Free E-Mail
Bible Studies

Beginning the Journey (for new Christians).
en Español
1, 2, and 3 John
1
& 2 Thessalonians
1 & 2 Timothy
1 Peter
2 Peter, Jude
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
7 Last Words of Christ
Abraham
Acts 1-12:
The Early Church
Apostle Paul
Christmas Incarnation
Church
Christ Powered Life (Rom 5-8)
Colossians
Conquering Lamb of Revelation
Daniel
David, Life of
Galatians
Gideon
Grace
Great Prayers
Glorious Kingdom, The
Early Church: Acts1-12
Elijah
Ephesians
Hebrews
Holy Spirit, Disciple's Guide
Isaiah
James
Jacob
Jesus and the Kingdom
John's Gospel
John's Letters
Joshua
Lamb of God
Listening for God's Voice
Lord's Supper
Luke
Mark
Moses
Names of God
Names of Jesus
Philippians
Psalms
Rebuild & Renew: Post-Exilic Books
Resurrection
Revelation
Sermon on the Mount
Songs of Ascent
(Ps 120-135)
Christian Art
About Us
Speaking
Contact Us
Dr. Wilson's Books
Donations
Watercolors
Sitemap
Gideon: Discipleship Lessons from the Bronze Age
A 77-page Bible study in 4 lessons
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.
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 examine spiritual lessons 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.
This volume explores Gideon in 4 lessons. A carefully linked table of contents and hyperlinked endnotes/footnotes give the reader quick access throughout the book. Thought-provoking discussion questions make it a useful tool for personal enrichment, small groups, and classes. Extensive endnotes/footnotes assist teachers and preachers with background research for sermon preparation.
May God richly bless you as you begin to dig into the life of Gideon and pull out spiritual gold that will endure.
Abbreviated Table of Contents
Preface | 2 |
Table of Contents | 3 |
References | 5 |
Reprint Guidelines | 7 |
Introduction to Gideon and the Period of the Judges | 8 |
1. The Lord Is With You, Mighty Warrior (Judges 6:1-32) | 13 |
2. Gideon's Incredible Shrinking Army (Judges 6:33-7:15a) | 23 |
3. The Sword of the Lord (Judges 7:15-8:21) | 34 |
4. Gideon's Tragic Mistake (Judges 8:22-35) | 43 |
Appendix 1. Canaanite Religions and Baal Worship | 52 |
Appendix 2. Weapons in the Late Bronze Age | 57 |
Appendix 3. Handouts for Group Participants | 60 |
Handouts for Group Participants can be printed free.
Order the book. It will enrich your thoughts, your prayers, your worship, and your life -- as well as provide a rich study for your class or small group, or the basis of a sermon series.
You can purchase this 77-page book in e-book format.
Copyright © 2022, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastorjoyfulheart.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.
![]() |
![]() |
In-depth Bible study books
You can purchase one of Dr. Wilson's complete Bible studies in PDF, Kindle, or paperback format.
- 28 Advent Scriptures
- 1, 2, and 3 John
- 1 Peter
- 2 Peter & Jude
- 1 & 2 Thessalonians
- 1 & 2 Timothy
- 1 Corinthians
- 2 Corinthians
- Apostle Paul
- Abraham, Faith of
- Christ Powered Life (Romans 5-8)
- Christmas Incarnation
- Colossians and Philemon
- Conquering Lamb of Revelation
- Daniel
- David, Life of
- Early Church: Acts 1-12
- Elijah
- Ephesians
- Galatians
- Gideon
- Glorious Kingdom, The
- Grace: Favor for the Undeserving
- Great Prayers of the Bible
- Hebrews
- Holy Spirit, Disciple's Guide
- Isaiah
- Jacob, Life of
- James
- Jesus and the Kingdom of God
- JesusWalk: Beginning the Journey
- John's Gospel
- Joshua
- Lamb of God
- Listening for God's Voice
- Lord's Supper
- Luke's Gospel
- Moses the Reluctant Leader
- Names and Titles of God
- Names and Titles of Jesus
- Philippians
- Rebuild & Renew: Post-Exilic Books
- Resurrection and Easter Faith
- Sermon on the Mount
- Psalms
- Seven Last Words of Christ
- Songs of Ascent (Ps 120-134)
- Revelation
My books are available in paperback and Kindle from Amazon.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |