Judges 19-21 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 ::: A People with no King ::: Judges 19-21

The conclusion of the book of Judges is one of the most gruesome chapters in all of Scripture. We read about a woman who treated as an object and lost her life. Her marriage to her husband should be shocking to us in the fact that he was a Levite. Her death led to a civil war in Israel which lead to more sin. It is interesting that such horrific events are what united Israel to work in unity for the first time since Judges 3. The story reads like Israel was trying to solve their sin problem with a sin problem. The conclusion of Judges is like being stuck in a dark tunnel and feeling very hopeless. The story is meant to leave us longing for a hero without flaws. The book of Judges is intended to push our eyes, and heart, to the New Testament to find Jesus. We need a better leader than what has been presented. We need an eternal King! 

1) We’ve all been in dark times in our lives. Neal shared a story about his brother-in-law going on a cruise for his honeymoon and the trip being a total failure. Share about a vacation that went bad but had a highlight at the very end. 

2) Read Judges 191:-8, 20-30. How did this story get so bad so quickly? The vile actions of what took place are completely against God’s will. How does God want us to treat each other? (Read 2 Thessalonians 3:13 and 1 Corinthians 10:24)

3) The Levite stretched the story to get revenge on the offenders (read Judges 20:1-7). How did his stretching the truth impact God’s people? What would happen if we stopped telling stories that paint us as the hero and reveal more of the truth?  

4) Neal gave us a crash course on forgiveness. Read Matthew 18:21-35. In the parable Jesus tells us about the lavish love of God that offered forgiveness to a man who didn’t deserve it. How can we act more like God in forgiving others? 

5) Read Judges 20:43-48. The people of Israel not only engaged in battle but practiced genocide by killing so many people in their rage. How does the darkness of this passage, and the evil nature of mankind, push us to Jesus?  

6) In Judges 21, God’s people made a number of unwise vows that hurt more people. (read Judges 21:15-25). How have you seen sin lead to more sin? 

7) The book of Judges is filled with flawed heroes. Turn to the New Testament and talk about how Jesus came to save us. (see Matthew 1:21, John 10:9-10, Acts 4:11-12, Romans 5:6-10, and 1 Corinthians 1:18). Who can you share this message with?  

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

Judges 17-18 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 ::: Micah, the thief ::: Judges 17-18

As we near the end of the book of Judges the author makes a shift in the focus of the book. We will not study a particular Judge but turn our attention to the people of Israel and see how they lived in this time. If Judges 1-16 were a 30,000 foot view of God’s people, then Judges 17-21 will be a sea level view of what took place in Israel. Starting in Judges 17 we read that Micah’s family created their own homemade religion. Micah believed in God but didn’t know God. Micah set up an idol that lead to apostasy. His actions in turn spurred the men of Dan to steal his priest and idols which lead to a larger sin. Judges 17-18 teach us what happens when we turn our back on God, the effect is much larger than any of us think.  

1) Micah was a thief because he turned people from worshipping God. Neal shared about having his car broken into and what it feels like to be stolen from. Share about a time someone stole from you and how it felt.    

2) Read Judges 17:1-6. Micah stole the money from his mother and returned it. The money was dedicated to the Lord but wasn’t fully given to the Lord. How have you been obedient in giving to the Lord? (see Malachi 3:10, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8)

3) Micah continued to steal from the Lord (read Judges 17:7-13). Micah cheated this priest, read the Levitical Law (Deuteronomy 18:1-5). How have you cheated God and how did God turn your heart back to Him? 

4) The sin of idol worship continued to permeate in Israel (read Judges 18:1-6). There is another time in Scripture where God’s people don’t wan to seek God (Read 2 Chronicles 18:1-7). How does this type of behavior impact others? 

5) Read Judges 18:18-20. The men of Dan returned to steal Micah’s idols and priest. We live in a culture where it’s easy to care more about self-promotion and prideful decisions. What does Scripture teach on these things? Share a Scripture.   

6) The questions Micah asks in Judges 18:24 are the hinge of the entire story. Micah feels like his idols are more important than the Lord. Do you have something in your life that you have given higher importance than your walk with Jesus?  

7) Our story ends with an example of how bad it had become for the people of Israel (read Judges 18:30). What do we learn from this story about continuing to seek the Lord with all our heart (read Matthew 22:37-40) 

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

Accountability in a Wild World

There is a big part of me that is hesitant to write this post. There are a couple reasons. First, I am not an expert in this subject. Second, I have been blessed with a great group of guys and I don't want to lessen the value of the group I'm a part of by writing this. Third, there has been yet another scandal in the church and it weighs on my heart. 

About a week ago I was talking with a good friend in ministry. He said this exact line: "Did you see what happened to Carl Lentz?" I quickly replied that I hadn't. I could hear the tone in his voice change. I've known him for almost twenty years and I could tell by his long pause that it was bad. He sent me a link and all it took was one Google search to read that another pastor had a moral failure. 

For my friends who don't attend church, I want to apologize for the actions of this man, and many others, who have commited a moral failure. I know it's my fault but I see how it hurts you and the witness of the church. It hurts my heart that you may never trust Jesus because of stories like this. 

This brings me to the reason for this post. I know that I am far from perfect (just ask my kids). I have seen enough leaders fall and it hurts my heart. Maybe thirteen years ago I was invited to join a group of pastors that would provide a greater level of accountability, friendship, and ministry connection. I joined the group, bought a plane ticket, and had to resign myself from the group. My seminary schedule changed and I was more committed to finishing my degree at that time in my life. Sometimes I regret that choice. 

A couple years later I was talking with my friend who started this group. I asked him to bring me into the group now. After a couple calls he let me know it wouldn't work. There was a cohesion in the group and I understand that. But he said the best line: "Start your own group." 

If you're still reading, I began to pray about starting that group. I remember praying for months at the gym. I had a short list of guys that I wanted to do life with and sent them this email: 

Hey Guys,

I hope you’re all doing well. Its been on my heart for the last couple years to start a group. Before you think, “I can’t do one more thing in my life.” hear me out. We are all called to pastoral ministry. In my church context I have come to realize that in most situations I am looked to for spiritual care and leadership. I have a select group of guys who I can go to for prayer. But I’ve come to the conclusion that I need more. I need a band of brothers to do life with.

Here is what I’m thinking:

Meet once a year

Go away for 2-5 days

Meet in a central location

At this point I’m thinking the purpose of this group would be:

• Spiritual Growth 
• Deep accountability
• Encouragement
• Prayer

I don’t have everything work out but am convinced that I need something like this in my life and my guess is that you do also. You may have guys you connect with but I can see this group growing into something special. I know getting away for 2-5 days can be tough with family, work and other commitments but I think the benefit is going to far outweigh the cost.

I’ve been praying about this all week long and am finally acting on something I think God has been putting on my heart to start for about 2 years now. If you’re in just reply and let me know. Right now I’m thinking about October 10-11, 2016 for our first gathering. Aiming for the San Bernardino Mountains for the location. There may be a few guys on here you don’t know but they are good dudes, trust me!

Sending that email changed my life. 

Everyone of those guys said: "Yes!" 

I'm writing this email not to give details about the group but to encourage you to have people you do life with. We live in a society that is so easy to feel connected and be so distant. I am saddened to see of people throwing their marriage away, hurting others, and sabotaging their lives. 

Maybe God will use this post to help you deepen community and relationship in your life. 

Judges 15-16 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 ::: Samson ::: Judges 15-16

The second part of Samson’s life leaves little hope for Israel and their next deliver. Once again we see that Samson choose to be with women instead of being with the Lord. His selfish desires turned into vengeful wrath when he slays the Philistines. From there Samson goes into hiding and we read that Judah would rather live at peace with the world, and worship their idols, than be delivered for the holy purposes of God. Once Samson’s lust wins again and he finds himself in the arms of a greedy woman who has the potential for national fame. After revealing his secret, Samson is captured. It isn’t until Samson is unable to see that his heart truly turns to the Lord. Sometimes we have to loose our vision to find our Lord. Samson truly is a powerfully weak hero. 

1) Many of our heroes are powerfully weak. Neal shared about his love for Superman as a young child. Superman was perfect in almost every way but his weakness was Kryptonite. Who is your favorite superhero and what is his/her weakness?   

2) Samson had finally begun to deliver Israel from their enemies but Judah preferred the comfort of idol worship (Judges 15:9-13). Is there is something in your life that has become a comfort that hinders you from following the Lord? 

3) Read Judges 15:14-20. Samson is gifted by the Spirit in a remarkable way, but he fails to grow in holiness (Romans 6:22, Ephesians 4:22-24). Read Galatians 5:22-23 what fruit of the Spirit do you long for as you grow in holiness?

4) Samson is a display of a powerful human being (read Judges 16:1-3). Share about a time where you saw the power of God at work. In addition, where do you long to see the power of God at work in your circumstances? 

5) Samson enters into a relationship with a woman with opposite values that God’s people hold (read Judges 16:4-19). Share about a time in your life that someone pressured you into doing something you didn’t want to do. How’d it turn out? 

6) Read Judges 6:20-30. It took Samson loosing his freedom and his eyes to turn his heart to the Lord. What do you notice about Samson’s character, his actions, and his tone in the final hours of his life? How has God changed him? 

7) Contrast Samson and Jesus. Jesus prayed for God to forgive His enemies (Luke 23:34). Jesus stretched out His arms to save us (Mark 15:37-39). Jesus conquered the grave so we can have life (Matthew 28:1-10). 

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

Judges 14 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 sermon my good friend Hylke Hylkema wrote the small group questions that go along with this sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone. 

Small Group Questions ::: Samson ::: Judges 14

1. Do you remember a secret as a child or as an adult you tried to hide but it became known? Share the story.

2. Samson was a man of many secrets. He tried to hide his failings repeatedly. This is not unlike many of us. What is it in us that turns to secrecy and even lies to cover our sin?

3. Samson was ruled by his untamed desires. Read James 1:13-15 and 4:1 and 1 John 2:16. How do these passages shed light on your own inner struggles?

4. How should followers of Jesus respond to sinful desires? Is failure inevitable? Do we just need to try harder at following Jesus or is there a better option?

a. Psalm 32:5

b. Galatians 5:16-25

c. Matthew 26:41

d. 1 Corinthians 10:13

e. Galatians 2:20

f. Colossians 3:1-4

g. Colossians 3:5-11

5. As you look at Judges 14 and consider the entire story, how significant is verse 4? Explain

6. How does verse 4 encourage you? Is there a challenge in your life you need to trust Him with?

7. Verse 6 and 19 talk about the Spirit empowering Samson, giving him incredible strength. He used his Spirit empowered ability poorly; he did not steward his gift well. Can followers of Jesus misuse spirit-enabled gifts? Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.