Read: Mal 4:5-6; I Ki 18:21; Deut 30:2-3; Eph 4:32; Mk 11:35; Ps 54:10-12; Lk 1:17; 24:47-48
Turning Hearts in the End Time:
The Elijah message, a special message for end time families that turns the hearts of fathers and mothers to their children and children to their parents. What is this special message, and how do we go about giving it a voice.
Key Texts:
- Malachi 4:5,6 – But before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes, I will send you the prophet Elijah. He will bring fathers and children together again; otherwise I would have to come and destroy your country.
- 1 Kings 18:21 – How long are you going to waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!
- Deuteronomy 30:2,3 – If you and your descendants will turn back to the LORD and with all your heart obey his commands that I am giving you today, then the LORD your God will have mercy on you.
- Ephesians 4:32 – Instead, be kind and tender-hearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ.
- Mark 11:35 – And when you stand and pray, forgive anything you may have against anyone, so that your Father in heaven will forgive the wrongs you have done.
- Psalms 54:10-12 – Create a pure heart in me, O God, and put a new and loyal spirit in me. Do not banish me from your presence; do not take your holy spirit away from me. Give me again the joy that comes from your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.
- Luke 24:47,48 – And in his name the message about repentance and the forgiveness of sins must be preached to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.
- Luke 1:17 – He will go ahead of the Lord, strong and mighty like the prophet Elijah. He will bring fathers and children together again; he will turn disobedient people back to the way of thinking of the righteous; he will get the Lord’s people ready for him.
Questions for Discussion:
- The final lesson of the quarter begins with the Elijah Message, the launching pad for countless seminars, sermons, and books done in the name of family life ministries. So what is your understanding of Elijah’s message that is to accomplish this process of restoration?
- What applications of these verses might we make for our time?
- What parallels might exist between the conflicted worship conditions of Elijah’s time and our own?
- What family reunions might we look forward to? What is the hope that sustains us as we anticipate those reunions?
- What lessons might we find in the Mt. Carmel story as we think of our family worship experiences?
- What was there in John the Baptist’s message that turned hearts back to God?
