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 

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 

Genesis 3 Small Group Questions

Our church is doing a four-week sermon series called: "Questions from God." We are looking at times in the Old Testament where God asked questions from His people. The questions pertain to different subjects and situations (kind of like our lives). They take place in different time periods showing that questions from God are always relevant. In this series we are learning how to hear God's voice and follow His leading. 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 ::: Questions in the Garden ::: Genesis 3

Genesis 3 documents what we have come to know as “the fall of mankind.” The story is rather lengthy and spans a variety of discourse through multiple characters involved. Although there are several characters in the narrative, it is clear that God is the central focus of the story. It is best to read Genesis 3 through the eyes of an Israelite looking to enter the Promised Land. The narrators goal is probably more than to simply teach Israel about the origin of brokenness. The goal is to teach people about the hope comes from God after we fall into sinful decisions. Looking with New Testament eyes, we see how Adam is a type of Jesus. Both were tempted but Jesus conquered sin.

1) Neal shared a story about his daughters painting the side of their rental house. Share a story about a time you got caught doing something you knew you shouldn’t have been doing.

2) To fully understand the fall in Genesis 3, you have to read the blessings of God that come in Genesis 2. Read Genesis 2 and discuss the beauty of creation. What stands out to you about the creative ability of God in Genesis 2?

3) Read Genesis 3:1-5. The serpent plants a seed of doubt in the mind of Eve. Satan ignores the good gifts of God. Read John 8:44, John 10:10, and 1 Corinthians 15:33. What do we learn about the enemy and who we keep company with?

4) Adam and Eve were tempted by the serpent and willfully disobeyed the commands of God. Neal shared that the immediate results of sin are: feeling guilty for our actions & being afraid of God. How can we resist temptation? (read James 1:13-15)

5) Read Genesis 3:14-20. God makes is clear that Satan will be defeated. Read  Isaiah 11:1, 4-9, Matthew 4:1-11, 1 Corinthians 15:20-34. What does Scripture teach us about Jesus defeating sin so we can be in relationship with God?

6) The relationship between Adam and Eve will never be the same. In the same way, our marriage relationships with always need work. Read Ephesians 5:21-33. Talk about how to have a thriving marriage while living in a broken world.

7) Although Adam and Eve will be sent out of the garden, God still showed His grace after judgement (read Genesis 3:21-24). How do we live in the grace that God has so generously extended to us? (see John 8:1-11, Romans 3:24, Ephesians 2:8-10)

Close your time in prayer. Talk about who you will invite to Coastline on Sunday.

In case you missed the sermon you can watch it here