Anchor My Faith

Facilitator: Stephen Weller
1,211 words, 6 minutes read time
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God’s Sovereignty in Judgment, Salvation, Worship, and Wisdom

Old Testament Reading

1 Kings 15:25–17:24 – The Rise of Elijah and God’s Call to Covenant Faithfulness

Overview:

This passage traces the continued decline of the northern kingdom of Israel through a succession of wicked kings culminating in the reign of Ahab, who promoted Baal worship more aggressively than any king before him. Against this backdrop, God raises up Elijah the prophet to confront Israel’s spiritual apostasy. Elijah announces a drought as divine judgment, experiences God’s miraculous provision at the brook Cherith and through the widow of Zarephath, and demonstrates God’s power by raising the widow’s son from the dead. Throughout these events, God reveals His authority over nature, nations, life, and death while calling His people back to covenant faithfulness.

Theological Themes:

• God’s judgment against idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness
• God’s sovereign provision for His servants
• Faith and obedience during times of testing
• God’s power over life and death
• The role of prophets as God’s messengers

Key Verse:

1 Kings 17:14 – “For thus says the LORD God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain upon the earth.’”

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. Why did God send Elijah to announce a drought?
Answer: The drought served as judgment against Israel’s idolatry, particularly the worship of Baal, who was believed by the Canaanites to control rain and fertility. By withholding rain, God demonstrated that He alone rules creation and that Baal was powerless. The drought was intended to expose false worship and call the nation to repentance.

2. What does God’s provision for Elijah and the widow teach us about faith?
Answer: God often provides in unexpected ways and calls His people to trust Him even when resources seem insufficient. Elijah trusted God’s command, and the widow acted in faith by giving from her limited supply. Their obedience allowed them to experience God’s miraculous care and provision.

3. What is the significance of the widow’s son being raised from the dead?
Answer: This miracle demonstrated God’s authority over death and authenticated Elijah as a true prophet of God. It also revealed God’s compassion for those who trust Him and foreshadowed future resurrections recorded in Scripture, ultimately pointing to Christ’s victory over death.

New Testament Reading

Acts 10:24–48 – The Gospel Opens to the Gentiles

Overview:

Peter arrives at the house of Cornelius and discovers that God has prepared both men for this significant encounter. Peter proclaims the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, emphasizing that God shows no partiality and welcomes all who believe. As Peter speaks, the Holy Spirit falls upon the Gentiles just as He had upon Jewish believers at Pentecost. This extraordinary event confirms that salvation through Christ is available to all people regardless of ethnicity or background, marking a major turning point in the expansion of the church.

Theological Themes:

• God’s impartiality in offering salvation
• The universal scope of the Gospel
• Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ
• The work of the Holy Spirit in confirming God’s purposes
• Unity of Jews and Gentiles in Christ

Key Verse:

Acts 10:34-35 – “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. Why was Peter’s visit to Cornelius so significant?
Answer: Peter’s visit broke long-standing social and religious barriers between Jews and Gentiles. God used this event to demonstrate that the Gospel was intended for all nations and that Gentiles could receive salvation without first becoming Jews.

2. What does it mean that God shows no partiality?
Answer: God does not judge people based on ethnicity, nationality, social status, or background. Instead, He offers salvation equally to all who place their faith in Jesus Christ. The ground at the foot of the cross is level for every person.

3. Why did the Holy Spirit come upon the Gentiles before baptism?
Answer: God intentionally demonstrated that He had accepted these Gentile believers by giving them the Holy Spirit before baptism. This unmistakable sign removed any doubt that Gentiles were fully included in God’s family through faith in Christ.

Psalms Reading

Psalm 134:1–3 – A Call to Worship and Bless the Lord

Overview:

Psalm 134 concludes the Songs of Ascents with a brief but powerful call to worship. The psalm encourages those serving in the temple during the night to continually praise the Lord. The worshipers are urged to lift their hands in devotion and receive the blessing of the Creator. This psalm highlights the importance of continual worship and reminds believers that blessing flows from the Lord who made heaven and earth.

Theological Themes:

• Continual worship of God
• The privilege of serving the Lord
• Praise as a response to God’s greatness
• God’s blessing upon His people
• Corporate worship and devotion

Key Verse:

Psalm 134:2 – “Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the LORD!”

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. Why are the servants of the Lord called to worship at night?
Answer: Worship was not limited to daytime activities. The temple servants maintained continual devotion to God, demonstrating that praise and service to the Lord should be ongoing and not restricted to certain times or circumstances.

2. What does lifting one’s hands in worship symbolize?
Answer: Raised hands often symbolize surrender, dependence, praise, and openness before God. It reflects a heart that acknowledges God’s greatness and seeks His presence and blessing.

3. How does this psalm encourage believers today?
Answer: It reminds believers that worship is a continual privilege and responsibility. Whether in public gatherings or private devotion, God’s people are called to honor Him consistently and trust in His blessing.

Proverbs Reading

Proverbs 17:9–11 – Wisdom in Relationships and Responses

Overview:

These proverbs emphasize the importance of forgiveness, teachability, and respect for authority. Love flourishes when offenses are covered rather than continually repeated. Wise individuals accept correction and grow from it, while rebellious people resist instruction and pursue destructive paths. Together these verses reveal how humility, forgiveness, and submission to wisdom contribute to healthy relationships and godly living.

Theological Themes:

• The value of forgiveness and reconciliation
• The importance of accepting correction
• The dangers of rebellion
• Wisdom in human relationships
• Humility as a mark of maturity

Key Verse:

Proverbs 17:9 – “Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.”

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. What does it mean to cover an offense?
Answer: Covering an offense means choosing forgiveness rather than continually exposing or repeating another person’s wrongdoing. It does not ignore serious sin but promotes reconciliation and preserves relationships when repentance has occurred.

2. Why is correction important for spiritual growth?
Answer: Correction helps reveal blind spots, strengthen character, and guide believers toward wisdom. A teachable spirit welcomes godly instruction because it leads to greater maturity and obedience to God.

3. What warning is given concerning rebellion?
Answer: Rebellion rejects wisdom and authority, leading to harmful consequences. Scripture consistently teaches that stubborn resistance to God’s truth ultimately brings discipline and judgment, while humility leads to blessing and growth.