Category: Judges

Judges 13 - Even in Your Forgetfulness

5/10/2021

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Judges 7 - Gideon and the 300 Men

5/2/2021

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Has the presence of someone near you ever given you the ability to do something you otherwise would not have had the courage or strength to do?
Before God was going to call Israel into battle, he had to make sure that their other “crutches” were removed (idols and their sheer numbers). Why was this the first step in God’s plan for them?
What was the practical reason for why God whittled the Isarelite army down to 300? There were two ways - those who are fearful and those who lap the water like dogs).
The fact that God had to weaken Israel’s army in order to work through them is a very difficult concept for us. None of us wants to be weakened but we also know that through our weakness He is made strong. Have you ever noticed this truth in your spiritual life
The things that opposed Israel in our last few stories were stronger than the people but they weren’t stronger than God. How does that encourage you?
In what ways are you being challenged to step out in faith, finding God’s strength and reassurance to do so? God’s reassurance was a big part of this Gideon narrative.
Gideon obeyed God and he used his gifts to serve him. Gideon didn’t just sit back; rather he strategized using his intellect that ultimately was given to him by God. What gifts has God given you to serve him with? Remember that the Lord called him a “mighty man of valour” before he had done anything and while he was hiding.

2021-05-02_podcast.mp3
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Judges 6 - Gideon Part 1

4/25/2021

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1. In Judges 6, the people of Israel become oppressed by the Midianites and they once again cry out to God. God sent word back to the people, reminding them of his faithfulness all the way back to when he delivered them from the hand of the Egyptians. Do you tend to constantly remember or constantly forget the things that God has done in the past (even the distant past)?

2. How do the things from your past encourage you in the present?

3. God also reminded the Israelites of their disobedience. Have you ever noticed a correlation between your disobedience and your inability to experience the “abundant life” in Jesus?

4. In Judges 6 (and all through the book really) Israel was regretful but not fully repentant. Are there things in your past or present that you are regretful of but not repentant in?

5. When Israel cried out to God - he preached a sermon to them about his faithfulness and their disobedience. Is there an area in your life that you are crying out for salvation and God is prompting you to listen to His previously revealed word in some way (through a book, a sermon or the bible etc.)?

6. How does the fact that God is acting in grace even before we turn back to him motivate you to repent and listen to him?

7. What troubles are you facing? Will you see them as problems that need removing or possible ways for God to change you and grow you?

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Judges 4-5: The Ruler and the Rescuer

4/18/2021

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As you listened to the recounting of the story of Deborah, Barak and Jael; what stood out to you or struck you in a new way? Maybe something you hadn’t seen or noticed before.
Israel felt completely helpless and hopeless against Sisera’s army because of their 900 chariots; what have been the “900 chariots” in your past or present?
If you had a “900 chariot” experience in your life, have you come to a place where you were able to see what God accomplished in your life through it? Sometimes we see this in the here and now, sometimes we won’t know until we meet Jesus face to face.
Do you see Barak’s response to Deborah in chapter 4:8 as an expression of failed faith in God or in confidence in what God is doing through godly Deborah?
What do you consider to be some of your strengths and have you ever considered that they could become your downfall?
Does this mean that it’s wrong to have strengths? If not, what is the lesson to be learned?
Through the story, we see that numerous tribes refused to “go” and they were called out for it. Where has God been calling you to “go” and have you been obeying?
Chapter 4 was the historical retelling of the events, chapter 5 was the theological and worship filled retelling of the events. Do you tend to have a chapter 4 perspective on your life or a chapter 5 perspective?
How can you work on maintaining a chapter 5 perspective? What would that look like for you?

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Judges 1-2 Half-Hearted Discipleship

4/11/2021

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Judges is filled with many amazing stories; which one has been your favorite?

One of the elements pertaining to the setting of Judges is that the people of Israel were attempting to live out their faith within an idolatrous culture.

Can you think of times in your life when you have had to be brave because of your faith?
We also see that Israel’s obedience was only a “half obedience”. They didn’t wholly disobey God and they didn’t wholly disregard God. When do you find it the hardest to follow God’s commands instead of your own “common sense?”
Another theme of Judges is God’s grace. In what area of your life and thinking do you need to be reminded today that God is a God of grace?
Israel failed to pass on faithful faith to their children; as a result of this, the “Judges cycle” was able to continue. If you are a parent; how are you passing on your faith to your children? What has encouraged you and challenged you in hearing the story of Judges 1-2?
If you’re not a parent with children at home, how are you praying for and sharing your faith with younger generations in our church?
Have you noticed the “Judges cycle” in your own Christian life? How do you break out of it? What is it that causes renewal for you?
How does the description of sin as spiritual prostitution in Judges 2:17 make you take your own sin more seriously?
Do you see living among unbelievers as a problem, a possibility or both? How can you live a good life among non-believers today?