at AAA Life Services, something we were not able to do when kids had school the next day and daylight was shorter. This week we're looking forward to being out in the community together cheering on a little league game.

Thinking about mission together... we're looking for a some life groups to "host" a room during Family Funfest, June 28-30, 6:00-8:00. Each room will have a theme from a children's movie complete with games and activities for the family. Groups will help run the games in each room. Interested in your group serving one or more nights of Funfest? Shoot me or Pastor Brandon a email-- mike@zionlife.com or brandon@zionlife.com.

Elijah (Week One)

Read 1 Kings 17:1-6. Elijah is called by God to speak prophetically to Israel’s evil king, Ahab.

1. What risks was Elijah taking by delivering this message to Ahab?
2. Where does Elijah gain boldness? Why was he confident that God would do what he said he would do? (See Exodus 16:12)
3. Read 1 Kings 17:7-8. How did Elijah know it was time to move on?

Read 1 Kings 17:9-24.
4. What was Elijah’s reputation with the widow? How did her understanding grow?
5. What kind of miracles did Elijah witness? Why did God perform those miracles?
6. James 5:17 says that Elijah “was a man just like us.” Why does James write this? What is he motivating us to do or be?
7. Share a time when you were bold in sharing Christ is someone. What made is difficult? What makes us timid about speaking up for Christ?
8. How can we have the confidence in God’s Word that Elijah had?

"A man just like us..."

James says that Elijah “was a man just like us.” (James 5:17) Since Elijah was not some sort of “super hero” with a big “S” painted on his chest, what was it about his faith that allowed him to experience God in a big way? As I have spent time over the past week in 1 Kings I believe at least part of the answer was Elijah’s sense of expectancy. When Elijah went up against the 400 prophets of Baal he expected God to show up in a big way. (1 Kings 18)

Am I expecting God to show up? A couple of weeks ago when Kyle was baptized I expected God to show up and He did! I talked with him several times throughout the week, knew his story, how God used Ray Doolittle and others to bring him to Christ and was confident that God would use this story for His glory. By the time Sunday rolled around, I couldn’t wait for everyone else to hear what I heard… I came to church with a great sense of expectancy and was not disappointed.

What about this weekend? How am I expecting God to show up? Or for that matter, next week’s life group gathering… family devotions… my one-on-one time with God? Of course, God showing up is not always the spectacular. This too we learn from Elijah who in 1 Kings 19 experiences God in a “gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:12). Nevertheless, God showed up.

How do we foster a greater sense of expectancy in our communities? James 5:17 says that Elijah “prayed earnestly.” It seems to me that’s the place to start. For all the preparation and work we put into our group gatherings… let’s make sure we are doing the most important thing and that is praying earnestly for God to show up in the lives of the men and women entrusted to us… and then expecting God to do so.

Groups that serve together...

My personal favorite group gatherings are when we have the opportunity to serve together as families. Last week my group trimmed bushes, cleared weeds and mowed the lawn at AAA Life Services. From pre-schoolers to teens, kids served right alongside of parents. As a dad, it is rewarding to see my three-year old pick up a rake excited to participate.

Summer can be a strategic season for group ministry. Serving nights, cookouts, and even breaks can deepen a group’s sense of community. Find the rhythm that works for your group and make sure to communicate schedule changes with everyone. For ideas on how to make the most of summer check out the article, Staying Connected Through the Summer at www.smallgroups.com.

Here are some questions that will help group leaders and apprentices plan for this summer:

1. What specific ways can our group serve together? (It does not need to be an organization or organized function-- find someone (widow, elderly couple, single-mom…) who has a need and serve them.
2. Who are those not yet connected to a life-group who can be invited to join you?
3. What do we want to see happen in our group this summer?
4. In what areas do we want to see our group grow as we look ahead to the fall?