EXTRA! Ideas for Adults – Limited Resources Limitless God – When Your Provisions Fall Short

Date: December 28, 2025

Session Title: When Your Provisions Fall Short

The Point: God provides what you need when you need it.

Get Into the Study

Read after QUESTION #1:

No one likes to wait. Waiting can be excruciating—both mentally and physically. This is due to entering a state of “anticipatory anxiety,” which involves our temporal focus, where our attention shifts from the present to the future. It also causes uncertainty, and not knowing exactly when something will happen leads to increased stress. It also creates a sense of loss of control, where waiting often involves surrendering control over timing. And it creates a heightened awareness, which causes time to seem like it moves slower when we’re focused on it. Because of all this, waiting can be difficult!

Here are some tips to help you wait well:

1. Mindfulness and Present-Moment Awareness: Instead of focusing on the future event, bring attention to the present through breathing exercises, sensory awareness or body scanning.

2. Productive Waiting: Transform waiting time into opportunity to learn something new, plan something you’ve been putting off, create something special, or connect with someone you haven’t talked to for a while.

3. Reframing Techniques: Change your relationship with waiting by practicing Gratitude, build patience building: View waiting as strength training for your mind and shift your perspective.

4. Setting Realistic Expectations: Manage anticipation effectively by buffering time, prepare for various outcomes and build adaptability into your schedule.

Psychology of Waiting: How Countdowns Reduce Anxiety

Get Into the Study (Option for Adult Leader Guide)

In advance, play a video clip of a place where it would be hard to live. Then ask Question #1.

Live It Out

Read after GUIDE:

We have all been through tough times. Like the widow and her son, they had given up all hope to live. Then Elijah came with God’s provision. We can learn from the widow on how to handle tough times. First, we must acknowledge our need for God’s provision; second, we must persevere through the trial; and third, use the experience to help others—all for God’s glory.

As you consider the three statements above, consider how you can be the hands and feet of God to provide for someone else going through a difficult time. Here are some things to consider:

1. Remember that even bad times will come to an end. (Psalm 30:5)
2. Think of challenges you have overcome in the past. This will help give you hope for coming through this situation, too. (Romans 8:37)
3. You are a strong person, because of all you have overcome. (Philippians 4;13)
4. Bad things happen to everyone. You are not alone! (Matthew 5:45)
5. Think of it as a learning experience, and ask, “What does God want me to learn from this?” (1 Peter 1:6-7)
6. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. God gives us community to help us through times of trouble. (Galatians 6:2)
7. There are a lot of things to be grateful for. When we count our blessings, we focus on the good and that will help us through trials. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

God will provide for all our needs, when we need it!

7 Things to Remember When Going Through Tough Times in Life

The week’s writer for Extra is Erika Morrison. Erika is the daughter of missionary parents. She lives in Southwest Michigan, where she serves as the executive director of a human services non-profit, and speaks regularly on poverty culture, and having a relationship with Jesus.

Additional Questions

Icebreaker

• When have you watched a movie that turned out to be something significantly different than you were expecting?
• Who’s the most patient person you know?
• What’s your go-to place when you need to pick up last-minute items?

1 Kings 17:5-7. God’s provision may not always come in the way we expect.

• Why would God use a raven, considered unclean by the Jews, to feed Elijah?
• What was the purpose of God allowing the wadi to dry up?
• When has God provided for you in a way you did not expect?

1 Kings 17:8-12. God’s provision often comes through others.

• How has God used other people to provide for you?
• How has God used you to provide for other people?
• What would it take for us to allow God to provide for us through others?

1 Kings 17:13-16. God’s provision comes when we trust and obey Him.

• How might you have responded if you were in the widow’s position?
• Describe a time when God gave you daily provision and you were disappointed or ungrateful.
• What are some ways God might want our group to be a blessing to others?

Podcast

Click here for a podcast for both the group member and the leader.