THREE THINGS TO KNOW
DON’T MISS THIS. Remember why you said, “I do.” Join us at the Cascade Campus for MARRIAGE NIGHT on January 9th. Spots are filling fast, and we want to give you an opportunity to save your seat! Dave and Ann Wilson, authors of Vertical Marriage, are joining us for an evening full of laughter and connection as they share tips for keeping Christ at the center of your marriage. What if this year, your marriage becomes stronger than ever? To register, click HERE.
GROUP VALUES. One of the most FORMATIVE CONVERSATIONS we can have is a conversation that involves remembering. Hidden within the battle of Elijah and the Baal worshippers is one such conversation. As Elijah builds the altar, he invites Israel to remember who they are and, more importantly, who God is. As a group, discuss how conversations of remembrance have been important in your relationships with God.
GROW AS A LEADER. Remembering the Gospel regularly is key in our battle against idols. It is also essential in our development as leaders. Taking time to remember our salvation story prepares us to be open about our faith more naturally and ready for the moments when God invites us to share. Consider exploring THE GOSPEL & YOUR STORY for your personal development, or as a short, small group study. These four lessons can deepen your understanding of the Gospel and how to share it using your story and a few simple tools. You can explore this Ada Bible-made resource HERE.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Welcome to week twelve of our sermon series, EPIC. This week, we explore one of the most dramatic showdowns in the Bible between Elijah and the Prophets of Baal, and discover the extraordinary lengths God will go to win our hearts.
ICEBREAKER
What is something you pay attention to more than you probably should? (I.e., a sports team, work project, family relationship, etc.) Why does it take so much of your attention?
THIS WEEK’S TEXT
Have someone read 1 Kings 18 aloud.
What stands out to you most about the confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal?
What do the prophets of Baal’s frantic efforts reveal about the nature of false gods and idols?
What is significant about Elijah choosing twelve stones to build the altar in verse 31?
THIS WEEK’S SERMON
Pastor Aaron Buer continued the EPIC series by unpacking Elijah’s showdown against idolatry and God’s passionate pursuit of our hearts. As a group, recall some of the sermon’s big ideas and main points.
Idolatry is still a significant issue in our world today. What do people in our culture commonly turn to for value, worth and significance instead of God?
God wants your heart more than he wants your comfort, your happiness, and your health. Why do you think God prioritizes a faithful heart over our material experience?
Elijah challenges the people to stop jumping back and forth between God and idols. Why is it easy for us to add other things to Jesus rather than making him our only source of identity and purpose?
The story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal reminds us that idols will inevitably let us down. How have you seen this play out, either in your life or in the life of someone you know?
When was a time when something you were depending on for security or significance let you down?
For our hearts to return to God, we have to remember. What are some specific ways we can regularly remind ourselves of who God is and what he’s done for us?
Has your heart drifted from God in some aspect of your life? What would it look like for you to return to him this week?
WRAP UP
God loves us so much that he will go through extraordinary lengths to get our hearts back. We see him do so in Elijah’s story, and even more so in Jesus’s willingness to die on the cross in our place. What encouraged or challenged you the most from the sermon or this conversation? Why?