Discovering Abundance. Life Seems Sparse!

Transcription

1 Discovering Abundance When Life Seems Sparse! The Lord was not in the wind not in the earthquake.not in the fire but in a still small voice. I Kings 19:11, 12

2 Session I The Secret of True Prayer "Elijah Prayed earnestly that it might not rain; and it rained not " James 5:17 A. What do we tend to believe about prayer, generally? B. What does the Bible actually reveal about prayer? 1. II Corinthians 12: Matthew 26: I Samuel 15:29; Numbers 23: Matthew 6:6-13; Isaiah 65:24

3 C. What seems to be the true purpose of prayer? Why should we pray if we cannot change God's plans? Where does true prayer begin? 1. I Thessalonians 5:17 2. Matthew 18:19, James 5: I Corinthians 12:7 11 D. What does Elijah's experience teach us about true prayer? 1. I Kings 17:1 2. I Kings 17:2 7 Prayer is God's ordained means for releasing His power in the world and accomplishing His sovereign plan. It is our God-given privilege in order that we may join Him in what He is doing in the world.

4 Session II The Test of Faith in the Midst of Sparseness "I have not a cake only a handful of meal a little oil and two sticks that we may eat and die." I Kings 17:12 A. Elijah received "the word of the Lord." I Kings 17:8 10a 1. How do you hear His voice? 2. Do we respond as readily as Elijah seemed to respond? B. Elijah seems quite certain of the Lord's promise and plan. I Kings 17: What made Elijah so certain? I Kings 17:14 2. Has God spoken certainties to us? What are some of these? 3. Why are we "not so certain" when this same Lord God has given us His clear Word?

5 4. What would it take for us to fully trust Him in the midst of our sparseness? C. The widow saw the miracle Elijah had promised. Yet in the face of the next test her faith collapses. I Kings 17:17, 18 Does her response sound a bit "familiar" to us? D. Elijah went to the Lord to discuss the plight of the widow and her son. I Kings 17: What are some key lessons and observations for us personally in this passage? 2. Compare this scene with King David's experience in prayer. II Samuel 12: What is the great significant lesson for us here? E. Does the Lord withhold His blessings or fail to answer our prayers because He is disappointed in us or we have failed Him in some way? 1. Romans 8:28 2. I Thessalonians 5:18

6 3. John 17:9, 13, 15, 17, Hebrews 12:1 13. What is the motivating heart factor that moves the Father's hand in all the events of our lives? Hebrews 12:6 And His ultimate purpose? Hebrews 12:10 5. What will be our "best" response if we want to experience peace and freedom in the midst of our trials? Matthew 26:39; II Corinthians 12:7 10; James 1:2 8

7 Session III The Power of God on the Mountaintop "Then the fire of the Lord fell when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces, and they said, The Lord, He is God " I Kings 18:39 A. Consider I Kings 18:1 14. Obadiah is full of fear. What seems to have triggered his fear and of what is he afraid? B. In I Kings 18:15 40 we see several examples of God's power at work in Elijah. Identify these and consider how God's power works in and through you. C. In I Kings 18:41 46 we get a great glimpse into Elijah s prayer life. What can we learn here?

8 D. Elijah's life and actions reflect his confidence in the Lord's faithfulness. His expectations seem to be based on God's Word to him. What are some truths that would enhance our confidence and provide a more powerful walk in His Spirit?

9 Session IV The Heavenly Chariot Arrives Behold, there appeared a chariot of fire And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven." II Kings 2:11 A. Elijah, after being a part of a huge victory, now drops into depression and fear. 1. Read I Kings 19:1 4. What is driving his fear and depression? 2. Remember Job's experience. See Job chapters 1 and 2. Then read Job 3:1 3, 11 13, 25. What triggered Job s fear and depression? 3. We know the victorious "rest of the story" of Elijah's life and Job's life. How might we be encouraged in our own loss and fears and depression when we recall God's hand on these believers? B. Elijah experiences the Lord's comfort and dialogues with him! Read I Kings 19: What qualities of God's love do we see in verses 5-8?

10 2. Why does God ask questions when he already knows the answer? See I Kings 19:9, 13; Genesis 3:9, 11, 13; Job 38: What question might the Lord be asking you right now that would reveal your own doubts or fears? C. Elijah gets clear direction once again. Read I Kings 19: What personal wisdom can we gain in 19:11-14? 2. As the Lord gives directions is there any chance any of this might not happen? See 19: Read also Psalm 139:14-16; Proverbs 16:9 and Isaiah 45:7. How might these truths encourage you? How might these truths support our understanding of prayer? D. Elisha is called. I Kings 19: Read also I Samuel 18:10-13; Jeremiah 1:5; Galatians 1:15 and Ephesians 2:10. How could these truths transform your life?

11 E. Elijah's life has a grand culmination! 1. Read I Kings 21:17-25; I Kings 22: God's judgment on evil is real. Read also Romans 10:19 and Hebrews 10:30. How might this encourage you? 2. Elijah receives another assignment. II Kings 1:1-17. What are the similarities with his earlier experiences? Any truth for us personally? F. God's timing is specific, from birth to death and all the days of our lives in between. 1. Read II Kings 2: What additional insights can we gain about prayer from these verses? 2. Read II Kings 2:11; Genesis 5:21-24; Deuteronomy 34:5-7; Matthew 17:1-3; I Corinthians 15:50-57; I Thessalonians 4: What personal truth and wisdom can be yours from these passages?

12 G. Elijah's prayers were effectual. See James 5: Note: the Greek word for effectual is energeo and means to be inwrought or energized. See Ephesians 3:7 and 4:16; Philippians 2:13; I Thessalonians 2:13. Why were Elijah's prayers effectual?