How would you articulate the main theme of this passage?  What question is Paul seeking to answer?

Paul argues that God has not rejected his people.  How does he support this claim?

Read 1 Kings 19:1-18.  What this passage teach us about Elijah, and what he was thinking and feeling at that time?  What does it teach us about God, and his heart for his people, and ability to save his people?

Paul argues that there is a remnant of faithful believers in the nation of Israel during his (Paul’s) day, just as there was in Elijah’s day.  How does this claim support his main argument (that God has not rejected his people)?

Paul argues that the rest of the nation of Israel (those that are not a part of the remnant of faithful believers) have been hardened.  (11:7)  How does he support this claim, and argue it from the Old Testament?  (See also Isaiah 29:10, Psalm 69:22-23.)

In 11:2, Paul says that God has not rejected his people.  In 11:7, he says that much of Israel did not obtain the salvation that they were seeking, and have been hardened to the gospel.  How are we to reconcile this two ideas - that seem to be in tension with one another?

How can we apply this passage to our lives, as Christians today?  What is it teaching us about God?  What is it teaching us about ourselves?  What is it calling us to do?  How is it calling us to respond?

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