B-Group Lesson Part 2 of 3
Big Idea: We are all susceptible to anxious thoughts and stressful situations. Life is filled with hard moments and often our busy lifestyle and endless feeling of exhaustion can encourage our belief that these feelings hold truth. Feelings will cause us to lose perspective and give way to emotions such as self-pity, a desire to give up, or even feel alone.
Key Scripture:
1 Kings 19:1-4 - When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. 2 So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.” 3 Elijah was afraid and fled for his life. He went to Beersheba, a town in Judah, and he left his servant there. 4 Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.”
Elijah found himself shaken by the words of Jezebel. Even though he had just seen God move in a mighty way, his feelings of fear and anxiety took over. Elijah lost perspective and out of a desperate heart, he begged the Lord to take his life. God’s response was to give Elijah what he needed to revive his body and his soul. God still had a purpose for Elijah.
1 Kings 19:5-8 - Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” 6 He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again. 7 Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said, “Get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God.
God gave Elijah rest to revive his tired body and mind. We can overcomplicate what is needed but sometimes all we need is a nap.
Question: Do you have a personal practice for rest in your home? Have you made space for a Sabbath? Share some ways in which you prepare for rest.
Just as Elijah's physical body needed to be nourished with food, our spiritual bodies need nourishment. When we are not nourishing our souls with God’s word we lack the truth in our daily lives. Our minds cannot be relied upon to bring us strength.
Question: How do you incorporate God’s word into your heart on a daily basis? Do you have a daily routine for time in God’s word?
When we are over-stressed and filled with anxiety we easily lose our passion and vision for what's ahead. The Bible says “as a man thinketh so he is.”
Question: Have you taken time lately to consider your thoughts? What are you speaking over your life?
We were never meant to walk through life alone. Elijah left his servant and went away on his own at the very time he needed the fellowship of others to encourage him.
Question: How has being a part of a small group impacted your own relationship with the Lord?
Elijah went from victory to defeat because he listened to the words of Jezebel. Don’t let the words of the enemy speak louder than the voice of life and truth! This week, take some time to prepare for rest and renewal and see what God does!