Sunday School Lesson On Elijah Topic Discussion

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Sunday School Lesson On Elijah Topic Discussion

1.In what ways does our culture waverbetween a multitude of opinions? How do werespond?

Pluralism and postmodernism reign supremein certain Western democracies. Under theseconcepts, a multiplicity of contradictory view-points is celebrated. Normally, the concept ofwaver (or halt in the King lames Version) bringswith it the idea of "Maybe idea A is right ormaybe idea B is right—we're not sure." However,postmodernism says, "Idea A can be right for mewhile Idea B is right for you—to each his own."Demonstrating and refuting such inconsistenciesrequires a great deal of alertness.

Other parts of the world have their problemstoo. Alternatives to worship of the living Godabound. These include animistic faiths in tribalareas, the Hindu deities that dominate India, or"Allah" that Muslims worship. The task of con-fronting these can seem overwhelming at times.A good start for forming a response is to becomemore informed in the area of Christian apologet-ics. This field of study deals with defense of thefaith (see, for example, www.rzim.org).

2.In what ways is Elijah's confrontation with450 ungodly opponents an example for Chris-tians today? In what ways is it not an example?We should be careful to get these two ques-tions right! Elijah received specific, personal in-structions to go to King Ahab (1 Kings 18:1). We,on the other hand, have general instructions togo into all the world (Matthew 28:19, 20). If aChristian were to go to Mount Carmel today andattempt to reproduce Elijah's confrontation, thepossibility is very real that God would not parti-cipate in such an endeavor!

Further, we have no approval from God to killHis enemies as Elijah apparently had (compareLuke 6:27-36; 9:54, 55). Our challenge is to real-ize that God is in control no matter how peoplereact to our witness.

3. Elijah built an altar to God in the presenceof all of the people, including the prophets ofBaal. When is public expression of Christianfaith especially appropriate today? When cansuch expressions be counterproductive?

Public expressions of the Christian faith takemany forms on many occasions. Tying such ex-pressions to familiar calendar events may havethe most impact (Christmas, Easter, anniversaryof Roe v. Wade, etc.).

Public expressions of faith that involve con-frontation with those who advocate abortion, ho-mosexuality, etc., should be handled with greatcare. Such expressions and confrontations maybe more productive if they are characterized bygrief and sorrow than by anger.

4.What was a time in your life when youstood alone (or nearly alone) for something youbelieved was right? What was the result for thecause you supported? How did taking this standaffect you personally?

Taking a stand can be very difficult. Standingall alone is even more difficult—it's emotionallyexhausting and faith can waver. Yet historyabounds with examples of people who honoredGod by acting alone in the face of established,entrenched opposition. No doubt there are exam-ples in your class of those who have walked inthe footsteps of Elijah in a figurative way.We gain strength when we remember thatwhen we stand for God, He stands with us. Weare not really standing alone. Elijah felt veryalone at times, but God was with him all theway. Elijah's protégé Elisha knew this as well(see 2 Kings 6:15-17). Whenever we stand to-gether with God against opposition, we will findourselves changed. One cannot stand that closeto God without experiencing the effects!

5.When was a time that you stepped out sofar on faith that you could have been successfulonly if God intervened?

Let's face it: God's intervention in the form offire from Heaven is a rare thing! Much morelikely for an is God's intervention in the form ofopened and closed doors of opportunity. Storieswill be personal, of course, but try to steer thediscussion along that line. As students sharetheir stories, ask, "What opened or closed doorsof opportunity led you to believe that God ratherthan humans or random chance was openingand closing those doors?"

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