Lesson 1 – Obedient Service
Read 1 Kings 17:1-7 https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1KI.17.ESV  
 1 Kings 17:1 – As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.

 Elijah and Elisha are two of the best-known early prophets of Israel. They both served in the northern kingdom of Israel. Elijah and Elisha were both greatly respected by those in the school of prophets (2 Kings 2 and 4:38–41) as well as by the kings of their nation. Their messages led to revival among some of the Israelites during a dark time of Israel's history. During the wicked reigns of Ahab and Ahaziah, God had His men leading the call for righteousness.

Elijah and Elisha’s combined ministries continued to influence Israel for some time. Even the New Testament speaks of the expected return of Elijah, a role fulfilled by John the Baptist, the forerunner or the one to announce the coming of the Messiah.

 The first time we read Elijah’s name in the Bible, we learn that he was an immigrant living in Israel, boldly delivering a difficult message from the Lord to Israel’s King Ahab. Ahab did not follow the true God, the Lord God of Israel, but led God’s chosen people into idol worship. In fact, 1 Kings 16:33 tells us Ahab did more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him. No wonder God instructed Elijah to hide after telling King Ahab He was causing a drought in Israel that would last for years!

Elijah obeyed God, and the Lord miraculously sent ravens who brought bread and meat for Elijah to eat for breakfast and supper, and all the clean, cool water from the brook he could drink.


 But then the brook dried up because there had been no dew or rain. What now? Did Elijah get worried and take matters into his own hands, traveling away from the brook looking for water? We will find out what happened in the next lesson.

God often asks us to do things for Him we do not think we can do. But God never asks us to do anything in our own strength – we do it all in His. And He has promised to provide all our needs as we obediently serve Him by allowing Him to do this work through us.
 
 *Has God ever asked you to something you thought was impossible? What was the result?
*How has God stretched your faith to continue trusting Him when circumstances looked hopeless?