` Never the Same A New Kind of Obedience 1 Kings 17:1-7

Introduction

Today we begin a new series called, “Never the Same”. These days, people from all walks of life are looking at the future and asking the question, “What’s going to be the new normal for my life personally, for my family, or for my job moving forward?” Perhaps you know people who are even bemoaning the fact that, “things will never be the same”.

In this new series we want to turn this “Never the Same” conversation towards our walk with Jesus. We want to make a spiritual commitment over the next three weeks that we will never be the same spiritually as we move forward in the new normal. What does this spiritual commitment mean? It means that you’re settled on this one truth – in the middle of this chaotic season, I’m committed to grow in my relationship with Jesus. I’m committed to yielding to Jesus, no matter the cost. Let’s not waste the changes we’re facing in this season, but rather make a spiritual commitment to lean in like never before and pursue real, spiritual change.

For the next three weeks, we’re going to look at one chapter of the , 1 Kings 17. We’re going to take a look at a man named and a specific encounter he had with God that left him, “Never the Same”. Elijah is one of the most important figures in the . But, for many of us, we’re more familiar with him in name rather than the details of his life and ministry. The scene surrounding 1 Kings 17 is Elijah’s mission from God to call out King and put an end to Baal worship in . Elijah does this by announcing a soon to come drought as a consequence of . This drought was a significant part of Elijah’s mission because the people believed Baal was the god of the rain, so the drought showed that Baal is not in charge!

BIG Idea

Let’s forsake the status quo for a new kind of obedience that leaves us, “Never the Same”.

Discussion Questions

1. What has the Lord shown you through your daily time in His Word and prayer over the last week?

2. In the last week, what gospel sharing opportunities has the Lord opened for you?

Read 1 Kings 17:1-7

3. What insight from Sunday’s sermon did you find to be the most encouraging or challenging?

4. God called Elijah to do something that wasn’t convenient, popular, or safe. God’s warning in verse 3 makes it clear that Elijah’s obedience to God had put him in danger. What does this teach us about being in the center of God’s will? How does this compare to what we often assume about the circumstances of our lives when we’re living in obedience to God’s will? 5. All over the Bible we see God calling people to sacrifice “creature comforts” and known paths for a life of faith and “Never the Same” adventure in step with Him. We see this especially in Jesus’ interactions with His disciples. Read the following verses and briefly state what they teach us about following Jesus:

• Matthew 4:18-22 • Matthew 6:25-34 • Matthew 8:18-22 • Matthew 10:16-23 • Matthew 16:24-27 • Matthew 19:29-30

6. The story of Elijah in 1 Kings 17 forces us to consider the question, “Do I really believe that God will provide for me when I do what He has called me to do?” How does God provide for Elijah? Did Elijah know how God was going to provide for him before he stepped out in obedience? What lesson do we learn from the timing of God’s provision for Elijah? What does it mean that God’s provision lies at the place of God’s calling? Give some examples of how we can see this principle at work in our lives?

7. No greater words could be spoken about your life than, “So he went and did according to the word of the Lord”. What needs to happen for these words to be said about your life? Are there areas of your life that you instinctively know are out of step with God’s will as revealed in Scripture? What does it mean that delayed obedience is disobedience?

8. Do you agree that it’s easy to get stuck seeking the “yet to be revealed” will of God to the neglect of the “revealed” will of God in the Scriptures? Why do you think this is the case? Why does God’s call on our lives usually include a new level of dependence upon Him? What would it look like for you to follow Elijah’s example regarding faithful obedience to the “revealed” will of God and trust in the timeliness of God’s provision?

9. What does Jesus want you to walk away believing and applying as a result of today’s study, personally?

Prayer Focus

As you pray, be sure to include today’s themes in what you bring before God, as well as these prayer points:

• Pray that God would give you a fresh encounter with His love through your daily time in His Word. • Pray that God would give you a heart to gladly follow Him wherever He leads, no matter the cost. • Pray that God would give you opportunity and courage to share the gospel with others this week.

Thank you for joining us in generosity through the giving of your tithes and offerings to our church. You can still give by mail, by dropping off your offering at any of our campuses, or online at crosschurch.com/give

Are you meeting with others online? Use these questions online this week:

1. What insight from Sunday’s sermon did you find to be the most encouraging or challenging? 2. What stands out to you the most about Elijah’s obedience to God’s call on his life? 3. What do these verses in 1 Kings teach us about being in the center of God’s will? 4. What lessons do we learn from the timing of God’s provision in Elijah’s life? 5. What does it mean that delayed obedience is disobedience? 6. What would Jesus want you to walk away believing and applying as a result of this study?