Gideon: Disciple Lessons from the Bronze Age (Judges 6-8)
by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
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One of the more poignant moments in Scripture is the scene
where an angel appears to Gideon, who is hiding from the Amalekite oppressors,
and greets him with the words, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior!” (Judges
6:12).
Who? Me? Who is the angel talking about? Gideon sees
himself as the opposite of a mighty warrior. He comes from a humble clan, and is
considered in his family the least likely to succeed. But God sees him
differently. God sees Gideon as he will become in the Lord – the way he sees you
and me.
I've been leading online Bible
studies since 1996. If you've participated in one
before, you know how God can use them in your life.
If not, then you have a treat in store for you. I am
an ordained American Baptist pastor. I'm here
to serve you as your guide to the story of Gideon.
--. Dr. Ralph F. Wilson.
About the leader.
|
The story of Gideon recounts the miracle working power of
God to reverse a national tragedy. But it is a personal story, too, a story of
emerging faith, of great courage, and of decisive leadership – as well as a
story of human betrayal, weakness, and failure. In the process of studying the
life this Bronze Age leader in Judges 6 to 8, we learn a number of spiritual
truths common to disciples in all ages:
- Learning
to trust God, especially when you feel weak and inadequate,
- Taking
unpopular, but necessary stands,
- Finding
guidance from God to make difficult decisions about your future,
-
Experiencing the presence of the Holy Spirit to empower you,
- Obeying
even when you don’t understand God’s plan,
- Keeping
focused on the mission when distractions come, and
- Leaving
a spiritual legacy for those who follow you.
Even if you don’t understand much
about the Old Testament, you’ll learn a lot in this four-week study. You’ll find
your commitment strengthened and your faith growing. God will use this study to
prepare you for things that lie ahead of you.
May God richly bless you as you
begin to dig into the life of Gideon and pull out spiritual gold that will
endure.
Introduction to
Gideon and the Period of the Judges
-
The Lord Is With You, Mighty Warrior
(Judges 6:1-32)
- Gideon's Incredible Shrinking Army (Judges 6:33-7:14)
- The Sword of the Lord (Judges 7:15-8:21)
- Gideon's Tragic Mistake (Judges 8:22-8:35)
Handouts for Group Participants
Canaanite Religions and Baal Worship
Peoples of the Promised Land
Weapons in the Late
Bronze Age
Paintings and
Artwork of Gideon
References
Reprint Guidelines
I invite you to journey with me and thousands of brothers
and sisters world-wide through a study of Gideon's life.
Here's how we'll study together.
- Each Saturday I'll e-mail you the lesson for the
week
. Then you'll read the Bible passage and use my
notes to help you understand it better.
- On Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday you'll receive a
question
from that week's lesson to think about and
answer. This is designed as a "total immersion" approach
to Bible study, since I believe God wants to use it to
work real and permanent change in your life. (You can
opt out of the daily questions if you like, however, and
just receive the weekly lessons.) You'll be thinking
about these passages constantly over these weeks -- long
enough for God to work his Word into your life and
lifestyle.
- You can respond to the questions and exercises
using the Joyful Heart Bible Study Forum -- and read
others' answers to reinforce your own understanding.
- With each lesson you'll receive a link to a 20-
to 30-minute audio teaching that sums up the passage
you've been studying that week. Some who learn better
from hearing than from reading really appreciate this.
- Then on Saturday, I'll send you the next
week's lesson.
Why don't you sign up today -- and then encourage some of
your friends to sign up and study along with you. So far
about 1,500 people have signed up for the study from about
64 countries.
We respect your
privacy and never sell or rent our lists. Please don't sign up for your
friends; let them decide for themselves.
If you sign up by Thursday night,
you'll receive your first lesson this coming Friday.
There is no cost to participate in the study, though
donations are encouraged so we can create more
studies and reach more people. We respect your
privacy and never sell, rent, or loan our lists. Please
don't subscribe your friends; let them decide for themselves.
Please don't sign up for more than one of my
Bible studies at one time. Each of them is pretty intensive. Also, please don't
sign up for your friends; let them decide for themselves.
| One big
favor you can do for me: Please link
to this Bible study in your online bookmarks,
blog, personal webpage, ministry or church website,
as follows:
Gideon
Bible Study
www.jesuswalk.com/gideon/ The number of
people who will find this on the Internet is
directly related to the number of links you and
other place. If you can't link, that's okay, too. I
understand. It would be a big help if you would
place a bookmark on your favorite online system.
Please do this right now before you forget. Thanks.
Pastor Ralph  |
Part of the
Gideon Bible Study
Copyright © 1985-2012, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastor
joyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.
Lamb of God
