Strange Things in the Bible – Fed by Ravens – October 22, 2023

Welcome, Introduction, and Opening Prayer

SHARE – Icebreaker – In this sermon series, we are exploring some of the strange stories in the Bible. This Sunday we are exploring a story about ravens delivering food to the prophet Elijah. What is your favorite take-out food or delivery food (Chinese, Pizza, etc)?

STUDY - Text: 1 Kings 17:1-6 (NRSV)

Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.”2 The word of the Lord came to him, saying, 3 “Go from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the Wadi Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. 4 You shall drink from the wadi, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” 5 So he went and did according to the word of the Lord; he went and lived by the Wadi Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the wadi.

King Ahab rejected God and embraced the false god, Baal. In Canaanite religion, Baal was thought to be the god of storms, holding particular power over rain and fertility. In light of this, why do you think God sent judgment in the specific form of drought? What message was God sending to king Ahab and Jezebel?

God sends Elijah food through the ravens and water through the wadi Cherith. In what ways do you see God’s miraculous provision for Elijah in this chapter? Does this provision remind you of a time when God provided for you in a miraculous way?

God reminds us that we are more valuable than the birds. We don’t need to worry. God provides for Elijah enough food for the day – no more no less. What are some ways that you might rely on God more in your own life?

Elijah is stuck at the wadi Cherith – a place that literally means “cut off.” Elijah is in solitude. He is cut off from the world. He is separated from everyone he knows and loves. Have you ever felt “cut off” from the rest of the world? How might you grow more connected to God and others?

SUPPORT - Blessings and Burdens: What has been life-giving for you this week? What has been life-draining for you?

Closing Prayer