Sunday School Lesson August 8, 2021
Subject: Serve Through Prayer
The Point: Step into the lives of others by praying for them.
The Passages: 1 Kings 17:17-24
Study The Bible 1 Kings 17:17-18
1). Hardship is an opportunity to trust God.
- After this, the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. His illness got worse until he stopped breathing.
- She said to Elijah, “Man of God, what do you have against me? Have you come to call attention to my iniquity so that my son is put to death?”
Lasting truths from: 1 Kings 17:17-18
* Hard times are not necessarily the result of personal sin.
* We can choose to blame God for hardships or look to see where He is at work in the middle of them.
* Our testimony and witness during hardships can make a difference to the world that’s watching us.
2). Service to others includes interceding on their behalf.
1 Kings 17:19-21
- But Elijah said to her, “Give me your son.” So he took him from her arms, brought him up to the upstairs room where he was staying, and laid him on his own bed.
- Then he cried out to the Lord and said, “Lord my God, have you also brought tragedy on the widow I am staying with by killing her son?”
- Then he stretched himself out over the boy three times. He cried out to the Lord and said, “Lord my God, please let this boy’s life come into him again!”
Lasting truth from: 1 Kings 17:19-21
* Believers are called to minister to others through intercessory prayer.
* When we have questions, God wants us to bring our concerns to Him.
* We should never be afraid to ask God for big answers that require great faith.
3). God’s answers to our prayers can lead others to turn to God.
1 Kings 17:22-24
- So the Lord listened to Elijah, and the boy’s life came into him again, and he lived.
- Then Elijah took the boy, brought him down from the upstairs room into the house, and gave him to his mother. Elijah said, “Look, your son is alive.”
- Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now I know you are a man of God and the Lord’s word from your mouth is true.”
Lasting truth from: 1 Kings 17:22-24
* God holds the power over all things, including life and death.
* Our prayers can lead others into a deeper relationship with God.
*. The Lord hears those who call to Him in genuine faith.
Live It Out
As you reflect on this lesson respond to the following questions:
- What is causing you pain right now? What questions does that raise? How can it draw you closer to God?
- What is something big you need to ask God to do? What is holding you back from putting your complete faith in Him?
- When have you been encouraged by the prayers and ministry of someone else for you? How can you provide that kind of encouragement for others?
- If you described your current prayer life in one word, what would it be? What does that tell you about your prayer habits? What are some practical things you can do to strengthen that area of your life?
Closing Prayer:
“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died on the cross to forgive me of my sins and rose from the dead to give me new life. I’m sorry for all the wrong I’ve done and ask You to forgive me. I now accept Your gift of eternal life. Thank You for Your love, forgiveness, and a new life in Jesus Christ. From this day forward, I choose to follow You. In Jesus’ name Amen.”