Through a series of misguided choices, the culture in Israel is no longer in alignment with the one, true God: Yahweh. The Prophet ElijahĮlijah comes to the biblical scene after the Israelites have settled in the Promised Land, after the reigns of King David and King Solomon, and after the kingdom has split in two. All we need to do is study God’s prophet Elijah in 1 and 2 Kings to discover that leaders have doubts and faith like the rest of us. In all reality, we have no idea what another person has endured to produce that steadfast faith or whether or not doubts and questions are also stirring in their hearts. Sometimes we look at those who lead us or other seasoned Christians and wish we could have the same confidence in our own faith that they present in theirs. Whatever the reason, not talking about it quickly leads to feelings of loneliness, frustration, and sometimes depression. Maybe we’re concerned about what others will think or whether they’ll think we’re not fit to continue volunteering or serving at church. There are probably many reasons, reasons as unique as we are. We might struggle when other people question our beliefs or put pressure on us to compromise for the sake of tolerance, and it can sure feel like our faith is under attack. In these times, we might ask: “Where is God?” “How can I go on?” “How can God allow this to happen?” We might keep praying, but feel like God isn’t answering. All Christians, like you and me, go through seasons when we struggle with doubts and our faith isn’t as strong as we’d like it to be. A companion Prayer Devotional is also available.It’s no question that there are many bends in the road along each person’s faith journey. Other components for the Bible study, available separately, include a Participant Workbook, DVD with six sessions of about 25 minutes each, and boxed Leader Kit (an all-inclusive box containing one copy of each of the Bible study's components). Be enabled to not just survive but thrive in the midst of the ups and downs of life. Grow in faith and be inspired by an ordinary man who did extraordinary things for God. Learn practical disciplines that give us spiritual stamina for every season in life. Bible Study Features: Examine the life of the prophet Elijah. The Leader Guide, to be used along with the study's workbook and DVD, contains six session plan outlines, complete with discussion points and questions, activities, prayers, and more-plus leader helps for facilitating a group. As we study his life, we will grow in faith and develop spiritual stamina that will help us not only to survive but actually thrive in every season. He doubted and struggled just as we do, but ultimately, he chose to believe God. Best of all, his story will challenge us but not shame us, because we'll discover that Elijah was just as human as we are. Whether we're currently in a mountaintop season where we're experiencing God's power and blessing, a valley season where we feel like running away, or somewhere in between, Elijah's life will inspire us to go the distance in the life of faith. We'll learn some of the spiritual stamina secrets that helped him to hold on and persevere in faith, including practical habits related to making decisions, caring for the soul, accepting his circumstances, mentoring, and finishing well-which was his ultimate legacy. We do too In this six-week study grounded in 1 and 2 Kings, we will examine the life of the prophet Elijah, an ordinary man who did extraordinary things for God in the midst of the highs and lows of life. He needed spiritual stamina in order to keep on going and fulfill all the plans God had for his life. Even Elijah grew weary of all the ups and downs, telling God, "I have had enough" (1 Kings 19:4). One moment he was hiding out in the wilderness during a famine, being fed by the ravens, and the next he was on the mountaintop where God showed up in a powerful way with fire and then rain. The prophet Elijah experienced this rollercoaster ride as well. Then there are those in between days when we're coasting along without much thought to the highs or lows. One day it seems that everything in life is good, and the next day it can feel like everything is falling apart.
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