This workshop leader’s Bible study
is a historical, theological, and contextual introduction to the Elijah and the
False Prophets of Baal rotation of Kirk of Kildaire’s Faith Quest workshop
rotation program. It is intended to
provide workshop leaders with:
·
A historical context for understanding the Bible
story.
·
A Biblical context for reading and teaching the
story.
·
The theological basis for the concepts to be
taught to the children.
In Kirk of Kildaire’s Faith Quest program, workshop
leaders attend a one-hour Bible study two weeks prior to the start of a new
rotation. This Bible study helps
workshop leaders understand how the concepts to be taught to the children are
derived from the Bible story and how the lessons in the rotation fit together
to reinforce the concepts. It also
provides an opportunity for the workshop leaders to grow in their own faith and
understanding of the Bible.
It will be helpful to have a
chalkboard, whiteboard, or flip chart for writing down questions or
observations during the Bible study.
Note: This is not a comprehensive study of the
text, but only a few notes to help provide context and background for workshop
leaders. Consult titles cited in the
reference list at the end of these notes for more information.
Scripture:
1 Kings 18:16-46
“You were shown these things so that you might know that the Lord is God; besides him there is no other.” Deuteronomy 4:35 NIV
o The Lord is the One true God.
o God has ultimate power over the world.
o We are called to trust in only God for everything.
o God asks us to choose only him and then helps us make that choice.
o We are called to worship God.
·
If workshop leaders do not know each other, give
them an opportunity to introduce each other and say which workshop they will be
leading.
·
Begin the Bible study by praying for God’s
guidance as teachers begin a new rotation.
Ask a workshop leader to read the text aloud. Since this rotation focuses on an entire chapter, you might want to divide the reading among three or four workshop leaders.
Ask the workshop leaders what
questions came to mind as they heard the story or read it before the Bible
study. Write down any questions that
arise and will need to be answered during the Bible study.
Background
Originally
presented as a single unit, the books of 1 and 2 Kings should be read together
as a whole. The division into two books
was arbitrarily made to make them more manageable (Seow, 3-4). The books together cover Israelite history
“from the death of David and the accession of Solomon (ca. 970 BCE) to the
release of the exiled King Jehoiachin from prison in
Genre
1 and 2 Kings are historical books written to give account of a nation’s past to its people. However, as the writer of Interpretation put it, they are “preached history” and were written to respond to the crisis of faith that the nation faced in exile and to call people back to God (Interpretation 3 and 8). The writer/s of Kings attempted to answer questions like: How were the Israelites to still understand themselves as God’s people while living defeated in exile? How were they to properly worship Yahweh without temple or land? What about all of God’s promises to them? (Interpretation, 13-14).
Structure
1 and 2 Kings are written with an overall chronological structure. However it is complicated by the fact that it alternates back and forth between the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. In his commentary for the New Interpreter’s Bible, Choon-Leong Seow offers a simple three-part structure for the two books (5).
I. Kingdom under Solomon: 1 Kings 1-11
II. Divided Kingdom: 1 Kings 12 – 2 Kings 17
III.
Themes
Although clearly historical 1 and 2 Kings are obviously theological narratives as well and they have much to say to us about God. In describing the theological perspective of Kings, the writer of Interpretation offers the following ideas about God that can be gleaned from reading Kings (13).
1. “God
is the central actor in the plot of
2. “God demands the total loyalty of the people and is intolerant of other loyalties and commitments.”
3. “God rewards virtue and punishes sin, but does not do so mechanically.”
4. “Repentance leads to restoration, but the outcome of repentance still remains in God’s hands.”
5. “God is sovereign over the events of history and nature.”
6. “God keeps promises, but is not bound by human expectations.”
King Ahab (married to Jezebel) has been worshipping Baal and has led the people into apostasy as well. Elijah announced to the King that God would bring a drought upon the land for three years as a punishment for their unfaithfulness. Fearing for his life and following what God told him to do, Elijah then went into hiding and was kept alive by God. Now, as this story begins, Elijah is finally presenting himself again to King Ahab.
Interesting Words/Phrases/Ideas
v. 17 “troubler” This Hebrew word “suggests someone whose action or presence is destructive to others” (Seow, 135).
v. 18 and 19 “Baals” or “Baal” Elijah lumps any and all other gods into this
one god – who it is does not matter because they are all nothing – there is
only one true God (Interpretation, 116).
Baal was a storm god who was believed to be “responsible for bringing
life-giving rains” and “restoring fertility” (
v.20 Elijah issues a
challenge to the people of
v. 20-25 In the test that Elijah proposes it would seem that Baal has all the advantages – there are 450 prophets to one; they get to choose the first bull; and Baal himself is the storm god afterall. (Seow, 134) and (Interpretation, 117)
v.25-29 Baal’s prophets dance around like fools and Elijah mocks them but no fire comes
v.30-35 Elijah has to repair the alter of the Lord before he can use it. Note all the 12 symbolism (like the 12 tribes) – 12 stones and 4 jars of water filled 3 times = 12. Again, it seems God is at quite a disadvantage – Elijah has soaked everything with water and filled the surrounding trench with water as well.
v.36-37 Compare Elijah’s prayer and preparations to those of
the other prophets. In his prayer Elijah
is very clear and very specific about who he is calling on so there will be no
doubt. The connection between God and
the nation of
Themes
How are the themes identified above played out in this story?
God keeps his promises to Elijah and to the people.
Ask each workshop leader to
summarize his or her workshop. As they
do so, point out the concepts that each lesson reinforces. Ask workshop leaders if they have any
questions about the logistics or practical application of their lesson.
Apostles’ Playhouse: The children will act out the story of the contest on
Holywood: The children will view the video Elijah, discuss the details of the story, and review all five concepts.
Praising Puppets: The children will use puppets to learn about God’s power and God’s desire that we choose to be his people
Return to the questions that were
gathered at the start of the hour. Have
they been answered? Are there any further
questions about the Bible story or about the lessons?
Close the Bible study with a
prayer.
Seow, Choon-Leong. “1 and 2 Kings.” The New Interpreter’s Bible, vol. III. Leander Keck, et al. editors. (Nashville, Abingdon Press, 1998). (pp.949-967 and 3-12 and 133-138).
“First and Second Kings.” Interpretation. James Luther Mays, et al. editors. (Louisville, John Knox Press, 1990). (pp. 1-14 and 114-122).
Wilson, Robert R. “1 Kings.” The HarperCollins Study Bible. Wayne A. Meeks, et al. editors. (HarperCollins Publishers, 1993).