Sunday School Lesson August 22, 2021

Subject: Serve Even When Discouraged

The Point: Don’t let discouragement keep you from serving.

The Passages: 1 Kings 19:1-5a, 11-18

Study The Bible 1 Kings 19:1-5a

1).  Never give up in the face of opposition

1. Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword.
2. So, Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods punish me and do so severely if I don’t make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow!”
3. The Elijah became afraid and immediately ran for his life. When he came to Beer-sheba that belonged to Judah, he left his servant there,
4. but he went on a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. He said, “I have had enough! Lord, take my life, for I’m no better than my ancestors.”

5a. Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree.

Lasting truths from: 1 Kings 19:1-5a

* As believers, our lives will include both spiritual mountains and valleys.

*  Opposition is inevitable, but we choose how to respond to that opposition.

*. God does not condemn our fears and longs to walk through them with us.

* Our physical condition can have an impact on our emotional and spiritual state of mind.

2). God is with you; you can take your concerns to Him.

1 Kings 19:11-14

11. Them he said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the Lord’s presence.” At that moment, the Lord passed by. A great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and was shattering cliffs before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.
12. After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper.
13. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Suddenly, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
14. “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Armies,” he replied, “but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they’re looking for me to take my life.”

Lasting truth from: 1 Kings 19:11-14

*  God can speak through miracles, but He can also speak through stillness.

*  When we hear God’s voce, we respond with reverence.

*  God wants us to reflect on our situation and trust Him.

* God is not afraid of our fear and discouragement or offended by it, even if we blame Him for it.

3). Press on with what God has called you to do.

1 Kings 19:15-18

15. Then the Lord said to him, “Go and return by the way you came to the Wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive, you are to anoint Hazael as king over Aram.
16. You are to anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel and Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel-meholah as prophet in your place.
17. Then Jehu will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death whoever escapes the sword of Jehu.
18. But I will leave seven thousand in Israel—every knee that has not bowed to Baal and every mount that has not kissed him.”

Lasting truth from: 1 Kings 19:15-18

* We can overcome fear and discouragement by focusing on the tasks God has given us.

*  As long as we’re alive, God has a mission for us to fulfill.

*. Spiritual success is defined by faithfulness in the moment, not necessarily seeing the final result.

* God always maintains a faithful remnant for Him plans.

Live It Out

As you reflect on this lesson respond to the following questions:

1. When have you been tempted to give up on your ministry for God? How did you respond to those feelings?
2. Where can you go to still your heart and mind before God? What steps can you take to get better at listening for His voice?
3. When has God called you to leave a ministry opportunity in the hands of someone else? How did you feel about that decision at the time?
4. What causes fear and discouragement in your life? What holds you back from giving those things over to God?

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.”