BREAKING THE SILENCE: What if God Said No

The following questions are to be used as a study aid for the sermon preached by Pastor Tommy Dove at the Grace Place on Sunday, November 10, 2013. To get the most from these questions, go to https://soundcloud.com/#graceplacehermitage and listen to the service first.

These questions can be used in your private Bible study during the week or as the topic for a small group study. For more information on hosting or leading a small group study, click on "GP Small Groups" under "GP Ministries" at www.graceplace.us.

Fellowship: (Break bread with your community, share life from last week, announcements for next week)

Icebreaker: (Get to know your fellow believers a little bit better using this week’s topic)

When have you experienced strong winds?

Have you ever been in an earthquake?  When?  Where?

Has a fire ever taken something you treasured?  What?

Worship: (Optional for communities who have the time and talent)

“Voice of Truth” by Casting Crowns

Scripture: (Read the word together – use different readers, different versions, just read it)

1 Kings 19:1-18

Lesson: (Delve deeper into the Word and into the sermon using open-ended questions)

Elijah was having himself a big-time pity party under that broom tree.  The angel provided him with bread and water.  You can do better than that!  Provide each of your group members with a small piece of paper and instruct them to write their biggest problem on it.  Give them a few minutes to really mull it over.  Ask them to tear the piece of paper into confetti and throw it above their heads.  Now, pass out a piece of chocolate (leftover Halloween candy?) and tell them to enjoy the chocolate and celebrate their pity party!

What lead up to Elijah having a pity party?

What part does physical exhaustion play in feeling overwhelmed?

What did Elijah do right?  Wrong?

How does fear mislead us?  (Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real.)

What should we do when we feel overwhelmed?

How can you support one another during those times?

Prayer: (Share each other’s burdens, become a community of believers)

Pray for new community groups that will be forming, their leaders and hosts.