When life takes us through these unknown or scary circumstances, fear tends to creep in. Feeling fear is normal, but the problem with fear is that it can hold us back if we let it, especially from the things God has called us to do. When these feelings of fear come, Scripture teaches us that we can lean on something greater that will help keep us going. So today, we will dive into the story of Gideon and see how God helped him overcome fear through faith.
What is the scariest amusement park ride you have ever ridden?
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some things people are fearful of today?
WATCH SERMON RECAP
2. Read Judges 6:11-15. What excuses did Gideon make when God called him to rescue Israel from the Midianites?
Judges 6:11-15 11 Then the angel of the Lord came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash of the clan of Abiezer. Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites. 12 The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” 13 “Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The Lord brought us up out of Egypt’? But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.” 14 Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!” 15 “But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!”
Judges 6:11-15
11 Then the angel of the Lord came and sat beneath the great tree at Ophrah, which belonged to Joash of the clan of Abiezer. Gideon son of Joash was threshing wheat at the bottom of a winepress to hide the grain from the Midianites. 12 The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!”
13 “Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The Lord brought us up out of Egypt’? But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.”
14 Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!”
15 “But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!”
3. What reasons did God give Gideon to choose faith over fear?
4. Read Judges 7:1-8. Why did God shrink Gideon’s army from 33,000 to 300 men? What does Gideon’s response show about his faith?
Judges 7:1-8
So Jerub-baal (that is, Gideon) and his army got up early and went as far as the spring of Harod. The armies of Midian were camped north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. 2 The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many warriors with you. If I let all of you fight the Midianites, the Israelites will boast to me that they saved themselves by their own strength. 3 Therefore, tell the people, ‘Whoever is timid or afraid may leave this mountain and go home.’ ” So 22,000 of them went home, leaving only 10,000 who were willing to fight.
4 But the Lord told Gideon, “There are still too many! Bring them down to the spring, and I will test them to determine who will go with you and who will not.” 5 When Gideon took his warriors down to the water, the Lord told him, “Divide the men into two groups. In one group put all those who cup water in their hands and lap it up with their tongues like dogs. In the other group put all those who kneel down and drink with their mouths in the stream.” 6 Only 300 of the men drank from their hands. All the others got down on their knees and drank with their mouths in the stream.
7 The Lord told Gideon, “With these 300 men I will rescue you and give you victory over the Midianites. Send all the others home.” 8 So Gideon collected the provisions and rams’ horns of the other warriors and sent them home. But he kept the 300 men with him.
The Midianite camp was in the valley just below Gideon.
Application
1. How have you seen fear destroy your life or the life of someone close to you?
2. How have you seen God show up through your weakness when you felt scared or unqualified?
3. Is there currently any fear you are holding you back in your faith? If so, what is it? How does Gideon’s story give you hope?
One thing that encourages our faith is remembering all the ways God has taken care of us throughout our lives. Take some time to think of one way in the last month He has provided for you. Then, share it with your group. When everyone has shared, thank God for his care and provision for you all. Ask Him for the courage and faith to obey and follow Him even when fear starts to set in.
Have you ever felt unqualified when you knew that God was asking you to do something challenging or difficult? Maybe you knew God was calling you to share your faith with a family member, and you felt unqualified for such a weighty task. Perhaps God has called you to step up in the church to serve, but you felt unequipped and unprepared. Whatever the case, if you have ever found yourself feeling unqualified to do the thing that He was calling you to do, you are in good company. In fact, several people throughout Scripture were unqualified, yet these were the people God used. Let’s take some time to look at these people, and learn about their incredible journey.
Gideon: As you already know from your study today, Gideon did not believe he was qualified to carry on the task God had called him to do. Look back at his story and read Judges 6:11-16 and Judges 7:19-25.
• What stands out to you about Gideon’s response to God’s calling on his life?
• What stands out to you about God’s response to Gideon?
• How did God use Gideon’s faith?
• How does Gideon’s story shape your understanding of faith?
Moses: Moses was another person in Scripture who expressed that he was unqualified to do what God called him to do. Read Exodus 3:1-22 and Hebrews 11:23-29.
• What excuses did Moses make when God called him?
• How did God respond to Moses as he made excuses?
• In what ways did God use Moses, despite the fact that he felt unqualified?
• How does Moses’ story shape your understanding of faith?
The prophet Jeremiah also felt unqualified when God gave him instruction. Read part of his story in Jeremiah 1:1-10.
• Why did Jeremiah feel unqualified?
• How did God respond to Jeremiah’s excuse?
• What was God going to do through Jeremiah, even when he felt unqualified?
• How does Jeremiah’s story shape your understanding of faith?
The truth is, our disqualifications allow God to make His power know as we take the steps He has called us to make, even when we feel unqualified. He is with us every step of the way. Is there something you know God has called you to do, yet you feel unqualified? Share it with your group. Along with this, share how the stories of Gideon, Moses, and Jeremiah give you hope and share one way you can take a step of faith today.
MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)
Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. Romans 8:5
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