Listening for the Voice of God—Lessons from Elijah

Nov 2

Welcome to our series, The Voice: Listening for God in the Day to Day. We will be learning to tune into God in the midst of our noisy lives. This week, Pastor Fil Anderson focused on the prophet Elijah in 1 Kings.

Ice Breaker(s): How many times in a normal day would you say you’re distracted from attending to what you need (or want) to pay attention to? Do you have trouble “listening” to the voices you want (or need) to listen to? Discuss.

Read 1 Kings 19:1-4.

1.Have you ever felt like Elijah—scared, alone or defeated in your faith? Share with your group, if you feel comfortable.

2. What was God’s response to your situation—either through His Spirit, the Church, another believer?

Read on in 1 Kings 19:5-9 to see God’s response to Elijah.

3. What strikes you about the first part of the exchange between God and Elijah?

Continue reading in 1 Kings 19:9-12.

4. Do you identify with Elijah at all in this moment? If so, in what ways?

5. When have you experienced God speaking, not through dramatic signs, but through quiet conviction, Scripture, or subtle nudges?

6. Sometimes God’s voice comes through key people in our lives—though their kindness, honesty, or encouragement. Who are some people in your life through whom you may hear God’s voice?

7. What are some “loud” things in your life that make it hard to hear the gentle whisper of God?

8. What might God be whispering to you in this season, something you could only hear by slowing down and being still?

Listening Tips from Pastor Fil

Keep in mind that sometimes we don’t hear what we aren’t listening for. Pray for God’s help in being attentive to His still, small voice this week! Here are some practical tips from Fil:

Create time and space for listening. Even five minutes a day—disconnect from everything, turn off all devices, tune out the noise, and sit beneath God’s loving gaze.
Read Scripture slowly. Read a short passage and ask, “Lord, what word is for me today?”
Notice the beauty in creation: the rustling leaves, the breeze flowing through the trees, the shape and movement of the clouds.
Listen to people. Simply listen without thinking about your response.
Be patient and avoid rushing to fill the quiet.

A Prayer for Listening for God

Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. You don’t need to strain to hear Him. You don’t have to force anything to happen. Just wait. Be present and open to God.

Maybe a Scripture will come to mind.

Maybe a person.

Perhaps a feeling of peace or conviction.

Whatever comes, receive it gently—God’s whisper is never rushed.

The God who met Elijah on Mt. Horeb is the same God who meets you now.

He has not stopped speaking.

He has not moved out of reach.

He still passes by quietly to remind you: You are mine. I am here. And I am enough.

May the Lord bless you with the courage to be silent, the patience to listen, and the faith to obey the whisper when it comes.

May God’s voice steady you when the world is shaken, comfort you when the fire rages, & guide you back to the path of peace.

Keep listening—for the God of Elijah still speaks.

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