Israel Fights the Remaining Canaanites—Judges 1:1–2:5
Topics: Accomplishments, Achievements, Barriers, Challenge, Consequences, Covenant, Death, Disobedience, Emotions, Enemies, Failure, Faithfulness, Grief, Marriage, Oppressed, Punishment, Victory, War
Open It
1. What are your top three priorities in life?
2. *What is one adult responsibility or chore that you dislike?
3. What do you think are the top priorities of your best friend?
Explore It
1. What were the Israelites concerned about? (1:1)
2. Why did the men of Judah and the Simeonites join forces? (1:3)
3. What happened when Judah attacked the Canaanites? (1:4)
4. Who was given credit for Judah’s success in battle? (1:4)
5. For what did Adoni-Bezek think God had paid him back? (1:7)
6. How was it obvious that the Lord was with the men of Judah? (1:19)
7. Why were the men of Judah unable to drive their enemies from the plains? (1:19)
8. How did the Lord help the men of Joseph capture the town of Bethel? (1:22–24)
9. Why did the author of this book list the groups of people Israel did not drive out from the land of Canaan? (1:27–36)
10. *Why did the Lord withdraw His help from the Israelites? (1:27–2:5)
11. What role did the angel of the Lord play in this incident? (2:1)
12. *What condition did the Lord put on His covenant with the nation of Israel? (2:1–2)
13. *In what way did Israel suffer because of breaking their covenant with the Lord? (2:3)
14. How did the gods of the Canaanites become a problem for the Israelites? (2:3)
15. How did the Israelites react to the Lord’s separation from them because of their disobedience? (2:4–5)
Get It
1. How have you seen the Lord’s help in your life recently?
2. Of what significance is it that Israel failed to subdue the Promised Land completely?
3. When have you ever felt separated from the Lord?
4. What are some distractions that hinder your relationship with the Lord?
5. How does God want us to react when we learn of a sin in our lives?
6. What happens to our relationship with the Lord when we turn away from sin?
7. *What are some of your God-given responsibilities, jobs, roles, or tasks?
8. *What obstacles do you need to overcome in fulfilling your God-given responsibilities?
9. What would you say are some of the gods that people worship today?
10. To what extent or in what way should Christians separate themselves from the world?
11. How can we guard against giving in to worldly temptations?
Apply It
1. *What can you do today to fulfill the responsibilities God has given you?
2. What specific steps can you take this week to guard against worldly temptations?
Disobedience and Defeat—Judges 2:6–3:6
Topics: Backslide, Beliefs, Compassion, Complaining, Consequences, Correction, Disobedience, Enemies, Faithfulness, Leadership, Neighbor, Oppressed, Patience, Peer Pressure, Punishment, Rebellion
Open It
1. *Why do you think bad things sometimes happen to good people?
2. In what ways are you different from your parents? your grandparents?
Explore It
1. When were the Israelites faithful to their covenant with the Lord? (2:7)
2. How was the generation that followed Joshua’s described? (2:10)
3. In what way were the Israelites unfaithful to the Lord? (2:11)
4. Who influenced the Israelites to worship other gods? (2:12)
5. Why was God angry? (2:13)
6. *What happened to Israel because of their unfaithfulness to the Lord? (2:14)
7. Why did the Lord no longer protect Israel against their enemies? (2:14)
8. *How did the Lord show His mercy toward Israel even when they were unfaithful? (2:16)
9. How did the Israelites respond to the judges God raised to save them from their enemies? (2:17)
10. What did the Israelites do after a judge had saved them from their enemies? (2:19)
11. *How did the Lord react to Israel’s disobedience? (2:20–21)
12. How were Israel’s enemies used by the Lord? (2:22)
13. Why did the Lord want this generation of Israelites to learn warfare? (3:2)
Get It
1. What does this passage reveal about God’s purpose for the nation of Israel?
2. How would you describe the battle that Christians are in today?
3. Why do you think Israel was faithful to God only while someone like Joshua or one of the judges was alive?
4. What is important about the influence and responsibility Christian leaders have in the church?
5. How can a Christian response to negative experiences be different from that of a nonbeliever?
6. Why do you think the presence of evil in the world keeps some people from embracing Christianity?
7. What role did peer pressure play in Israel?
8. What role does peer pressure play in our lives and in the way we live our faith?
9. What caused Israel’s downfall?
10. What are some of the temptations Christians face in our modern culture?
11. *What does this story tell us about why God allows bad things to happen to believers?
12. What can we learn from this story about the importance of remembering what God has done for us?
13. *How has the Lord shown compassion to you recently?
14. What has God used to show you an area of disobedience in your own life?
Apply It
1. *How could you say thank You to God for the compassion He has shown you?
2. What could you do this week to encourage a leader in your church?
Ehud—Judges 3:7–31
Topics: Abilities, Accomplishments, Actions, Challenge, Character, Courage, Determination, Effectiveness, Enemies, Leadership, Murder, Oppressed, Prayer, Protection, Resources, Success, Victory, War
Open It
1. *When have you ever had to be resourceful or especially creative to solve a problem?
2. What do you think are your two best talents or abilities?
3. What special talent do you wish you had?
Explore It
1. Why was the Lord angry with Israel? (3:7)
2. What did the Lord do because of Israel’s rebellion? (3:8)
3. How did God respond to Israel’s prayers for deliverance? (3:9)
4. How was Othniel able to bring Israel peace? (3:9–11)
5. *Why did Eglon gain power over Israel? (3:12)
6. How is Ehud described? (3:15)
7. *What strategy did Ehud use to defeat the Moabites? (3:15–28)
8. Of what significance is it that Ehud was able to cut down the king of Moab single-handedly? (3:15–28)
9. What was Eglon’s fatal mistake? (3:17–20)
10. How did Ehud gain entrance to see the king of Moab? (3:18)
11. How was Ehud able to escape after he had killed Eglon, the king of Moab? (3:23–26)
12. *To whom did Ehud give credit for Israel’s victory over Moab? (3:28)
13. How did Israel subdue the rest of the Moabites after their king (Eglon) was killed? (3:28–30)
Get It
1. What words would you use to describe Ehud?
2. Which character traits of Ehud would you like to have yourself?
3. How did God use Ehud?
4. *What does this story teach you about the kind of people God uses to achieve His purposes?
5. How does this story challenge you to view believers who may not seem as capable as others?
6. What characteristics of yours has God used in ministry to others?
7. What have you learned from this passage about prayer?
8. *For what difficulty or challenge in your own life do you need God’s help?
9. When have you seen God answer prayer in a unique or creative way?
Apply It
1. In what way could you say thank You to God this week for the special talents He has given you?
2. *What specific steps could you take in the next few days to use one of your gifts or abilities for God’s glory?
3. How could you encourage a friend today to use an ability God has given him or her?
Deborah—Judges 4:1–5:31
Topics: Accomplishments, Blessing, Celebration, Challenge, Deceit, Enemies, Escape, Faithfulness, Heroes, Hiding, Justice, Leadership, Neighbor, Opposition, Peace, Praise, Punishment, Risk, Sin, Success, Victory, War
Open It
1. What is your favorite song? Why?
2. What are some of the themes you’ve noticed in songs today?
3. *If you wrote a song about your life, what would be the title?
Explore It
1. Why did the Lord sell Israel into the hands of Jabin, a Canaanite king? (4:1–2)
2. Why did the Israelites cry to the Lord for help? (4:3)
3. What does this passage tell us about Deborah? (4:4–5)
4. *What message from the Lord did Deborah give to Barak? (4:6–7)
5. How did Barak respond to the message that Deborah gave him? (4:8)
6. Why did Barak want Deborah to go to war with him? (4:8)
7. For what reason did Barak not receive the glory for his victory over Israel’s enemy? (4:9)
8. What did Sisera do when he discovered that Barak had gone to Mount Tabor? (4:13)
9. *What encouragement did Deborah give Barak in the battle against Jabin’s army? (4:14)
10. What happened when Barak led Israel against their enemy? (4:15)
11. What happened to Sisera when he went to Jael’s tent to escape Israel’s troops? (4:18–21)
12. *What is the unifying theme of Deborah’s song? (5:1–31)
13. What is the purpose of Deborah’s song? (5:2–3)
14. What did Deborah mean by, “The stars fought … against Sisera”? (5:20)
15. How did Deborah conclude her song? (5:31)
Get It
1. *What does this passage reveal about God’s providence?
2. What does Barak’s request of Deborah reveal about his trust in God?
3. In what circumstance of your life has it been difficult for you to trust the Lord?
4. What can we learn from Barak’s negative example?
5. What character traits did Deborah have?
6. What have you learned from this passage about God’s view of women?
7. *With what situation in your life do you need to trust the Lord more?
8. What enemy are you facing?
9. How should we respond whenever the Lord delivers us from an enemy?
10. If you wrote a song about God’s work in your life, what would be its theme?
Apply It
1. *What specific steps could you take in the next several days to entrust a problem or enemy to the Lord?
2. What could you do this week to praise the Lord for His faithfulness in your life?
3. How could you use music this week to celebrate God’s work in your life?
Gideon—Judges 6:1–40
Topics: Abilities, Assurance, Challenge, Consequences, Danger, Disobedience, Doubt, Excuses, Faithfulness, Fear, Guidance, Leadership, Miracles, Obedience, Patience, Risk, Testing
Open It
1. *What would you say are some of the costs of being a Christian in today’s world?
2. What risks have you had to take because of your faith in God?
Explore It
1. In what familiar situation did the Israelites find themselves? (6:1–2)
2. How were the Israelites oppressed by the Midianites? (6:2–5)
3. How did God respond to the cries of Israel? (6:6–8)
4. *What message did the prophet bring to Israel from the Lord? (6:8–10)
5. Why did the angel of the Lord appear to Gideon? (6:11–14)
6. For what reasons did Gideon doubt whether the Lord was with Israel? (6:13)
7. What did the angel of the Lord challenge Gideon to do? (6:14)
8. *How did Gideon respond to the challenge of the Lord? (6:15)
9. What encouragement did Gideon receive from the Lord? (6:12, 14, 16)
10. What miracle did the angel of the Lord perform for Gideon? Why? (6:17–21)
11. How did Gideon react to the miracle the angel performed? (6:22–24)
12. What specific instructions did the Lord give to Gideon? (6:25–26)
13. How did the Israelites react to what Gideon had done? (6:28–30)
14. What do the Israelites’ actions reveal about their spiritual state? (6:28–30)
15. What reasoning did Gideon’s father use to save his life? (6:31)
16. What further tests did Gideon put before the Lord? Why? (6:36–40)
17. *How did the Lord show His patience and love to Gideon? (6:38, 40)
Get It
1. How would you describe Gideon?
2. Why do you think Gideon needed so much reassurance before he would obey God?
3. *In what ways has the Lord reassured you that you were doing what was right?
4. What does this passage tell us about the kind of people God uses to fulfill His purposes?
5. When have you ever felt like Gideon?
6. What is good or bad about testing the Lord the way Gideon did?
7. What should we do when we are not sure whether God is leading us to go a certain way?
8. *What step do you need to take while feeling hesitant to move forward?
9. What can you learn from this story about God’s patience and love for you?
Apply It
1. In what specific way do you need to obey the Lord in faith that He will lead you?
2. What risks do you need to take to obey the Lord?
3. *What is the first step you need to take in an area in which you fear moving ahead?
Gideon Defeats the Midianites—Judges 7:1–25
Topics: Abilities, Challenge, Confidence, Courage, Depend, Doubt, Enemies, Fear, Glory, Guidance, Help, Inadequacy, Insecurity, Interpretation, Leadership, Limitations, Miracles, Obedience, Strength, Surprises, Trust, Victory, Worship
Open It
1. What is one of your most memorable dreams, and what was memorable about it?
2. *When have you ever been part of an amazing or unlikely victory?
Explore It
1. What is the setting of this story? (7:1)
2. Why did God say that Gideon had too many fighting men? (7:2)
3. *What did the Lord tell Gideon to do? (7:2–3)
4. What was the second strategy God used to shrink Gideon’s army? (7:4–6)
5. With how many men was Gideon left to conquer the Midianites? (7:7)
6. How did Gideon feel about attacking the Midianites with only three hundred men? (7:10)
7. *What did the Lord do to encourage Gideon? (7:9–15)
8. How does this passage describe Israel’s enemies? (7:12)
9. What was the meaning of the man’s dream? (7:13–14)
10. How did Gideon react to what he heard in the camp of the Midianites? (7:15)
11. What strategy did Israel use against the Midianites? (7:16–21)
12. What was Israel’s war cry, and what was significant about it? (7:18)
13. *What miracle did the Lord do on behalf of Israel? (7:22)
Get It
1. What leadership qualities did Gideon display?
2. What important lesson did God teach Gideon and Israel through these events?
3. In what circumstances do we tend to depend on ourselves?
4. *How should a Christian’s perspective of life’s challenges be different from a nonbeliever’s?
5. When have you ever faced a challenge that seemed too big for you to handle?
6. How can we draw encouragement from the Lord during difficult times in our lives?
7. *What difficult situation are you facing right now?
8. How can you depend more on God’s strength in the challenges you face?
9. What does this passage say about giving God the glory for success in life?
Apply It
1. *What specifically can you do to depend on the Lord for help?
2. What can you do today to give the Lord credit for victories you have experienced in your life recently?
Gideon’s Ephod—Judges 8:1–35
Topics: Abilities, Accusation, Achievements, Backslide, Challenge, Consequences, Criticism, Death, Disobedience, Enemies, Forget, Idolatry, Possessions, Revenge, Success, Temptation
Open It
1. *Why do people sometimes say to others who experience success, “Don’t let it go to your head”?
2. How does it feel to win? to be popular? to be labeled “successful”?
3. When have you seen success or popularity change a person in a negative way?
Explore It
1. Why were the Ephraimites upset with Gideon? (8:1)
2. How did Gideon respond to the criticism he received? (8:2)
3. What strategy did Gideon use to appease the Ephraimites? (8:2–3)
4. What did Gideon ask of the men of Succoth? (8:5)
5. Why were the men of Succoth afraid to help the Israelites? (8:6)
6. How did Gideon respond to those who refused to help Israel? (8:7–9)
7. In what shape was the Midianite army at this point? (8:10)
8. Why did Gideon return to Succoth after he had conquered the Midianites? (8:13–17)
9. Whom did the kings of Midian admit to killing? (8:18)
10. What did Gideon do to the kings of Midian? Why? (8:19–21)
11. *How did the Israelites respond to Gideon’s success in battle? (8:22)
12. Why did Gideon refuse to rule over Israel? (8:23)
13. *How did Gideon respond to his newfound popularity? (8:23–24)
14. For what did Gideon ask from the Israelites? (8:24)
15. *In the end what unfortunate outcome resulted from Gideon’s success? (8:27)
16. What happened in Israel after Gideon died? (8:33)
Get It
1. *What role did pride play in Gideon’s life?
2. *How can we guard ourselves against pride?
3. What does this story reveal about God’s character?
4. In what ways have you had to depend on the Lord’s strength?
5. What does Gideon’s spiritual downfall teach us about human nature?
6. What would you say are some of the idols that distract us from serving God?
7. What are some good things that you think can cause Christians to become proud or lose their focus on serving God?
8. Why is pride dangerous?
9. In what way could pride interfere with a person’s relationship with others and God?
10. What do we need to remember whenever we experience success?
11. What one temptation do you face that threatens your relationship with the Lord?
Apply It
1. *What concrete action could you take each day to keep yourself from pride?
2. What other believer could keep you accountable in your relationship with God?
Abimelech—Judges 9:1–10:5
Topics: Ambition, Consequences, Criticism, Deceit, Enemies, Evil, Greed, Humiliation, Materialism, Murder, Power, Revenge, Risk, Sin, Status, Temptation
Open It
1. What benefits come with being powerful?
2. *What is so appealing about getting rich?
Explore It
1. Who was Abimelech, and what did he want? (9:1–2)
2. What did Abimelech have to do to become king? (9:3–6)
3. What did Abimelech’s younger brother, Jotham, do when he heard what had happened? (9:7)
4. What do the trees in Jotham’s story represent? (9:8–15)
5. *What is the meaning of Jotham’s story? (9:8–20)
6. Why did Jotham use a thornbush to represent Abimelech? (9:15)
7. What was the most shocking part of Shechem’s sin in the eyes of Jotham? (9:17)
8. What did Jotham predict would happen to Abimelech and the people of Shechem? (9:20)
9. Why did the Lord send an evil spirit between Abimelech and the people of Shechem? (9:23–24)
10. What advice did Zebul give to Abimelech about how to deal with Gaal? (9:30–33)
11. How was the element of surprise lost for Abimelech’s men? (9:36)
12. *What was the final outcome of Abimelech’s battle with Shechem? (9:42–45)
13. What happened to Abimelech when he attacked the tower of Thebez? (9:52–53)
14. How did Abimelech eventually die? (9:54)
15. *What was God’s purpose in all of this war and death? (9:56–57)
Get It
1. What does this story say about God’s sovereignty?
2. What risks do you think Jotham took in standing up to Abimelech and the people of Shechem?
3. What risks have you had to take to stand up for what was right?
4. What lessons can we learn from Abimelech’s negative example?
5. What do you think was Abimelech’s most dangerous character flaw?
6. What have you learned about the danger of power and greed from this passage?
7. *What attitude should we have toward power and wealth?
8. *How can we guard against the temptation to seek wealth and power?
9. How has this study challenged you to change your attitudes or actions?
Apply It
1. What risks do you think you need to take this week to stand up for what is right?
2. What specific step could you take to protect yourself from the sin of greed?
3. *How can you keep a tight rein on the power you have over others?
Jephthah—Judges 10:6–12:15
Topics: Abilities, Actions, Challenge, Children, Compassion, Conflict, Consequences, Courage, Criticism, Disobedience, Enemies, Forgiveness, Grief, Leadership, Promises, Repentance, Sin, Victory, Vows, War
Open It
1. *Under what circumstances do people often make poor decisions?
2. When have you ever regretted a decision or promise you made?
3. What is one consequence you have suffered for a poor decision or choice?
Explore It
1. How were the Philistines and Ammonites able to defeat Israel? (10:6–8)
2. Why did the Lord not save Israel when He had forgiven and delivered them so often in the past? (10:11–14)
3. How did Israel show the Lord that their repentance was sincere? (10:15–16)
4. How did God respond to Israel’s repentance? (10:16)
5. What were the Israelites lacking that Jephthah offered? (10:17–11:1)
6. Why was Jephthah driven out of his family? (11:2–3)
7. Why did the elders of Gilead get Jephthah? (11:4–6)
8. What did the elders promise Jephthah if he would help them? (11:8–10)
9. *What strategy did Jephthah use to save Israel from the Ammonites? (11:12–29)
10. What reason did the king of the Ammonites have for attacking Israel? (11:13)
11. What message did Jephthah send to the Ammonite king? (11:14–27)
12. How did the king of the Ammonites respond to Jephthah’s message? (11:28)
13. *What vow did Jephthah make to the Lord? Why? (11:30–31)
14. *What happened as a result of Jephthah’s vow to the Lord? (11:30–39)
15. Why did Jephthah have to fight the men of Ephraim? (12:1–4)
16. How did the Gileadites conquer the Ephraimites? (12:4–6)
Get It
1. What caused Israel to recognize and repent of their sin?
2. What has God used in your life to convict you of sin?
3. What good qualities did Jephthah exemplify?
4. In what areas of your life do you need to depend more on the Lord?
5. *What have you learned from Jephthah about problem solving?
6. What fatal mistake did Jephthah make?
7. *How can we guard against making rash decisions, promises, or agreements?
8. What does the Lord’s treatment of Israel in this situation reveal about His character?
9. How does God’s patience and compassion encourage you?
Apply It
1. *What specific steps could you take in the next few days to guard against making hasty and unwise promises or decisions?
2. What could you do today to thank the Lord for His patience and compassion?
The Birth of Samson—Judges 13:1–25
Topics: Advice, Angels, Children, Drinking, Evidence, Good News, Guidance, Life-style, Miracles, Parents, Promises, Responsibility
Open It
1. *What three words would you use to describe your family?
2. What do you think is the biggest challenge of parenting?
3. What would you say are the greatest rewards of being a parent?
Explore It
1. Why did the Philistines have power over Israel? (13:1)
2. *What instructions and promise did the angel of the Lord give to Manoah’s wife? (13:2–5)
3. What did the woman do when the angel of the Lord appeared to her? (13:6)
4. How did Manoah react to the news his wife received from the Lord? (13:8)
5. How did the Lord answer Manoah’s prayer? (13:9)
6. Under what circumstances did the angel appear to the woman a second time? (13:9)
7. What did Manoah want to find out from the angel of the Lord? (13:12)
8. Why did the angel advise Manoah to prepare a burnt offering rather than a meal? (13:16)
9. *What amazed Manoah and his wife? (13:19–20)
10. How did Manoah and his wife react when they saw the angel ascend in the flame of their offering? (13:20)
11. When did Manoah realize that he had seen an angel of the Lord? (13:21)
12. Why did Manoah think he and his wife would die? (13:22)
13. How did Manoah’s wife respond to her husband’s fearful prediction? (13:23)
14. *How was the angel of the Lord’s promise fulfilled? (13:24–25)
Get It
1. How would you describe Manoah’s wife?
2. What kind of people were Manoah and his wife?
3. In what ways was Manoah’s wife prepared to be the mother of Samson?
4. What can we learn about parenting from this story?
5. Keeping in mind that she was childless, how do you imagine Manoah’s wife felt when the angel told her she would have a child?
6. *From what disappointing experience or situation has the Lord delivered you?
7. How has the Lord used painful experiences in your past to make you a better person today?
8. *How have you experienced the compassion and forgiveness of the Lord?
Apply It
1. What is one way you can remind yourself or a friend of God’s goodness in giving children?
2. *What new perspective could you have this week on a difficult situation in your life?
3. In what way could you encourage a friend or family member who is dealing with disappointment or loss?
Samson’s Marriage—Judges 14:1–20
Topics: Abilities, Accomplishments, Affections, Bargaining, Conflict, Disobedience, Intimidation, Love, Marriage, Parents, Rebellion, Strength, Temptation, Unfaithfulness, Wives
Open It
1. *What are some techniques people use to persuade others?
2. What methods have you used to convince someone to do something he or she didn’t want to do?
3. How have you ever been persuaded to do something you didn’t want to do?
Explore It
1. What resulted from Samson’s visit to Timnah? (14:1–2)
2. How did Samson approach his parents about what he desired? (14:2)
3. How did Samson’s parents respond to his demand? (14:3)
4. What does Samson’s parents’ response reveal about their feelings toward the Philistines? (14:3)
5. Why did Samson refuse to listen to his parents’ advice? (14:3)
6. *How did the Lord plan to use Samson’s sinful desires to fulfill God’s purposes? (14:4)
7. What happened to Samson on the way to Timnah? (14:5–6)
8. *How was Samson able to tear apart a lion with his bare hands? (14:6)
9. What happened to Samson on his second trip to Timnah? (14:8–9)
10. How did Samson and his family celebrate his wedding? (14:10–11)
11. Why did Samson tell a riddle to his wedding party? (14:12–14)
12. What did Samson’s companions do when they could not solve the riddle? (14:15)
13. *What reasoning did Samson’s wife use on him to discover the answer to the riddle? (14:16)
14. Why did Samson tell his wife the answer to his riddle? (14:17)
15. What did Samson do when the men solved his riddle? (14:18–20)
Get It
1. How would you characterize Samson?
2. *Which character traits of Samson would you like to have, and which would you rather avoid?
3. How did the Lord show His faithfulness to Samson?
4. How has the Lord been faithful to you, despite your shortcomings?
5. *What weakness has the Lord used in your life to achieve His purposes?
6. Over what temptation in your life would you like to have victory?
7. What is one temptation you often have to face?
8. What are some ways we can resist temptation?
9. What does this story teach us about what to do when we give in to temptation?
Apply It
1. What practical steps can you take to limit or avoid a temptation you often face?
2. *What specific step could you take this week to guard against temptation?
3. How can you say thank You to the Lord today for using you despite your weaknesses?
Samson and Delilah—Judges 15:1–16:31
Topics: Abilities, Accomplishments, Affections, Bargaining, Blindness, Character, Complaining, Conflict, Consequences, Death, Disobedience, Enemies, Failure, Faithfulness, Handicapped, Humiliation, Peer Pressure, Punishment, Relationships, Sacrifice, Sin, Strength, Unbelievers
Open It
1. If you could have one wish, what would it be?
2. *What one character trait or special talent do you wish you had?
3. How have you seen God use one of your weaknesses or failures to accomplish something good?
Explore It
1. What happened when Samson went to visit his wife? (15:1–2)
2. What deal did Samson’s father-in-law try to make with Samson? (15:2)
3. Why did Samson believe he had a right to get even with the Philistines? (15:3)
4. What did Samson do to the Philistines to get revenge? (15:4–5)
5. What had the Philistines done that made Samson attack them so viciously? (15:6–7)
6. Why did the Israelites turn Samson over to the Philistines? (15:9–13)
7. What happened when Samson was turned over to the Philistines? (15:14–17)
8. *What weakness of Samson did the Philistines use against him? (16:1–5)
9. What secret did the Philistines want Delilah to discover for them? (16:5)
10. How trustworthy was Delilah? (16:6–20)
11. How did Delilah convince Samson to reveal the secret of his strength? (16:15–16)
12. *What was the source of Samson’s strength, and why did he lose it? (16:17–20)
13. *How was Samson victorious even in his own death? (16:28–30)
Get It
1. What was Samson’s fatal weakness?
2. What were the consequences of Samson’s sin?
3. What did Samson take for granted?
4. What were the consequences of Samson’s character weaknesses?
5. What caused Samson’s downfall?
6. What are the dangers in taking our relationship with the Lord for granted?
7. In what area of your life do you often succumb to temptation?
8. *What can you learn from this story about dealing with your own weaknesses and failures?
9. How did the Lord demonstrate His forgiveness and faithfulness to Samson?
10. How has the Lord shown His compassion to you?
11. What does this passage reveal about the kind of people God uses to achieve His will on earth?
12. What has this story taught you about both humility and self-esteem?
13. *What are some of your strengths that you think God could use?
Apply It
1. What could you do this week to protect yourself against taking your relationship with the Lord for granted?
2. *How could you use an ability or talent for God’s glory?
3. What could you do to encourage a friend who is struggling with self-doubt or discouragement?
Idolatry in the Tribe of Dan—Judges 17:1–18:31
Topics: Blessing, Compromise, Disobedience, Evil, Greed, Hypocrisy, Idolatry, Intimidation, Power, Sin, Unfaithfulness, War
Open It
1. *What bad habits do people commonly excuse or shrug off?
2. What do you like or dislike about where your family has settled?
Explore It
1. What motivated Micah to return the money he stole? (17:1–2)
2. Why did the mother bless the son when he returned the money? (17:1–3)
3. *In what way were both Micah and his mother disobedient to God? (17:3–5)
4. How did the author of this story describe Israel at this point? (17:6)
5. Why did the young Levite agree to stay with Micah? (17:10)
6. *How did Micah attempt to rationalize his shrine and gain God’s favor? (17:12–13)
7. What was the situation of the Danites at this point? (18:1–2)
8. What did the Danite spies request of the Levite priest? (18:5)
9. What advice did the spies give to their people when they returned from exploring the land? (18:8–10)
10. How did the five spies convince the priest to go with them? (18:19)
11. How did the Danites protect themselves against attack? (18:21)
12. What did Micah do when he realized his priest and idols were gone? (18:22–23)
13. *What do Micah’s words reveal about his faith? (18:24)
14. How did Micah and the Danites resolve their disagreement? (18:25–26)
15. What kind of relationship did the Danites have with the Lord? (18:29–31)
Get It
1. How would you characterize Micah?
2. In what way was Micah hypocritical?
3. What excuses do people use today to rationalize or explain away their sin?
4. When have you ever had a guilty conscience, and how did it affect you?
5. What do you think it means not to be hypocritical?
6. *How can we guard against the sin of hypocrisy?
7. How can we protect ourselves against false religiosity?
8. Where did Micah put his faith?
9. How did Micah appease his conscience while living in disobedience to the Lord?
10. What weakness caused the demise of the young Levite priest?
11. In what way did the Levite priest use his religion for selfish gain?
12. What role can greed play in a person’s faith?
13. What’s wrong with trying to use God for our own gain?
14. What temptation threatens your relationship with the Lord?
15. *In what area of your life do you need to be more consistent with your faith?
Apply It
1. *Whom could you ask to help you be more consistent with your faith?
2. What is one thing you can do to set your attention on serving God?
Israelites Fight the Benjamites—Judges 19:1–21:25
Topics: Abandon, Accusation, Bargaining, Complacency, Conflict, Danger, Death, Direction, Disobedience, Evil, Example, Fear, Hardheartedness, Homosexuality, Hospitality, Humiliation, Immorality, Injustice, Insensitivity, Judging Others, Lust, Murder, Revenge, Sex, War
Open It
1. *What specific actions do you associate with hospitality?
2. When has it been a sacrifice for you to be hospitable to others?
3. When was a time you felt unwelcome in someone else’s home?
Explore It
1. What happened when the Levite man went to the city of Gibeah? (19:15–20)
2. Why did the old man from Ephraim advise the Levite not to spend the night in the town square? (19:20–22)
3. What did the wicked men of the city want when they surrounded the house where the Levite was staying? (19:22)
4. How did the owner of the house respond to the demands of the wicked men? (19:23–24)
5. How did the Levite save himself from assault? (19:25)
6. What happened to the Levite’s concubine? (19:25–28)
7. How did the Levite react to what the men of Gibeah had done? (19:29–30)
8. *Why did the Israelites assemble at Mizpah? (20:1–3)
9. What did the Israelites decide to do about the sin of the men of Gibeah? (20:8–10)
10. *What happened in the battle between the Benjamites and the Israelites? (20:14–48)
11. Where did the Israelites get their direction and strength in battle? (20:18, 23, 26, 35)
12. *With whom did the Lord side in this situation? Why? (20:23)
13. What two oaths did the Israelites take? (21:1–5)
14. In what way was the Israelites’ defeat of the Benjamites a hollow victory? (21:3)
15. What did the Israelites do to prevent the tribe of Benjamin from becoming extinct? (21:5–25)
16. How did the author of this passage describe Israel? (21:25)
Get It
1. Which characteristics of the old man do you admire?
2. Which characteristics of the Levite man should we avoid?
3. Why were such drastic and gruesome measures necessary for Israel to recognize their sin?
4. When has the Lord taken drastic measures to make you recognize sin in your life?
5. *What lesson can be learned from the way the Israelites approached their battle with the Benjamites?
6. What challenge do you face in the near future?
7. *How can you depend on the Lord for strength and direction in your life?
Apply It
1. To whom and how could you offer hospitality this week?
2. What do you want to remember the next time you discover a sin that needs to be corrected?
3. *In what situation that you’re now facing do you need God’s wisdom and guidance?
Adult Questions for LESSONmaker (2024). Bellingham, WA: Logos, p. Jdg 1:1–21:25.