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OLD TESTAMENT BIBLE STUDY TEMPLATE
INSTRUCTIONS
For this assignment in three parts, you will be studying the Old Testament story of “Elijah and
the Prophets of Baal” found in 1 Kings 17:1; 18:1–46. You will use the template below in order
to complete a study of this passage. In your study, you will use the skills of Observation,
Interpretation, Correlation, and Application that you have learned through your reading in
Everyday Bible Study (EBS). You will complete this template in three parts and submit the same
document each time, incorporating feedback from the instructor for each submission.
I. Observation
A. I have read 1 Kings 17:1; 18:1–46 in both a formal translation (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV,
or CSB) and a functional translation (NIV, NLT, or NCV). Highlight the correct answer. You
can find various Bible translations by searching for them online (EBS ch. 16).
oYes
oNo
B. Identify the basic elements of the story you are studying (EBS chs. 15 & 33).
1. Main characters: (List them) Elijah, King Ahab, prophets of Baal, prophets of Asherah,
and Obadiah
2. Plot: (50–100 words) The land is dry Obadiah tries to find water which king Ahab
requests but also believes false god Baal can help. So the story is King Ahab told his people to
follow and worship a certain false god named Baal. The Lord sent Elijah the prophet to meet up
with King Ahab. Elijah invited all the people to the top of Camel Mountain where they would be
having sacrifices of a bull and on altar and seeing if Baal or God would light the altar by calling
out their Name. He invited the king and his priests to challenge to see whether the Lord or Baal
was the true God. At the end Baal never showed up (false god) and God delivered and showed
the altar was burnt. And Elijah had the prophets of Baal all killed down the Valley of Kishon.
3. Story structure: (50–100 words) Introduction: The land is dry because there has been
no rain and King Ahab makes Obadiah find water and meets Elijah where he fears him because
he is from God.
Rising Action: Elijah meets Ahab who Ahab does not like very much. And Elijah challenged
Ahab to bring all the Israelites and prophets (850) to mount Carmel. To see how god of baal
helps doing their time of suffering.
Climax: There was two bull sacrifices that need burning on at altar but they need to be burnt by
either Baal or God. For hours people of Baal cried out sacrifice did not get burned and Elijah
called out the sacrifice came to a consuming flame where it burned the bull
Falling action: The Israelites literally fell to their knees saying that is THE LORD. And later that
day Elijah prayed to God and God delivered a rain cloud.
Resolution: The land was given water for they were dry and the prophets were doomed and later
killed.
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C. List basic observations about this passage using the Key Questions from EBS ch. 17.
1. Who: King Ahab, Elijah, the Lord (speaking to Elijah), Prophets of Baal/Asherah,
and Israelites
2. What: King Ahab needs water for his land and people/prophets of Baal are
worshipping false God. Elijah is trying to show the Israelites the True God not this false God.
Elijah and Ahab have a talk about meeting and have sacrifice altar show. God shows the people
that He is the One and Only “YAWEH” by burning Elijah’s bull sacrifice.
3. Where: Location is at Mount Carmel also the northern kingdom of Israel, and valley
of Kishon
4. When: During the reign of King Ahab, during Elijah telling people the TRUE GOD, 1
Kings 18:19–29—Elijah challenges the false prophets to have Baal send fire down from heaven.
The false prophets fail. 1 Kings 18:30–38—Elijah prays and the Lord sends fire to consume the
sacrifice and the altar.
5. Why: Why did the prophets of Asherah and Baal gods fail? Because there are false
gods who are corrupting the minds of people of Israelites. Why did Elijah challenge King Ahab?
To show King Ahab that false gods do nothing and he should follow God and led his people (the
nation) the right way, Why did the people fall to their knees? They knee their God and had fallen
astray for not following for a while. Why did God deliver a rain cloud to the land? To bring a
new season of fruitfulness to dead land. A new begging almost.
6. How: How did God show he was with Elijah every step during this sacrifice? God
gave the miracle of burning sacrifice and the rain cloud from the famine the nation was facing.
How did it end for the prophets of Baal and Asherah?
They were humiliated and guilty and were soon slaughtered at the valley of Kishon.
II. Interpretation
A. Determine the author’s main point. In 1–2 paragraphs (100–400 words) explain what you
think the author is trying to communicate in this passage. Remember, the Old Testament
narratives frequently communicate truth by showing it to us in story form instead of
telling it to us by way of teaching or sermon. See EBS ch. 28.
In the story of Elijah and Ahab is emphasized that God is always around and he is
watching what is going on. The perspective of this is trying to show that God is seeing his
children fall away trying to worship God and false God. Which God is not going to let
that happen so he sends Elijah to stop that show an example (the burning of the bull).
The main point of view the author is trying to tell us is the Lord's power is greater than
the power of men. The Lord can help us know that He is the true God. Also the cloud of
rain example is no more famine but also it shows that God is always near and has
closeness to our heart we just need to accept.
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B. Based on your answer above, write out one principle from this passage. You should be able
to express this principle in 1–3 sentences. See EBS ch. 33. God is YAWEH and the ONE
and ONLY. There is no false gods can only bring division in the relationship with God. Our faith
and commitment needs to go to God for God can only Deliver.
III. Correlation
A. How does this Old Testament narrative fit within the metanarrative of the Bible? State what
type of story you believe this to be (creation, fall, redemption, or new creation) and
explain why you believe this to be so. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100–200
words) in length. See EBS chs. 1–2.
This narrative of the story fits better probably with redemption but there is also some fall
in the story as well. Why I believe this is when the Israelites saw the burning of the
sacrifice they found that their heart and minds were not in the right place they realized
that you cannot fully surrender yourself to God and a false god for you are contradicting
yourself. So they change their perspective and God also gives back to the nation by
supplying water to the land so a rebirth or change. Though this is also the fall because
false gods are being presented and the 450 prophets are putting their faith in the unknown
and evilness of Satan. Because we as fallen people and in a fallen world.
B. How does your principle fit with the rest of the Scripture? This principle is the one you have
written out in 1-3 sentences in the Interpretation section. If your principle is a true
Biblical principle it will be reflected throughout the Scriptures. Where is the principle
discovered in this Old Testament narrative found elsewhere in the Scriptures? Your
explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length. See EBS ch. 29.
Yes we live in a fallen world where we as Christians sometimes get distracted and often
follow others because we think we should follow society and also try to mix with God’s
plan too. It doesn’t get any clearer than what is written in Deuteronomy 6:4, which says
“The Lord our God, the Lord is one.” But that’s not the only time the Bible reveals this
truth. In both the Old and New Testaments, the biblical authors continually state that
there is one God. And even God Himself confirms it by saying, “I am the Lord your God,
and there is no other.” For example Elijah showed the Israelites through the burning
sacrifice of bull that no other one could start this miracle. When they saw it they almost
had an eye-opening realization that God is truly Yahweh and the prophets of Baah and
Asherah did too. Though Elijah tried to warn them and they got killed and destroyed.
C. How does this Old Testament narrative reflect the person and work of Jesus Christ? State
and explain at least one way that the principle of this narrative can be identified in the
person and work of Jesus Christ. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100–200
words) in length. See EBS ch. 30.
Peter writes to gentiles and jews about not getting distracted by false gods that Jesus was
trying to tell others God is the only one. 2 Peter 2:1 ESV “But false prophets also arose
among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring
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in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon
themselves swift destruction.” While Elijah did not bring Jesus Christ he is trying to tell
others that we have temptation. For example there was the time Jesus was led by the
Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil. And Jesus did not sin but he could fall
into the human nature of sinning. We have to remember temptation is not a sin. However,
our sinful nature is constantly swaying us to give in to temptation, which in turn can lead
us down a path to sin. Sin is a choice and in 1 King 18 people choice to fall these false
gods.
IV. Application
What points of application can be made using the Four Questions for Application (EBS ch.
31)? State and explain 1 point of application for each of these four questions. Your explanation
for each of these points should be 1 paragraph (100–200 words) in length.
A. The question of duty We have the responsibility of taking of telling others about following
the true God Yahweh. The old testament is telling us to not be deceived by others like following
the false idols. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 ESV “For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen,
disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as
an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of
righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.” Elijah is trying to tell them that their
god is no one like Yahweh. Also their land is super dry as well and the prophets of Baal worship
their god for rain and never comes too. Though God delivers rain in the end of the chapter almost
as a renewal of to wash away the sin like mindset.
B. The question of character
Through the examples of prophets of Baal and Ahab, we see the kind of character we should
avoid. These types of two people showed that they were not committed to God especially the
prophets they only worshipped Baal. Ahab did not wrong because God speaks clearly to his own
people about entering marriage with someone who does submit to him. Ahab paid no attention to
that. Also when he married Jezebel he started worship Baal. The person we need to be like is
Elijah because yes he made mistakes but he was faithful and obedient to God and always thanked
God for everything that he gave him.
C. The question of goals
Our goals or causes ought to be defined by the Scriptures and God’s calling on our life as
Christians. To ambitiously pursue a cause or goal that runs counter to Scripture ought to be
immediately rejected. For example Ahab should have rejected listen or putting his belief in Baal
and showed have always believed in God. How Elijah showed that goal to others was the
sacrifice of bull and the burning flame from God. His main goal to others was to show that there
no other like God and the things we are chasing and expending our energy on should be God
glorifying him and listening to his commandments not false gods.
D. The question of discernment
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The question we have to ask ourselves is how God would view this situation and what should we
do that honors him. How God would see this is the people of prophets of Baal and Asherah are
not respecting God and should be shown the true ONE and see their sin. Also the Israelites
should be ashamed as well because when they saw the sacrifice of the burning bull they all
bowed to their knees’ seeing God is truly ONE and need to be reminded. Though Elijah showed
a good act by thanking/worshipping God before and after the altar sacrifice. Ephesians 4:4-6
ESV “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to
your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and
through all and in all.”
V. Teaching
Create an opportunity to teach this passage in a Bible-study setting of your choosing. Examples
could include a church setting, a family Bible study, or discussing the passage with a friend or
roommate. Use the interpretive method learned above to study the passage (Observe), derive a
principle (Interpretation), compare with other Scriptures (Correlation), and apply to everyday
living (Application). Write a report below of at least 250 words. Comment on what went well,
what was challenging, and what you learned overall through this experience.
