HUMILITY IS AN IMPORTANT STEP IN RESTORING A BROKEN RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. 

SCRIPTURE | 1 Kings 21:17-29 

CENTRAL TRUTH 

God’s Word sheds light on the lies we believe. And in those moments, we will either let the truth humble us and repent of our sin, or we’ll choose to remain stubborn and refuse repentance. 

KEY QUESTION 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE HUMBLED? HOW DOES TRUTH OFTEN HUMBLE US? 

KEEP IN MIND 

Your students may struggle with whether or not God punishes us for the sins of people who came before us. In today’s passage, God postponed consequences for someone’s sin until the next generation. We have to keep in mind the context for today’s passage. It deals with the king of Israel and with a nation God had set apart for Himself to bring about the Messiah. He wouldn’t allow their sin to stop His plan for bringing a Savior. What we read here isn’t prescriptive—it isn’t a decision for all people for all time. It applied for God’s purpose at that point in history. However, all sin has consequences, and our sins do affect those coming after us. We are held accountable if we continue previous generations’ sins. Our sin has a ripple effect we may never see. So here’s the deal: Your students aren’t responsible for their parents’ sins. But the consequences of their sinful choices may spill over into their lives. When our students express that this feels unfair, we can agree; sin isn’t concerned with fairness. It leads to death. And it’s all the more reason to encourage students to choose the better way. God holds us accountable for our choice to continue generational sin. God’s heart isn’t punishment; His heart is redemption from sin and death. 

APPLICATION 

WHY DO YOU THINK AHAB CALLED ELIJAH HIS ENEMY? WHY ARE WE THREATENED BY PEOPLE WHO SPEAK TRUTH TO US?? 

THE WIN 

FOR THE STUDENT: When our students live according to the Spirit within them, then we’ll see that the people holding them accountable are not enemies. Students will realize these people love them. 

FOR THE LEADER: As leaders, we’re accountable to God for speaking truth, but truth is often difficult to speak and to hear. When God calls us to hold others accountable, we must do so in love and boldness. When others hold us accountable, we must strive to hear the truth in love.