Prophets with Power

D I S C O V E R

ELIJAH & ELISHASAMPLE

ELIJAH & ELISHAD I S C O V E R

Prophets with Power

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We thank Deb Fennema for writing the first edition of this study. Thisrevised edition incorporates updates and suggestions by readers and smallgroup leaders.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations in this publication are fromthe HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, © 1973, 1978, 1984,International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan BiblePublishers.

Discover Your Bible series. Discover Elijah and Elisha: Prophets with Power(Study Guide), © 2002, 2006 (revised) by Faith Alive Christian Resources,1700 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508-1407.

All rights reserved. With the exception of brief excerpts for review purposes,no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever withoutwritten permission from the publisher. For information or questions aboutuse of copyrighted material please contact Permissions, Faith Alive ChristianResources, 1700 28th St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508-1407; phone: 1-800-333-8300; fax: 616-726-1164; e-mail: permissions@faithaliveresources.org.

We welcome your comments. Call us at 1-800-333-8300 or e-mail us ateditors@faithaliveresources.org

Printed in the United States of America.

ISBN 978-1-59255-289-4

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ContentsHow to Study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5The Ministry of Elijah, Elisha, and Other Prophets (map). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6Glossary of Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7Lesson 1Power over Life and Death . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Lesson 2Who Is the One True God? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Lesson 3Never Alone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Lesson 4God Punishes Sin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Lesson 5Passing the Mantle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Lesson 6Bringer of God’s Word. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Lesson 7God’s Mercy and Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Lesson 8“There Is a Prophet in Israel” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Lesson 9Trusting in God. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Lesson 10Prophecy and Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

An Invitation and Prayer of Commitment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54Evaluation

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How to StudyThe questions in this study booklet will help you discover for yourself

what the Bible says. This is inductive Bible study—in which you willdiscover the message for yourself.

Questions are the key to inductive Bible study. Through questions yousearch for the writers’ thoughts and ideas. The questions in this booklet aredesigned to help you in your quest for answers. You can and should askyour own questions too. The Bible comes alive with meaning for manypeople as they discover the exciting truths it contains. Our hope and prayeris that this booklet will help the Bible come alive for you.

The questions in this study are designed to be used with the NewInternational Version of the Bible, but other translations can also be used.

Step 1. Read each Bible passage several times.Allow the ideas to sinkin. Think about their meaning. Ask questions about the passage.

Step 2. Answer the questions, drawing your answers from the passage.Remember that the purpose of the study is to discover what the Bible says.Write your answers in your own words. If you use Bible study aids such ascommentaries or Bible handbooks, do so only after completing your ownpersonal study.

Step 3. Apply the Bible’s message to your own life. Ask,• What is this passage saying to me?• How does it challenge me? Comfort me? Encourage me?• Is there a promise I should claim? A warning I should heed?• For what can I give thanks?

If you sense God speaking to you in some way, respond to God in apersonal prayer.

Step 4. Share your thoughts with someone else if possible. This will beeasiest if you are part of a Bible study group that meets regularly to sharediscoveries and discuss questions.

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Glossary of TermsAhab—one of Israel’s most rebellious and unfaithful kings. Ahab reigned in

Israel for almost twenty-two years (874-853 B.C.). He marriedJezebel, a worshiper of Baal, who built a temple to Baal in Samaria.

Ahaziah—a son of Ahab who became king of Israel after his father died.The last verse of 1 Kings 22 tells us that Ahaziah worshiped Baal andprovoked the Lord to anger, as his father had done. He reigned onlyabout two years, from 853-852 B.C.

Asherah—a Canaanite goddess, or a wooden image representing thisgoddess. Asherah was worshiped as the sexual companion of the godBaal.

Baal—This name means “master” or “husband” and is used to refer toseveral Canaanite storm gods. The Baal worshiped at the time of Ahabwas probably Baal Melqart, the god of Tyre. Baal is also sometimescalled Rimmon (see 2 Kings 5:18). When Ahab married Jezebel, princessof Tyre, she promoted Baal worship in Israel and tried to get rid of theworship of God.

Baal Shalisha—a region west of GilgalBaal-Zebub, the god of Ekron—this version of the god Baal was one of the

most popular gods worshiped by the Philistines, Israel’s longtimeenemies in Palestine. The NIV Study Bible explains that the nameBaal-Zebub “means ‘lord of the flies,’ a deliberate change by followersof the Lord (Yahweh) to ridicule and protest the worship of Baal-Zebul(‘Baal the Prince’), a name known from ancient Canaanite texts.” Ekron,a major city of the Philistines, was located about 25 miles (40 km) westof Jerusalem.

Baasha—a wicked king of Israel who reigned for twenty-four years. Hedestroyed Jeroboam’s family but also walked “in the ways of Jeroboamand in his sin, which he had caused Israel to commit” (1 Kings 15:34).As a result, Baasha’s family was also punished (16:1-13).

Ben-Hadad—a king of Aram who often battled and laid siege to Israelduring the reigns of Ahab and his son Joram (1 Kings 20; 2 Kings 3:1;5:1; 6:8, 24). Scholars note that this was Ben-Hadad II in the line ofAramean kings. He was later murdered by Hazael (2 Kings 8:7-15).

Bethel—an important city in the history of Israel. Jacob (whom Godrenamed Israel) had a vision of God at this site, receiving a promise thatGod would watch over him and never leave him. So Jacob set up apillar there and named the place Bethel, which means “house of God”(Gen. 28:10-19; 35:14-15). Later in Israelite history the people set up theLord’s tabernacle (tent) for the ark of the covenant at Bethel, making it

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Lesson 21 Kings 18Who Is the One True God?Additional Related Scriptures

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Exodus 19; 20:3-4, 7; 29:38-41; 34:6-7Leviticus 24:10-16Deuteronomy 6:4-19; 10:20; 13:12-18Joshua 23:6; 24:14-261 Kings 17:1; 19:10, 14, 182 Kings 22-23

2 Chronicles 2:4Jeremiah 4:1-2Malachi 3:1-5Matthew 5:38-48; 6:24, 33; 10:37-391 Corinthians 10:31-11:1Ephesians 4:15

Introductory NotesThis lesson covers one of most dramatic stories in the Bible. Elijah calls

for a showdown between the Lord, the God of Israel, and Baal, theCanaanite god to whom Ahab and Jezebel have set up a fertility religionamong God’s people. The land has suffered from a long drought at God’scommand, showing that Baal has no power over the weather or agriculture.Now the people are at a crossroads in their life as a nation, and it’s time tochoose whether they will follow or reject God.

1. 1 Kings 18:1-6a. What does the Lord say to Elijah?

b. Who is Obadiah, and what does he do?

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2. 1 Kings 18:7-15a. What is Obadiah’s concern?

b. What does Elijah promise Obadiah?

3. 1 Kings 18:16-24a. Why would Ahab call Elijah a “troubler of Israel”?

b. What challenge does Elijah present? Why?

c. How do Ahab and the people respond?

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4. 1 Kings 18:25-29a. How do the prophets of Baal approach their god?

b. What is Baal’s response?

5. 1 Kings 18:30-39a. How does Elijah approach his God?

b. What is the Lord’s response? How do the people respond now?

6. 1 Kings 18:40-46a. What happens to the prophets of Baal?

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b. What does Elijah do next?

c. Why do you think God finally sends rain?

Questions for ReflectionIn what situations today do we face a choice between following the true

God and wandering off to follow other gods?

If someone wants to lead you into doing something that goes againstGod’s law, are you prepared to respond? How will you present thetruth in love for the sake of God’s glory?

Think about some of the works of God in your life. Maybe youwandered and God nudged you to turn back. Maybe you werespared from a series of events that could have ruined you. Maybeyou were stuck in a disaster, and God pulled you out. How can youuse life stories like these to tell others about God’s love and care foryou?

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An InvitationListen now to what God is saying to you.You may be aware of things in your life that keep you from coming near

to God. You may have thought of God as someone who is unsympathetic,angry, and punishing. You may feel as if you don’t know how to pray orhow to come near to God.

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made usalive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by graceyou have been saved” (Eph. 2:4-5). Jesus, God’s Son, died on the cross tosave us from our sins. It doesn’t matter where you come from, what you’vedone in the past, or what your heritage is. God has been watching over youand caring for you, drawing you closer. “You also were included in Christwhen you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation” (Eph. 1:13).

Do you want to receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord? It’s as simple asA-B-C:

• Admit that you have sinned and that you need God’s forgiveness.• Believe that God loves you and that Jesus has already paid the price for

your sins.• Commit your life to God in prayer, asking the Lord to forgive your sins,

nurture you as his child, and fill you with the Holy Spirit.

Prayer of CommitmentHere is a prayer of commitment recognizing Jesus Christ as Savior. If you

long to be in a loving relationship with Jesus, pray this prayer. If you havealready committed your life to Jesus, use this prayer for renewal and praise.

Dear God, I come to you simply and honestly to confess that I havesinned, that sin is a part of who I am. And yet I know that you listen tosinners who are truthful before you. So I come with empty hands andheart, asking for forgiveness.

I confess that only through faith in Jesus Christ can I come to you. Iconfess my need for a Savior, and I thank you, Jesus, for dying on thecross to pay the price for my sins. Father, I ask that you forgive my sinsand count me as righteous for Jesus’ sake. Remove the guilt thataccompanies my sin and bring me into your presence.

Holy Spirit of God, help me to pray, and teach me to live by yourWord. Faithful God, help me to serve you faithfully. Make me more likeJesus each day, and help me to share with others the good news of yourgreat salvation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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BibliographyBarker, Kenneth L., and John R. Kohlenberger III. Zondervan NIV Bible

Commentary. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1994.Elwell, Walter A., ed. Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible.Grand Rapids, Mich.:

Baker Book House, 1988.Gray, John. I and II Kings: A Commentary. Second edition. The Old Testament

Library. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1970, 1976.Guthrie, D., and J. A. Motyer, eds. The New Bible Commentary: Revised.Grand

Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1970.Keil, C. F., and F. Delitzsch. Commentary on the Old Testament.Volume III.

Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1975.NIV Study Bible.Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1985.

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1 Rapids, MI 49508-1407. Or. email your

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D I S C O V E R Y O U R B I B L E S E R I E SBible Studies for Small Groups

ELIJAH & ELISHAThe prophets Elijah and Elisha were extraordinary servants whom God used to call his people back to faithfulness in Old Testament Israel. Their fearless prophecies and remarkable miracles reveal the holy God who punishes sin and yet extends grace to the undeserving. Though they lived in a far different time and place, Elijah and Elisha—prophets with power—have much to teach us today.

The Discover Your Bible series inspires readers to discover together what the Bible says and means. Participants dive into the text using questions that spark meaningful conversation and personalized application. Every lesson is designed to be a framework that guides groups on a unique and transformative journey. Discover more at DiscoverYourBible.org.

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