God Provides Behind Enemy Lines - Youth Sunday School Lesson on 1 Kings 17:7-16

Brief: God is in control everywhere.

(Printable Student Sheet)

 

Scripture: Read 1 Kings 17:7-16

Why does the widow call the Lord, “your God” when speaking to Elijah?

The people of Sidon worshiped Baal, not God.  The widow does not believe in God but understands that Elijah does.

 

Describe the widow’s feelings in verse 12.  Try to imagine yourself in her place.

She’s afraid.  She has no hope.  She and her son are about to die because of the drought, and she can’t do anything about it.

 

How does Elijah respond to her feelings in verses 13 and 14?  

He comforts her by telling her not to be afraid.

 

How does he challenge her?  

He challenges her to have faith in God.

 

What does this say about God and our relationship with Him? 

God cares about how we feel and knows that the only thing that will calm our fears is trusting Him.

 

What would have happened to the widow and her son if she had not had the faith to obey God?

If the widow had not had faith and obeyed God, she and her son probably would have died, just as she thought was going to happen.  As it is, however, God did not let her down.  Her faith in Him was not for nothing.

 

What would or would not have happened if Elijah had not obeyed God’s command to leave the brook in the Kerith Ravine and go to Zarephath?

If Elijah had not obeyed God, he would not have been provided for by the widow.  He would have died.  The widow and her son would never come into contact with Elijah.  They would have died.  The widow and her son would never have put their faith in God.  They would have died still believing in Baal.

 

Elijah’s mission so far has been to prove that Baal is not a god and that God is.  How does going to Zarephath in Sidon further his mission?  Remember that Sidon was the source of Baal worship.

God sends Elijah into “enemy territory” and continues to work miracles there, proving that God is God everywhere, not just in Israel.  He is sovereign.

 

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

Miracle one: The word of the Lord came to Elijah.

What does this miracle tell us about God?

God wants to communicate with us.

 

Miracle two: God provided food for Elijah, the widow, and the widow’s son.

What does this miracle tell us about God?

God provided food for Elijah, the widow, and the widow’s son.  God can provide for His people in “impossible” ways.

 

What is the significance of mentioning the name of the town and where it was located (Zarephath of Sidon)?

The Bible is usually very specific in terms of geographic locations and times in order to prove that it’s true.