Elijah

1 Kings 17 – Ignatian Method (Ignatian for Groups)

Read 1 Kings 17 as an outside observer.  Record in your journal any questions, observations, or insights you have.

Briefly get up or change position.  Then continue . . .

ELIJAH:  Read 1 Kings 17 as though you are Elijah.  Keep in mind that you have been an instrumental force in the drought that has swept the land, and you have challenged the King of Israel.

Write down your reflections, using the following questions if needed:

• How do you feel about being sent into hiding and being fed by ravens?
• What do you think when the brook begins to dry up?
• What are your thoughts as you engage the widow in conversation about water and food? What do you wonder about? Take the time to listen to her concerns as you converse.
• You live with this woman and her family for a period of time. When her son dies, how does that affect you?  How do you hear her accusation?
• When you are alone with the dead boy and God, what thoughts go through your mind? What are your feelings, concerns, fears, hopes?
• How do you feel and what do you think at the end of the story? What are your conclusions?

Once again, change position or walk around a few paces to clear your mind.  Then continue . . .

The WIDOW:  Read 1 Kings 17 as though you are the widow.  Keep in mind that you have been scraping for food and water for some time, and are at the point of despair with no hope in sight.

Write down your reflections, using the following questions if needed:

• How do you feel as you gather sticks for your last meal with your son? What are your thoughts?
• God reveals to you that you are to feed a man who will appear in the town. What do you think when Elijah approaches you? What options run through your mind?
• How do you feel when Elijah asks you to feed him first? What do you think about God at this point?
• As the oil and flour continue to provide for Elijah and your family, how do your thoughts toward Elijah change? Toward God? Your feelings of despair and hope?
• Consider your internal state when your son becomes ill and finally dies. What is happening?
• How do you feel when Elijah takes the boy upstairs? Do you dare hope?
• What are your conclusions at the end of the story?

WRAP-UP:  Reflect on the process of letting go.  For each character, consider the following:

• What needed to be let go? How was this done?  What made it difficult?  What made it easy?  What resulted from the letting go?  (consider all the emotions and events)
• What grace could only have happened by letting go of something?
• What similarities are there with your own life that can help you identify what needs to be let go so that grace can be allowed in?

Parallel studies in Spanish, SOLTANDO 

Estudio 2 of the series, LETTING GO

Photo by Jon Zirkle, Walking the road to Monastery of Christ in the Desert