Fraternity men face two opinions

By Trent McEntyre
I love to lead Bible studies for men in the fraternities. Right now one group I lead is up to 8 men attending the group. Only three of these men have been in a Bible study before. Several of the guys have little or no prior exposure to the Bible, church, or any explanation of what it means to know God. Right now, none of these guys are attending a church. Thankfully, the Lord is working bring His life changing word to them via a surprizing choice of Bible study, the story of the prophet Elijah.

This past week I lead the guys through the account of Elijah'c confrontation with the Israelite people who had begun to worship the idol, Baal in 1 Kings 18. Amazingly this ancient drama became extremely relevant to this group of fraternity brothers.

When Elijah called the prophets and followers of Baal together to test and see whose God was real he said, "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."

After we read this part of the text, I said to men, "While there are plenty of things that are wild and different in this passage, the question Elijah asks these people sounds like something God should ask me today. How long will you waiver between two opinions? I think that might be one of the most important questions we can all wrestle with."

At that moment I believed  God was dealling with them. Posing the same question to them. Who would be their God?



Trent and Emily McEntyre hosting Greek students

 We read on in the Elijah story - where the prophets of Baal attempt to incite Baal to accept their sacrifice by miraculously lighting their fire. They chant, scream, and even cut themselves. Meanwhile Elijah calm taunts thems, ""Shout louder!" he said. "Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened." "Wow, this one prophet is taunting 450 of his enemies", one of the men said.

When it was Elijah's turn he prayed , "Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again."

I asked the guys to compare the way the prophets of Baal prayed and how Elijah prayed. They noticed the obvious differences. But I wanted them to see the heart of the matter. When we serve false gods it is always on the basis of our duty and devotion. When you seek the true God is a always a matter of faith and grace.
Why didn't Elijah cut himself like the prophets of Baal? Because God accepted the cutting of substitute sacrifice. In the same way we cannot win God's help or attention by deeds or devotion but only by asking for the mercy of the cross where Jesus was cut and bled for us.

Still, these young men have to decide which opinion to accept - the Gospel or life on your own.

It is a decision you make once and then must renew daily. Which God do we find our life in? What way do we approach Him?