Week 4: Session 3 — Courage

1.When Ahab finally sees Elijah in 1 Kings 18:17, his first words are an accusation: "Is that you, you troubler of Israel?" Shirer observes that Elijah's response — calmly redirecting the accusation back to Ahab — is one of the most courageous moments in the entire narrative. What enabled Elijah to stand firm rather than shrink or apologize? What does this tell you about the relationship between a clear conscience and courage?

2.Shirer spends significant time in this session on Obadiah — Ahab's palace administrator who feared God and had secretly hidden 100 prophets from Jezebel's persecution. She presents Obadiah as a case study in the complexity of faithfulness: he was doing genuine good in a dangerous environment, but his fear of Ahab nearly paralyzed him. Where do you see yourself in Obadiah's dilemma — trying to do good quietly within systems that compromise your full obedience to God?

3.Shirer draws an important distinction between the courage to "go public" with one's faith (like Elijah) and the quieter courage to stay faithful in a difficult position (like Obadiah). Does this distinction resonate with you? Are both forms of courage equally valid? Are there limits to how long Obadiah's strategy could work?