1. Objective: Seeing the humanity of our religious leaders—they are not “superhuman” but rather human beings who are dedicated completely to God.
Elijah

2. Heavenly Father, through these words help me understand the things you wish to teach me.
Dear Jesus, through these words let me feel the love you have for me as you feel your Father’s love for you.
Holy Spirit, through these words inspire me to live as a follower of Jesus and bring your love to everyone I meet today.
Amen
Opening Prayer
Anytime we read scripture, it’s great to take time to ask the Holy Spirit, who inspired the scriptures, to open our eyes, ears, minds and hearts to hear what he wants to teach us.

3. The Divided Kingdom Time Frame: 900-722 BC
Books: 1 Kings & Kings
People: Elijah, Elisha, Joel, Jonah, Amos Hosea, Isaiah, Michah
God’s Family Plan: One Holy Kingdom
World Power: Assyria
The period of The Divided Kingdom is in black to represent Israel’s darkest period.

4. A Bad Decision After King Solomon died, his son Rehoboam became king
“My father placed heavy burdens on you; I will make them even heavier. He beat you with whips; I’ll flog you with bullwhips!” (1 Kings 12:14)
After King Solomon died, his son Rehoboam became king
The people of the northern tribes asked him to remove some of the burdens and make their lives easier
Rehoboam desired power more than what was best for the kingdom
His lack of wisdom led to a very bad decision, and the northern tribes revolted against him

5. The Kingdom Divides Northern Kingdom Southern Kingdom King Jeroboam
“I will let Solomon’s son keep one tribe, so that I will always have a descendant of my servant David ruling in Jerusalem, the city I have chosen as the place I am worshipped.” (1 Kings 11:36)
Northern Kingdom
King Jeroboam
10 Tribes
Capitol is Samaria
Southern Kingdom
King Rehoboam
2 Tribes – Judah & Benjamin
Capitol is Jerusalem

6. The Northern Kingdom
King Jeroboam didn’t want his subjects to go to the Temple in Jerusalem to worship for fear they would change their allegiance
He made two golden calves and told the people they were the gods who brought them out of Egypt
He built places of worship on hilltops, ordained his own priests and created his own festival
He ordained as priest anyone who wanted to be one. This sin on his part brought about the ruin and total destruction of his dynasty. (1 Kings 13:33-34)

7. Kings of the North
Jeroboam – 22 years, sinned against the Lord, led the people to sin
Nadab – 2 years, sinned against the Lord, led the people to sin
Baasha – 24 years, sinned against the Lord, led the people to sin, killed Jeroboam’s family
Elah – 2 years, assassinated
Zimri – 7 days, killed Baasha’s family and friends, set palace on fire and died in flames, son Tibni died before people chose their next king
Omri – 12 years, made Samaria the capitol, sinned more than any of his predecessors, lead the people into sin and idolatry.
Ahab – 22 years, sinned more than any of his predecessors, married Jezebal and worshipped Baal  Enter Elijah

8. Who is Elijah? Elijah means “my God is Yahweh”
Prophet who suddenly appears in the Northern Kingdom
Defended the worship of Yahweh over the Canaanite god, Baal
Performed many miracles
Taken up in a flaming chariot
Compared to John the Baptist
Appeared at the Transfiguration with Moses

9. Here Comes Trouble
Elijah predicts a long drought and is commanded by God to go off to a remote town
Three years later, he returns to Samaria, which is suffering in famine to give King Ahab a message
“I’m not the troublemaker,” Elijah answered. “You are—you and your father. You are disobeying the Lord’s commands and worshiping the idols of Baal.” (1 kings 18:18)

10. Elijah and the Prophets of Baal
Ready-to-Go Skit

11. Coming Attractions
Elijah flees under threat of death from Queen Jezebel
Israel goes to war with Syria
Elijah goes out in a blaze of glory and passes on his mantle and authority to Elisha
The evil Jezebel meets her fate
Samaria is conquered by the Assyrians
To be continued…
They kept talking as they walked on; then suddenly a chariot of fire pulled by horses of fire came between them, and Elijah was taken up to heaven by a whirlwind. (2 Kings 2:11)

12. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.
(1 Kings 18:37)
Verse of the Day

13. Small Groups Go to your rooms for Small Group
Return to this room for closing reflection at 7:45
Small Groups

14. Announcements
Mar 23 & 26….…………TBA (Exile) Mar 30 & Apr 2…………No PSR – Faith inFormation Day Apr 1………………………Middle School XLT Apr 6 & 9…………………No PSR – Spring Break Apr 13 & 19………………Esther Apr 20 & 23……………..No PSR - Easter

15. Think About It Is it hard to do the right thing?
What if you get blame instead of praise?
How does God sustain us?
Think About It

16. Prayer Petitions
God, who has commanded us to care for the earth, grant us a spirit of reverence, respect, and renewal for all of nature. We pray to the Lord.
R: Lord, hear our prayer.
God of my life, may your love enfold me in those moments of despair when I need someone to remind me that you are near. We pray to the Lord.
God of all our decisions, direct my heart to choose you and your way at all times and in all places. We pray to the Lord.
May I never fear the sound of silence, Lord, for I know it is then that you speak to me. We pray to the Lord.
R: Lord, hear our prayer.
God of the ages, show me how to best live out and hand on the Spirit you have given me. We pray to the Lord.
Lord my God, helper of all who need you, make me sensitive to the needs of others. We pray to the Lord.

17. Our Father who art in Heaven,  Hallowed be thy name;  Thy kingdom come  Thy will be done  On earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread;  And forgive us our trespasses  As we forgive those who trespass against us;  And lead us not into temptation But deliver us from evil.
Amen
Closing Prayer