Judges

Why Study the OT?

Themes in Judges

• God's relentless grace
• Lordship over all
• Grace/Law
• Need for continual renewal
• The True Savior
• God is in charge
• Life is messy—Jesus is the answer

Judges 1:1 - 2:5

• Half-Hearted Discipleship
• God Speaks

Discussion Questions

• Can you think of times in your life you have been brave because of your faith?
• When do you find it hardest to follow God instead of your "common sense"?
• Where are you saying to God "I cannot" when really it's "I will not"? How can the cross motivate you?

Judges 2:6 - 3:6

• Living Among Idols
• Married Prostitute

Discussion Questions

• How are you passing on your faith to the younger generation?
• How have you seen the "Judges cycle" in your own Christian life?
• How does the description of sin as spiritual prostitution make you take your own sin more seriously?

Judges 3:7 - 3:31

• Othniel & Ehud: Expect the Unexpected
• A Left-Handed Rescuer

Discussion Questions

• How are you making sure you remember in your heart what you know in your head about God?
• Do you consciously enjoy the peace of having been saved by God and freed from enslaving idols?
• Do you ever try to do "deals" with God?

Judges 4:1 - 5:31

• Deborah & Barak: Ruler & Rescuer
• Death by Tent Peg

Discussion Questions

• What do you do differently because you have faith, even without receiving honor?
• What are your reflections on the role of women in the church? Do you think you are more likely to be influenced by unbiblical traditionalism, or unbiblical liberalism?
• How is it encouraging and humbling to know that God uses flawed people?

Judges 6:1 - 40

• Regret vs Repentance
• Gideon: The Weak Mighty Warrior

Discussion Questions

• Are there things about which you’re regretful, but not repentant? Will you repent?
• How does the knowledge that God is acting in grace even before we turn back to Him motivate you to repent?
• Do you see your troubles only as problems to be removed, or as ways for God to change/grow you?

Judges 7:1 - 25

• Gideon: Triumph in Weakness
• Reassurance of Victory

Discussion Questions

• Have there been times in your life when God has weakened you so that you can see more clearly that He saves?
• How often do you spend time sorrowing over your sin, so that you can appreciate more fully God’s forgiveness?
• How does it encourage you that the things that oppose you may be stronger than you, but not stronger than God?

Judges 8:1 - 10:5

• Gideon: The Danger of Success
• Abimelech: Ruling as a King

Discussion Questions

• Are there aspects of your life and work you think you should get more recognition and honor for? How will the gospel of grace help you deal well with your successes?
• How has God saved you from yourself? How does this make you feel about Him?
• How would you answer the “5 crucial questions” about Judges 8:1-10:5?

Judges 10:6 - 12:7

• God is Looking for Repentance, Not Regret
• Jephah: The Outcast

Discussion Questions

• Do you want God, or only what God gives you?
• Are there things in your past or present about which you’re regretful, but not repentant? Will you repent?
• Are there any areas where you are conforming to culture rather than conforming to the image of Christ?

Judges 12:8 - 13:25

• Whose Eyes Matter?
• Samson: A Miraculous Birth

Discussion Questions

• Will your life this week reflect the truth that God’s eyes matter more than yours?
• What do you spend the most time thinking about; getting excited about; care most about? Could they be idols?
• What difference does it make to our obedience when we act out of faith in God’s promises, rather than a grudging duty to obey?

Judges 14:1 - 15:20

• Samson: Unequal Yokes
• Working Through Sin

Discussion Questions

• How do you feel the pressure to assimilate into the culture around you in your own life?
• How have you seen God working working through your sin, or someone else’s sin?
• Why is it exciting and liberating, as well as humbling, to know that God works through flawed people?

Judges 16

• Samson: The Weak Victor
• The Grace of God

Discussion Questions

• Are there any areas of your life where you see yourself falling into a dangerous pattern of looking to anything or anyone besides God to provide ultimate meaning and satisfaction in your life?
• Where in your life do you need to rely on God’s grace instead of your own strength?

Judges 17-18

• Micah's Homemade Religion
• People Without Chests

Discussion Questions

• Which parts of God’s word would you most like to be different? Are you ignoring them, or wrestling through them?
• How will remembering who the real, powerful, loving God actually is shape your day?
• Why is it wonderfully liberating to have Jesus as our everything? How will you enjoy Him today?

Judges 19-21

• People Without a King
• Our One True King: Jesus Christ

Discussion Questions

• Are there areas in your life where you are following the norms of society, rather than God’s commands?
• What happens to our understanding of “the gospel” if we don’t admit our own inherent sinfulness?
• If you had to sum up the message of the whole book of Judges in a few words, what would you say?