Elijah in the Midst of Tragedy - Youth Sunday School Lesson on 1 Kings 17:17-24

Brief: God has power over life and death, and He answers our prayers.

(Printable Student Sheet)

 

Scripture: Read 1 Kings 17:17-24

In verse 18, what does the widow think is the reason that her son died?  Does this reasoning have any Biblical basis?

The widow thinks that her son died as a punishment for her sin.  God often punishes people in order to bring them back to Himself, but sometimes, bad things happen simply because we live in a fallen world.

 

What does verse 20 reveal about the extent of Elijah’s knowledge concerning God’s activities?

Elijah’s question shows us that not even Elijah knew the reason for everything that God does.

 

In verse 20, why does Elijah say, “have you brought tragedy…causing her son to die”?

Elijah recognizes God’s sovereignty over life and death.  Nothing happens that God does not ultimately cause.

 

In the midst of tragedy, how does Elijah respond?  What does he do?

Elijah prays.  The widow became bitter and accusatory toward God.  Elijah maintains his respect for God, praying in faith and not giving up hope.

 

What does verse 24 tell us about the real reason for the death of the widow’s son?

The widow’s son died so that he could be raised.  This provided an opportunity for God to increase the faith of Elijah, the widow, and the widow’s son.

 

Name the two miracles that occur in this passage and note what they can tell us about God.

Miracle one: The Lord heard Elijah’s cry.

What does this miracle tell us about God?

God answers prayer.  He hears us when we pray to Him, and He shows that He cares for us by answering us.

 

Miracle two: God raised the widow’s son from the dead.

What does this miracle tell us about God?

God is sovereign over life and death. This first resurrection of the Bible points toward future miracles of this nature.