SEARCHING OUR MEMORY:

1. Tell one thing about each of the three judges we studied last week.

2. How did you apply the suggestions at the end of last week's lesson?

SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURE: Read Judges 4 and 5

3. God sold Israel into the hands of Jabin. Who was the commander of Jabin's army?

4. Why did Israel cry out for help?

5. Deborah was the only woman judge. She was also called a prophetess. Both roles can be seen easily in these chapters. Who was her husband?

   Where did she hold court?

   What shows that the people accepted a woman in these roles?

6. Deborah sent for a helper to lead the army. Who was he?

   Who was his father?

   Where did he live?

7. What command of God did Deborah relay to Barak?

   What assurance was he given?

8. What strange request did Barak make? (verse 8)

9. When Deborah agreed to his request what did she tell him would be the result?

10. How many men did Barak gather?

    From what tribes?
    (Notice on a map where this place is in relation to Deborah's home.)

11. What equipment did the army of Sisera have to go against Israel?

12. What happened to the troops of Sisera?

13. What did Sisera do?

    Where did he go?
    Why?

14. Who went out to meet Sisera ?

    What did she do that was against custom of her day (or today for that matter)?

15. What request did he make of her?

    What order did he give her?

16. Read 4:18-21. This is a factual account of the killing of Sisera. Now read 5:24-27. List several details in the more poetic version that were not mentioned in chapter 4.

17. The account in Chapter 5 also mentions Sisera's mother. What did she do that mothers of all generations have done?

    What are some of the possible excuses that she and her servant girls think for his being late?

18. Now back to 4:22. Who was the next man Jael came out to meet?

    What did she tell him?

19. Because of the bravery of the woman, what is stated in verse 23?

20. As you read the Song of Deborah and Barak in Chapter 5, jot down some notes to discuss in class:
    Bad conditions of Israel -

    Deborah's description of her role in Israel (verse 7) -

    The "calling" of Deborah and Barak to action -

    The battles –

SEARCHING OUR HEARTS:

21. Are you ever "called" to help settle a dispute?

    Where do you "hold court"?

22. Are you waiting to be "called" by the Lord when all around you people are calling for your help and guidance? (children, friends, co-workers, Christian sisters, neighbors, etc)

    How do you answer these calls? (Choose from the answers below)

    1. Keep waiting until the Lord gives you something "big " to do.

    2. Feel so underqualified that you are afraid to help.

    3. Do like Barak and offer to help if a friend will go with you.

    4. Pray and try to let God work though you.

    5. Hang up. Just don't get involved in other people's lives.

23. Deborah worked hard organizing, Barak worked hard gathering troops and fighting, but Jael got the credit. How hard is it to work hard for a long time and see someone else get the credit because they just happened to be there "for the kill"?

    Has this happened to you or others you know?

SEARCHING OUR LIVES: (choose one to discuss next week)

1. Make a list of many ways you see the women of today serving the Lord.

2. Take a board and write on it enemies of the Lord you would like to see conquered. Drive nails into the words you have written. Did that exercise help give you a fighting spirit?

3. Write a song of (your name) praising God for the battles he has helped you conquer in you life.