Learn to depend on God in every situation. Do not trust in your own strength.FAMILY CONNECTION: CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AFTER CHURCH!Why did God reduce the number of men He sent with Gideon?  How did hearing the Midianite soldier’s dream encourage Gideon?  Why is it important to know what the Bible says about sin?KEY TRUTH: Success Comes From Gods' Power, Not by Our Own Strength (Judges 7:1-8)KEY ...  Read More

1.  When you think about God being in control, what does that mean to you? Israel was often surrounded by enemies and would cry out to God. What difference does it make that God has the power, authority, and desire to work for the good of His people?2. In the book of Judges, God chose to save His people through fallen, broken, and weak people –it wasn’t a miraculous and instantaneous occurrence. W...  Read More

Judges 7:15-25  (HCSB)Gideon Attacks the Midianites 15 When Gideon heard the account of the dream and its interpretation, he bowed in worship. He returned to Israel’s camp and said, “Get up, for the Lord has handed the Midianite camp over to you.” 16 Then he divided the 300 men into three companies and gave each of the men a trumpet in one hand and an empty pitcher with a torch inside it in the ot...  Read More

Judges 7:1-14  (HCSB)God Selects Gideon’s Army 7 Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and everyone who was with him, got up early and camped beside the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was north of them, below the hill of Moreh, in the valley. 2 The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many people for Me to hand the Midianites over to you, or else Israel might brag: ‘I did it myself.’ 3 Now announce in th...  Read More

Judges 6:25-40  (HCSB)Gideon Tears Down a Baal Altar 25 On that very night the Lord said to him, “Take your father’s young bull and a second bull seven years old. Then tear down the altar of Baal that belongs to your father and cut down the Asherah pole beside it. 26 Build a well-constructed altar to the Lord your God on the top of this rock.Take the second bull and offer it as a burnt offering wi...  Read More

Judges 6:11-24  (HCSB)The Lord Calls Gideon 11 The Angel of the Lord came, and He sat under the oak that was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash, the Abiezrite. His son Gideon was threshing wheat in the wine vat in order to hide it from the Midianites. 12 Then the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said: “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” 13 Gideon said to Him, “Please Sir, if the Lord is w...  Read More

Judges 6:1-10  (HCSB)Midian Oppresses Israel6 The Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. So the Lord handed them over to Midian seven years, 2 and they oppressed Israel. Because of Midian, the Israelites made hiding places for themselves in the mountains, caves, and strongholds. 3 Whenever the Israelites planted crops, the Midianites, Amalekites, and the Qedemites came and attacked...  Read More

Model and pass along a vibrant faith to following generations.FAMILY CONNECTION: CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION AFTER CHURCH!What was the cycle of disobedience the Israelites were in?  What are some characteristics of a good leader?  Who are some good spiritual leaders in your life?KEY TRUTH: Gods' People Have a Tendency to Drift Away From God (Judges 2:1-5, 11-17, 19-23)KEY TRUTH: Good Spiritual Leaders...  Read More

1.  What pockets of resistance are in your life that God wants you to remove? What blessings are you missing out on by not being obedient?2.  Are there any promises of God that you don't firmly believe or may seem contradictory? For example: If God is love then how can He allow harm to come to those He loves? Don't be   ashamed to question. Seek out an answer for your concerns from trustworthy sou...  Read More

Judges 2:16-23 (HCSB)16 The Lord raised up judges, who saved them from the power of their marauders, 17 but they did not listen to their judges. Instead, they prostituted themselves with other gods, bowing down to them. They quickly turned from the way of their fathers, who had walked in obedience to the Lord’s commands. They did not do as their fathers did. 18 Whenever the Lord raised up a judge ...  Read More

Judges 2:6-15 (HCSB)Joshua’s Death6 Joshua sent the people away, and the Israelites went to take possession of the land, each to his own inheritance. 7 The people worshiped the Lord throughout Joshua’s lifetime and during the lifetimes of the elders who outlived Joshua. They had seen all the Lord’s great works He had done for Israel. 8 Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of...  Read More

I'm gettin' nuttin' for Christmas Mommy and daddy are mad I'm gettin' nuttin' for Christmas 'Cause I ain't been nuttin' but badThat must have been how the Christians in Corinth felt when Paul wrote the scathing letter about their behavior. In the church there was sexual dysfunction, abuse of the Lord’s Supper, and the disunity of the church in general. We will read about what Paul prescribed for t...  Read More