Sermon Notes + 7.13.2025
Sermon Notes
Let This Child’s Life Come Into Him Again
1 Kings 17:17-24
Dr. Tony Chute, Lead Pastor
Overview: Elijah’s arrival in Zarephath becomes the means by which a widow and her son are able to survive a famine, as the Lord provides a regular supply of oil and flour for the preparation of meals. Some time later, the son of the widow becomes ill and dies. In her grief, the woman accuses Elijah of being complicit in taking away her hopes and reminding her of her past sins. Elijah tells her to give her son to him, whom he then carries to the upper chamber and lays him on his own bed. Elijah cries out to the Lord and lies prostrate over the boy three times, while calling upon the Lord to let the child’s life come into him again. The Lord listens to Elijah’s prayer, and the child is brought back to life. When Elijah takes the child back to the mother, she confesses that Elijah is a man of God and the word of the Lord in his mouth is truth. Not only does this episode confirm the identity of Elijah as a true prophet, it also conveys hope to every parent that the life of their child is ultimately in the hand of the Lord.
01. Though suffering and death happen to all, the suffering or death of a child creates a level of grief that questions God’s goodness and kindness towards all.
02. Though suffering and death can happen to children, God’s goodness and kindness can be affirmed through the promise of the bodily resurrection.
03. Since death and the resurrection await us all, we must give ourselves to God by becoming like little children in order to enter the kingdom of heaven.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION & DISCOVERY
1. Why did the Lord send Elijah to Zarephath? Would the widow or her son have survived without the presence of Elijah? In what ways is God’s goodness evident in the lives of the widow and her son up to this point? Why is it important to remember God’s past kindnesses during times of trial?
2. How would you describe the woman’s grief over the death of her child? Why did she feel tricked or cheated? How would you respond to someone who is going through the early stages of grief? What is the proper balance between allowing someone to vent their feelings and attempting to bring them to a better frame of mind through Scripture application?
3. How does Elijah’s response—“Give me your son”—reflect a similar command that parents ought to embrace with all of their children? In other words, if you are a parent, have you given your child to the Lord? How does giving your child to the Lord acknowledge God as Creator of all life, while placing parents as the appropriate stewards of their child’s well-being?
4. Consider the phrase, “The Lord listened to the voice of Elijah.” What does this statement suggest about meaningful, intercessory prayer? How does this statement encourage you to pray for the life and the salvation of your children or grandchildren?
5. How does a text like this apply to tragedies in our world today, such as the massive loss of life resulting from the floods in Kerr County, Texas? How does the resurrection of Jesus provide assurance that death is not final? Have you surrendered your life to Jesus in childlike faith?
For Further Reading: Michael Bush, editor. This Incomplete One: Words Occasioned by the Death of a Young Person (Eerdmans, 2006)