--- title: "Elijah" author: "Pastor Jeff Wickwire" url: "https://books.hardwired.org/13/elijah" --- Family Devotion 1: Elijah's Mysterious Arrival Theme: God uses unexpected people for His purposes. Activity Suggestion: During dinner time. Scripture Reference: 1 Kings 17:1 Devotion: Introduction: Share with your family that Elijah was a prophet who seemed to come out of nowhere. Ask the kids if they have ever felt like they were in the background or unnoticed. Discussion: Explain that God often uses people who seem ordinary or unexpected to do amazing things. Ask, "Can you think of someone in the Bible or in your life who was used by God in a surprising way?" Activity: Have each family member share one thing they think God might want them to do, no matter how small it seems. Encourage them that God can use anyone, just like He used Elijah. Prayer: Pray together, asking God to help each family member be open to His plans and to use them for His glory. Parenting Tip: Encourage your kids by affirming their unique gifts and remind them that God has a special plan for each of them. Family Devotion 2: The Power of Prayer Theme: Prayer can change things. Activity Suggestion: Before bedtime. Scripture Reference: James 5:17-18 Devotion: Introduction: Talk about how Elijah prayed and God stopped the rain for three and a half years. Ask, "What is something big or small you would like to pray about?" Discussion: Explain that prayer is powerful and God listens to us just like He listened to Elijah. Ask, "Have you ever seen a prayer answered?" Activity: Create a "Prayer Jar." Have each family member write down a prayer request on a piece of paper and place it in the jar. Over time, revisit the jar to see how God has answered those prayers. Prayer: Pray together, lifting up the requests in the jar and asking God to help you trust Him with your prayers. Parenting Tip: Encourage your children to pray regularly and remind them that God cares about their concerns, no matter how big or small. Family Devotion 3: Standing Up for God Theme: Being brave for God. Activity Suggestion: During a car ride. Scripture Reference: 1 Kings 18:17-19 Devotion: Introduction: Share how Elijah stood up to King Ahab and the prophets of Baal. Ask, "Have you ever had to stand up for what is right?" Discussion: Talk about how it can be hard to stand up for God, but He gives us strength. Ask, "What are some ways we can be brave for God in our everyday lives?" Activity: Role-play different scenarios where someone might need to stand up for what is right. Discuss how to handle each situation with courage and faith. Prayer: Pray for courage to stand up for God and to do what is right, even when it's difficult. Parenting Tip: Encourage your kids to share their experiences of standing up for what is right and celebrate their bravery. Family Devotion 4: Trusting God's Timing Theme: God's timing is perfect. Activity Suggestion: During breakfast. Scripture Reference: 1 Kings 17:2-6 Devotion: Introduction: Talk about how God provided for Elijah by sending ravens to bring him food. Ask, "Have you ever had to wait for something you really wanted?" Discussion: Explain that sometimes we have to wait for God's timing, but He always provides what we need. Ask, "Why do you think it's important to trust God's timing?" Activity: Have each family member share something they are waiting for and discuss how they can trust God during the waiting period. Prayer: Pray for patience and trust in God's perfect timing for each family member's needs and desires. Parenting Tip: Share a personal story of a time you had to wait on God and how He provided, to encourage your children in their own waiting. Family Devotion 5: God Uses Ordinary People Theme: God can use anyone. Activity Suggestion: While doing a household chore together. Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 Devotion: Introduction: Talk about how Elijah was an ordinary man, but God used him in extraordinary ways. Ask, "What is something ordinary you do every day?" Discussion: Explain that God can use our everyday actions to make a difference. Ask, "How can we serve God in our daily lives?" Activity: As you do the chore together, discuss how even small tasks can be done for God's glory and how He can use them to bless others. Prayer: Pray for God to use your family in everyday ways to show His love to others. Parenting Tip: Encourage your children to see the value in everyday tasks and remind them that God can use their efforts for His purposes. Family Devotion 1: Trusting God in Unusual Ways Theme: Trusting God's ProvisionActivity Time: Dinner Time Scripture Reference: 1 Kings 17:1-6 Devotion: Read the Story: During dinner, read 1 Kings 17:1-6 together. Explain how God used ravens to feed Elijah in a very unusual way. Discussion: Ask the kids, "What is the most unusual way you have seen God provide for you or your family?" Encourage them to think about times when things worked out in surprising ways. Activity: Have each family member share one thing they are thankful for that God has provided. It could be as simple as a meal, a friend, or a toy. Prayer: Pray together, thanking God for His provision and asking Him to help you trust Him even when things seem unusual or unexpected. Parenting Tip: Encourage your kids to see God's hand in everyday situations. Remind them that God can use anything or anyone to meet our needs. Family Devotion 2: Learning Patience Theme: Patience in God's TimingActivity Time: Car Ride Scripture Reference: 1 Kings 17:7-9 Devotion: Read the Story: While driving, talk about how Elijah had to wait by the brook Cherith and how the brook eventually dried up. Discussion: Ask, "Have you ever had to wait for something you really wanted? How did it feel?" Discuss how Elijah had to trust God even when the brook dried up. Activity: Play a game where each person shares one thing they are waiting for and how they can trust God during the wait. Prayer: Pray together, asking God to help you be patient and trust His timing. Parenting Tip: Use everyday waiting moments (like traffic or waiting in line) to remind your kids about trusting God's timing. Family Devotion 3: God’s School of Faith Theme: Growing in FaithActivity Time: Bedtime Scripture Reference: 1 Kings 17:10-16 Devotion: Read the Story: At bedtime, read about Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. Discuss how Elijah's faith grew as he trusted God to provide for him and the widow. Discussion: Ask, "What is something you are learning to trust God with right now?" Encourage them to think about how God is teaching them to have faith. Activity: Have each child draw a picture of something they are trusting God for. Share the drawings and talk about them. Prayer: Pray together, asking God to help you grow in faith and trust Him more each day. Parenting Tip: Encourage your kids to see challenges as opportunities to grow in faith. Remind them that God is always teaching us. Family Devotion 4: Sharing God’s Blessings Theme: Being a Blessing to OthersActivity Time: Breakfast Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 1:4 Devotion: Read the Story: During breakfast, talk about how Elijah shared God's provision with the widow and her son. Discussion: Ask, "How can we share what God has given us with others?" Discuss ways to be a blessing to friends, family, or neighbors. Activity: Plan a simple act of kindness as a family, like making a card for someone or sharing a toy with a friend. Prayer: Pray together, asking God to help you be a blessing to others and to show His love through your actions. Parenting Tip: Encourage your kids to look for small ways to bless others every day. Celebrate their efforts to share God's love. Family Devotion 5: God’s Faithfulness Theme: Remembering God’s FaithfulnessActivity Time: Family Walk Scripture Reference: 1 Kings 17:17-24 Devotion: Read the Story: While on a walk, talk about how God was faithful to Elijah and the widow, even when things seemed impossible. Discussion: Ask, "Can you think of a time when God was faithful to our family?" Share stories of God's faithfulness in your family's life. Activity: Collect small stones or leaves and create a "faithfulness pile" at home. Each time God shows His faithfulness, add to the pile as a reminder. Prayer: Pray together, thanking God for His faithfulness and asking Him to help you remember His goodness. Parenting Tip: Use the "faithfulness pile" as a visual reminder of God's goodness. Encourage your kids to add to it regularly and share their stories of God's faithfulness. Day 1: Boldness in Faith Theme: Boldness in speaking God's truthScripture: 1 Kings 18:21 - "Elijah went before the people and said, 'How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.'" Activity: During dinner, discuss a time when each family member had to be brave. Ask the kids if they have ever had to stand up for what they believe in, like Elijah did. Discussion Questions: Why do you think Elijah was so bold? How can we be bold in our faith like Elijah? What are some situations where you might need to be brave for God? Parenting Tip: Encourage your kids by sharing a personal story of when you had to be bold in your faith. Let them know it's okay to feel scared, but God gives us strength. Day 2: Trusting God's Power Theme: Trusting in God's power and provisionScripture: 1 Kings 17:6 - "The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook." Activity: While cleaning up after dinner, talk about how God provided for Elijah through the ravens. Ask your kids to think of ways God provides for your family every day. Discussion Questions: How did God take care of Elijah? Can you think of a time when God took care of us? How can we trust God to take care of us in the future? Parenting Tip: Reinforce the idea that God is always watching over us and providing for our needs, even in unexpected ways. Day 3: The Importance of Prayer Theme: The power of prayerScripture: 1 Kings 18:36-37 - "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.'" Activity: Before bedtime, gather as a family and take turns praying for each other. Encourage the kids to pray for something specific. Discussion Questions: What did Elijah pray for? Why is it important to pray? How can we make prayer a regular part of our day? Parenting Tip: Model prayer by praying out loud with your kids. Show them that prayer is simply talking to God and that He listens to us. Day 4: Choosing God Over Idols Theme: Choosing God over false idolsScripture: 1 Kings 18:39 - "When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, 'The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!'" Activity: During a car ride, discuss what idols are and how they can distract us from God. Ask your kids to think of things that might become "idols" in their lives. Discussion Questions: What is an idol? What are some things that can become idols in our lives? How can we make sure God is the most important in our lives? Parenting Tip: Help your kids identify "idols" by discussing things that might take too much of their time or attention away from God. Day 5: Revival and Renewal Theme: Revival and returning to GodScripture: James 5:17-18 - "Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years." Activity: During breakfast, talk about what it means to have a "revival" in our hearts. Encourage your kids to think of ways they can grow closer to God. Discussion Questions: What does it mean to have a revival in our hearts? How can we grow closer to God every day? What are some things we can do as a family to help each other grow in faith? Parenting Tip: Encourage your kids to set small, achievable goals for their spiritual growth, like reading a Bible story each day or praying before meals. Celebrate their progress and growth in faith. Family Devotion 1: Learning from Elijah's Exhaustion Theme: Balance and RestScripture: 1 Kings 19:4-8Activity Time: Dinner Time Activity: Read the Scripture: During dinner, read 1 Kings 19:4-8 together. Discuss how Elijah was exhausted and needed rest and food to continue his journey. Discussion Questions: Why do you think Elijah was so tired? What did God do to help Elijah when he was exhausted? How can we make sure we get enough rest and balance in our lives? Application: Talk about the importance of rest and balance in our lives. Encourage each child to share one thing they can do to rest or relax this week. Parenting Tip: Encourage your children to listen to their bodies and take breaks when needed. Remind them that even God rested on the seventh day! Family Devotion 2: Facing Disappointment Theme: Handling Failed ExpectationsScripture: 1 Kings 19:9-10Activity Time: After School Snack Time Activity: Read the Scripture: While having a snack, read 1 Kings 19:9-10. Discuss how Elijah felt disappointed when things didn’t go as he expected. Discussion Questions: Have you ever been disappointed when something didn’t go as planned? How did Elijah handle his disappointment? What can we do when we feel disappointed? Application: Encourage each child to share a recent disappointment and discuss how they can trust God even when things don’t go as planned. Parenting Tip: Use this time to teach your children that it’s okay to feel disappointed, but God is always with us and has a plan for our lives. Family Devotion 3: The Danger of Comparison Theme: Avoiding ComparisonScripture: 2 Corinthians 10:12Activity Time: Family Game Night Activity: Read the Scripture: Before starting a game, read 2 Corinthians 10:12. Discuss how comparing ourselves to others can make us feel bad. Discussion Questions: Why is it not wise to compare ourselves to others? How can we appreciate who God made us to be? What are some things you like about yourself? Application: Encourage each child to share something unique about themselves that they are thankful for. Parenting Tip: Reinforce the idea that each child is special and loved by God just as they are. Celebrate their uniqueness! Family Devotion 4: The Importance of Community Theme: Avoiding IsolationScripture: Hebrews 10:24-25Activity Time: Bedtime Activity: Read the Scripture: At bedtime, read Hebrews 10:24-25. Discuss how important it is to have friends and family to support us. Discussion Questions: Why is it important to have friends and family around us? How can we help each other when we’re feeling down? Who is someone you can talk to when you need help? Application: Encourage each child to think of one person they can reach out to this week to encourage or spend time with. Parenting Tip: Encourage your children to build strong friendships and remind them that they are never alone. Family Devotion 5: Daily Refilling Theme: Being Filled with the Holy SpiritScripture: Ephesians 5:18Activity Time: Breakfast Activity: Read the Scripture: During breakfast, read Ephesians 5:18. Discuss how we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit every day. Discussion Questions: What does it mean to be filled with the Holy Spirit? How can we make sure we are filled with the Holy Spirit each day? What are some ways we can spend time with God? Application: Encourage each child to think of one way they can spend time with God today, such as praying, reading the Bible, or singing worship songs. Parenting Tip: Model a daily routine of spending time with God and encourage your children to join you. Remind them that God is always with them and wants to fill them with His Spirit. Family Devotion 1: God Knows Where We Are Theme: God knows us and meets us where we are. Activity/Time: Dinner time discussion. Scripture: 1 Kings 19:9 - "There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the Lord came to him: 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'" Devotion: Read the Scripture: Share 1 Kings 19:9 with your family. Discussion: Ask your kids if they have ever played hide and seek. How does it feel when someone finds you? Explain that God always knows where we are, just like He knew where Elijah was. Question: How does it make you feel to know that God knows where you are and what you’re going through? Prayer: Thank God for always knowing where we are and for being with us no matter what. Parenting Tip: Encourage your kids to share times when they felt alone and remind them that God is always with them. Family Devotion 2: God Provides for Us Theme: Trusting God for provision. Activity/Time: Breakfast time or while preparing meals. Scripture: 1 Kings 19:8 - "So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God." Devotion: Read the Scripture: Share 1 Kings 19:8 with your family. Discussion: Talk about how God provided food for Elijah. Ask your kids what their favorite meal is and how they feel after eating it. Question: Can you think of a time when God provided something you needed? Prayer: Thank God for providing for our needs and ask Him to help us trust Him more. Parenting Tip: Use this time to teach gratitude for the food and blessings you have. Family Devotion 3: Listening for God's Voice Theme: Hearing God in the quiet moments. Activity/Time: Bedtime or quiet time. Scripture: 1 Kings 19:12 - "After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper." Devotion: Read the Scripture: Share 1 Kings 19:12 with your family. Discussion: Ask your kids to close their eyes and listen to the quiet. Explain that sometimes God speaks to us in a gentle whisper. Question: How can we make time to listen for God’s voice in our busy lives? Prayer: Ask God to help us hear His voice and to speak to us in the quiet moments. Parenting Tip: Encourage your kids to find a quiet moment each day to listen for God. Family Devotion 4: God Restores Us Theme: God helps us when we are down. Activity/Time: During a family walk or outdoor play. Scripture: 1 Kings 19:15 - "The Lord said to him, 'Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus.'" Devotion: Read the Scripture: Share 1 Kings 19:15 with your family. Discussion: Talk about how Elijah was feeling down, but God helped him get back on track. Ask your kids if they have ever felt sad or discouraged. Question: What are some ways God can help us when we feel down? Prayer: Thank God for helping us when we are sad and ask Him to help us trust Him to restore us. Parenting Tip: Use this time to encourage your kids to talk about their feelings and remind them that God is always there to help. Family Devotion 5: God Has a Plan for Us Theme: God’s purpose for our lives. Activity/Time: During family game night or while doing a puzzle. Scripture: 1 Kings 19:16 - "Anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet." Devotion: Read the Scripture: Share 1 Kings 19:16 with your family. Discussion: Talk about how God had a plan for Elijah and Elisha. Ask your kids what they think God’s plan might be for them. Question: How can we find out what God’s plan is for our lives? Prayer: Ask God to show us His plan for our lives and to help us follow it. Parenting Tip: Encourage your kids to dream about their future and remind them that God has a special plan for each of them. Day 1: Leaving Everything to Follow Jesus Theme: Commitment to Jesus Scripture: 1 Kings 19:19-21 Activity: During dinner time, discuss what it means to leave everything to follow Jesus. Ask each child to think of one thing they really like (a toy, a game, etc.) and talk about how they would feel if they had to give it up to follow Jesus. Discussion Questions: Why do you think Elisha was willing to leave everything to follow Elijah? What are some things we might need to let go of to follow Jesus more closely? How can we show Jesus that we want to follow Him with all our hearts? Parenting Tip: Encourage your children to think about the importance of Jesus in their lives. Remind them that following Jesus is the most rewarding decision they can make. Day 2: Learning to Serve Theme: Servanthood Scripture: Philippians 2:5-7 Activity: While doing a household chore together (like setting the table or folding laundry), talk about how Jesus served others and how we can serve each other in our family. Discussion Questions: How did Elisha serve Elijah? How did Jesus show us how to serve others? What are some ways we can serve each other in our family and community? Parenting Tip: Highlight the joy and fulfillment that comes from serving others. Encourage your children to look for small ways to serve each day. Day 3: Refusing Second Best Theme: Seeking God's Best Scripture: 2 Kings 2:9-10 Activity: During a car ride or walk, play a game where each person shares something they think is "the best" (like their favorite food or activity) and why. Then, discuss how God's plans for us are even better than our favorite things. Discussion Questions: What did Elisha ask for from Elijah? Why is it important to seek God's best for our lives? How can we know what God's best is for us? Parenting Tip: Encourage your children to dream big and trust that God has amazing plans for their lives. Remind them that God's best is always worth waiting for. Day 4: Keeping Our Eyes on Jesus Theme: Focus on Jesus Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2 Activity: During breakfast, have a "focus" challenge where everyone tries to balance a small object on their head while walking. Talk about how keeping our eyes on Jesus helps us stay on the right path. Discussion Questions: How did Elisha keep his focus on Elijah? Why is it important to keep our eyes on Jesus? What are some distractions that can take our focus off Jesus? Parenting Tip: Encourage your children to start each day with a simple prayer, asking Jesus to help them keep their focus on Him throughout the day. Day 5: Receiving the Mantle Theme: Empowerment by the Holy Spirit Scripture: Acts 1:8 Activity: At bedtime, have a quiet time where each child can share one thing they want to do for God. Pray together, asking the Holy Spirit to help them in their journey. Discussion Questions: What happened when Elisha received Elijah's mantle? How does the Holy Spirit help us in our lives? What is one thing you want to do for God, and how can the Holy Spirit help you? Parenting Tip: Encourage your children to rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance. Remind them that they are never alone in their journey with Jesus.