Monday, October 19, 2020

Judges 10-12 Small Group Questions


Our church is doing a twelve-week sermon series through the book of Judges called: "Flawed Heroes." We are studying the Old Testament book for a couple reasons. One is that Judges is a book of flawed heroes and none of us are perfect. The book reminds us that God is the divine hero of the story. Judges is a period of transition for Israel, a transition from God as their leader to a monarchy. For this series I volunteered to write the small group questions that go along with each sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone.

Small Group Questions ::: Jephthah ::: Judges 10-12

As we move into the second half of the book of Judges it is evident that Israel will continue their pattern of walking away from the Lord. In the beginning of Judges 10 we read that God saved Israel from themselves. At this point we read that Israel continued in their cycle of sin and finally was remorseful for their actions but remorse isn’t repentance. Israel needed to repent for idol worship and turn their hearts back to the Lord. After they do they we read about our next leader; Jephthah. Jephthah is proof that God can use anyone for His holy purposes. He is also a reminder of how strong faith and bad theology are detrimental to our walk with Jesus. 

1) Neal started the sermon by talking about a five-week old baby who never received the medical treatment she needed. What is your thought about this story? We know its emotional so think about sharing a concise thought. 

2) Read Judges 10:6, 14-16. Look at how the Israelites turned to idol worship. Talk about how God responded to Israel and how Israel responded to God. Think about a time in your life that you didn’t repent of your acknowledged sin quickly. 

3) When we think about sin we have to remember its a human condition and a human issue. Read Romans 3:23, 5:8, 10:9-10. Talk about how sin hurts our walk with Jesus and how Jesus reconciles us back to God. 

4) The way leaders are chosen is done in a variety of ways. Read Judges 11:1-11. What were some of the top reasons that Jephthah was chosen to lead Israel? Would Jephthah be your first choice? Why or Why not? 

5) We read that Jephthah made a vow to the Lord if he would win the battle he would make a sacrifice to the Lord (read Judges 11:29-33). Human sacrifice is strictly prohibited in Scripture (read Deut 10:18, Leviticus 18:21). Why would Jephthah had made a vow that was so in contrast to God’s Word? 

6) We all makes vows on a daily basis. We commit to call a friend, help someone on the weekend, or a marriage vow that we live out from years ago. Read Ecclesiastes 5:4 and Matthew 5:33-37. How important are the words we speak? 

7) Jephthah had strong faith and horrible theology. If you had to describe the quality of your theology, how would you rank it? How can you keep a strong faith and a solid theology? Read Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Titus 3:3-7 for reference.  

Close your time in prayer. Talk about who you will invite to Coastline this week 

Monday, October 12, 2020

Judges 9 Small Group Questions


Our church is doing a twelve-week sermon series through the book of Judges called: "Flawed Heroes." We are studying the Old Testament book for a couple reasons. One is that Judges is a book of flawed heroes and none of us are perfect. The book reminds us that God is the divine hero of the story. Judges is a period of transition for Israel, a transition from God as their leader to a monarchy. For this series I volunteered to write the small group questions that go along with each sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone

Small Group Questions ::: Abimelek ::: Judges 9

After God used Gideon to save Israel from the hands of the Midianites he slowly drifted from the Lord. Gideon rejected the kingship offer from Israel but had a son with a concubine who lived in Shechem. This son was named Abimelek (meaning: My father is the king). Abimelek is the only leader in Israel who is not a judge called by the Lord. Abimelek promoted himself as a leader through a violent uprising. This chapter makes it seem like God is absent in the lives of His people. We read about how quickly Israel forgot about the Lord. But God never forgot Israel. The three short years of Abimelek is a horrific time in the history of Israel. 

1) Neal started the sermon and the violence of Saddam Hussain that he watched as a teenager. Think about some of the worst leaders from history. What is a common thread that makes them so despicable and horrific in their leadership? 

2) Read Judges 9:1-6. Abimelek hires reckless scoundrels who are willing to mass murder all his brothers on a stone. Discuss why Abimelek would have acted in such a violent manner to his family. 

3) We have a leadership vacuum in America. It seems there are more leaders who are self-promoting than others serving. What are some traits that people praise in a leader that are not found as godly leadership in the Bible? 

4) One of Abimelek’s brothers escapes and gives an example of the unwise decision the people of Shechem made (read Judges 9:7-20). What are some ways that God warns us of our potentially disastrous decisions?

5) Think about a time in your life when you were about to make a poor decision. Did you consult with another person before making that decision? What would have happened if you reached out for help? (Proverbs 12:26, 17:17, 27:6)

6) The result of Abimelek’s grasping for power is a civil war. The ending of the war is Abimelek’s death (read Judges 9:50-57). Talk about how even when it seems like God is silent, that He is still present in the lives of His people. 

7) It almost seems like Israel had spiritual amnesia, how quickly they forgot about the Lord. How come we so easily fall into forgetting about the Lord? What is in the heart of man that is prone to rebellion and sin? Can that change? 

Close your time in prayer. Talk about who you will invite to Coastline this week 

Sunday, October 04, 2020

Judges 6-8 Small Group Questions



Our church is doing a twelve-week sermon series through the book of Judges called: "Flawed Heroes." We are studying the Old Testament book for a couple reasons. One is that Judges is a book of flawed heroes and none of us are perfect. The book reminds us that God is the divine hero of the story. Judges is a period of transition for Israel, a transition from God as their leader to a monarchy. For this series I volunteered to write the small group questions that go along with each sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone.

Small Group Questions ::: Gideon ::: Judges 6-8

Israel experienced forty years of peace after Deborah but fell back into their old habits of sinning. For seven years they were oppressed by the Midianites. The Midianites would come and raid the land of Israel; stealing food and livestock was a normal occurrence. God called Gideon to be the next leader. Through a series of God-inspired events, we read that God give Israel the victory over what scholars think to be an army of 120,000+ soldiers. Initially Gideon was a humble servant but the battle went to his head and he became prideful. The end of his life is a disaster; he is worshipping the false gods he torn down and making a golden ephod for worship. 

1) Think about a time in your life when you felt oppressed by external circumstances; it could have been a school project, a demanding supervisor, an unwelcome family addition or more. How did God show up when you needed Him? 

2) Read Judges 6:25-32. Gideon obeys the command of the Lord to tear down the altar to the false gods his tribe has worshipped. What are some false gods that we currently fall into worshipping in our culture? How do we eradicate them? 

3) There are times we can follow Gideon’s lead in being faithless to God (read Judges 6:33-40). Do you think it pleased the Lord for Gideon to put God to the test in this way? Have you ever laid out a fleece for the Lord to answer a prayer?  

4) Thinking about you prayer life, where do you need God to act in a mighty way? Read Luke 18:9-14 and talk about the difference in the two men that Jesus illustrated. What can we learn from this story about prayer and God listening?  

5) Gideon finds out that his army is too big for God to use. Someone once said we have everything we need to accomplish everything God has called us to accomplish. Where have you lacked faith in trusting that you have all you need right now? 

6) Read Judges 7:19-25. It was obvious that God had given the Midianites over to Israel. Why do you think Gideon had the people shout his name when they smashed their jars? Where do you look for praise from others instead of looking to God? 

7) The conclusion of Gideon’s life is a sad event. He returns to idol worship (read Judges 8:25-27). The story has a thread that reminds Israel of Aaron and the golden calf (see Exodus 32). How come we are so quick to turn back to idols?

Close your time in prayer. Talk about who you will invite to Coastline this week