Week of January 21-22, 2017

Dear Parents,

The prophet Elijah had just witnessed God’s great display of power over the false god Baal. God had sent fire from heaven and then ended a long drought with a great rain. Elijah must have felt a sense of victory; the evil King Ahab could not deny the one true God. But trouble awaited Elijah in the form of Ahab’s wife, Jezebel.

When Jezebel heard what happened at Mount Carmel, she threatened to kill Elijah. Elijah ran away and hid in the wilderness. What a change Elijah experienced! He went from a man faithfully and confidently praying for God’s glory to be displayed at Mount Carmel to a man begging the Lord to take away his life. (See 1 Kings 19:4.)

God was merciful to Elijah. An angel of the Lord brought Elijah food and drink while he rested. Then Elijah traveled to Horeb for a personal encounter with God. Horeb—another name for Mount Sinai—was a familiar place in the history of Israel. It was the place where God gave the Ten Commandments to the Israelites and where Moses met with God.

After the events in 1 Kings 18, Elijah might have expected a grand display of God’s presence, but what he experienced was just the opposite. The Lord was not in the wind. The Lord was not in the earthquake. The Lord was not in the fire. God revealed Himself to Elijah in a voice, a soft whisper.

Elijah’s circumstances were difficult, but God didn’t leave him. God gave him Elisha, a friend and successor. God assured Elijah that he was not alone; there were 7,000 people in Israel who had not turned to worship Baal.

As a prophet of God, Elijah faced enemies who wanted to hurt him. Elijah’s life points forward to Jesus, the greatest Prophet, who was hated and killed for sharing and teaching God’s Word.

Help your kids understand that God’s prophets suffered, but their lives and messages pointed forward to the ultimate prophet, priest, and king—Jesus Christ—who suffered for the sins of the world. Jesus was hated and killed, but His death and resurrection brought victory for God’s people.

Family Talking Points

Toddlers

• There is one true God.
• God spoke to Elijah in a small whisper.
• Nothing can stop God’s plan.
• Jesus is with us when we are afraid.

Preschool

• How many gods are there? There is one true God.
• God encouraged Elijah.

Kids

• How many gods are there? There is one true God who alone deserves worship.
• God revealed Himself to Elijah in a whisper.

Unit Key Passage

“For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” – Hebrews 1:1-2

Next Week

Elisha and Naaman (2 Kings 5)

Reminders

No Saturday Services, 5th Family Sunday – K-5th graders are in service on Sunday!

5 Scriptures for Life – This week’s verse is 1 John 4:9. Try reciting all three verses together! Post your video to LCC Facebook page – it counts! Or grab a memorization card from The Well or your greeter. Completed cards gets you into the Real Love Lunch Sunday February 12th!

White Socks Drive for the Homeless – bring in White Socks to donate to the Homeless Ministry in the month of January

BGMC Girls brought in $15.92. Boys $9.52