Judges Lesson Three: Gideon Part One

Here are the questions for your small groups that accompany the sermon preached by Kristi Ivanoff this morning.
 

1. Read Judges 6:1-16. 1. Before God used Gideon to deliver his people, he sent a prophet to begin to prepare the hearts, minds and memories of those he would be rescuing. How have you experienced or seen in others how God prepared someone's heart for the work he was ultimately going to do through them?
2. Share a time when God (or someone else) spoke to you words of encouragement, seeing your potential rather than your weakness. Has there been a time when you have been aware that God has shown you himself in spite of your cynical attitude or attempt to hide from him or others?
3. God spoke to Gideon through the angel and told him to "Go in the strength that you have." Sometimes it is hard to see our strengths. Take this opportunity to share with someone else in your group a strength you see in them.  
4. The Israelites were impoverished by their enemies--left poor and destitute. Have you ever experienced poverty or a time of significant lack in your life. How did you respond to God in that time? How do you feel when you are around poverty?
5. Were there other things that resonated with you from the story in other verses in chapter 6?