THE CALL OF GIDEON

JUDGES 6

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 THE CALL OF GIDEON
Gideon's story in Judges 6 provides a relatable example of someone who struggled with doubts and fears
yet was able to accomplish great things through faith in God.
BIBLE READING: Judges 6
MEMORY VERSE: "The LORD turned to him and said, 'Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of
Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?'" Judges 6:14

BACKGROUND TO THE TEXT

During the time of Gideon, the Midianites teamed up with the Amalekites and other eastern groups to
severely oppress the Israelites. For seven years, they'd invade Israel like a swarm of locusts, leaving nothing
behind – no sheep, cattle, or crops. (Judges 6:1-5).
This was tough on the Israelites because they worked hard every year to plant and grow crops. But when it
was time to harvest, the Midianites would show up and take everything. It was so bad that many Israelites
wondered why they should even bother planting crops if the Midianites would just take them. Their
oppression was so severe that many Israelites were forced to hide in mountains and caves.
In modern terms, it's like working hard all year at your job and then having someone steal your paycheck
right when you were about to get it. And this happened year after year! This is why we find Gideon hiding
in a winepress, threshing wheat. Typically, this is done in an open space, but Gideon was so afraid of the
Midianites catching him that he did it secretly (Judges 6:11). The sad and desperate situation the Israelites
found themselves in sets the stage for Gideon's story.

KEY POINTS
1. GOD SEES OUR POTENTIAL IN HIM - JUDGES 6:11-16
When God called Gideon a "mighty warrior," He didn't look like a mighty warrior. God saw beyond the
young man who was fearfully hiding in a winepress, beyond the youth who saw himself as the least in his
family from the weakest clan in Manasseh. God saw Gideon's potential, not in Gideon's strength, but in His
own.
God sees our potential, even when we can't. We might see our limitations, weaknesses and mistakes, all of
which are real, but God sees who we can be in Him. He doesn't see us as who we are right now; He sees us
as the people we can become when His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God
prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
God sees us not as the world sees us or as we see ourselves but as He created us to be His children, made
for a purpose, and capable of great things through Him.
Our potential is not in our abilities but in God's power and vision for us.

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2. RELY ON GOD'S STRENGTH - JUDGES 6:14
The Angel of the Lord's words to Gideon, "Go in the strength you have," were a challenge to rely not on his
own strength but on the strength God would provide him. By telling him to "go in the strength you have,"
God called Gideon to step out in faith, trusting that He would supply all the strength necessary to achieve
the impossible.
Many times in our lives, we face challenges that seem too difficult for us to handle. We might feel weak,
but Paul writes in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." This verse
doesn't mean we can do everything we want to do. Instead, it promises we can do all God calls us to do
because God's power works within us.
The challenge is to rely not on our own strength but on God's. It involves leaning on God, seeking His
guidance, and trusting He is faithful.

3. STAND AGAINST FALSE GODS AND IDEOLOGIES - JUDGES 6:25

Gideon's command to tear down the altar of Baal was not simply to destroy a physical object but to
challenge his society's existing belief systems and power structures. Baal was a god widely worshipped by
the people, including his own family. In fact, the altar Gideon was told to tear down belonged to his father
(Judges 6:25). Gideon's courage in obeying God's command demonstrated his commitment to God over
the popular culture or norms of his society.
Like Gideon, we live in a world where putting things before God is easy. These 'modern-day Baals' may not
be physical statues, but they could be the pursuit of popularity, where we sacrifice our values or integrity
to fit in or be liked. They could be wealth and success, where we focus more on achieving status, material
gain or career success than on developing our relationship with God.
Taking a stand against these 'modern-day Baals' requires us to reassess our priorities. For instance, if we
spend all our energy pursuing success and neglecting our spiritual growth, we need to adjust our priorities.
1 John 5:21 says, "Dear children, keep yourselves from idols." This verse reminds us that nothing takes
precedence over God in our lives.

4. SEEK GOD'S CONFIRMATION - JUDGES 6:36-40

Gideon sought God's reassurance through signs. Though we should not always expect or demand signs
from God, Gideon's request reflects his desire to ensure that he followed God's will.
At times, we all pray, asking God to confirm that we're heading in the right direction. While it's important
to remember that we should not test God or demand signs from Him, seeking His guidance and
confirmation is a natural part of our relationship with Him.
James 1:5 offers reassurance, saying, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all
liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." Here, we see God is not just willing but eager to
provide us with wisdom when we ask.
God may not always provide a physical sign as He did with Gideon, but He has given His Word, the Bible.
The Bible is our primary source of confirmation and guidance. It is the Word of God. As we immerse
ourselves in Scripture, we gain understanding and confirmation of God's will for our lives.

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Psalm 119:105, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." The Word of God illuminates our
path, showing us where to step and where to avoid. It provides clear guidance, offering wisdom and
understanding as we navigate life's journey. God may not always provide physical signs, But He will always
guide us through His Word and the Holy Spirit.

CONCLUSION
Gideon teaches us that God often calls the ordinary to do extraordinary things. Regardless of how we view
ourselves or how others view us, God sees our potential in Him and equips us to accomplish His purposes.

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 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
HOW CAN YOU RELY ON GOD'S STRENGTH RATHER THAN YOUR OWN?

WHAT ARE SOME 'MODERN-DAY BAALS' IN OUR SOCIETY TODAY?

HOW CAN YOU SEEK CONFIRMATION FROM GOD IN YOUR LIFE?

DO YOU BELIEVE GOD CAN USE YOU TO DO EXTRAORDINARY THINGS? WHY

OR WHY NOT?

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 STUDY NOTES MIND MAP

1 2
GOD SEES OUR ___________ IN RELY ON GOD'S _____________.
HIM. JUDGES 6:14
JUDGES 6:11-16

GIDEON

4
SEEK GOD'S ______________.
3 JUDGES 6:36-40
STAND AGAINST FALSE ________ AND
_______________.
JUDGES 6:25

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 GAMES AND ACTIVITIES
HOW I SEE YOU
Materials needed: Pieces of paper, pens/pencils,

Instructions:

1. Ask each person to write their name at the top of the page.
2. Share out the pages in a random order.
3. Everyone should write a positive statement about the person whose name is at the top of the page.
4. They should then fold the paper to hide what they've written and then pass it on to someone else.
5. Continue until everyone has written on every paper except their own.
6. Everyone can then read the positive statements written about them.
7. Talk about how God sees our potential, even when we can't see it ourselves. Just like in the activity, where
the group saw positive attributes in each other that they may not have recognized themselves.

Note: This game should be conducted in a safe and respectful environment. All participants should write thoughtful
comments about their peers. Leader may need to monitor the page before handing it back.

ALTAR DESTROYERS
Materials needed: Boxes or recyclable materials to build the altar, balls, or bean bags for throwing.

Instructions:

1. Split players into teams. Have them write modern false gods, ideologies, or anything that can distract us from
our relationship with God on boxes or recyclable materials.
2. Set up a makeshift "altar" using boxes or recyclable materials.
3. Each team gets a set of balls or bean bags.
4. When you say "go," teams take turns trying to knock over the altar.
5. Talk about the courage it took for Gideon to destroy the altar of Baal in his society.

GRAIN THIEVES
Materials needed: Bean bags (to represent the grain), markers to designate "camps."

Instructions:

1. Divide group into two teams. Each team has a designated "camp" marked with cones at opposite ends of the
play area.
2. Place a pile of bean bags or balls (the "grain") in each team's camp.
3. When the game begins, players try to sneak into the other team's camp and steal their grain without being
tagged.
4. If a player is tagged while in the enemy's camp, they must drop any grain they have and return to their own
camp.
5. The game ends after a predetermined amount of time. The team with the most grain in their camp at the
end wins.
6. Use this game as a fun way to introduce the challenges Israelites faced while harvesting their crops during
the Midianite oppression.

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 GIDEON CROSSWORD
1 2 3

5 6

10

www.CrosswordWeaver.com

ACROSS DOWN

1 Gideon's father - Judges 6:11
6 The man God chose to deliver Israel from Midian -
Judges 6:14
7 The object used by Gideon to seek God's
confirmation - Judges 6:36-40
8 The number of years of Midianite oppression before
- Judges 6:1
10 The oppressor of Israel during Gideon's time- Judges
6:1
2 The ___ of the Lord came to Gideon - Judges 6:11-
12
3 The place where Gideon was hiding - Judges 6:11
4 The Lord told Gideon to take this animal from his
father - Judges 6:25
5 Gideon wrung what from the fleece - Judges 6:38
9 The false god whose altar Gideon destroyed - Judges
6:25-26

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 HOW GOD SEE US IN CHRIST
Look up these Bible verses and reflect on the way God sees us ‘in Christ’.

BIBLE VERSES IN CHRIST I AM …

2 Corinthians 5:17

Romans 8:1

Ephesians 2:6

1 Corinthians 1:30

Philippians 3:20

Romans 8:37

1 John 3:1

Galatians 3:28

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 MODERN-DAY BAALS
Write or draw some "Modern-Day Baals" on each Pillar. Under the pillar write how people can combat these idols in
their daily life.

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 GIDEON MAZE
Guide Gideon to destroy the altar of Baal.

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 WRITE THE STORY IN YOUR OWN WORDS

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THE CALL OF GIDEON
JUDGES 6

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WRITE OUT THE MEMORY VERSE

Judges 6:14

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