SEARCHING OUR MEMORY:

1. From last week's lesson, how was Deborah both a judge and a prophetess?

2. Which suggestion from the end of last week's lesson did you work on this week?

SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURE: Read Judges 6:1-8:3

3. Again Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord and the Lord gave them into the hands of the Midianites:
   1. For how long?

   2. Where did Israel seek shelter?

   3. Who helped the Midianites?

   4. List ways Israel suffered at the hands of the Midianites.

   5. How numerous was the enemy?

4. God sent a prophet to Israel. What was his message?

5. An angel appeared to Gideon.
   1. What was Gideon doing?
      Where?
      Why?

   2. What did the angel tell Gideon?

   3. What was Gideon's question?

   4. Why was Gideon surprised he was chosen?

   5. What promise was given to him in 6:16?

   6. What was Gideon's first sign from God that he was in God's favor? (vs. 17-22)

6. When Gideon knew the angel was from God, what was his fear? (vs. 22-23)

   Why? (See Exodus 33:20)

7. Gideon built two altars in this chapter.
   1. What did he name the first one? (vs. 24)

   2. What did Gideon have to do before building the second altar?

   3. Why did Gideon work by night?

   4. What was the reaction of the city to this night's work?

   5. How did Joash defend his son?

   6. What was Gideon's new name and what did it mean?

8. Where did the Midianites and Amalekites gather?

9. Gideon needed an army. Verse 34 says that Gideon blew a trumpet and summoned the Abiezrites to follow him.
   1. Who were the Abiezrites? (See Joshua 17:2)

   2. Gideon sent messengers to what four tribes?

10. Probably one of the best known stories of Gideon is found in Judges 6:36-40. Relate it in your own words.

11. Gideon had an army of 32,000. Why did God say he had too many? (7:2)

12. How many turned back because of fear?

13. How many men were left after the "water drinking" test?

14. God told Gideon how he could alleviate his fears.
    1. Where was he to go?

    2. Who was he to take with him?

    3. What descriptions are used instead of numbers to tell the size of the enemy camp?

    4. What was the dream Gideon overheard being told?

    5. What meaning was obvious to the enemy?

    6. What did Gideon do upon hearing this?

15. Gideon is finally ready to fight.
    1. How did he organize his men?

    2. What was in each man's hands?

    3. What did they do with these "weapons"?

    4. Why were many killed by swords?

16. What was the tribe of Ephraim asked to do?
    1. What did they bring Gideon?

    2. What was Ephraim's complaint? (8:1)

    3. How did Gideon answer them?

    4. Was Ephraim satisfied with that answer?

We will continue studying the rest of Gideon's story next week…

SEARCHING OUR HEARTS:

17. In this lesson we find Gideon afraid of God, the enemy, his family, and himself. Whom do you fear? How can you be helped with these fears?

18. Have you ever felt you have been given a "sign" from God? Have you ever asked for one? Do we see any evidence that God was angry with Gideon for asking?

19. Have you ever stood on the sideline like the 300 men and watched the devil defeat himself?

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

1. Have you ever questioned God's help as Gideon did in 6:13 and 15? Find some verses in the Bible that give us assurance from God as was given to Gideon in verses 13 and 15. Share these verses with your group next week.

2. Many people say, "If I had a million dollars I would…" This week, lower your numbers as Gideon did. Take $3 and bless someone else's life with it (or perhaps even three someones). Pray for God's wisdom in even the use of $3. Share with the class how you did this.

3. The army was to shout, "For the Lord and for Gideon." Throughout this week, think of tasks you do for your family, your friends, or in your church group. After you finish each task say to yourself, "For the Lord and for (your name)." Discuss how it made you feel to know these things were being done first for the Lord.