SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON ~ January 9th

A Hill on Which to Stand

LESSON PASSAGE OUTLINE
1. Choose Your Camp (1 Kings 18:20-21)
2. Trust in God’s Help (1 Kings 18:37-39)
3. Watch for Slips (1 Kings 19:1-3a)
4. Climb Back Up (1 Kings 19:13b-18)

BIBLICAL TRUTH - As we take bold stands for the Lord, we can count on His continuing presence and encouragement.

Bible Commentary - by John C. Crutchfield, Director of Middle Eastern Studies at Columbia International University (CIU) in Columbia, SC. Dr. Crutchfield and his family worship and serve the Lord at First Baptist Church, Columbia, where he teaches an adult Sunday School class.

Maybe we just don’t want to think it could happen here. I’m talking about life-threatening persecution of Christians. Jesus warned, however, that His followers would face increasing hostility from those who oppose the gospel. In the history of western civilization in particular, Christianity has been viewed generally in a positive light. That view is rapidly deteriorating with the rise of aggressive multiculturalism and the new atheism. Some influential groups would rejoice to see Christianity, with its strong moral traditions, swept into the dustbin of history. Increasingly, believers who take bold stands for the Lord face bitter opposition from a rival culture that considers itself morally superior, intellectually justified, and socially advanced. We may not want to admit it, but our current dominant culture despises the things of Christ.

Have you ever felt the sting of opposition because of your faith in Jesus? How did it feel? What did it cost you?

The prophet Elijah experienced the sting of opposition to the worship of the one, true God. In some ways, Elijah lived in a culture like ours. Two rival worldviews competed for dominance in ancient Israel—the worship of the Lord God on the one hand and the mythical worship of Baal [BAY uhl] on the other hand. In that chaotic context, Elijah demonstrated that those who take a bold stand for the Lord can count on His abiding presence, power, and encouragement.