Read 1 Kings 18:20-45. Write out on the lines below what essentially this whole episode is about. Though the context is totally different, how can the principles seen in this story apply to family life?

At Mount Carmel

On Mount Carmel, Elijah longed for covenant renewal on the part of his nation, a turning back to the faith of their fathers that would bring healing to their lives, their homes, and their land.

The hour of the evening sacrifice. After the heathen priests’ failure with their sacrifice, Elijah took his turn. He was deliberate. The time of day drew attention to God’s redemptive plan revealed in the sanctuary service (compare Exod. 29:41). The invitation “Come near to me” (1 Kings 18:30, NKJV) reminds us of the Savior welcoming sinners (compare Matt. 11:28). Parents who are pained at the waywardness of a child can be assured that God loves him or her as truly as He loved the Israelites. God works unceasingly to draw wayward ones to Him.

Elijah’s focus on Jehovah’s altar finds its equivalent in our time when Jesus and His saving grace are uplifted in families. Family worship is an opportunity to talk to Him in prayer, to speak of Him to one another, to receive anew His free gift of salvation, and to give our hearts time to reflect on His teachings.

The response Elijah requested would signal that God had taken them back to Himself. First Kings 18:37 says, that “this people may know … You have turned their hearts back to You again” (NKJV). We cannot turn our hearts to God; we can only respond to His grace, and that He freely gives.

The all-consuming fire fell, not upon the guilty but upon the sacrifice, pointing forward to Jesus, who was made “sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21, NKJV). Confession and praise burst from the people’s lips. Because they did not respond to God’s call, the false priests were executed. Then refreshing rains ended the curse upon the land.

Amen!(0)

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1. Turning hearts in the end time. As we close our three-month consideration of preparing for the end time, does this week’s lesson puts the heavy burden of spreading the good news of salvation directly on us last-day Seventh-day Adventists? The last book of the Bible before the arrival of the baby Jesus makes a mighty promise to you and to me. Malachi the prophet paints a picture of families in peace in Malachi  4:5-6. What is that picture?  Talk about this in your class: Even as Bible-believing Christians, are we ready–and able–to use last-day events to encourage us that Jesus is coming very soon, and all He wants is our hearts fully dedicated to Him? Would you agree that sometimes it is easier to believe than to obey? Which comes first–a restored relationship with God or a restored relationship with our families?
2.  Family reunion.  The name of which prophet means “Jehovah is my God?” Why is that designation so revealing of our final assignment as God’s people on earth? In this lesson, we go back to the touching story of a woman in dire straits. How bad is her condition? After working miracle after miracle to provide sufficient food to keep the woman and her son alive, he dies. How does God construct yet another miracle, this one involving her precious son? Does God ever allow lives to be saved today to help bring mothers and pastors like Elijah into a close, redeeming relationship with Jesus? Share examples with the class. Have you ever known someone who seemed to accept every Bible teaching but even so goes through a passive, lukewarm Christian experience?   How can something so hollow and so destructive happen? What can we do to keep friends and fellow Christians from falling into a case of permanent lethargy? 
3. Turning hearts at the altar.  Mount Carmel with Elijah–what an experience this was! Try to imagine what it was like to be on one side or the other as the prophets of Baal stood in defiance against God’s true worshippers. Would you agree that the noisiest most rousing event you or I have ever witnessed is nothing compared with this display? What does this demonstration of power by evil worshippers reveal about the challenges you and I may encounter in our homes?  Does the comment in the lesson guide that we human beings cannot turn the tide and thus bring salvation to our hearts puzzle you? If not, why not? What assurance do we have in these troubled days from the record of what happened on that fateful day on Mount Carmel? Can you and I do anything to lead our families to a state of worship and redemption by studying, visualizing, and praying about the impact these days of this amazing Mount Carmel event? 
4. Turning hearts at the Jordan.  How is the Jordan River related to God’s call to obedience? In what way (or ways) is the Elijah message of such great importance to us last-day Christians looking forward to the coming Christ? How important was John’s picture of Jesus as the Lamb of God in preparing us for the coming of Christ? John had strong impressions about the evil of sin. What do you think John felt was especially wrong about sin?  How were John the beloved disciple and John the Baptist alike and how different? How would you welcome John the Baptist into your home? What would he find especially enjoyable there? What are some practical ways we can help make our homes glow like beacon lights because of the presence of the spirit of God within us? 
5. Turning hearts in the last days.  Only we–you and I who have made the commitment to follow Jesus in every possible way–can have the joy of participating in the final proclamation. How do we as Seventh-day Adventists see ourselves as people with the urgent message of John the Baptist in these troubling days? How can Christian families show their neighbors and other family members our special commitment to following Jesus every day of our lives? Do you ever dream of a massive pouring out of the Bible’s message of salvation just before Jesus comes to take us home? What role can your family play in this final proclamation? Have you done everything you can, everything God leads you to do, in order to awaken in the hearts of your children and other family members a deep longing to live with Jesus forever?  As we close these thirteen precious weeks considering what our families mean to God, let’s pray for guidance to lead our families by example and teaching to a close and harmonious life with Jesus.  

Amen!(0)

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“God Be Merciful to Me” (Hymn 297) a sinner and keep my heart turned to You, ready for Jesus to come very soon. May we 
“Lift Up the Trumpet and Loud Let It Ring” (Hymn 213) as often as is possible.

We continue to ask:
“O for a Heart to Praise My God!” (Hymn 323) so that we are 
“Near to the Heart of God” (Hymn 495). This will give us 
“A Diligent and Grateful Heart” (Hymn 639).

Elijah comes to us in:
Hymn 147 “Christ Upon the Mountain Peak” on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. It is now that we request
“O for That Flame of Living Fire” (Hymn 264) that Elijah viewed on Mount Carmel.

On Tuesday, 1 Kings 18:30 “Come near to me….” is reflected in my singing:
Hymn 292, “Jesus, I Come” or 
Hymn 313/314, “Just as I Am”.

Our story of John the Baptist on Wednesday and Thursday is sung in:
Hymn 333, “On Jordan’s Banks the Baptist’s Cry” and continues on into Thursday’s study.

May the Lord bless you with a wonderful Sabbath day.

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Amen!(0)

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Key Thought: In whatever stage of our lives, we have struggles, worries, and fears. But we worship a God who knows what we face and will help us.

June 29, 2019

1. Have a volunteer read Malachi 4:4-6..

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What does it mean to turn the hearts of the fathers and children?
3. Personal Application: How does a restored relationship with God help us restore relationships in our family? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “I just came into the church. My children are grown now. I know I made a lot of mistakes parenting and the kids weren’t raised Christian. I think it is too late to try and get them to do the right things now.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read I Kings 16:29. 17:24, Luke 4:25,26..

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What experience of Elijah helped overturn heathen beliefs and bring new life to
   families?
3. Personal Application: What are some family reunions that you are still waiting for? Are there promises of God you cling to give you the hope of that reunion? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “What is your church doing in reaching out to missing members? Are your classes praying for them every week? Are they sending cards, letters, making phone calls, doing visitation?.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read John 1:35-37, 3:27-30.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What were the main aspects of John’s Elijah message?
3. Personal Application: If John the Baptist would step in your house, what do you think he would say to you? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “What is the relevance of Elijah’s and John’s message to us as Seventh-day Adventists? How can we help the church spread this message?”. How would you reply to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Luke 1:17.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What needs to change in the church and in your life to enable us to go out in the Spirit and power of Elijah?
3. Personal Application: What can you do in a special way to show a family member or church member that you care about them? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

Amen!(0)

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The introduction of Baal worship into Israel by Jezebel, the Sidonian wife of King Ahab, hastened the nation’s downward moral slide. The teachings of God that uplifted marriage, family, and sexuality were overshadowed by such practices as incest, prostitution, and other sexual perversions. Into this arena of conflict over worship stepped Elijah, whose very name, “Jehovah is my God”, rebuked Baal.

What experience of Elijah associated him with overturning heathen beliefs and bringing new life to families? 1 Kings 16:29-17:24; compare Luke 4:25-26.

The widow of Zarephath

Elijah was a marked man after announcing the curse of drought upon the land. God sheltered him in an unlikely place—at a poor widow’s dwelling in Zarephath of Sidon, near Jezebel’s hometown. Elijah greeted the widow with a grim test, to use her last bits of kindling, oil, and flour to feed him and to trust God for her future. Her faith became legendary. Jesus Himself would later commend her (Luke 4:26). As her oil and meal stretched out over many days, the woman came to understand more about Jehovah. Then, tragically, her only son fell sick and died. In expressing her grief to Elijah, she reflected the familiar religion around her, the perverted beliefs that now engulfed Israel, in which one’s sin could require child sacrifice (1 Kings 17:18; compare Jer. 19:5, Micah 6:7).

What effect did the reunion with her son have upon the Phoenician widow’s spiritual experience? 1 Kings 17:24. What can we learn from her comments?

The mother’s response reveals the effect of the Elijah message. Faith in God and His Word arises in the heart as, by His power, life is restored and the family is reunited. Many today may give assent as doctrines are preached, but are lukewarm in their spiritual experience. However, when the truths of God’s Word are experienced personally and revival and restoration occur in home relationships, conviction comes ever so much more powerfully upon the heart.

Amen!(0)

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