A Light in the Darkness: Introduction, Day 1

Welcome to our Spring, 2010 study. For 4 months we will ask God to teach us relevant and applicable lessons from the lives of the great Old Testament prophets, Elijah and Elisha. This study will be in conjunction with the group Bible studies ongoing at the Bammel Church of Christ. As you join with us online, you are joining a Bible study with 80 women of differing ages and life circumstances. Many are balancing work and family. Many are retired. Some are single, some are married, some are widowed and some are divorced. Some are seasoned Christians and some are novices. I tell you these things so you can know that you belong! There is a place for you at this table as we join together to learn from the Word of God.

We will be following a study guide written by Casandra Martin. If you want to have that guide it can be purchased at: http://www.21stcc.com/. The exact title for your search is: A Light in the Darkness: Elijah and Elisha. Or, you can get a notebook - any kind will do - spiral style or journal style - and plan to keep notes to yourself as we progress in our study. There will be 3 posts each week throughout this particular study.

So ... let's begin ...

I have been privileged to raise three daughters. They are as different as different can be - in temperament, in style, in look. However, as little girls, they had one distinct thing in common - they were afraid of the dark. They were not unique in that fear. The majority of children are afraid of the dark. It can be so frightening when you cannot see what is around you. Your imagination goes beserk! So parents learn the value of the night light. My friends, as Christ followers, we are to be the night lights in this dark world!

As they grew from little children into older teens and young adults and would "go out" - they knew that the light would be on when they came home. They would not have to come into a dark house. My friends, as Christ followers, we are to be the ones leaving the light on for this dark world. Therein lies one of our greatest challenges. Does it really matter? How do we do that? Those are some of the questions we will explore in this study.

I want to see. I want to see clearly. And that requires light. To begin our study, write down the following passages in your journal. Then summarize them with a sentence or two of your own. Follow that time of reflection with prayer ... a prayer of gratitude to this God of light.

1 John 1:5
John 8:12
Psalm 4:6 - 8
Psalm 104:1 - 2a

Our prayer together as we begin comes from Psalm 4:6

"Let the light of Your face shine upon us, O Lord."