A hero is an ordinary person who finds themselves in extraordinarily difficult circumstances and responds in an extraordinarily noble way. However, being a hero does not mean being perfect. Elijah was a hero of faith, but he was far from perfect. We can see from his story that sometimes moments of great courage are followed by moments of great fear, that sometimes our current circumstances come from our past prayers, and that sometimes what we feel is not an indicator of what is reality. From his story, we can see that you may have to be the lone one standing, but you will never be the one who has to stand alone.
1. When you were a child, did you ever imagine yourself as a hero? If so, who were you and what did you do?
2. Who are some modern day heroes? What made them a hero?
3. Have you ever been in a situation where you feel like you're standing alone? How does that make you react to your circumstances differently?
4. When is the last time you prayed a prayer for something unprecedented? What are our barriers to praying these types of prayers?
5. “Sometimes our current circumstances are the product of a past prayer.” What do you think of that statement? Has there been a time when you have found this to be true? Explain.
6. How has God used the pain of past circumstances to help you become the person you are today?
7. How we feel is most often not an accurate gauge of reality. Have you ever experienced this to be true? Tell us about it. What are some practical steps we can take to make sure we are in touch with reality?
Isaiah 43:2 (NIV) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
