Click below to download the Cornerstone Connections leader’s guide and student lesson. This week’s resources also include two lesson plans and a discussion starter video which offer different ways of looking at the topic. Each lesson plan includes opening activities, scripture passages, discussion questions, and real-life applications.
Are you looking for ways to connect with your Youth Sabbath School class online? The North American Division's Big Data + Social ministry has rounded up some helpful resources you can start using this week.
1 Kings 18:20-22; 19:14-18; Revelation 18:2, 4, 5
Commentary: Royalty and Ruin, chapter 14
Taking a stand for Christ is a challenge when it is a call to live differently from all those around. But “the majority rules” is not necessarily a good rule. “Everyone’s doing it” doesn’t make a bad decision a good one. God finds ways to speak hope and clarity into our lives. Responding to God puts you in touch with Divinity and the whole universe, even though you might be seeing only what’s on the one little planet called Earth. Follow a BIG God rather than any crowd you may see.
God calls us to take a stand for Him—and He always has our back.
OPENING ACTIVITY: SPIRITUAL JOURNEYS
If anyone could be expected to have a near flawless walk with God, always progressing “from strength to strength” (Psalm 84:7), it would surely be a prophet—one like Elijah, whom God “translated” to heaven without even dying. Prophets hear directly from God, and they share His words with others. We may assume that their experience of talking with God and seeing His words in action would help them grow in trust and commitment to Him.
Of course, as Elijah’s life shows, it doesn’t necessarily work that way. The highs of incredible triumphs for God also left Elijah vulnerable to devastating spiritual lows. Even a spiritual giant can stumble and tremble. However, no matter what’s happening in our lives, or how we’re feeling in a given moment, God is always with us and we can always draw renewed strength from Him.
Instructions: Pass out a piece of paper and pen or pencil to each student in your class. Tell them to draw a diagram (a simplified drawing showing the appearance, structure, or workings of something; a schematic representation) of their spiritual journey from early childhood to now. They may wish to highlight particular milestones in their lives, such as “Moved to Halifax,” “Sister got leukemia,” or “Wilderness camp in Idaho.”
Give them two minutes to draw their diagram, taking the opportunity to create one for yourself as well. Then invite them to share with the class, sharing your own spiritual journey overview at some point as well.
Elijah called the Israelites to faithfully follow God and His commands at a time when the truth about God was obscured by false teachings, idolatry, and the grievous sins of the country’s leadership. Followers of God today face false ideas about God and His character; deceptions about life, death, and the ten commandments; and Christianity distorted to excuse selfishness and exclusion. God calls us to live up to the truths and principles of His Word, the Bible.
Elijah urged his listeners to take a stand and commit themselves to worshiping and living for the true God. Today, the shocking words of Revelation 18:4, to “come out” of “Babylon”—the spiritual confusion and blending of truth and falsehood in religion—urge us to take our own stand.
Watch “Whose Counting.”
BIBLE STUDY GUIDE
Religion plays a huge role in politics around the world. In countries ruled by nationalists, politicians promise to protect the rights of those in the majority religion—whether it’s Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, or Christianity. And whenever the government tries to protect religion, true faith is warped, and those outside the favored system are hurt.
For decades Christian politicians in the United States have pushed for public recognition of the Bible’s ten commandments, even as they claim the fourth commandment, telling us to “remember the Sabbath,” is no longer in effect. Jesus, who declared Himself “Lord of the Sabbath” (Matthew 12:8), told the governor of Judea, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). When the world mixes politics with religion, it creates what the book of Revelation calls Babylon.
Let’s read 1 Kings 18:20-22.
20 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.”
But the people said nothing.
22 Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only one of the Lord’s prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets.”
On the run from Queen Jezebel, Elijah has a lot of time to think. The trouble is that it’s all self-centered and self-pitying.
Even after God (yet again) miraculously feeds him, leads him, protects him, and shows him divine power, the first words out of Elijah’s mouth are all about how bad he feels about his situation.
God doesn’t even try to reason with or reassure Elijah. Instead, God gives Him an assignment. There’s plenty to do and no time to waste.
Let’s read 1 Kings 19:14-18.
14 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”
15 The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”
The three angels’ messages of Revelation 14 predict an end-time worship crisis. All will have to choose between true and false religion. The first angel quotes the Sabbath commandment, describing God as “him who made the heavens, the earth, [and] the sea” (Revelation 14:7; compare to Exodus 20:11).
The “mark of the beast” will closely mimic the Sabbath, but with a diabolical twist. The Sabbath gives us a day off from buying and selling; the beast’s mark controls who can buy and sell (Revelation 13:17). The Sabbath gives rest and freedom; the mark is oppressive and controlling. The Sabbath declares rest for sons, daughters, animals, servants, and foreigners (Exodus 20:10), while the mark forces itself on “all people, great and small, rich and poor, free and slave” (Revelation 13:16).
Let’s read Revelation 18:2, 4-5.
With a mighty voice he shouted:
“‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’She has become a dwelling for demonsand a haunt for every impure spirit,a haunt for every unclean bird,a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal.
4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say:
“‘Come out of her, my people,’so that you will not share in her sins,so that you will not receive any of her plagues;5 for her sins are piled up to heaven,and God has remembered her crimes.
APPLICATION
Maintaining a healthy, trusting, growing relationship with God is a challenge no matter what’s going on in your life. This next week, commit to digging deeper to develop a stronger connection and faith.
Choose one of the following to commit to this week:
God’s followers can live as lights to a dark world. Don’t be afraid. Light your candle and hold it high. You can see your candle in the dark, and soon more candles will burn around you.
OPENING ACTIVITY
Watch “Who’s Counting.”
God provided for Elijah when he felt sad and alone. He spoke to him in a gentle whisper. God encouraged Elijah and cared for his needs by addressing his concerns. This should give us some ideas about how to reach out and bring light into the lives of those around us.
BIBLE STUDY GUIDE
Let’s read 1 Kings 18:21, 22 and 19:9-18.
21 Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing. 22 Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only one of the LORD’s prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets.
9 There he went into a cave and spent the night.
The LORD Appears to ElijahAnd the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 11 The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” 15 The LORD said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16 Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17 Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. 18 Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”
APPLICATION
Choose a YouTube version of “Go Light Your World” (“Carry Your Candle”) to listen to as a class.
Provide the lyrics for the students using the PDF.
Share one way you could light your world this week.
