March 5, 2017 Focal Passage: Judges 13 -16 Key Phrase: The Fall and Our Decisions Key Question: Will you make decisions by the Fall or by faith? Key Facts: • The book of Judges tells us the history of Israel between the time of Joshua’s death and the ministry of Samuel. During this time period (1375-1050 B.C.), Israel had twelve judges, including Samson who was the last judge. The book was most likely written between 1040-1020 B.C. • The events in Judges followed a pattern of the Israelites living in peace while serving and loving God. Then the Israelites would worship idols and forsake God. God would allow a neighboring nation to fight and rule over them. The Israelites would then turn to God and ask forgiveness. God would then forgive them and send a judge to conquer their enemy. • The Nazirite Vow was a vow which had a sacred purpose. The vow was to set apart the person for service to the Lord. It was usually temporary; however Samson’s was to be permanent. The vow required three commitments: abstinence from the fruit of the vine; cutting one’s hair and avoiding dead bodies. • To make a decision by faith requires the answer to three important questions: 1. Does this decision advance God’s life mission for me? 2. Is this decision about you or me? 3. Does this decision take seriously the fear of the Lord? (Dr. Avant) • The fear of the Lord is a dread of living apart from God and His plan. (Dr. Avant) Before You Begin Each Day: • Pray and ask the Lord to open your eyes to see Him and hear His voice through His word. Remember, when you understand His word, you are having an encounter with Him! • This is not to be something to check off your list of things to do. This is time to build a relationship with Christ and to know Him better through His word. • If you do not understand the question, just put an asterisk (*) by it. No worries! Day One 1. Read Judges 13. What was the purpose of Samson’s life? 2. Read the following passages and write down what the Lord shows you concerning the purposes of your life. • Isaiah 43:7 • Micah 6:8 • Matthew 22:36-39 • Matthew 28:18-20 Action: Do you have a life purpose statement? If not, take time today to pray through what has God uniquely created you to do in order to increase His kingdom. Write down what God shows you and be prepared to share it with your small group. *** Days Two and Three 1. Read Judges 14-15. What were some of the decisions Samson made in these chapters and what were the consequences of those decisions? 2. Read Judges 17:6 and Judges 21:25. Write these verses out in your own words. 3. Read the following passages. What does God say to you about wisdom? • I Kings 4:29-30 • Psalm 90:12 • Psalm 111:10 • Proverbs 29:15 • Colossians 2:2-3 • James 1:5-6 • James 3:13-17 Action: What decision(s) do you need wisdom for in your life? Choose a verse from above to commit to memory. Ask the Lord for wisdom concerning that decision. Be prepared to share with your small group what decision you need wisdom for. *** Day Four 1. Read Judges 16. What was the final decision Samson made which caused him to lose the power of God? What were the consequences of his disobedience? 2. Review Judges 16:28-31. What was Samson’s final decision and did he make it by faith? 3. Read Hebrews 11:32-34. What does the Lord say to you in this passage about Samson? 4. Read the following verses. What does the Lord say to you? • Galatians 5:1 • I Thessalonians 5:23-24 • Hebrews 11:1 Action: Have you made any “unwise” decisions? Remember, any decision that does not line up with God’s word is “unwise”. Ask God’s forgiveness for that decision/action. Choose to make a wise decision by faith in that area of your life. Ask Christ to redeem that decision and allow you to live in His freedom. Ask the Lord to prepare you to use your “unwise” decision and its consequences to enable someone else to not make the same choice. Going Deeper 1. Go deeper this week by evaluating your own life. You will find a Life Purpose/Vision Statement at the end of this study. Go through this and share your vision statement with your small group. Small Group Facilitator Guide for March 5, 2017 By going through the daily questions and allowing participants to share, you should cover the following: Ø Discuss what the purpose for Samson’s life was. Ø Allow any of the members that are willing to share what they believe their life purpose is. Ø Discuss what some of the decisions that Samson made in Judges 14-16 and the consequences of those decisions were. Ø Discuss what God showed them about wisdom as they read the verses on Day 2-3. Ø Ask the members to share decisions that are before them and pray for wisdom together as a group for them. Read through the three questions that Dr. Avant shared about how to make a decision by faith. (In Key Fact section) Ø Allow any of the members to share bad decisions they made and what they learned from making a bad decision and if God redeemed that decision. Ø Discuss what the Lord revealed to them in Hebrews 11:32-34 about Samson. Don’t forget to Go Deeper this week and complete the Personal Vision Statement below! YOUR PERSONAL VISION STATEMENT What is a personal vision statement? A personal vision statement describes in concrete terms what a significant, joyful life looks like for you. It reflects what you consider most important in your values, goals, and personality. It is a declaration of how God created you to live with purpose and passion. A vision statement is not wishful thinking, but a practical expression of the God-planted dreams that you plan to work to bring to fruition. Why write a personal vision statement? Writing a personal vision statement and referencing it regularly can help to: • Give you concrete goals to clarify your direction and focus. • Keep your life from going in circles by setting your sights above the day-to-day whirl. • Charge you up and give you momentum for action. • Hold you accountable to how God is leading you to serve Him. • Inspire those around you to reach for their own dreams. A good personal vision statement … • Includes both values (what is most important to you) and goals (what you want to be or do). • Is challenging yet realistic. • Is uniquely “you” yet makes sense to others. • Is concise and easy to memorize and repeat. • Makes you feel inspired and energized when you read it aloud. Examples of personal vision statements My retired years will be my most fruitful as I invest my gifts and experience in mentoring sons of single moms for greatness. I want to inspire others to be changed and to be world-changers through Christ. Personal discipleship is my priority, so I can be equipped to disciple others. I am committed to following Jesus, supporting my wife in her faith and life goals, and equipping my children to be Davids in a world of Goliaths. Professionally I empower productive companies by providing quality consulting, leading to opportunities to demonstrate and express my faith with business leaders. God and my family are first in my priorities and my joy. I am a valuable and capable nurse, walking in Jesus’ footsteps by caring for people’s health. My vocation is also my ministry through annual medical mission trips. I want everything I do to be characterized by wisdom, integrity and gratitude. In college I am preparing for my life goal of serving youth as a science teacher, opening minds to the wonder of God’s creation. I am personally renewed by spending time in nature and by connecting with other Christians on campus. I want to balance dedication to excellence with a humble attitude. My calling is to develop my children’s potential and shape their character through homeschool. Having a compassionate and gentle spirit is important to me, as a witness to the peace which comes only from Christ. I want to lead my children in serving others, especially the elders in our neighborhood. As a new Christian I crave to “grow up in [my] salvation” (1 Peter 2:2). This includes three goals: participate regularly in my life group, seek God in His Word daily, and discover how God wants me to serve others. My deepest desire and constant prayer is for my family’s salvation. I am focused on making my marriage solid, becoming a homeowner so I can play outside with my children, and maintaining physical fitness so that I can be around to play with my grandchildren. While pursuing these goals I will trust God, refusing to be stressed over things I can’t control. HOW TO WRITE A PERSONAL VISION STATEMENT STEP 1: Prepare Set aside time (at least 20-40 minutes) and get to a quiet place. Begin by focusing on God and reading passages of Scripture that have been especially significant in your life. Pray that the Lord will illuminate your path and inspire your vision, trusting that He will guide your steps (Prov.