Study Questions Warm-up: Judges 6-8 [6:13] “If the Lord is with us, why has this happened to us?” When have you received a promise or encouraging word from Warm-up: God, but you doubted it because of your circumstances? [6:13] “If the Lord is with us, why has this happened to us?” When have you received a promise or encouraging word from God, but you doubted it because of your circumstances?

[6:14-16] God does not directly answer Gideon’s question, which would focus on the idolatry of Israel. Instead, He encourages Gideon in the task he has been called to. Have there been times [6:14-16] God does not directly answer Gideon’s question, which you were dwelling on past or present circumstances, but you would focus on the idolatry of Israel. Instead, He encourages were then turned around by God encouraging you to focus on Gideon in the task he has been called to. Have there been times what matters going forward? you were dwelling on past or present circumstances, but you were then turned around by God encouraging you to focus on what matters going forward?

A little deeper: [6:24-32] “Gideon built an altar to the Lord,” and with 10 of his servants tore down the altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah A little deeper: pole, upsetting the townspeople. How strong is Gideon’s faith at [6:24-32] “Gideon built an altar to the Lord,” and with 10 of his this point? How does this act impact the faith of others, servants tore down the altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah including his servants, his father Joash, and the rest of the pole, upsetting the townspeople. How strong is Gideon’s faith at community? this point? How does this act impact the faith of others, [6:34] “The Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon, and he blew a including his servants, his fatherJoash, and the rest of the trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him.” Trumpets community? were a way to get everyone’s attention in order to gather, act, or rejoice as a people (see Numbers 10:3-10 for example). What Study Questions might fulfill similar roles in our society today? How ready are you Judges 6-8 to respond to such a call, (such as meeting a community crisis)?

Bringing it home: Bringing it home: [7:1-7:3] Why did God say there were too many men in Gideon’s [7:1-7:3] Why did God say there were too many men in Gideon’s army? What does this say about God? What does it say about army? What does this say about God? What does it say about why and how he interacts with us? why and how he interacts with us?

[7:20-22] All that was required of Gideon’s army was to blow [7:20-22] All that was required of Gideon’s army was to blow their trumpets and stand with their torches. What made Gideon their trumpets and stand with their torches. What made Gideon such a good choice to carry this out (one answer is in 6:15)? such a good choice to carry this out (one answer is in 6:15)? What does this say about why or how God might call you? What does this say about why or how God might call you?

For further study: For further study: [6:36-40] Why was it ok for Gideon to test God with the [6:36-40] Why was it ok for Gideon to test God with the fleece? How was this test different from the tests of...? fleece? How was this test different from the tests of...?  the Israelites at Meribah (Exodus 17:2-3, 7);  the Israelites at Meribah (Exodus 17:2-3, 7);  the Pharisees when they asked Jesus if it was right to pay  the Pharisees when they asked Jesus if it was right to pay taxes (Matthew 22:15-17). taxes (Matthew 22:15-17). How was Gideon’s test instead similar to...? How was Gideon’s test instead similar to...?  the test Isaiah invited Ahaz to propose (Isaiah 7:11);  the test Isaiah invited Ahaz to propose (Isaiah 7:11);  Peter’s request in last week’s passage (Matthew 14:28)  Peter’s request in last week’s passage (Matthew 14:28) How does this impact the way think about asking God to How does this impact the way think about asking God to increase your faith? increase your faith? [6:34] “The Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him.” Trumpets were a way to get everyone’s attention in order to gather, act, or rejoice as a people (see Numbers 10:3-10 for example). What might fulfill similar roles in our society today? How ready are you to respond to such a call, (such as meeting a community crisis)?