Prioritizing
Breath Prayer:
You, O God (inhale) | Are my first priority (exhale)
Big Idea: In the wake of a clear demonstration of God’s presence and power, God’s people realign their allegiances and priorities
Reflect
1 Kings 18:36-39
At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”
Journal your reflections on this week’s message
Jesus, I feel _____
About _____
Because _____
Respond
How did your perspective change in response to today’s video testimony?
How are we like the ancient Israelites today? What in modern life competes for your top allegiance?
How does God feel about being in second or third place? What’s your sense of God’s patience with his people from 1 Kings 18?
How would you describe Elijah’s faith based on this passage? Have you ever had a mountain top experience analogous to what happened in 1 Kings 18?
Talk about it – Small Group Discussion Questions
Review your sermon notes and personal reflections – what was most impactful to you?
It can be challenging in our affluent American culture to prioritize unseen spiritual realities over visible, material success! Do you wrestle with this? How?
Can you think of someone in your life who truly lived out their priorities according to their spiritual values? How did you witness them do this? Was it attractive? Repulsive?
How might our lives look different if we declared God as our first priority over our:
Struggles
Temptations
Time
Material Resources
Friendships
Would our life and witness be more attractive to our family and neighbors? Possibly repulsive?
When I examine my calendar, what does it say about my first priority with my time?
When I examine my bank accounts, what do they say about my first priority with money?
When I examine my conversations, what do they say about my first priority with my thoughts?
Declare God as your first priority.
Close in prayer
Repeat this week’s Breath Prayer:
You, O God (inhale) | Are my first priority (exhale)