SESSION 2 The God Who Whispers

Summary and Goal

After the events on Mount Carmel, the succumbed to discouragement and despair. In response to Elijah’s circumstances, God revealed Himself. The God who sent down fire from heaven in a bold and spectacular display of His power is the same God who whispered to Elijah in a quiet moment of sustaining grace. God strengthens us in our despair, challenges the lies we believe, and then ministers to us through His Word and through His people. As the recipients of God’s grace, we, in turn, rely on His power to deliver His message of comfort. Main Passage 1 Kings 19:1-18 Session Outline 1. The God who whispers strengthens us in our despair (1 Kings 19:1-9a). 2. The God who whispers challenges our wrong assumptions (1 Kings 19:9b-14). 3. The God who whispers reveals Himself through His faithful people (1 Kings 19:15-18).

Theological Theme God is gracious to reveal Himself to His people. Christ Connection Elijah was a prophet who faced persecution and opposition from those who rejected God. His example points forward to Jesus, the greatest prophet, who endured opposition for delivering God’s Word. Missional Application God calls us to rely on Him for the strength we need to deliver His message.

Date of My Study: ______19

© 2016 LifeWay Christian Resources. Permission granted to reproduce and distribute within the license agreement with purchaser. Session Plan The God Who Whispers Session 2

Introduction Introduction Option Use the writer’s example of disillusionment or one of your own to begin the Write on a board or on session. Experiencing disappointment and disillusionment can lead to a a large sheet of paper the heading “Elijah on distorted perspective on life (leader p. 22; personal study guide [PSG] p. 19). Mount Carmel.” As group members arrive, What circumstances in your past have led you to periods of ask them to write 1-2 disappointment or disillusionment? adjectives to describe Elijah as he faced off with the of (see the What impact did these circumstances have on your previous session). relationship with God? As you begin the session, refer to the comments from this activity and say Connect the theme of disillusionment with the story of Elijah by contrasting that Elijah’s experience and his encounter with the prophets of Baal in the previous session with Elijah’s response in this session is drastically different. experience we learn about in this session (leader p. 22). Use the session summary to assist in doing this (leader p. 23; PSG p. 20).

1. T he God who whispers strengthens us in our For Further despair (1 Kings 19:1-9a). Discussion Emphasize that the spectacle at Mount Carmel did not result in ideal What are things we circumstances for and Elijah (leader p. 23). Read 1 Kings 19:1-9a. do or say that aren’t Point out that Elijah fled for his life in response to ’s threatening helpful as we try to encourage one another in message. But even in his despondency, the Lord continued to meet his needs tough circumstances? (leader pp. 23-24; PSG pp. 20-21). What are some ways we might encourage each Can you remember a time in your past when God other more effectively? ministered to you and allowed you to rest? Describe the circumstances.

Note how depression can skew how we see truth. Churches must find ways to help that go beyond sound-bite statements and spiritual to-do lists. Point out how God was with Elijah, ministering in truth and love even as he fled his situation (leader pp. 24-25; PSG p. 21).

What are some ways we may accidentally add to the pain of people around us who are suffering?

20 Leader Guide 2. The God who whispers challenges our wrong assumptions (1 Kings 19:9b-14). Point 2 Option As a continuation of the Read 1 Kings 19:9b-14. Show how Elijah’s answer was honest but narrow and Introduction Option, misinformed. Elijah lacked hope for Israel and instead hurled accusations and write on a board or on disgust. Say that hopelessness can make the light around us look dim a second large sheet of paper the heading “Elijah in (leader pp. 25-26; PSG pp. 22-23). the Wilderness.” Allow group members Elijah’s disappointment and despair contributed to his a moment to write 1-2 inability to correct his wrong assumptions. Why do you adjectives describing Elijah think we get stuck in poor reasoning and wrong thinking? based on the Scripture passages read thus far. Then ask a volunteer How can we correct wrong assumptions? to read the “Essential Christian Doctrine” God Is Immanent (leader p. 26; Note that rather than arguing with Elijah, God showed that He doesn’t PSG p. 23). Have groups always work in fantastic displays but also in small, subtle ways. Stress why of 2-3 discuss how this doctrine of God an informed, growing knowledge of God is important for avoiding wrong should shape the way assumptions (leader pp. 26-27; PSG pp. 23-24). we understand our circumstances in life, whether highs or lows. How does your church/group teach or demonstrate that Allow a moment for groups God works in still, small ways? to share with everyone some of their thoughts and reflections. How can we help people struggling with belief in God to gain a better understanding of the evidence of God from His work in smaller ways, not just in spectacular or miraculous displays?

3. The God who whispers reveals Himself through His faithful people (1 Kings 19:15-18). Ask a volunteer to read 1 Kings 19:15-18. Point out Elijah’s new role. God calls us to be faithful in the small things that may not make sense to us. Similarly, Jesus calls us to die to ourselves and obey (leader pp. 27-28; PSG pp. 24-25).

What are some ways God currently uses your life to affect your community (family, friends, coworkers, church members, etc.)? Christ Connection: Elijah was a prophet who faced State that God is free to work in ways we may not expect nor observe in this persecution and opposition Ask group from those who rejected life—consider Jesus on the cross (leader pp. 28-29; PSG pp. 25-26). God. His example points members individually to answer the questions using the table in the PSG. After a forward to Jesus, the couple of moments, ask them to group up and share their experiences; then call for greatest prophet, who endured opposition for some responses for the whole group (leader p. 29; PSG p. 26). delivering God’s Word...... Conclusion Missional Application: God Remind the group that our labors matter to the Lord, and exhort them to calls us to rely on Him for the strength we need to trust in the God who whispers (leader p. 29; PSG p. 26). Apply the truths of deliver His message. this session with “His Mission, Your Mission” (PSG p. 27).

Session 2 21 Expanded Session Content The God Who Whispers Session 2

Introduction Voices from I once had a good friend tell me, “My life isn’t what I expected at all. It Church History is much more disappointing than I would have imagined. Over the years, “Faith in Christ is far from I became angry with God for my situation. So I walked away from Him simple and easy because he is an astounding and from the church.” king, who, instead of My friend dreamt of being a stay-at-home mom. However, she defending his people, [seemingly] deserts them… became the long-term, steady provider for her household. She felt cheated He is a strange king who and abandoned. Worse yet, after many years at her job, a younger is nearest when he is [seemingly] far.” 1 administrator began to verbally abuse her, writing trumped-up, negative –Martin Luther (1483-1546) evaluations of her performance. As a result, my friend struggled with loneliness and bitterness. Often in speaking with Christians and non-Christians, I have heard stories of exhaustion and disillusionment, stories that lead to a distorted perspective on life. What’s more, people often feel confused when they realize that many of their victorious moments with God, or “mountain-top experiences,” take place right next to some of the hardest and most painful experiences of life.

What circumstances in your past have led you to periods of disappointment or disillusionment?

What impact did these circumstances have on your relationship with God?

As we pick up the story of Elijah, we find the prophet of God in a similar situation. In the previous session, we witnessed Elijah’s spectacular contest with the prophets of Baal. The people had proclaimed Yahweh as Lord! Surely Elijah expected spectacular results after such a miracle. However, neither Israel’s king () nor queen (Jezebel) had undergone a heart change after the fire came down from heaven. Instead, Queen Jezebel threatened Elijah’s life.

22 Leader Guide Session Summary In this session, we see how the prophet Elijah succumbed to Further discouragement and despair. In response to Elijah’s circumstances, God Commentary revealed Himself. The God who sent down fire from heaven in a bold and “Jezebel’s rejection of spectacular display of His power is the same God who whispered to Elijah God’s signs and the determined, defiant way in a quiet moment of sustaining grace. God strengthens us in our despair, in which she later faced challenges the lies we believe, and then ministers to us through His Word death (:30-31) demonstrate her character and through His people. As the recipients of God’s grace, we, in turn, rely as a person who did what on His power to deliver His message of comfort. she wanted, no matter the consequences. Sin breeds this self-destructive 1. The God who whispers strengthens us in our heedlessness. Elijah’s faith may have crumbled due despair (1 Kings 19:1-9a). to physical and emotional As we saw in the previous session, Elijah witnessed a spectacular display exhaustion. Although his future still included of God’s power in the contest on Mount Carmel (:18-39). God several tasks, it may be proved to the Israelites that He was the Lord of all creation and that Baal significant that his next task was to choose his was a powerless creation of humankind. The people repented and professed successor. Beer-sheba, Yahweh as Lord. Such a victory would surely bring about a great final result about 100 miles south of Mount Carmel, served for Elijah and for the nation of Israel. Or would it? as a traditional southern boundary for Israelite 1 territory (Judg. 20:1; Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed 2 Sam. 24:2). A day’s all the prophets with the sword. 2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, journey would have taken Elijah out of Judean saying, “So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your territory and into deeper life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” 3 Then he was afraid, desert. The broom tree under which the prophet and he arose and ran for his life and came to , which belongs to sat provided shade, and Judah, and left his servant there. its roots could be used for 4 heat and food. Elijah was But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness and came in deep depression. God’s and sat down under a broom tree. And he asked that he might die, saying, miraculous provision was resumed, this time purely “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than for the prophet. After Elijah my fathers.” 5 And he lay down and slept under a broom tree. And behold, ate and rested, he returned 6 to the place where the an angel touched him and said to him, “Arise and eat.” And he looked, covenant had been given, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of , or Sinai. 7 There, Elijah would have water. And he ate and drank and lay down again. And the angel of the his personal faith renewed Lord came again a second time and touched him and said, “Arise and eat, by God’s presence. Elijah 8 explained his presence for the journey is too great for you.” And he arose and ate and drank, at Sinai by referring to his and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, discouragement. Israel’s immediate future, as the mount of God. hindsight shows, gave 9a There he came to a cave and lodged in it. good reason for despair. Judah was to have one more period of God-given Life is often not as straightforward as we would like it to be. In the prosperity under the four good kings from Joash to midst of such a period of life, Elijah forgot the truth of God’s power over Jotham, but during that Jezebel. Like many of us, he responded to his threatening circumstance by time, Israel was to be 2 running away. deported to Assyria.” –Andrew C. Bowling, HCSB Study Bible

Session 2 23 I’ve seen the same reaction in my friends’ lives as well as in my own. Voices from It’s easy to see ourselves as victims and then throw up our hands in the Church despair and give up. Such a reaction betrays a false belief about God— “The gospel declares to us that He doesn’t care about or isn’t present in the dark times. Yet even in that God has made himself our worst moments, through our despair and running away, God still close to us in Christ…When our feelings tell us that ministers to us. is not true, we must defy Note Elijah’s state of mind—utter despondency, despairing of life those feelings with faith in God’s promise.” 3 itself. He counted himself a failure, stating that he was “no better than –J. D. Greear [his] fathers,” meaning, the prophets that had come before him. Elijah believed his work on Mount Carmel had no greater effect on turning the people back to the worship of God than did the work of any previous prophets of Israel. And so he desired not only to resign from his prophetic Voices from ministry but also to die. He hit what we call “rock bottom.” But in this Church History moment of despair, the Lord sent Elijah food and let him rest. He “Give to the winds thy provided the necessary strength to keep going. fears, Hope and be undismayed, God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears, Can you remember a time in your past when God God shall lift up thy head.” 4 ministered to you and allowed you to rest? Describe –Paul Gerhardt (1607-1676) the circumstances.

Everyone faces the disappointing sting of failure in some way or another. We do not need to beat ourselves up for our moments of despair, nor deny them. Yet we cannot stay in them forever. In this passage, God ministered to Elijah in his despair for more than a month while he made his way to Mount Horeb (aka Mount Sinai). Yet as the angel noted, there was more to come. Elijah still had a good purpose to fulfill in this world. The Lord wanted to use Elijah. Depression can skew how we see truth, and we are extremely vulnerable to this when under duress and fatigue. I’ve found that it is good to allow myself room for disappointment but also not to forget to allow God room to minister to me. I need to remember what God has done for me: in large ways, such as offering the gift of salvation and giving me hope in Jesus Christ; in small ways, such as caring for and ministering to me daily. Further, our churches can help us by not simply telling people to “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” or “just read your Bible more.” Sound- bite statements and spiritual to-do lists do not overcome the depth of our disappointment. As the body of Christ, we must be available to minister to one another in these times. We must encourage people to draw closer to the body of Christ, but sometimes we must take time away in solitude with God and His Word, so the Lord Himself may minister to us. Our example here is Jesus, who frequently drew away from the crowds to pray and be alone with God.

24 Leader Guide Whether Elijah fled his situation out of fatigue, fear, lack of faith, or disappointment, he still ran. But even in his despair and running, God was still there, ministering in truth and love.

What are some ways we may accidentally add to the pain of people around us who are suffering?

2. The God who whispers challenges our wrong assumptions (1 Kings 19:9b-14). Further After ministering to Elijah’s physical and emotional exhaustion Commentary (through the gift of food and rest), the Lord questioned Elijah. He “The upheaval of nature in powerful winds, engaged Elijah’s reasoning. earthquakes, floods or storms is associated 9b And behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, with God’s action in revelation and judgment. 10 “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous It is reminiscent of the for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken covenant at Sinai and the commissioning of your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with and the people (Ex. 19:9,16; the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it 34:6; Deut. 5:23-26). Each were well-known signs of 11 away.” And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” judgment on sin (Ps. 18:7,12; And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the Isa. 13:13; 29:6) but did not themselves convey mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord the whole message. God was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord does not always speak so clearly through these 12 was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the manifestations as he does Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. through his individual word to his prophet. The 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went ‘still small voice’ (AV) out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice was a gentle whisper (cf. Heb. ‘a thin [fine] 14 to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have subdued sound’), rather been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel than ‘a low murmuring sound’ (NEB); ‘stillness’ is have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your not incompatible with the prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, words for ‘sound, voice’ (‘a sound of sheer silence,’ to take it away.” NRSV) and the word ‘thin’ (dāqqâ). The soft voice of God speaking to the Elijah responded to the Lord’s questioning by expressing his conscience, illuminating disappointment and hopelessness. His words indicate that he was the mind and stirring resolve in individual and considering only a narrow selection of Israel’s past events. In his accusations nation may follow and is against Israel, he failed to mention what God had just done in sending fire often preferable to the loud roaring and thunder from heaven or the repentant response of the people or the execution of the of cosmic events at Sinai prophets of Baal. Simply put, Elijah’s vision was narrow and misinformed. and Carmel.” 5 –Donald J. Wiseman

Session 2 25 As the Holman Commentary states: “But there was a Voices from profound difference between his feelings and reality. He had lost sight of the Church the nature of his God. As a result his vision was distorted. At the bottom “It will be of great advantage of his complaint was a complaint about God himself. The Lord had not to the struggling Christian to treated him well by allowing him to experience such things. Despair had remember that seasons of 6 darkness are normal in the made Elijah self-centered.” Christian life. I don’t mean Hopelessness can make the light around us look dim. We can lose our that we should not try to live above them. I mean that way in the darkness of our clouded mind, unable to see the “light at the if we do not succeed, we end of the tunnel,” unable to discern truth. Elijah, in his despair, rolled out are not lost, and we are not alone, as the fragment of accusations against the Israelites that were focused on the negative events. our faith cleaves to Christ.” 9 He saw only the very dim light of what he wanted to see, a self-centered –John Piper view of the situation: Surely, if the people did not return to God after fire fell from heaven, they would never return.

Elijah’s disappointment and despair contributed to his 99 Essential inability to correct his wrong assumptions. Why do you Christian Doctrines think we get stuck in poor reasoning and wrong thinking? 14. God Is Immanent When we say that God is How can we correct wrong assumptions? immanent, we mean that God is personable and relatable to those made in God’s reply to Elijah was extraordinary. Rather than argue with Elijah, His image, while remaining completely distinct and God drew Elijah into an encounter with Himself. The encounter was an unique from all of His important moment for Elijah’s life because God showed Elijah a truth creation. It means that God is not a distant deity (as about His nature: God doesn’t always work in fantastic displays but also in imagined by the deist) who small and subtle ways, even as subtle as a whisper. only sits on His heavenly throne with no interaction, Many churches tend to focus so much on doing the “big things” for but instead, He is a personal God, such as musical and drama productions as well as mission trips or God who created people in His image to be in personal big evangelism events. But what if we are overlooking the small ways that relationship with Him. God works in our daily lives? Here is an area of church life that is difficult for us—to learn to find God in the small things and the quiet of the world. We must learn to drown out the human noise, quieting our souls long enough for God’s Word to break through and change us. When we only expect “fire from heaven,” we miss the “still, small voice.” Some people, when they fail to witness God’s spectacular works, wonder if there is a God at all. The famous atheist Carl Sagan suggested through his fictitious novel Contact that “if…God wanted to talk to us through the unlikely means of word-of-mouth transmission and ancient writings over thousands of years, he could have done it so there was no room left for debate about his existence,” and “he could have done a much better job.” 7 The atheist philosopher Bertrand Russell said when he died, if he were to meet God, he would ask, “Sir, why did you not give me better evidence?” 8

26 Leader Guide When we do not have an informed or a growing knowledge of the nature of God, we get mired in our own erroneous assumptions. In Further verse 14, we can see that Elijah was stuck in his thinking. Although God Commentary engaged Elijah’s reasoning, Elijah held on to his mistaken assumptions. “The voice asks Elijah why he has come to the How does your church/group teach or demonstrate that mountain…Elijah answers as in [2 Kings] 19:10: God works in still, small ways? Israel has rejected the covenant, Israel has How can we help people struggling with belief in God become idolatrous, he is the only prophet left, and to gain a better understanding of the evidence of God Jezebel plans to kill him. from His work in smaller ways, not just in spectacular or Implied in this response miraculous displays? is Elijah’s doubts that the Lord can save him or turn the nation back to the 3. The God who whispers reveals Himself covenant. Who has God become in the prophet’s through His faithful people (1 Kings 19:15-18). life? Only a restatement One aspect of God’s ministry to Elijah was to re-commission him to and reassessment of his theology can extricate him prophetic ministry and to show him a remnant of people who were still from this pit of fear and faithful. God would minister through Elijah to others and through others depression. The Lord’s word to him reaffirms to Elijah. God’s uniqueness, his sovereignty over all nations, 15 and the importance of the And the Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness prophetic word. God tells of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king him, ‘Go back the way you 16 came,’ a command that over Syria. And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over calls Elijah back into active Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be service of the Lord. He 17 must anoint Hazael king prophet in your place. And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael of Syria, which declares shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Yahweh’s lordship over 18 that non-Israelite country. Elisha put to death. Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees Similarly, he must anoint that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” Jehu king of Israel, thus reestablishing the Lord’s rule over the Northern Elijah’s new role was to prepare the way for others to do God’s work. Kingdom. Finally, Elijah must anoint Elisha to take Other men would complete the task that Elijah began. Once again, the his place. This command, Lord taught Elijah that He had other ways of working; it was not just coupled with the Lord’s comment that he has through Elijah that this battle with would be won. A new order selected, or caused to was to come to God’s people, but this time, it would not be Elijah to usher remain, seven thousand persons who do not in the new order. God would use “the unlikely means of the combined worship Baal, reminds efforts of a pagan king, a new dynasty in Israel, and his successor Elijah that God’s word 10 cannot be silenced. It prophet, Elisha.” remains the force that The Lord commanded Elijah to go back into the fight. Up to this produces the remnant, protects the remnant, point, the Lord had offered physical and emotional restoration to Elijah, and empowers the but Elijah’s work was not finished. It was wrong for Elijah to flounder in remnant. As a part of this remnant, Elijah can thoughts of despair. “There comes a time when we need to realize that the expect God’s protection only way to overcome our discouragement is to get back into the work to and empowerment.” 12 which the Lord has called us.” 11 –Paul R. House

Session 2 27 Elijah was called into the fight against the worship of a false god. God Further wanted to use him even if it was not in the way that Elijah originally Commentary desired to be used. And what fantastic work to which Elijah was called! “The Bible refers several Many of us may fall into the trap of thinking that because we are not times to Elijah as a ‘man currently on mission in a third-world country or currently serving in a of God’ (:24; :9-13) placing homeless mission or a similar “big thing” that our lives are not having an him in the company of impact in the kingdom of God. We tend to equate only certain kinds of faithful individuals like Moses (Deut. 33:1), Samuel activities with “having an impact.” (1 Sam. 9:6-10), David Scholar Iain Provan states of Elijah, “If the spectacular has not (2 Chron. 8:14), and Elisha (2 Kings 4:7,22). In Hebrew, produced final victory, that is no reason for despair. For the overall Elijah’s name translates strategy was always more long term and more subtly conceived than Elijah either ‘my God is Yahweh’ or ‘Yahweh is my God.’ He imagined. From the beginning it had involved the gentle but devastating lived up to his name by whisper as well as the all-consuming fire.” 13 demonstrating exclusive faith in God and seeking Jesus taught us to daily take up our cross—or die to ourselves—and to lead Israel and its follow Him as part of God’s redemptive mission (Luke 9:23). He has leaders to follow only God as well.” 14 given us a daily battle plan of surrendering our lives to His authority. God –Robert C. Dunston, can work through our quiet submission, even if we do not recognize His Biblical Illustrator ministry in this way.

What are some ways God currently uses your life to affect your community (family, friends, coworkers, church members, etc.)?

God reminded Elijah that He is not bound to working only in the ways of which Elijah could conceive. The Lord has many ways of working. We do not necessarily get or need to see the final result of His work through us in this life. Perhaps we would never say to God, “Since I did not see the end result that I wanted, I no longer desire to do anything in the kingdom. Let me die.” However, we may have developed more discreet and subtle ways of conveying similar ideology. How many times have we been angry or agitated because something didn’t go the way we wanted it to, especially in our service to God? How often have we forgotten to acknowledge the good that did in fact result? How many of us stew in a pot of anger, jealousy, or despair because our lives didn’t turn out the way we wanted? When our thinking becomes negatively self-centered, we can forget to acknowledge the goodness and light spread by God revealing Himself through us. We can also forget to acknowledge the goodness and light that has spread from the work of others. Yet God calls us to remember that we live in community with others who also desire to spread the truth of God’s love: “Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

28 Leader Guide God still works through us even in our deepest agony—even while we Voices from the Culture suffer—to affect our world for His purposes and kingdom. Resist the “[Saruman] believes that temptation to think that our lives do not really matter! We can be it is only great power that tempted, like Elijah, in exhaustion and pain, to become narrow-minded can hold evil in check; but…that is not what I’ve and blind to God’s mission for humankind, saying, “If these big things found. I’ve found it is the didn’t change the hearts of men, then I give up! Nothing will work.” Yet small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk, that God has shown us through the obedient suffering of Jesus Christ and His keeps the darkness at bay. redeeming resurrection that there is hope, no matter how grim our Simple acts of kindness and love.” 15 current situation. –Gandalf, from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey What are some ways God has What are some ways God has worked through you in difficult worked through others in difficult times of pain to minister times of pain to minister to you? to others?

Conclusion Our work in the kingdom matters beyond just the big moments, and our purpose extends beyond just our lives. Because of the resurrection of Jesus—God’s messenger who, like Elijah, faced opposition and persecution—we know that all our labor for the Lord matters (see 1 Cor. 15:58). It will endure into eternity. God’s Word will not return void but will accomplish its purpose. Trusting in the God who whispers to us in our times of greatest need, we set our hearts forward and follow Jesus—our King of sacrifice and joy.

CHRIST CONNECTION: Elijah was a prophet who faced persecution and opposition from those who rejected God. His example points forward to Jesus, the greatest prophet, who endured opposition for delivering God’s Word.

Session 2 29 Additional Resources The God Who Whispers

References Get expert insights on weekly studies through Ministry 1. Martin Luther, as summarized in Grid at MinistryGrid.com/web/TheGospelProject. Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther, by Roland Bainton (New York: Grow with other group leaders at the Group Ministry Meridian, 1995), 171. blog at LifeWay.com/GroupMinistry. 2. Andrew C. Bowling, in HCSB Study Bible (Nashville: B&H, 2010), 588, n. 19:1-2; n. 19:3; n. 19:4; 19:5-8; n. 19:9-10. Study Material 3. J. D. Greear, Jesus, Continued… (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, --“Kings: Covenant Failure”—Pages 95-104 from The Drama of Scripture 2014), 190. 4. Paul Gerhardt, “Give to the by Craig G. Bartholomew and Michael W. Goheen Winds Thy Fears,” Indelible Grace Hymn Book [online; --“Journey Through Spiritual Depression”—Article by Skip Heitzig; find a cited 21 January 2016]. Available from the Internet: link to this article at GospelProject.com/AdditionalResources www.hymnbook.igracemusic.com. 5. Donald J. Wiseman, 1 and 2 Kings, --Previous Biblical Illustrator articles, including “Elijah, A Man of God,” vol. 9 in Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove: can be purchased, along with other articles for this quarter, at IVP, 1993), 185. LifeWay.com/BiblicalIllustrator. Look for Bundles: The Gospel Project. 6. Gary Inrig, 1,2 Kings, vol. 7 in Holman Old Testament Commentary (Nashville: B&H, 2009) [WORDsearch]. 7. Carl Sagan, Contact (New York: Sermon Podcast Pocket Books, 1997), 164, 170. 8. Leo Rosten, “Bertrand Russell and God: A Memoir,” The Saturday Alistair Begg: “Down in the Valley” Review [online], 23 February 1974 [cited 21 January 2016]. Available from the Internet: www.unz.org. Find a link to this at GospelProject.com/AdditionalResources 9. John Piper, When the Darkness Will Not Lift (Wheaton: Crossway, 2006), 33-34. 10. Gary Inrig, 1,2 Kings, vol. 7 in Holman Old Testament Tip of the Week Commentary [WORDsearch]. 11. Ibid. Patterns of Adult Learning 12. Paul R. House, 1,2 Kings, vol. 8 in The New American Commentary (Nashville: B&H, 2003) Adults follow a consistent pattern when it comes to needs that facilitate [WORDsearch]. 13. Iain W. Provan, 1 and 2 Kings, learning. It is wise for the adult Bible teacher to keep these patterns in mind: in New International Biblical Commentary (Peabody, MA: • Desire for a safe environment. Maximize the freedom to explore. Hendrickson, 1995), 147. • Desire to be emotionally engaged. The learning experience must 14. Robert C. Dunston, “Elijah: A Man of God,” Biblical Illustrator engage their affections. (Winter 2010-11): 43. Desire to meet a challenge. 15. Dane C. Ortlund, Edwards on the •  Christian Life (Wheaton: Crossway, • Desire for a reflective opportunity. Learners need time to take what is 2014), 95. 16. Lawrence O. Richards and Gary being taught and apply it to their lives. J. Bredfeldt, Creative Bible Teaching (Chicago: Moody, 1998), 243-45. • Desire to feel like they are being stretched. Learning must challenge old patterns and perspectives in order to make way for new ones. • Desire for a learning community. Small groups provide support for learners and a sense of belonging that encourages learning. 16

30 Leader Guide About the Writers

Unit 1: Mary Jo Sharp (sessions 1,2,4) is an assistant professor of The Gospel Project® Adult Leader Guide ESV apologetics at Houston Baptist University and is the founder Volume 5, Number 1 Fall 2016 and director of Confident , a non-profit apologetics

Eric Geiger ministry. A clear communicator with a heart for people, she Vice President, LifeWay Resources finds great joy in sharing the deep truths of her Lord and Ed Stetzer Savior. She and her husband, Roger, have one daughter. General Editor

Trevin Wax Managing Editor Adam Dooley (sessions 3,5,6) serves as the senior pastor of

Daniel Davis Sunnyvale First Baptist Church on the northeast side of Dallas. Content Editor He is a two-time graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological

Josh Hayes Seminary, where he has also served as an adjunct professor. Content and Production Editor Adam is married to Heather, and they have three sons and Ken Braddy one daughter. Manager, Adult Ongoing Bible Studies

Michael Kelley Director, Groups Ministry Trillia Newbell (provided the unit 1 session plans) is the author of Enjoy (forthcoming, 2017), Fear and Faith, and Send questions/comments to: United. She is the Director of Community Outreach for the Managing Editor, The Gospel Project: Adult Leader Guide, Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. Trillia is married One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0102; to Thern, and they reside with their two children near or make comments on the Web at www.lifeway.com. Nashville, Tennessee.

Printed in the United States of America Unit 2: The Gospel Project®: Adult Leader Guide ESV Michael Kelley lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, (ISSN 2330-9377; Item 005573550) is published quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources, One Jana, and their three children: , Andi, and Christian. LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President. © 2016 LifeWay Christian Resources. He serves as the Director of Discipleship for LifeWay For ordering or inquiries, visit www.lifeway.com, or write LifeWay Resources Customer Service, Christian Resources. Michael speaks across the country at One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0113. churches, conferences, and retreats and is the author of three For subscriptions or subscription address changes, email [email protected], fax (615) 251-5818, or Bible studies and the book Wednesdays Were Pretty Normal: write to the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, email [email protected], A Boy, Cancer, and God. fax (615) 251-5933, or write to the above address. We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To review LifeWay’s doctrinal guideline, please visit www.lifeway.com/doctrinalguideline. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the ® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

WRITERS