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Saints and Struggles: Week 2- / Leader’s Guide

August 15, 2021

Main Idea: This week we continue in our series called “Saints and Struggles.” We’ll learn that some of the greatest heroes in the Scriptures struggled just like we do. This week we’ll take a closer look at how God helped Elijah through his struggles and what the implications are for us today.

Opening Discussion: Talk about a time in your life when you’ve either said or felt “I’ve had enough, Lord.”

Read: 1 Kings 19:1-5

1. What did the Pastor mean when he said “It’s Ok to not be ok.”? Why is this important to understand? A. Many Christians believe that if you’re not OK, then somethings wrong with you- you’re defective, you’re broken, you’re in sin, you’re spiritually immature, you lack faith. B. To be human is to be imperfect, to have emotions and issues in this broken world (Romans :19) C. God knows that we're imperfect, and he has already anticipated this- he has a plan. (Jeremiah 29:11)

2. What are some of the ways that God reacts to us “not being OK”? A. died for us anyway! (:8; John 3:16; 1 John 4:19; :24-25) B. God gives us his grace when we don’t deserve it & haven’t earned it. (Ephesians 2:8-9) C. God gives us his mercy when we don’t deserve it. (:23) D. God's power is made perfect in (our) weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Read: 1 Kings 19:6-8

3. What are some of the ways God shows up in Elijah’s struggles (& in our struggles)? A. He sent an angel to give Elijah rest and to strengthen him with food for his long journey. B. We run from him, yet he continues to pursue us. (Revelation 3:20) C. He wants us to surrender to the Spirit, not to our struggles. (Galatians 5:22-25) D. He always shows up and gives us what we need (Psalm 23; 1 John 5:14-15)

4. Why do you think we too often get comfortable with our “struggles” and surrender to them? A. We seem too often get comfortable with our dysfunction and in becoming the victim B. We tire of trying to overcome our struggles on our own (1 Kings 19:4) C. We chalk it up to being our destiny or fate and continue struggling D. We think it will be more difficult to face up to our struggle and get the help we need. Read 1 Kings 19:9-18

5. Are you listening for God’s gentle whisper? How? A. The Lord was not in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire. B. He came in a gentle whisper (v12) C. We need to be still enough to hear God’s whisper (Psalm 46:10) D. God wants our attention & focus; he wants us to lean in and draw close to him (James 4:8) E. If we tell God our problem, he will respond with a plan. (Jeremiah 29:11-13; 1 John 1:9)

Next Steps / Responses to the struggles you’re facing

● The first step to healing is revealing ○ In the Kingdom, breakDOWNS lead to breakTHROUGHS. ○ Pray to God and confess your struggles. (1 John 1:9) ○ Whatever your struggle is – emotional, physical, spiritual, addiction, anxiety, heartbreak, depression, or other- reveal it, so God can heal it. ○ Ask for prayer and for counseling. ● Listen & lean in ○ God always shows up. (Revelation 3:20; James 4:8) ○ God is speaking to you through his word, through events of your life, through other believers who are trying to help you, & through sermons and studies. ○ Be still and listen. (Psalm 46:10) ● Ask yourself “What are you doing here?” ○ It’s the question God asked Elijah twice, and it’s a great question for each of us, too. (1 Kings 19:9b, 13b) ○ Spend time in prayer and ask God to reveal his plans to you as you confess your struggles to him. (Jer. 29:13; 1 John 1:9; 1 John 5:14-15) ○ To get right with God, you have to get real with God!

Reading Plan:

Sun- 1 Kings 19:1-18 Mon- 53:4-6; Romans 3:23; John 3:16-17 Tues- Romans 6:23; Romans 5:8 Wed- 2 Corinthians 12:9-10; John 15:1-8 Thurs- 1 John 1:8-10; Philippians 1:6; Deuteronomy 31:8 Fri- Psalm 46:10; Galatians 5:22-25; 1 John 5:14-15 Sat- Jeremiah 29:11-13; Romans 8:18; Romans 8:28