MOUNT CARMEL: AN EXPERIENCE IN COURAGE
1 Kings 18:16-39
Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal's prophets are 450 men.”
Discover It
Elijah challenged the evil prophets of Baal to a contest on Mount Carmel to prove who the true God was. Both groups would lay out a sacrifice, and the God who sent fire from heaven would be revealed as the one true God. While 450 prophets of Baal gathered, Elijah stood alone in bold faith, trusting that God would reveal Himself. Elijah’s courage was tested in a big way. He was outnumbered, facing hundreds of prophets who believed in a false god. But Elijah didn’t back down, even when the odds were against him. He built an altar, prepared a sacrifice, and even soaked everything with water, making it seem impossible for a fire to start. But Elijah knew that nothing is too difficult for God. When Elijah prayed, God answered in a powerful way. Fire came down from heaven, burning up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, and even the water. Through Elijah’s courage, the people saw that the Lord is the one true God. Elijah’s boldness teaches us that when we stand for God, He can do amazing things, even if we are the only ones standing.
Ask It
1. How do you think Elijah felt when he saw that he was the only prophet of God, facing 450 prophets of Baal?
2. Have you ever had to stand up for what was right, even when others around you disagreed? What did you do?
3. What can we learn from Elijah's example about trusting God in difficult situations?
How can we show courage in our everyday lives, especially when we know God wants us to do something hard?
Live It
Think of one situation where you can be courageous this week. It could be standing up for someone being treated unfairly, sharing your faith, or doing the right thing when it's unpopular. Pray together as a family for courage and then take action!
Pray It
"Dear God, thank You for the example of Elijah, who showed us what it means to be courageous. Help me to stand boldly for You, even when it seems difficult or when others do not agree. Give me the strength to trust You in every situation, knowing that You are always faithful. And help me to always choose to honor You with my actions, words, and decisions. In Jesus’ name, Amen."
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