Bible News: Gideon
Liz and the gang's Clubhouse Theater presents the story of Gideon. Who is he in the Bible? How did God call him?
Before You ListenLet's Get Started
Theme: Living life courageously.
1. Hebrews 11:32-34 says, “And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.” What do these people, who were called by God, have in common?
2. Do you know who did all of the following?
- He asked for a sign to prove it was really God speaking.
- God told him to destroy altars to other gods and build a new one for just God. He did it, but he was so scared that he did it in the middle of the night.
- He led only 300 men into battle to defeat an entire army.
- Before he led these men into battle, he asked God for yet another sign, just to prove God really wanted to use him as the battle leader.
- He led the Israelites as a judge for 40 years of peace.
Did you know it was Gideon? (You can read more about him in Judges 6 and 7). Just knowing these details about his life, how would you describe Gideon? Think about how God used him even though he wasn’t always brave as you listen to this episode..
After you listen
Memory Verse
“And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.”
Quiz
Reflect
In this episode, when Liz has to give a report on his favorite character from history, he decides to tell Gideon’s story. Gideon was a judge who lived in Israel in the time between Joshua and the kings. Gideon was a warrior, but didn’t want to be a leader. God asked Gideon to trust him, and to fight the battle with just three hundred men whom God would select. But with the power of God, Gideon and his three hundred men defeated the Midianites and the Amalekites and their allies. (You can read the whole story in Judges 6–8.)
You are called by God to live courageously. Your battles are different than Gideon’s, but your God is the same. It takes courage to be strong when bad things happen. It takes courage to believe when you’re sick or afraid or sad. But God understands that you need to know that he is with you. Keep your eyes and heart open to what God is saying to you today.
Want to dig deeper about being strong in God? Read 2 Corinthians 12:10 and 1 Corinthians 1:27.
Challenge
God used Gideon’s small army to defeat the huge army by using jugs and flames. Make your own torch to remind you of God’s great power. Cut flames from paper (or construction paper if you have it). Write the words “God is always with me” on the flames (one word per flame). Glue the flames to the edge of a rolled up lunch bag or a sheet of paper rolled into a tube (have the “flames” sticking out). Twist the lunch bag or paper roll so that it looks like a torch. This torch will remind you that however your day goes for you, God is right there with you. Today tell God that you trust in him and believe that He is with you through everything you face. Share your confidence in God’s care for you with your family. Pray together to and thank him for always being with you, no matter what!
