Sunday School Lesson:
WHAT IF SHE DIDN’T LISTEN TO GOD
Scripture Passage: 1 Kings 17:1-16
Introduction
Welcome to our Bible study today. We often focus on the blessings and miracles in the Bible, but today we’ll explore the consequences that might have unfolded if the widow of Zarephath had refused to listen to Elijah’s words and obey God’s command. This study will help us understand the importance of obedience and the potential outcomes of rejecting God’s provision in our lives.
1. Refusal to Offer Hospitality (1 Kings 17:9)
Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 17:9
– Verse: “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.”
Original Point: Elijah is instructed by God to go to Zarephath, where a widow has been commanded to provide for him. The widow’s obedience leads to God’s miraculous provision of food during the drought.
Reverse Point: Imagine if the widow had refused to listen to Elijah and had not offered hospitality:
Write your thoughts on what you think about this part of the lesson:
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2. Withholding Bread from Elijah (1 Kings 17:12-13)
Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 17:12-13
– Verses: “And she said, ‘As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.’ And Elijah said to her, ‘Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son.'”
Original Point: Despite her initial hesitation and dire circumstances, the widow obeys Elijah’s instruction to make him a small cake of bread first. This act of faith and obedience leads to God’s miraculous multiplication of flour and oil, sustaining them throughout the drought.
Reverse Point: Consider what might have happened if the widow had refused to give bread to Elijah:
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3. Rejecting God’s Provision (1 Kings 17:15-16)
Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 17:15-16
– Verses: “And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.”
– Original Point: The widow’s obedience results in God’s continuous provision of flour and oil that does not run out, confirming His faithfulness to His promises and His care for those who trust Him.
Reverse Point: Explore the outcome if the widow had refused to trust in God’s provision:
Write your thoughts on what you think about this part of the lesson:
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Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you hesitated to obey God’s command or trust in His provision. What were the outcomes?
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2. How can we cultivate a deeper trust in God’s provision in our daily lives, even when circumstances seem challenging or uncertain?
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3. What steps can we take to prioritize obedience and faith in our interactions with others and in our relationship with God?
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Pray:::
When you think about suffering, what comes to mind? Do you envision bedraggled children with distended stomachs, a hospital patient hooked up to life-sustaining medical equipment, or a courageous veteran dealing with the aftermath of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Adversity seems to be a common denominator to human existence, but what does the Bible have to say about suffering?
Jesus spoke to His disciples about suffering. One of the most well-known verses reads, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24 ESV). The Greek word for cross in this verse is staurós. It refers to the crossbeam which the lowest criminals carried as they trudged toward their execution. The cross symbolized degradation and indescribable pain as well as sacrifice.
While the invitation to eternal life is free, it comes at a price–certain suffering.
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