4/15 1 Kings 19 - Spiritual Depression & Burnout

Many of God’s servants have experienced spiritual depression and/or spiritual burnout. Today we look at 1 Kings 19 and see that Elijah suffered deep spiritual depression right on the heels of spiritual victory. This will be a challenging study as we look at principles for how to deal with it.

DISCUSSION AND STUDY QUESTIONS:

1. The opening verses of 1 Kings 19, what does Ahab tell Jezebel? If you were Jezebel and heard about all the Lord had done in 1 Kings 18, how would you have responded?

2. Instead, what message does Jezebel send to Elijah in verse 2? Given what just happened in 1 Kings 18, how should Elijah have reacted to Jezebel’s threats? How does he react in verse 3? Do you find this surprising? Why or why not?

3. Verse 3 says that Elijah fled to Beersheba. If you can, go find Beersheba on a map of Israel and Judah from this time period. What does Beersheba’s location tell you about the depth of Elijah’s fear?

4. Now look at verse 4. What does Elijah then do? What does his prayer consist of? Is this a prayer of faith or fear?

5. How do we see God’s grace in the help that the angel gives to Elijah in verses 5 to 8?

6. After this, where does Elijah go in verse 8? Historically speaking, what major events have happened already in this place? Why do you think Elijah went there?

7. In verse 9, why do you think the Lord asked him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

8. What was the content and tone of Elijah’s answer in verse 10? What does this reflect about his spiritual depression? Where do you think this spiritual depression came from?

9. What was the Lord’s answer to Him in verses 11 – 14? Why do you think He repeats this question?

10. People sometimes refer to verse 12 as proof that we can hear a “still, small voice” from God. In reading this passage, is the Lord’s voice merely quiet or is it completely silent and only something that Elijah can hear? In other words, was there an actual voice? Do you think that verse supports the idea that people can hear audible messages from God?

11. Going back to 1 Kings 19, what was Elijah’s answer in verse 14? Looking at his answer, what was Elijah really focused on? How was this leading to His spiritual depression?

12. Do you ever experience spiritual depression after a spiritual victory? What principles does this passage give you for how to deal with those kinds of situations?

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