Superbook

Lesson:

Obey even if you don't understand the reason.

Extras

• Character Profiles

  • Elijah (and Widow)

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    Elijah (and Widow)

    

    The prophet, Elijah, boldly spoke God’s Word. He confronted King Ahab’s sin of idolatry, and declared a drought that lasted for over three years. Elijah traveled to Zarephath to stay with a widow. By Elijah’s word, God performed a miracle for the widow and provided food for her until the drought ended. When the widow’s son became sick, and then died, Elijah prayed and God returned the boy’s life back to him!

    • Bible References

      • 1 Kings 18:36
      • 2 Kings 1:8
      • Matthew 3:4
      • 2 Kings 1:1-12
      • 1 Kings 18:16-40
      • 1 Kings 18:41-45
      • 1 Kings 19:1-21
      • 1 Kings 21:1-26
      • Genesis 5:23-24
      • 2 Kings 2:7-18
      • Malachi 4:5-6
      • Matthew 11:13-15
      • Matthew 17:1-13
      • Revelation 11:3-12.

  • Widow

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    Widow

    

    The widow of Zarephath and her son lived in a time of severe drought and famine. Though she and her son had just enough oil and flour to make their last meal, she obediently fed Elijah first. Because of her kind obedience, God miraculously provided oil and flour to her until the rain came and the crops grew again. When her son later became sick and died, she blamed Elijah. When Elijah prayed for her son, God heard his prayer and gave life to the son again. The widow then declared that Elijah was a man of God and the Lord truly spoke through him.

    • Bible References

      • 1 Kings 17:15
      • 1 Timothy 5:5
      • 1 Timothy 5:9-10
      • Exodus 22:22-24
      • Psalms 146:9
      • Psalms 68:5
      • Proverbs 15:25
      • Acts 6:1-4
      • 1 Timothy 5:3-4, 16
      • James 1:27
      • Deuteronomy 14:29
      • Deuteronomy 24:19-21
      • Ruth 4:10
      • 1 Kings 17: 8-23
      • 1 Kings 17:24
      • Luke 4:25-26

  • Mika

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    Mika

    

    Mika is the name given to the widow’s son in the video, “Elijah and the Widow”. Mika and his mother had just enough food for one last meal and then they would die. God had a plan! He performed a miracle that filled their containers with flour and oil, so they never ran out during the drought! Some time later, Mika became very sick and then died. Elijah prayed to God and He revived the boy; Mika was alive!

    • Bible References

      • 1 Kings 17:22
      • Luke 4:25
      • 1 Kings 17:8 -15

  • Ahab

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    Ahab

    

    Ahab, who ruled the northern kingdom from 874 to 853 BC, was considered the wickedest king of Israel. The Old Testament speaks of Ahab more than any other king of the northern kingdom of Israel. Four chapters are devoted to Ahab’s reign (1 Kings 18, 20–22).

    • Bible References

      • 1 Kings 16:30
      • 1 Kings 18:1
      • 1 Kings 18:17
      • 1 Kings 18:20

  • Jezebel

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    Jezebel

    

    Jezebel was a Phoenician princess, the daughter of Ethbaal, king of Tyre, which is ancient Phoenicia. Ahab and Jezebel worshiped the false gods Baal and Asherah, erecting shrines to them in Samaria. This was evil in the sight of the Lord.

    • Bible References

      • 2 Kings 9:7
      • 1 Kings 16:33
      • 1 Kings 21:1
      • 2 Kings 9:1
      • 1 Kings 16:31
      • 2 Kings 9:37

• Adventure Guide

  • 

    Gizmo's Bible Adventures - Your New Journey with God

  • 

    Elijah and the Widow - Family Discussion Guide

• Q & A

  • Do I need to understand before I obey God?

    It is easier to obey when you understand the reason, right? But, what if you don't? Elijah obeyed God even when he didn’t understand. He obeyed God and declared to King Ahab that a drought would come and last for years. Then he hid by a brook and trusted God to bring him food by ravens! Elijah then obeyed God and traveled to Zarephath to live with a widow who would feed him. Elijah could not have understood what all of this meant - yet he obeyed God (1 Kings 17:1-10). Because of Elijah's obedience, God was able to miraculously provide for Elijah, a widow, and her son. Through all of this, the widow and her son experienced the provision and power of the one true God!
    
    Sometimes we will understand why we must obey. However, there will be times when we must obey even when we don’t understand. God is always working in our lives and the lives of others as part of His grand plan! Romans 8:28 tells us, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” God’s ways and thoughts are far beyond what we can imagine or understand; simply trust and obey! (Isaiah 55:9).
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you
    

    • 1 Kings 17:10

  • Why did the ravens obey God?

    Why did the ravens do as God commanded? God is the creator of all things; the ruler of everything in heaven and earth – not just people! (Psalm 103:19). There are countless examples in the Bible demonstrating this. Psalm 115:3 says, “Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes.” God wished to provide meat to Elijah by ravens, and the ravens obeyed God’s command (1 KIngs 17:4-6). God wished to give the Israelites quail to eat in the wilderness and it happened. God sent a wind to bring the quail from the sea to the wilderness. Then, they fell from the sky around their camp (Numbers 11:31). Before the flood, God brought pairs of every animal species to enter the ark at the proper time (Genesis 6:20).
    
    This was a miraculous act that Noah could not have accomplished by himself. The disciples were in awe that Jesus could calm the storm. “… The disciples were terrified and amazed. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “When he gives a command, even the wind and waves obey him!” (Luke 8:25). Yes, all of creation must obey what God commands. Our loving God has no boundaries or limitations; what He wills, He does! Even the widow in Zarephath most likely worshiped idols instead of God, yet, God told Elijah he had instructed the widow to feed him, and she obeyed! (1 Kings 17:8). Yes, all of creation hears and must submit to God's command! Psalm 135:6 says, “The LORD does whatever pleases him throughout all heaven and earth, and on the seas and in their depths.”
    
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • 1 Kings 17:4

  • How can I be generous when I have little?

    God told Elijah to go to Zarephath where a widow would feed him. The widow only had enough flour and oil to make one last meal and then she and her son would die! Yet, she obeyed Elijah’s word from the Lord by faith. She generously gave all that she had! God kept His promise; the flour and oil never ran out (1 Kings 17: 12-15). Many times we think of giving what is extra or left over. Yet, God wants us to trust Him and give even when we have little. Jesus told a story about people who put large amounts of money in the Temple offering. Jesus took notice of one widow who only gave two small coins. “Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions.
    
    For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.” (Mark 12:43-44). Jesus saw that the widow gave not out of her surplus, but instead, out of her need; she gave all she had! She was more generous than the wealthy people who gave large offerings! Proverbs 11:25 says, “ The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.” Generous giving isn't always based on the amount! God looks on the heart of each giver. He rewards generosity, even is it is only two coins, or a slice of bread! “You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. "For God loves a person who gives cheerfully." (2 Corinthians 9:7).
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • 1 Kings 17:15

  • Can God heal sickness and death?

    The widow's son became sick and died. Elijah, cried out to God and asked Him to let the child’s life return. God heard Elijah’s prayer and the boy lived! (1 Kings 17:21-23). Elijah did not have the power to heal the boy; it was God’s power working through him. While Jesus was on earth, He healed every kind of disease and illness and raised people from the dead (Matthew 9:35). Before Jesus left the earth, He gave His disciples the same power and authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness (Matthew 10:1).
    
    That means, as followers of Jesus, we also have been given that same power and authority to defeat the devil and to heal sickness! The devil thought that He had defeated Jesus by crucifying Jesus on the cross. But, God raised Jesus back to life! Death had no power over Him! “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.” (Romans 8:11). God did not stop there, He also gave us victory over something else very powerful and deadly – sin! “But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57).
    Discover God's love and plan for you

    • 1 Kings 17:23

  • Who does God show mercy to?

    God doesn’t show mercy only to people who serve Him, God desires to show mercy to all people. He does this so they may come to know Him! God showed mercy to the widow in the city of Sidon. This area was known for their worship of the false god, Baal (1 Kings 16:31-33). The widow referred to God as Elijah’s God, not her god (1 Kings 17:12). God sent His prophet to rescue the widow and her son from death, to provide for her needs, and to give them hope (1 Kings 17:12,16,23). Jesus spoke about this significant act of mercy in Luke 4:25-26: “In truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.”
    
    By Elijah’s obedience, the widow saw that God was alive and active in people's lives. “Then the woman told Elijah, “Now I know for sure that you are a man of God, and that the LORD truly speaks through you.” (1 Kings 17:24). Peter understood God’s mercy and love for all people when God sent him to bring the Gospel of Jesus to a Gentile's house. “Then Peter replied, “I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism. In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.” (Acts 10:34-35). God is merciful and full of love, He desires that all people will come to know him! (1 Timothy 2:4)
    
    Discover God's love and plan for you
    

    • 1 Kings 17:24