Judges 3 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 ::: The First Three ::: Judges 3

The firs two chapters of Judges served as an introduction to the entire book. They gave us an overview of how Israel would act, why they would turn away from the Lord, and what the result of their disobedience would be. In Judges 3 we read of the first three judges in Israel who proceeded Joshua. Each of their stories are different but the theme is the same in each story: God is the Hero. As you study the questions take special notice of how God acted on behalf of His people. Then, keep in mind that no human is able to save us. The book of Judges points us to our need for Jesus to save us. The book of Judges points us to our true Savior. 

1) Doug shared a story about traveling to France and getting stuck in a roundabout. Think about a time in your life that you felt stuck. It could be physically stuck (like Doug was), emotionally, or spiritually stuck. What was it like? 

2) Read Judges 3:7-11. Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord so that God sold them into slavery. But when they cried out to God He acted on their behalf. Share about a time when you cried to God and He acted on your behalf. 

3) Doug taught us about the cycle of defeat: sin —> suffering —> supplication —> salvation. When you think about this cycle of defeat is there something in your life that sticks out to you? Is there something that is winning over you right now?  

4) Read Judges 3:12-30. Ehud was a left-handed leader in Israel. This allowed him to sneak in a small dagger to kill the king of Moab with. When you read about Ehud, what sticks about his story? What is unique? 

5) Israel called on the name of the Lord (read Judges 1:2, 2:4-5, 3:9, 3:15). Read Romans 10:9-13. What does Scripture teach us about the Lordship of Jesus Christ and calling on His name?  

6) Scripture of full of people who called on the name of the Lord. Read Jonah 2:2, Matthew 14:28-33, Luke 23:39-43, and Acts 9:1-6. Each of these men called out to the Lord and He saved them. What do you need God to save you from today?  

7) A trait of people who follow Jesus is a life of thankfulness (read Hebrews 12:28-29, 1 Corinthians 15:57, Colossians 3:15, and Philippians 4:6). Israel didn’t seem to be grateful when God saved them. What are you thankful for today? 

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