2023
A Confrontational Word
Passage: 1 Kings 16:29 – 17:6
“I believe because He fulfills none of my dreams, because He is in every respect the opposite of what He would be if I could have made Him in my own image.” – W. H. Auden
“Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Mission exists because worship doesn’t.” – John Piper, Let the Nations be Glad!
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
To be resilient involves withstanding difficult conditions with strength and sturdiness. What’s an example you’ve seen of resilient faith in someone or a time you’ve experienced resilience in your faith?
Read 1 Kings 16:29 – 17:6. The context of Israel in these verses is a picture of success by worldly standards, but disaster by God’s standards. In what ways did Ahab appear successful from a human perspective?
What do we learn about God’s perspective of Ahab? How does God take action in this passage and respond to the situation Israel is in?
Ahab did not outright reject God, but he added alternative avenues of worship. We have the same temptation today. What are you tempted to add alongside worshiping Jesus? (Consider your status/identity, relationships, digital distractions, sexuality, power/control.) What do you want most and are willing sacrifice for?
An idol is anything (even something good) that has become ultimate to you other than Jesus. What practices help you discern potential idols in your life?
Read Hebrews 1:1-2. God is angry at the evil in and around us today. He has taken action through Jesus dying on the cross for us to save us from our sin and to address the brokenness of our world. How does God’s action equip and motivate you to address the idols you face? How can you help and encourage one another to obey God’s word?
PRAYER
Spend time praying for your discernment in recognizing idols and courage in rejecting idols. Ask God for grateful hearts to see his goodness and receive his mercy. Enjoy the truth that God knows you fully and loves you deeply.
Share with your group how they can be praying for you: what is weighing on you from this past week? What are you praising God for from this past week?
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:29-30