God is Speaking: Are You Listening?
Sunday, January 26, 2014
This week in THE STORY we examine Chapter 15 entitled “God’s Messengers.”
Monday: Read 1 Kings 18:17-21. Can you think of a time when you ignored a warning and had to face the consequences? Why do we tend to ignore some warnings? What does Israel’s penchant for idolatry say about their attention to God’s warnings?
Work through the following questions to identify “idols” seeking to replace God in your life --
- What are you most disappointed with?
- What do you sacrifice your time and money for?
- What do you worry about?
- Where do you go when you hurt?
- What makes you mad?
- What brings you the most joy?
- Whose applause do you long for?
- Is the path I am following in life, following where God is leading?
Tuesday: Read 1 Kings 18:22-39. The Canaanites believed Baal was a storm god who controlled rain, gave life through rain, spoke through thunder, and used lightening as a weapon. What was Elijah’s message designed to prove? If you compare the Baal’ prophet’s prayers in 1 Kings 18:26-29 with Elijah’s prayer in 1 Kings 18:36-37, what do you learn about prayer from these passages?
Wednesday: Read 1 Kings 18:31. Elijah builds an altar of 12 stones, a reminder to a kingdom that God has made a covenant with all 12 tribes and still desires a relationship with them. Where have you gotten off track with God and His plan for your life? Are you ready to make a U-turn (repent) and get back to God?
Thursday: Read 1 Kings 19:1-8. Elijah experienced a great miracle (1 Kings 18) defeating the prophets of Baal – but then he began to fear for his life. Why do you think he was so afraid after being so victorious? How does God replenish Elijah? How are you replenishing your life to live with faith instead of fear?
Friday: Read 1 Kings 19:9-12. After a dramatic series of events, God reveals Himself to Elijah in an undramatic way. Why would God choose to dwell in the whisper? When have you experienced God’s whisper in your life? When do you take time to unplug from the world and give God your undivided attention?
Saturday: Read 2 Kings 6:8-17. Where do you need God to open your eyes to see His hand at work in your life? What is holding you back from stepping out in faith?
The Bible passages covered in Chapter 15 of The Story are excerpts from the following chapters: 1 Kings 17-19, 2 Kings 2, 4, 6, Amos 1, 3-5, 9, and Hosea 4-5, 8-9, 14.