Gideon

TEXT: Judges 6:36-40; 7:1-8

There are vast armies of religious people in the world today, and all claim to be a part of God’s army. What a wonderful thing if every professing soldier of Christ were of the stamp of Gideon’s band! The sad truth remains that the ratio between the true soldier who is willing and ready to venture all that he has for the cause of Christ and those who are fearful and afraid, or those who want to take the glory and credit to themselves, or those who would rather take their ease than face the enemy, is still the same as it was in Gideon’s day. One out of a hundred passed the exacting test that God put them through. What a startling thought!

QUESTIONS

1. How many men were in Gideon’s original army? How many returned from Mount Gilead, and for what reason?
2. Why were not all the remaining men allowed to go to the battle? How many men did Gideon eventually take with him into the camp of Midian?
3. What was the final test that brought Gideon’s army down to such a small number? What did the test signify?
4. What lessons can be learned from the fact that God chose so few men to fight the battle?
5. Define trust. Find a Scripture which uses the word.
6. Could there be such a thing as trusting “halfway”? Explain your answer.
7. We probably will not be called upon to take our stand before an angry king, to slay a giant, or be thrown into a den of lions. But we will meet circumstances in our daily lives where it will require courage to take a stand for Christ. Read Matthew 24:12; James 5:14-15; and 1 Peter 5:8; then write the dangers to a Christian from which God promises deliverance.
8. What are some ways we can increase our courage?