As teenagers, we often face various challenges and uncertainties that can shake our faith. We may question if God is truly present in our lives or wonder how to hear His voice amidst the noise of the world. In 1 Kings 19:9-18, we find a powerful story that speaks directly to these struggles. It shows us how God reveals Himself not in the dramatic and loud, but in the gentle whisper. Understanding this truth can help us find strength, guidance, and reassurance in our relationship with God.
Bible Reading: 1 Kings 19:9-12
“And there he went into a cave and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ So he said, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.’ Then He said, ‘Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.’ And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” (NKJV)
Explanation:
- After Elijah’s confrontation with the prophets of Baal, he found himself in a state of discouragement and fear.
- In his despair, Elijah sought refuge in a cave where God spoke to him, asking him what he was doing there.
- Elijah expressed his frustration and loneliness, feeling like the last faithful prophet alive.
- God instructed Elijah to go and stand on the mountain before Him.
- As nature’s elements raged around Elijah—a great wind, an earthquake, and a fire—God’s voice was not found in any of these manifestations.
- Finally, God spoke to Elijah through a still small voice, showing him that true encounter with God often comes in the quiet and gentle moments.
Discussion Questions:
- Have you ever felt discouraged or alone in your faith? How did you handle it?
- Why do you think God chose to speak to Elijah through a whisper rather than through the powerful elements?
- How do you usually try to connect with God? Do you think it’s important to create space for silence and listening in your spiritual life? Why or why not?
- Can you share an experience where you felt God’s presence or heard His voice in a subtle or unexpected way?
Bible Reading: 1 Kings 19:13-18
“So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ And he said, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.’ Then the Lord said to him: ‘Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria. Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place. It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.'” (NKJV)
Explanation:
- After hearing God’s gentle voice, Elijah covered his face and went to stand at the entrance of the cave.
- God reiterated His question, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” and Elijah responded with his concerns and frustrations once again.
- In response, God gave Elijah specific instructions and reassurances:
- He directed Elijah to anoint Hazael as king over Syria, Jehu as king over Israel, and Elisha as a prophet to take Elijah’s place.
- God revealed that there were still seven thousand faithful individuals in Israel who had not bowed to Baal.
Discussion Questions:
- How do you think Elijah felt after hearing God’s voice for the second time? Why?
- What can we learn from Elijah’s response to God’s reassurances? How can we apply this to our own lives?
- In what ways do you think God might be speaking us today, even in the midst of challenges and uncertainties?
Youth Group Game: “Whisper Challenge”
To reinforce the concept of listening for God’s whisper, let’s play the “Whisper Challenge”! Divide the group into pairs. One person from each pair will put on noise-canceling headphones or earplugs. The other person will quietly whisper a phrase related to faith or hearing God’s voice. The person wearing the headphones/earplugs will try to guess what their partner is saying by lip-reading. This game encourages active listening and paying attention to subtle cues, just like listening for the whisper of God.
Closing Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for revealing yourself to us through your still small voice. Help us to quiet our hearts and minds, creating space to listen for your gentle whisper amidst the noise of the world. Give us the wisdom to discern your voice and the courage to follow your guidance. Strengthen our faith and remind us that even when we feel alone, you are always with us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Remember, as teenagers, it’s normal to have moments of doubt and uncertainty in our faith journey. But by seeking God’s presence in the whisper, we can find reassurance, guidance, and a deeper connection with Him. So let’s continue to nurture our relationship with God, cultivate a habit of listening, and trust that He will make His voice known to us in unexpected and beautiful ways.
Note: This Sunday school lesson was inspired by the biblical passage [1 Kings 19:9-18] and draws upon contemporary styles like those of Louie Giglio and Lecrae.