January 23, 2016
This week is the second of several studies in January on the book of Judges following the theme of the five sermons given/to come.
The focus of this study is….
Read Judges 6:1-10.
Why was this so? Why do you think it took them 7 years before they cried out to the Lord for help? Judges 6:6.
Read Judges 6:11-32.
Write down some key points.
Gideon questioned God about the problems Israel were facing and God’s apparent lack of help. Was it right for him to do this? Was there something very important he missed out mentioning? How did God answer him?
Should we feel free to bring our questions / even arguments to God which includes even blaming God if that’s how we feel? Give reasons for your answer.
Can you think of any other places in the Bible where men of God questioned God similarly?
Discuss the significance of Gideon’s encounter with the Angel of God as a preparation for the work God had planned for him to do.
Discuss also the significance of Gideon getting his own house (family) right with God before he was ready to do the job of fighting the Midianites.
Consider Daryl’s comments from Sunday’s message…
“The Midianites were a problem for sure, but there was a bigger problem, the worship of Baal and associated deities. God had been left out of the lives of the Israelites, and they were his chosen people!! The Israelites had started believing in these fake gods and that’s why God was angry with them. He is the only real and true God and these people were praying and giving offerings to pieces of wood and statues that couldn’t do or hear anything.”
What about our own lives? Are there things/idols God wants you to surrender to Him and with His help clean out of your own life?
Read Judges 6:33-7:25.
Write down some key points.
a. Gideon’s Fleece.
Why did Gideon instigate the fleece incident? Was he seeking God’s guidance or something else from Him?
If you was in Gideon’s situation or similar what would you be seeking from God?
b. Gideon Defeats the Midianites.
What is the main point God wants us to get from His rescue of Israel and the defeat of the Midianites.
Why did God reduce the Israel army to just 300 men?
Reread Judges 7:9-15. Discuss how God helped Gideon overcome his fear Judges 7:9-11.
How does he help you overcome your fears? Are there any Bible verses that come to mind?
Throughout his whole story how did Gideon respond to God despite his fears?
Consider Daryl’s words…
“Gideon was a man who was willing to do whatever God asked of him, regardless of his own judgement as to the plans or results. Faith, humility, and obedience were his greatest characteristics.”
What sort of people is God looking for to work with and through to accomplishing His purposes?
Read Paul’s words. 1 Corinthians 1:26-31, 2 Corinthians 4:5-18, 11:30-12:10.
How do you respond to God when he asks you to do things way out of your comfort zone?
Consider Daryl’s words….
“This is where Gideon gets sweaty palms and starts to make some excuses. ‘My clan is the smallest, bottom of the barrel, and me, well I am the least in my family. How can I save Israel?’
Does this sound familiar? It should do. Let’s go back to Exodus 3:11 But Moses said to God “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” or Jeremiah 1:6 “Ah, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.”
They were men chosen by God, that didn’t necessarily want to do what he had in mind, but they did it anyway.
God may well have smiled at this point. Didn’t Gideon know anything. God plus one weakling is always a majority in a fight. “I will be with you,” God tells Gideon, and that is all that we really need to know, and what we should remind ourselves of all the time.”
Finish by reading Philippians 4:13, Isaiah 41:10.