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Bible Study - From Mt. Carmel to Mt. Sinai: Overcoming Uncertainty and Doubt

Text: 1 Kings 19:1-18

Key Statement: "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

-450 Prophets of Baal were slaughtered at Mt. Carmel. Elijah was afraid and ran for his life when Jezebel would kill him. Despite doing what God has commanded him to do, he started fearing for his dear life. He was disillusioned despite God's promise " to be always be with you".

-"I had enough, Oh, Lord! Take my life." - Elijah's confusion and uncertainty. Elijah thought he was alone all the while, when there were thousands others to be lead. Sometimes, feeling alone is a failing faith, it is when humans feel so complacent about their faith when they are very triumphant in their journey/struggles, but they can lose their faith in God so quickly when they start feeling alone, desperate, or hopeless. We must realise that there are so many people who need us to stay strong and faithful to God, and that there are so many who suffer the same loneliness and hopelessness.

-"Laying down", or "falling asleep" in Elijah's story symbolises hopelessness and despair.

-God is always near to us, as in "gentle whisper". God does not necessarily make Himself present loudly, extravagantly or magnificently, like that of "strong winds" or "earthquakes" or "descending of fire blaze". Rather, God would at most times speak to us in most serene, soft, sublime way like through a gentle whisper. Like in the case of Elijah, God knows we feel hopeless and fearful, we need compassion and comfort more than fear.

- How do we expect to meet God? God has always been with us, within us. We just need to open up our hearts and spirits so we can listen.

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Topic: From Mt. Carmel to Mt.Sinai: Overcoming uncertainty and doubt

Text:1 Kings 19.1-18

Key statement "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

Outline:

1. 1.The showdown at Mt.Carmel: The proof that only the Lord is God (18.16-40)

"At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: '0 Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, 0 Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, 0 Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again."

2. The emotional disappointment in obeying and doing God's will: Flee for life (19.1-5a)

3. The confirmation of God's presence and the provision of God in time of uncertainty and doubt (vv. 5b-9a)

4. The finding of right destination, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" (vv.9b-10)

5. The expectation to meet God: miraculous way or simple way (vv. 1 1 - 1 3 a)

6. The acknowledgement of God's presence and the response to God's call: "Go back the way you came."(vv. 13b-17)

7. God's assurance of continuous mission carried out by those who are faithful to God. 7,000 in Israel (v. 18)

GROUP REFLECTION:

Questions for discussion:

1. How can you meet God in the noise and activity of your busy daily living'?

2. Have you ever met God in such a "gentle whisper" manner when you are in trouble and doubt?

3. How are you going to respond to God's call when you feel that such call does not coincide with your expectation and desire?

4. How do you know that your decision does or does not go along with God's Will?

(Participants were asked to divide into small groups and share the above questions as meditation.)