Sermons

A Lesson in Handling Conflict – 1 Kings 18:1-19 – Livestream for 5/21/23

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Small Group Guide:

Open with prayer.

Go around and give everyone a chance to share about how the past week has been. What’s one highlight? What’s one lowlight?

If your small group has talked about it before, feel free to use this time to hold people accountable to what they’ve asked to be held accountable for previously, and go through the “missional” part of this discussion guide.

1 Kings 18:1-19

After many days the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth.” 2 So Elijah went to show himself to Ahab. Now the famine was severe in Samaria. 3 And Ahab called Obadiah, who was over the household. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly, 4 and when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, Obadiah took a hundred prophets and hid them by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water.) 5 And Ahab said to Obadiah, “Go through the land to all the springs of water and to all the valleys. Perhaps we may find grass and save the horses and mules alive, and not lose some of the animals.” 6 So they divided the land between them to pass through it. Ahab went in one direction by himself, and Obadiah went in another direction by himself.

7 And as Obadiah was on the way, behold, Elijah met him. And Obadiah recognized him and fell on his face and said, “Is it you, my lord Elijah?” 8 And he answered him, “It is I. Go, tell your lord, ‘Behold, Elijah is here.’” 9 And he said, “How have I sinned, that you would give your servant into the hand of Ahab, to kill me? 10 As the Lord your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my lord has not sent to seek you. And when they would say, ‘He is not here,’ he would take an oath of the kingdom or nation, that they had not found you. 11 And now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, “Behold, Elijah is here.”’ 12 And as soon as I have gone from you, the Spirit of the Lord will carry you I know not where. And so, when I come and tell Ahab and he cannot find you, he will kill me, although I your servant have feared the Lord from my youth. 13 Has it not been told my lord what I did when Jezebel killed the prophets of the Lord, how I hid a hundred men of the Lord‘s prophets by fifties in a cave and fed them with bread and water? 14 And now you say, ‘Go, tell your lord, “Behold, Elijah is here”’; and he will kill me.” 15 And Elijah said, “As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself to him today.” 16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him. And Ahab went to meet Elijah.

17 When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” 18 And he answered, “I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father’s house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals. 19 Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

Message Outline:

In this passage of God’s Word, we see Elijah running into another man who feared the Lord, Obadiah. When Elijah asks Obadiah to give King Ahab a message, Obadiah immediately resists, stating that King Ahab will kill him if Elijah isn’t found. The two work through their conflict, and in doing so, give us a lesson on handling conflict. By taking a look at this encounter, learn to:

  1. Realize God has different roles for each of us in His Kingdom

1 Kings 18:1-6, 1 Cor. 12, Rom. 12:3-8, Eph. 4:11-12

  1. Talk out conflict directly, without contention

1 Kings 18:7-16, 1 Cor. 1:10, Matt. 18:15-17, Jam. 1:19, Prov. 15:1, Rom. 12:17-21

  1. Always point to God’s Word

1 Kings 18:17-18, 2 Tim. 3:16, Heb. 4:12, Rom. 15:4, John 1:1, 14, Matt. 4:4

Reflection Questions:

  1. Have you ever heard this passage of Scripture or topic taught on before? What stood out to you?
  2. Read 1 Kings 18:1-6 we see that it’s clear that Elijah and Obadiah play very different roles in God’s Kingdom, yet they are both important. Obadiah and Elijah both resist getting angry with the other about their role in God’s Kingdom. Do you find yourself easily angered or even annoyed at other believers for playing different roles in God’s Kingdom? Why or why not? Is there any believer or group of believers in particular?
  3. Read 1 Kings 18:7-16. Obadiah clearly, and without contention, explains his problem with what Elijah is asking him to do. Elijah, then clearly and without contention answers Obadiah. How well do you address conflict, talking through it clearly, without contention? What most often causes you to be contentious when address conflict?
  4. Read 1 Kings 18:17-18. Here, the evil King Ahab address Elijah as the evil one. Elijah responds by clearly pointing to what King Ahab did, which was against God’s Word. How can you better point people to God’s Word in your interactions?
  5. How can you help those around you to handle conflict in a more Biblical way?
  6. What is your biggest take away about how this passage affects your life? What do you need to work on? Who can you share this with and ask you to keep you accountable to accomplishing this?

Prayer Time:

Pray for each other in your small group to be faithful take the step(s) that you shared above. Pray for each other and the interactions that they have with those who don’t know Jesus. Pray that God would soften the people’s hearts to what He has for them. Pray that God would give everyone opportunities to share the Gospel.

Staying Missional:

Share spiritual/missional conversations you’ve had where you live, work, and play:

Who did you have a conversation with that took a spiritual/missional turn this week?
What questions did you ask to discover where God is at work in their life, even if they are not aware?
How were you able to share your story of life change or how you have experienced Jesus?
How can you be intentional this week with people where you live, work, and play to have spiritual/missional conversations if the opportunity arises?
Who in your life do you think could be discipleable or open to spiritual/missional conversations?

What’s next?

Discuss the next step for your small group. When will we gather again and what purpose will it fulfill?