By Charles Stanley
https://www.intouch.org/read/overcoming-fear-and-insecurity
Have you ever been afraid of obeying God? Have you avoided responsibility because you felt inadequate? God wants you to place your confidence in Him, not yourself. In this Bible study about Gideon’s life, you’ll learn about victory over fear and insecurity.
Read Judges 6-8.
A. Feeling afraid or unworthy doesn’t disqualify us from being used by God.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, Who helps me accomplish Your will. Teach me to take my eyes off of my circumstances and the solutions the world offers—and instead look to You. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
https://www.intouch.org/read/overcoming-fear-and-insecurity
Have you ever been afraid of obeying God? Have you avoided responsibility because you felt inadequate? God wants you to place your confidence in Him, not yourself. In this Bible study about Gideon’s life, you’ll learn about victory over fear and insecurity.
Read Judges 6-8.
A. Feeling afraid or unworthy doesn’t disqualify us from being used by God.
- Briefly describe Israel’s situation in Gideon’s day (Judg. 6:1-6).
- Read Exodus 33:20. Why did speaking with God make Gideon afraid (v. 22)?
- God asks Gideon to tear down His father’s altar to Baal, the false god some Israelites worshipped at the time. How does Gideon approach his first assignment (Judg. 6:27)?
- What does his neighbors’ reaction reveal about the hearts of the Israelites at this time (v. 30)?
- What frightens you about fully obeying all God asks of you?
- From God’s perspective, who would deliver Israel (vv. 8-10)?
- On what did Gideon focus (v.13)?
- Contrast Gideon’s perception of himself with God’s view (vv. 12,15).
- What does Gideon’s threat to them reveal about how he viewed himself after victory over the Midianites (vv. 5-9)?
- Name a difficulty or challenge you face. Where do you tend to look for a solution in your own strength? How do you think God wants you to approach it?
- Initially, Gideon doesn’t believe he’s really talking with God. What sign does Gideon prepare (Judg. 6:18-21)?
- Why was his action unnecessary (vv. 36-37)?
- Why do you think Gideon was afraid the Lord’s anger would burn against him (v. 39)?
- What finally convinced Gideon that the Lord had given victory into the Israelite’s hands (Judg. 7:13-15)?
- Describe how you know when God is leading you in a certain direction (Isa. 30:21, John 10:27).
- Why did Gideon suddenly have the confidence to assemble an army and declare himself its head (Judg. 7:34)?
- Why did God want to decrease the number of warriors (v. 2)?
- Why do the two eliminations also make sense from a practical standpoint (vv. 3-7)?
- Why do you think the strategy of breaking the jars and blowing the trumpets was successful?
- Why couldn’t Gideon take credit for what happened as a result of their surprise “attack” (v. 22)?
- Why do you think Gideon responded as he did (v. 24)?
- Gideon’s disobedience in making and worshipping the ephod could have been due to ignorance or the low moral standards at the time. What were the consequences (vv. 24-27)?
- Despite the ephod, what did God do for Israel as a result of Gideon’s victory (v. 28)?
Prayer: Lord, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit, Who helps me accomplish Your will. Teach me to take my eyes off of my circumstances and the solutions the world offers—and instead look to You. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.