Pastor Ralph

Q27. (2 Kings 2:2-6) Why do you think Elijah discourages Elisha from following him at the end? What is Elisha’s response? What kinds of discouragements have you faced that made you wonder if you should keep on following the Lord?

Q26. (2 Kings 1) Why is Yahweh offended by Ahaziah’s consulting Baal rather than Israel’s own God? What are modern-day applications of this sin? Have you ever made important decisions without seeking God’s wisdom? Why?

Q25. What is the danger of Christian leaders identifying themselves too closely with political leaders? What do the Christian leaders hope to gain from the association? What do the political leaders hope to gain? What is the effect on the church and Christ’s work if these political leaders are ungodly men? How can Christians work for good through politics without being corrupted by a quest for power?

Q24. (1 Kings 22:29; 2 Chronicles 19:2) Why do you think Jehoshaphat goes into battle alongside Ahab, even after he hears Micaiah’s prophecy? What kind of weaknesses in Jehoshaphat’s character does this decision suggest?

Q23. (1 Kings 22:10-28) What kinds of pressures is Micaiah experiencing as he prophesies before Kings Ahab and Jehoshaphat? What is his danger from men? What is his danger from Yahweh? Why are the true prophets of the Old Testament so honored by Jesus? (Matthew 5:12; 23:31-32, 37; Luke 11:50-51; 13:34).

Q22. (1 Kings 22:2-9) Why does Jehoshaphat want to consult an actual prophet of Yahweh before going into battle? What does this tell us about his discernment of Ahab’s prophets? Of his desire to be obedient to God?

Q21. (1 Kings 21:27-29) How does Ahab’s humbling himself affect God’s response? Do you think Ahab truly repented? How does God relenting in his judgment trouble some people’s view of predestination?

Q20. (1 Kings 21:26; Colossians 3:5; Ephesians 5:5) What is the modern-day equivalent of idolatry? In what ways is greed similar to worshipping a false god? How does greed keep us from being true disciples of Jesus?

Q19. (1 Kings 21:22) How responsible are kings, politicians, leaders, and parents for leading those under them into sin? Can you think of any examples? How serious is this? Is it appropriate for leaders to be held to a higher moral standard than others?

Q18. (1 Kings 21:20) What is the danger of giving ourselves over to sin? How does that make us a slave to sin? What kind of opening does that give the devil?

Q17. (1 Kings 21:4-16) Do you think Ahab is actually depressed? How does Jezebel fix his depression? Why does she do so? Is Ahab responsible for Jezebel’s corrupt actions to obtain Naboth’s vineyard? Are the elders responsible for suborning perjury?

Q16. (1 Kings 21:1-3) Why does Ahab want Naboth’s vineyard? Is there anything wrong with his proposal to Naboth? Why does Naboth refuse his offer?

Q15. (1 Kings 20:23-30) Why do you think God seems to enjoy helping the Israelites in impossible situations? Why do you think God whittled Gideon’s army down to 300 men? (Judges 7:1-8). What impossible situations are you facing in your life that need God’s intervention?

Q14. (1 Kings 20:13-14) Why would God send his prophet to instruct a corrupt king and an apostate people so they might win a battle against the Syrians? What purpose is stated in verse 13? What is Ahab’s reaction? What does that tell you about his religious piety or faith?

Q13. (1 Kings 19:18) Why is a parent’s rebuke difficult for a child to listen to? Why is God’s rebuke difficult for us to listen to? How does a loving but sharp rebuke help our children? How does God’s rebuke help us? What would it take for you to embrace God’s rebuke like Solomon’s “wise man” (Proverbs 9:8).

Q12. (1 Kings 19:11-13) Why do you think the author contrasts the “still small voice” to the wind, earthquake, and fire? How does God’s voice comfort and renew Elijah? Why is it easy to miss God when his voice is gentle and quiet?

Q11. (1 Kings 19:14) In what ways does self-pity prevent us from discerning the Lord’s voice? What is the relationship of self-pity to pride? To entitlement? How does a sense of entitlement stand in the way of true discipleship?

Q10. (1 Kings 19:3-5) How might Elijah be “at fault” for being depressed? Is “fault” the right question? Does God chide him for “lack of faith”? How does God minister to him? How do you minister to a friend who has isolated himself or herself in deep depression?

Q9. (1 Kings 18:40) When we repent before the Lord, why is it important to put away the things that facilitate and tempt us back into our old life of sin? Yes, we want to avoid extremism. But what is the value of a clear break with evil? What is the danger of not making a clear break with evil?

Q8. (1 Kings 18:37; Malachi 4:5-6) In what way does Elijah have a ministry of “turning hearts back again,” of calling for true repentance? How was this fulfilled in Elijah’s successor John the Baptist? (Mark 1:4-6). Why is this an important ministry for pastors and evangelists?

Q7. (1 Kings 18:30-32a) What is the significance of Elijah “rebuilding” the altar of Yahweh? What rebuilding needs to be done in your own worship practices? Your church’s? What has caused your “altar” or practice of worshipping and living before the Lord to be broken down? How will you repair it?

Q6. (1 Kings 18:21) What is the danger of syncretism? What currently competes with your allegiance to Jesus in terms of time, focus, commitment, etc.? Why is there competition, do you think? How long will you go limping between two opinions?

Q5. (1 Kings 18:3-16) What do we learn about Obadiah from this passage? What do we know of his faith? Of his courage? Of his fears? If you were in Obadiah’s situation, how much courage would you have shown?

Q4. (1 Kings 17:8-16) Why does God send Elijah to a poor widow rather than a rich man? If God sent someone to you to provide for, how would you respond?

Q3. (Proverbs 1:1-7) What is the appropriate role of common sense in our lives? Does that supplement or contradict faith in God’s ability to work miracles outside the natural order?