Surrey Chapel Connect Groups 25th/ 26th May 2016
Elijah - Standing Alone
1 Kings 18: 1-46

This passage takes place at a low point in Israel’s history. Ahab, King of the divided northern kingdom of Israel was a particularly evil King dragging Israel to new lows. (1 Kings 16:29-34) Elijah is a lone voice speaking for the Lord. In chapter 17 he heralds a drought as a direct challenge to Baal the pagan god of storms and rain. He then demonstrates the LORD’s power over life and death in raising the widow’s son. In this chapter he confronts Ahab and sets up a dramatic showdown with the prophets of Baal.

18:1-19 Elijah confronts Ahab
How do you think Elijah felt about confronting Ahab?
Why does Ahab refer to Elijah as the troubler of Israel?
450 prophets of Baal + 400 prophets of Ashram = 950:1 But 950 < 1+1

18:20-40 On Mount Carmel
v.21 “How long will you waver”? - A timeless challenge. A typical response?
How useful is such a challenge in evangelism?
v.22 Elijah standing alone. A position we could easily be in.
v.24 They agree to the challenge. Why?
v.26-29 Note the increasingly desperate and frenzied, even self harming activities.
Contrast this with the calm response of Elijah and the immediate response.
v.34-35 The water eliminates any natural possibility of combustion.
v.38 The response is definitive, over the top even, leaving no doubt.
v.39 - See Philippians 2:10.

18:41-46 The LORD sends rain
Elijah’s servant sees the cloud at the seventh time of asking. - 7 being symbolic of perfection,
showing that this was all part of God’s divine plan.

Application
What does this passage say to us living in the 21st century?
What does it teach us about standing firm against pagan or ungodly opposition?
Are the lessons to learn in confronting evil rulers, false prophets or other religions?

The ESV Study Bible identifies 7 Key themes in 1 & 2 Kings. Discuss and reflect on how these
themes are present in this chapter.
1. The LORD is the only true God
2. The LORD controls history
3. The LORD demands exclusive worship
4. The content and place of true worship
5. The consequences of false worship
6. The LORD as just and gracious lawgiver
7. THE LORD as promise giver

Prayer points 										ADB
That we would stand firm when we are a lone witness.
Christians in positions of authority.
Students doing exams and planning their futures.