Read: Judges 2:1-3:6; Judges 6:11-16.
The book of Judges describes a time in Israelite history when there were many failures in faithfulness: to God; to his covenant; and to his mission for Israel to worship and serve Yahweh alone in witness to the nations of his love for them. Fourteen times the writer of the book of Judges declares periods when the Israelites “did evil in the sight of the Lord,” or did not allow the Lord to be their king and everyone did as they pleased (3:7; 3:12; 4:1; 6:1; 6:7-10; 8:27; 8:33-34; 10:6; 10:10-16; 13:1; 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25). When the Israelites suffered the effects of their disobedience and turned to the Lord for help, God was faithful, compassionate, gracious, and sent judges to deliver them from their oppressors.
- Within one generation which knew Joshua, another one arose which did not know the Lord personally or serve him in his mission. How are you and your church introducing the next generation to God, his mission, and what he has already done?
- Who influenced you the most as a child or youth and why?
- How are you modeling for the next generation what it means to listen and be willing to follow God’s will for their lives? Do the children and youth you know understand that God may ask them to do something for his mission, such as he did with Gideon?
- Are you willing to send your sons, daughters, and other relatives if God calls them to go somewhere for his purpose or serve in full-time ministry?