1. Discouragement can happen to

…even the most spiritual

I Kings 19:4 “Then he went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died.” (NLT=New Living Translation)

2. Discouragement can come on the heels of our greatest

I Kings 19:1-2 “When Ahab got home, he told Jezebel everything Elijah had done, including the way he had killed all the prophets of Baal. 2 So Jezebel sent this message to Elijah: “May the gods strike me and even kill me if by this time tomorrow I have not killed you just as you killed them.” (NLT)

3. Discouragement happens when loss robs us of

“I have had enough, LORD…”

2 Corinthians 1:8 “For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.” (ESV=English Standard Version)

4. Discouragement does not

_ us from God

I Kings 19:5-6 “Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” 6 He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again.” (NLT)

I Kings 19:9-10 “the LORD said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
10 Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”(NLT)

• God meets us in our discouragement

• God can handle our disappointment and loss

• God can put us back together if we give Him time

5. Discouragement can be the pathway to renewed

I Kings 19:15-18 “Then the LORD told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram.

16 Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat…to replace you as my prophet…Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!” (NLT)

• God gave Elijah something to do
anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. 16 Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel

• God gave Elijah someone to mentor
anoint Elisha son of Shaphat…to replace you as my prophet

• God gave Elijah a different perspective
Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!”

Romans 15:13 “ I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” (NLT)

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Discussion Questions:

1. The story of Elijah illustrates that deep heart discouragement can happen to anyone. Do you feel like the Christian community in general allows for this type of life pain or does it struggle giving people the grace for this journey?
   

2. Why can discouragement come on the heels of our greatest victories?
   

3. How does discouragement rob us of hope? What happens to us when we lose hope? Has this ever happened to you?
   

4. When we are discouraged and disillusioned, God does not retreat from us. How do we see this in the life of Elijah? Discuss the three observations from Elijah’s life that we can count on when we are discouraged.
   

5. Discouragement can actually be a pathway leading us forward. God did three things for Elijah. God can and will do the same for us. Discuss these three areas and share why they are so important moving forward out of discouragement.
   

6. Spend some time being honest about your own journey with discouragement. Pray Rom. 15:13 for one another.