In Unseen Places - Elijah Guide

In the "In Unseen Spaces" series, this sermon explores how God meets people in unseen, quiet places to do deep, formative work. Following Jesus’ wilderness experience and Moses’ time in the desert, it now examines the prophet Elijah, whose story unfolds in a tense period of Israel’s history. Facing the corrupt rule of Ahab and Jezebel, Elijah tirelessly contends for justice and faithfulness. After a powerful showdown against the prophets of Baal, Elijah finds himself fleeing for his life, exhausted and despairing. Here, God meets him with tenderness, not rebuke, tending to his immediate needs and inviting him to listen. In a moment of intimacy, God whispers instead of wielding force, showing that rest and nearness can heal where power cannot. This journey teaches us that times of exhaustion and anxiety often call for rest, not action, as God uses unseen spaces to draw us close, helping us return to our lives whole and renewed.

1. Check-In Question

• How has your week been? Are you feeling energized, exhausted, or somewhere in between?

Part 1: Setting the Scene

Read 1 Kings 19:1-8 Together
This passage follows Elijah's intense confrontation with King Ahab and Queen Jezebel. Elijah is physically and emotionally exhausted, fleeing for his life, and finds himself isolated in the wilderness.

Discussion Questions

1. Immediate Reactions

   • What stands out to you in this part of Elijah’s story? Can you relate to Elijah’s exhaustion and sense of despair?

2. God’s Response to Elijah

   • How does God initially respond to Elijah’s condition? What does this tell us about God’s character and priorities when we’re struggling?

   • Why do you think God begins by providing Elijah with food and rest rather than immediately addressing his mission?

Reflection:
Share about a time when you were overwhelmed and God met you in a small, unexpected way (like a moment of rest, comfort, or support from others). How did it affect you?

Part 2: The Whisper of God

Read 1 Kings 19:9-13 Together
God calls Elijah deeper into the wilderness and meets him in a unique way—not through powerful displays but through a "gentle whisper."

Discussion Questions

1. Experiencing God’s Presence

   • Why do you think God chooses to reveal Himself to Elijah in a whisper rather than in the dramatic wind, earthquake, or fire?

   • What does this reveal about how God might want to connect with us, especially during difficult times?

2. Hearing God’s Whisper

   • In a noisy and busy world, what helps you make space for God’s "whisper"? What practices or rhythms do you find helpful for hearing from God?

Reflection:
Elijah needed quiet to hear God’s whisper. What practices might you add to your life to create this kind of space?

Part 3: Rest, Renewal, and Return

Read Exodus 33:14 Together
This verse reflects God’s promise to Moses in the wilderness, which mirrors His care for Elijah. "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

Discussion Questions

1. God’s Invitation to Rest

   • In both stories, God’s answer to exhaustion is rest. Why do you think rest is so important for our spiritual health and our ability to serve others?

   • In what ways might resting in God’s presence be challenging? What makes it worth it?

2. Rhythms of Rest and Return

   • Elijah and Moses eventually returned to their work. How can we maintain a balance of rest and action in our own lives?

   • What’s one area where you could use more rest or space to reflect and renew?

Reflection:
Think about a specific “unseen space” in your life—somewhere ordinary or overlooked where you feel God might be inviting you to slow down or listen more closely. Share if you feel comfortable, or write it down to reflect on during the week.

Closing Reflection and Prayer

1. Final Thoughts

• Summarize key insights shared during the discussion. Emphasize that God’s presence in our lives may come as a whisper, not always a dramatic intervention, and that unseen spaces can be places of deep transformation.

2. Closing Prayer

• Close by inviting group members to reflect on where they might need to rest, listen, or receive God’s care. Pray that each person will be able to experience God’s kind and renewing presence in the "unseen spaces" of their lives.