WEEK 2NOVEMBER 17

UNLIKELY

And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.”

Judges 6:12

GETTING STARTED

Describe a time when you achieved something difficulut on the first try.

STORY BACKGROUND

After Joshua and the Israelites conquered the Promised Land and established each tribe’s territory, Israel forgot the Lord their God and how He had delivered them from the house of slavery. This brought forth the period of the Judges. God sent deliverers who would free Israel from their enemies.

Throughout the book of Judges, there are repeated phrases: “The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord” (Judges 2:11, 3:7,12, 4:1, 6:1, 10:6, 13:1) and “He sold them into the hands of” (Judges 2:14, 3:8, 4:2, 6:1, 10:7, 13:1) which is then followed by “But when the people of Israel cried to the Lord, the Lord raised up a deliverer for the people” (Judges 3:9,15, 4:3, 6:7, 10:10). In story after story, Israel forgot about God for a time, were delivered to their enemies for another span of time, then cames back to the Lord for help, and He would raise up a judge for them.

This is reflected in the story of Gideon: “The people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and the Lord gave them into the hand of Midian seven years” (Judges 6:1). “And Israel was brought very low because of Midian. And the people of Israel cried out for help to the Lord” (Judges 6:6). “And the Lord turned to him [Gideon] and said, ‘Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?’” (Judges 6:14).

The Lord chose Gideon to deliver Israel from the Midianites. In Gideon’s own eyes, he was the least in his father’s house, and belonged to the weakest clan in the tribe of Manasseh. But in the Lord’s eyes, Gideon was a “mighty man of valor” (Judges 6:12).

DELIVERER

HEAD LEVEL: These questions help us to examine what the Word tells us.

• What was Israel’s situation? For how long?

• Why was Israel in this situation?

• Who was Gideon?

HEART LEVEL: These questions help us wrestle with what we believe.

• What does valor mean? Read Judges 6:12. Was Gideon a man of valor? Why or why not?

• Read Judges 6:16. If you were Gideon, how does this make you feel?

HANDS LEVEL: These questions help us commit to a next step and live it out in our everyday lives.

• What are some doubts you have? What can you do to give your doubts to God?

• You are a mighty son or mighty daughter of valor for God. How can you start living your life in this new light?

STORY: Judges 6:11-40 (Read aloud)

MEMORY VERSE: 1 Corinthians 1:26-27 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;

NOTES & PRAYER REQUESTS

The Purpose of Life GroupsLife Groups are where we connect with God and with others through relationships – growing in spiritual maturity as biblical disciples of Jesus and inspiring a culture of discipleship as we do life together. Life Groups are loving, safe, and interactive places where people can be authentic and vulnerable as they explore, experience, serve, and grow in relationship with Jesus, the Word, and others. (Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 3:12-13, 10:23-25; 1 Thessalonians 5:11)

Our Church’s Definition of a Biblical Disciple of JesusA person who is committed to following, being changed by,

and on mission with Jesus (taken from Matthew 4:19).

Next Week’s Life Group: Unlikely QualificationsNext Week’s Story: 2 Samuel 72 Samuel 7