1 Kings 18: Group Study Handout

How to use: read 1 Kings 18 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Yahweh told Elijah to go show himself to Ahab since rain would come to the land (vv. 1-2). Elijah met Obadiah, who had hidden prophets of Yahweh from Jezebel (vv.

Key verse

“Then Yahweh’s fire fell, and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.”
1 Kings 18:38 (WEB)

Outline

1 Kings 18:1–2 Yahweh's Command to Elijah
1 Kings 18:3–16 Elijah Meets Obadiah
1 Kings 18:17–21 Confrontation with Ahab
1 Kings 18:22–29 The Prophets of Baal
1 Kings 18:30–39 Yahweh Answers with Fire
1 Kings 18:40–46 The Aftermath and Rain

Discussion questions

In v18, what does Elijah accuse Ahab of doing to Israel?
What challenge does Elijah present to the prophets of Baal in v24?
Elijah's statement 'I, even I only, am left' in v22: what does this suggest about his feelings?
In v36, Elijah prays to Yahweh: what does he ask for to convince the people?
When have you felt alone in standing for your beliefs like Elijah in v22?

Go deeper

Passages that echo 1 Kings 18: Joshua 24, Matthew 6, 1 Kings 19.

Before next time: read 1 Kings 19.