Message Notes and Small Group Questions
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7-26-26
Series: Sunday School
Title: Elijah
Exodus 20:3
You shall have no other Gods before me…
1 Kings 18:20-21
20 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”
We Can’t Kinda Follow.
1 Kings 18:25-29
25 Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.” 26 So they took the bull given them and prepared it. Then they called on the name of Baal from morning till noon. “Baal, answer us!” they shouted. But there was no response; no one answered. And they danced around the altar they had made. 27 At noon Elijah began to taunt them. “Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.” 28 So they shouted louder and slashed themselves with swords and spears, as was their custom, until their blood flowed. 29 Midday passed, and they continued their frantic prophesying until the time for the evening sacrifice. But there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention.
God is Not Deaf, Busy, or Distracted
God Makes Himself Known
1 Kings 18:36- 39
36 At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the 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. 37 Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. 39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”
Hebrews 3:15
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.”
Small Group Questions
SHARE
What is easy for you to be “All-In” with? How good would those around you say you are at hiding it when you are disinterested in an activity?
NO OTHER
Read Exodus 20:3.... What does God command, first? How are all the other commandments built on this foundation? What are the things you have found that can “compete” with God for your first love?
COMPROMISE
Read 1 Kings 16:29-34....Where did Ahab compromise? How did Jezebel influence Ahab? How did Ahab’s compromise influence those he had been entrusted to serve/lead? Who has been a good influence in your discipleship? How do you discern the difference between a good or bad influence?
IDOLS
Read 1 Kings 25-29...Discuss how sincerity and passion can be misplaced. Q: How do the prophets of Baal attempt to get his attention? What is the result of their frenzied demonstration? What “IDEALS” in our lives can become an idol if we aren’t careful? How can good things become idols? What is attractive about an idol?
HEARTS
Read 1 Kings 18 36-39...Q: How is Elijah’s approach different? What does Elijah say the people will know once God answers him? Have you ever asked God for evidence of his existence or presence in a certain situation? Have you ever bargained with God? How was the prayer(s) answered?
PRAYER
Pray together and ask the Lord to show if there is anything that is being placed ahead of him. Confess it. Give thanks to God that He loves us totally, and perfectly.
Copyright Mount Rainier Christian Center 2026