As diamonds shine brighter on a black cloth, God’s grace shines brighter against the dark background of the book of Judges. Paige recommended Tim Keller’s commentary and I will draw from that as well as Paige’s teaching. It is soooo good and not overwhelming.
Link to Paige’s Teaching
https://www.youtube.com/live/PDVALI8znPA
Please Share A God Hunt If You Have One!
Small Group Facilitators — I’ve put passages in red for reading aloud.
INTRODUCTION:
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How does Judges begin with hope, as did Joshua? (Compare Joshua 1:1-3 with Judges 1:1-2) (Paige says it literally begins with the word “And” linking it to Joshua) Share whatever you see.
2. How does Judges end with defeat? (Judges 21:25) Tim Keller says this also describes our era. How do you see this?
HISTORICAL FACTS: HALF-HEARTED DISCIPLESHIP AND CREEPING DARKNESS
Hope
3. On your own, read Judges 1:1-18 and summarize the main theme.
4. How can you immediately see compromise among the men of Judah in Judges 1:3? And
5. In Judges 1:7 a Canaanite king accepts God’s justice better than many of the Israelites. How do you see this?
6. Tim Keller brings out the faithfulness of Caleb, and also, of his daughter Acsah, by showing how she embraced the promises of God for this land. How do you see this in Judges 1:12-15?
Accommodation and Defeat
7. Read on your own Judges 1:19 – 1:36.
A. What theme do you see now? What is the irony to this conquest report?
B. Paige says that it is important to measure our life by obedience rather than success. Why? What application is there for you with this?
Read aloud 1:19 – 26.
C. What reason do the men of Judah give for their first defeat in Judges 1:19? Why is this a poor excuse?
D. Paige contrasts the story of Rahab with the story in Judges 1:22-26. What is the same and what is the crucial difference?
THEOLOGICAL INTERPRETATION
Read all of Joshua 2 on your own.
8. Read aloud Joshua 2:1-5
A. How does the Lord interpret the facts according to the angel? What promise does He remind them of and why?
B. Why question does God ask in verse 3 and why does He ask? (What do you learn about good parenting from this?)
C. We are to walk by faith, not by sight, to live by revelation and not by reason. How does this apply to you right now? With fears? With compromise with the world?
D. Paige gives examples of language of compromise: “I wish I could do this but, I wish I could take this away from my child but… where do you see this language in your life?
E. Keller asks: Think of an area where you say I cannot obey (forgive, resist temptation…) What are you forgetting?
Keller lists forgiveness, telling the truth to others, and temptation as common stumbling blocks.
F. How did the people respond? What is the difference between remorse and repentance?
9. Read aloud Joshua 2:10-13
A. How is the next generation described (verses 10-13)? Notice the verbs in 11-13.
B. How does God keep His promise to them in verses 14-15?
C. Ralph Davis writes: “Passing on the knowledge of the saving work of God cannot guarantee the faithful of the next generation…but the failure to pass it on will guarantee their unfaithfulness.” Comments?
10. Read Psalm 78:1-7 and Deut. 6:4-7. Comments. Who are the most important teachers and why?
11. Deut. 6:4-7?
12. Therefore, what is your responsibility with the children God has put in your life? How are you doing it? Be specific by considering Paige’s questions: What do you talk about, celebrate, show them? (Take time with this.)
13. What did John Piper mean when he said silence is dogma?
14. What did you learn about these gods from Paige, particularly Baal and Ashtorah? (Her point with teaching your child to blow his nose?)
15. Read Judges 2:16-23 and describe what God did for the people and how the people responded. Verse 17 uses the word whoring. Comment? Where do you pour out your life and love? (She says look at credit card, calendar, and ask those closest to you.)
16. Many see disobedience as leading to freedom, but how does it imprison you? Give an example. How do these consequences show the love of the Lord?
17. What was her point with the story of the contractor and his son?
18. Where are you pouring out your life? Give a positive example of your life where you truly repented rather than just grieved the consequences and the joy it has brought you. (I love how she said obedience works not just because God says so, but because it is true.)
Read Joshua 3:1-6 and read aloud Joshua 3:5-6.
19. Why was it so dangerous that they took wives from the “sites?” This not only applies to marriage, but applies to our relationship with the Lord. Explain.
20. Is your default mode your love for the Lord first and foremost? Is this obvious to the people around you in your world in a positive way, even if it makes them uncomfortable?
21. What is the mystery of the book of Judges despite the downward cycling of sin?
22. In what parts of your life do you most need to be reminded of God’s grace? What was her point Edmund from the end of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe?
23. Are there areas where you ask God to co-exist with your idols? Where have you been re-programmed?
24. What is your take-a-way and why?
78 comments
I’m hoping to be able to finish this week’s study. God help me!
1. How does Judges begin with hope, as did Joshua? (Compare Joshua 1:1-3 with Judges 1:1-2)
In both cases God speaks and tells them He is with them.
2. How does Judges end with defeat? (Judges 21:25) Tim Keller says this also describes our era. How do you see this?
Israel has no king. The families leave and go back to their own homes. They do whatever they want, that they think is right.
We live in an age where anything goes. No one has any scruples/morals any more.
God Hunt…
Life has had a way of making me press more and more into Jesus, trusting Him with the unknown, having a heart of compassion and thinking less of my myself and more of others. God has continually put Philippians 2:4 in my thoughts when I become weary, selfish and irritable…”Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” I will admit this has never been my strong suit (not an excuse), but I know God is growing me through circumstances happening in my life and I am so thankful that He is.
INTRODUCTION:
How does Judges begin with hope, as did Joshua? (Compare Joshua 1:1-3 with Judges 1:1-2) (Paige says it literally begins with the word “And” linking it to Joshua) Share whatever you see.
The hope is, He is giving them the land that He promised them.
2. How does Judges end with defeat? (Judges 21:25) Tim Keller says this also describes our era. How do you see this?
There is no leadership/king in Israel and everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
It describes our era, in that society is rejecting Jesus as King and choosing to live the way they want…doing what is right in their eyes!
Such a positive and true way to look at the trials of daily life!
Sharon, thanks for the reminder of Philippians 2. I needed that.
God Hunt:
Out of the mouth of babes!
We had 8 children ages 3-9 attend our monthly Wednesday Parents’ Night Out yesterday. Our lesson was on God being our best friend. After we watched a short video of Douglas Talks, I asked the littles this question: Since God is our friend, what can we talk to Him about? Loss of pets, what happened at school, and then this one girl raised her hand and said, we can talk about why Jesus died for me. Boom! I was tongue-tied. And this little girl is a foster kid to one of our families with three beautiful girls.
INTRODUCTION
How does Judges begin with hope, as did Joshua? (Compare Joshua 1:1-3 with Judges 1:1-2)
The book starts with the words, “And” After the death of Joshua, the Israelites inquired of the Lord.
In Joshua, it started with a conversation between god and Joshua after the death of Moses.
2. How does Judges end with defeat? (Judges 21:25) Tim Keller says this also describes our era. How do you see this?
There was no king and everyone did what was right in their own eyes.
Yes, it does describe our era-people going about their merry way and wanting happiness and whatever they feel like doing. Do what makes you happy. Don’t worry about what others think, let alone what God thinks. Some people think they are little goods themselves. Master of my faith, captain of my soul. (taken from William Henley’s poem Invictus)
So good you have a program like this for children, Bing. And yes, boom! 🙂
7. Read on your own Judges 1:19 – 1:36.
A. What theme do you see now? What is the irony to this conquest report? Each tribe didn’t entirely drive out the all the Canaanite’s and instead lived among them. God had given it to them and they failed to completely follow up in what He told them. The old man Caleb was able to drive out the giants but the tribe of Benjamin couldn’t completely deal with Jerusalem,
B. Paige says that it is important to measure our life by obedience rather than success. Why? What application is there for you with this? The Israelites had success but because they were t totally obedient, they start on the trail that eventually leads to be conquered by Assyria and Babylon and being deported They lose the gift of land God gave them as an inheritance. Partial obedience is not obedience. Every sin matters and can lead to another and another and sliding down the slippery slope pulling me away from God and His goodness and protection.
Read aloud 1:19 – 26.
C. What reason do the men of Judah give for their first defeat in Judges 1:19? Why is this a poor excuse? They had chariots fitted with iron. They failed to remember all God had already done for them and that this land was their inheritance.
D. Paige contrasts the story of Rahab with the story in Judges 1:22-26. What is the same and what is the crucial difference? Rahab declared her faith and acted on it and helps the Israelites.. The man in Luz helps them but never had faith in God. Instead he builds another Luz which was coexisting with the Israelites and set stage for other tribes not completely driving out the Canaanite’s from the land they were given,
This may be a stupid question, but when do you want us to begin listening to Paige? Should we listen first and then read?
Do what works for you — many love reading the transcript simultaneously with her talking.
I load the transcript that is with the YouTube video and read as Paige talks.
Is loading it different than just clicking on it, Julie?
Dee, I just click by the three dots that are by the heading where it says more then scroll down if needed to where you see show transcript and click on that. It will then load the transcript of what she talked about with the time stamp.
INTRODUCTION:
How does Judges begin with hope, as did Joshua? (Compare Joshua 1:1-3 with Judges 1:1-2) (Paige says it literally begins with the word “And” linking it to Joshua) Share whatever you see. – Each time, after the death of their leader, they inquired of the Lord, what would happen and who would lead them. Each time God had appointed the one he knew was the right leader and told them that they were to go to the land that HE already GAVE them.
2. How does Judges end with defeat? (Judges 21:25) Tim Keller says this also describes our era. How do you see this? – There was no leader, they all did what they wanted to do. They didn’t care about the well being of others, it was all for themselves. There was chaos, disagreements, greed, anger, killings or attempts to kill. This sounds all too familiar in our world today. Whether we agree with it or not, there has to be good, honest, caring, authority to rid our world of all these negative things. Without it we will fall to the other nations.
HISTORICAL FACTS: HALF-HEARTED DISCIPLESHIP AND CREEPING DARKNESS
Hope
3. On your own, read Judges 1:1-18 and summarize the main theme. – God was walking before Judah and the people and handing over to them the nations they came to. They defeated and acquired each place.
4. How can you immediately see compromise among the men of Judah in Judges 1:3? – Judah was making his own plan by bringing Simeon with him and then they were going to go to the land allotted to Simeon. This was not the plan of God, but their own doing.
5. In Judges 1:7 a Canaanite king accepts God’s justice better than many of the Israelites. How do you see this? – He seems to know that the circumstance of him being caught and tortured, is because of the torture he dished out. He didn’t blame or point fingers at anyone else, he knew it was the consequences he had to pay for what he did. He could see the ‘promise’ of God, though it was not a good promise it was still the promise God fulfilled.
6. Tim Keller brings out the faithfulness of Caleb, and also, of his daughter Acsah, by showing how she embraced the promises of God for this land. How do you see this in Judges 1:12-15? – I’m not really sure on this one, but maybe when she accepted where she was put as where God wanted her to be?
Accommodation and Defeat
7. Read on your own Judges 1:19 – 1:36.
A. What theme do you see now? What is the irony to this conquest report? – I see here the hand of the Lord spared their lives, but he did not hand over the land to them. They were not completely successful in their missions. They now had the people living among them.
B. Paige says that it is important to measure our life by obedience rather than success. Why? What application is there for you with this? – Anyone can have successes, but if they aren’t from obedience to the Lord, they will not withstand the ways of the world. If I’m obedient and follow the Lord’s leading, he will guide my path to complete success. My obedience to Him will bring his promises that are mine.
Read aloud 1:19 – 26.
C. What reason do the men of Judah give for their first defeat in Judges 1:19? Why is this a poor excuse? – They had said the Lord was with them. It’s a poor excuse because God is a complete God, they only partially took the land. If God was with them, they would have taken it all and no inhabitants would have been living with them.
D. Paige contrasts the story of Rahab with the story in Judges 1:22-26. What is the same and what is the crucial difference? – Rahab and her family’s lives were spared, just as the man and his family were spared. But I think what the difference was is that Rahab knew the Lord and all that he had done. She feared the Lord. In this story, the house of Joseph seems to be doing this without the Lord, since they asked to be led in to the city. Rahab’s story, they knew exactly where they were going and why they were going there since it was led by the Lord.
Thoughtful answers.
HISTORICAL FACTS: HALF-HEARTED DISCIPLESHIP AND CREEPING DARKNESS
Hope
3. On your own, read Judges 1:1-18 and summarize the main theme.
Judah with the help of Simeon conquer the hill country God allotted them as well as Caleb’s nephew, Othniel capturing Kiriath-sepher.
4. How can you immediately see compromise among the men of Judah in Judges 1:3?
Judah asks Simeon to go with him to help fight the Canaanites, after Judah was told by the Lord that they were to go up…no mention of taking Simeon.
5. In Judges 1:7 a Canaanite king accepts God’s justice better than many of the Israelites. How do you see this?
Adoni-bezek’s thumbs and big toes were cut off, just as he expressed he had done to 70 kings who picked up scraps under his table. He says, “as I have done, so God had repaid me.”
6. Tim Keller brings out the faithfulness of Caleb, and also, of his daughter Acsah, by showing how she embraced the promises of God for this land. How do you see this in Judges 1:12-15?
Achsah asked Caleb for a blessing and he gave his daughter the upper and lower springs of water in the land of the Negeb as she requested.
The thumbs and toes things is awful but has the ring of historical truth
How does Judges begin with hope, as did Joshua? (Compare Joshua 1:1-3 with Judges 1:1-2) (Paige says it literally begins with the word “And” linking it to Joshua) Share whatever you see. Joshua was after the death of Moses. Without being asked God tells Joshua to get ready to cross the Jordan and then God would give them the land they set foot on. In Judges it’s after the death of Joshua and the people ask the Lord who will fight for them. God replied Judah and once again He says He is giving the land to them.
2. How does Judges end with defeat? (Judges 21:25) Tim Keller says this also describes our era. How do you see this? The people did what was right in their own eyes. I see reproductive rights, the gender identity choice and other issues as people doing what is right in their own eyes. They are not wanting a moral compass to guide them.
How does Judges begin with hope, as did Joshua? (Compare Joshua 1:1-3 with Judges 1:1-2) (Paige says it literally begins with the word “And” linking it to Joshua) Share whatever you see. Joshua was after the death of Moses. Without being asked God tells Joshua to get ready to cross the Jordan and then God would give the land they set foot on. In Judges it’s after the death of Joshua and the people ask the Lord who will fight for them. God replied Judah and once again He says He is giving the land to them.
2. How does Judges end with defeat? (Judges 21:25) Tim Keller says this also describes our era. How do you see this? The people did what was right in their own eyes. I see reproductive rights, ,the gender identity choice and other issues as people doing what is right in their own eyes. They are not wanting a moral compass to guide them.
God Hunt At grandparents lunch I sometimes feel like the Fifth wheel. The other grandparents come from out of town and of course the grands are excited to see them. This time I happened to get to school before the other grandparents and had just a sweet time with granddaughter and one of her friends. Felt like God was saying, see I take care of you. You are not alone.
What a sweet God hunt Judy…He does take of us and He sees us too❤️
Love this Judy!
HISTORICAL ACCOUNT: HALF-HEARTED DISCIPLESHIP (Spend more time on next section)
1. On your own, read Judges 1 and summarize the main theme.
The downward spiral of accommodation
or
Accommodation-the beginning of the spiritual decline of the people of God.
2. How can you immediately see compromise among the men of Judah in Judges 1:3?
The men of Judah asked the Simeonites to help them although the Lord asked them to go up on their own as a tribe.
3. In Judges 1:7 a Canaanite king accepts God’s justice better than many of the Israelites. How do you see this?
He (Adoni-bezek) acknowledged that he was getting what he deserved (toes and thumbs cut off) since he did the same thing to others.
4. Tim Keller brings out the faithfulness of Caleb, and also, of his daughter Acsah, by showing how she embraced the promises of God for this land. How do you see this in Judges 1:12-15?
Achsah had the same audaciousness (I hope I am using this word correctly if I thought it meant “bold”) as her father in asking for a specific inheritance/allotment. “ Give me the springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs of Negev. Interestingly, Achsah married her cousin, Othniel, and it sounds to me like the blessings of Caleb went to his nearest of kin. It is all grace!
6. What reason do the men of Judah give for their first defeat in Judges 1:19? Why is this a poor excuse?
Iron chariots. They defeated many others who had the same war equipment, namely, iron chariots. They have forgotten God who gave them victory over their previous enemies. Oh, how easily I can forget the power of God.
5. Paige contrasts the story of Rahab with the story in Judges 1:22-26. What is the same and what is the crucial difference?
Both the man coming out of the city and Rahab were spared from the sword. But Rahab put her faith in the God Israel and later married Salmon, an Israelite. There was no mention of the man of the city turning to God. He just moved his family to another place and lived there.
Accommodation and Defeat
7. Read on your own Judges 1:19 – 1:36.
A. What theme do you see now? What is the irony to this conquest report?
They did not drive out the inhabitants of the land.
It is an anti-conquest account.
B. Paige says that it is important to measure our life by obedience rather than success. Why? What application is there for you with this?
God looks at the heart and our motive in what we do, needs to come from a place of obedience to Him not what we accomplish. If it comes out of a motive to succeed then we’re doing it for own recognition which can lead to works righteousness.
The application for me…take my eyes off self and abide in Him.
Read aloud 1:19 – 26.
C. What reason do the men of Judah give for their first defeat in Judges 1:19? Why is this a poor excuse?
They had chariots of iron.
It’s a poor excuse because they had been in battles before when the people had chariots of iron and God had told them, “one of you is going to put to flight a thousand.” Iron chariots was no problem for the Lord.
D. Paige contrasts the story of Rahab with the story in Judges 1:22-26. What is the same and what is the crucial difference?
Rahab and the “man” were not Israelites but Rahab became an Israelite, she came with a profession of faith before she asked for anything. The man never became an Israelite, he went to the land of the Hittites and built his own city.
My God hunt may seem a little bizarre, but it involves my dog. I have a 13 year old chihuahua/yorkie mix who has been diagnosed with an enlarged heart and has been on medication for that. She has been having episodes of collapsing/fainting that I have tried to describe to the people at the vet, but it’s hard to diagnose from a description. I had a vet appointment on Thursday and as I was checking in, my dog collapsed. They immediately took her back and were able to diagnose and treat her. While I don’t like that she had another episode, I am thankful that it happened in the presence of the veterinary personnel.
Great God hunt and not bizarre at all Dawn…so thankful they could diagnose and treat your sweet dog!
That was such a God Hunt, Dawn.
Dawn, that was a good God hunt. He pays attention to details of the lives of those we care for. I love dogs!
Would appreciate prayer for Patti. She has much going on along with a sprained ankle. She bought a house in Rhode Island near her daughter and sold her house in a day — must move within ten days, also fly to a grand-daughter’s wedding in Nashville — so she is apologizing for not being on the blog. 🙂 She’ll be back I know, but pray for her please.
Prayers for Patti, that she is healing and things go smoothly. Also prayers for Julie and family. (have thought about her and hurricane).
Prayers for Patti. So much going on in her life. The Lord watches over you, Patti!
Oh my! What craziness! Praying for Patti. 🙏🙏🙏
3. On your own, read Judges 1:1-18 and summarize the main theme.
Joshua dies. The tribe of Judah is the one assigned to “clean” the land of the Canaanites. The tribe joins with the tribe of Simeon to do this. They captured many parts and defeated many kings.
It’s weird that in the middle of the fighting verses you have this marriage between Caleb’s daughter and the “winner” of one of the victories (who happened to be his nephew).
4. How can you immediately see compromise among the men of Judah in Judges 1:3? And
God said for Judah to be the conquering tribe, not Judah and Simeon.
5. In Judges 1:7 a Canaanite king accepts God’s justice better than many of the Israelites. How do you see this?
He says he is getting “paid back” by God.
6. Tim Keller brings out the faithfulness of Caleb, and also, of his daughter Acsah, by showing how she embraced the promises of God for this land. How do you see this in Judges 1:12-15?
She asks for the springs as well as the land he conquered.
Keller makes a point of that “weird” point – I wouldn’t have seen it without him, and Paige doesn’t mention it. Caleb put a test to find the right man for Acsath — someone who would trust God’s Word and not add any soldiers or give any excuses for not taking Kiriath Sepher. Othniel did it and Keller also says Acsath embraced the Promised Land and was going to live on it and take care of it. Two people following God are married. Then, peak ahead to what happens to Othniels in Judges 3:9-11!
Oh, Dee! What a beautiful point you brought out here about Othniel! It’s no wonder Sharon’s husband loves Judges, and I can see why. Glimmers of God’s mercy and love punctuate the dismal history of the Israelites, giving me much hope for the future. Othniels and Aschahs are living out their lives today boldly, trusting God to fulfill His promises.
THANK YOU, KATHY!8. Read aloud Judges 2:1-5
A. How does the Lord interpret the facts according to the angel? What promise does He remind them of and why? They had disobeyed the Lord. The Lord would never break His covenant with them and they were not to make a covenant with the people in the land. He was showing them their disobedience.
B. Why question does God ask in verse 3 and why does He ask? (What do you learn about good parenting from this?) why have you done this? To point out their disobedience and to ascertain their awareness of their sins.
C. We are to walk by faith, not by sight, to live by revelation and not by reason. How does this apply to you right now? With fears? With compromise with the world? Right now, just to trust He is going to take care of me, overrule any mistakes in judgement and give me answers to the questions I’m asking. I haven’t watched much tv but going into fall and winter I need to be careful when I do watch to be selective.
D. Paige gives examples of language of compromise: “I wish I could do this but, I wish I could take this away from my child but… where do you see this language in your life? Not my language but am I considering accommodating other people to get their approval?
E. Keller asks: Think of an area where you say I cannot obey (forgive, resist temptation…) What are you forgetting? Not giving my full opinion when asked because I don’t want conflict or disagreement. My security is in my relationship with the Lord and not what other people think of me or my opinions.
Keller lists forgiveness, telling the truth to others, and temptation as common stumbling blocks.
F. How did the people respond? What is the difference between remorse and repentance? They wept aloud and offered sacrifices, Remorse is being sorry for my sin but not changing my ways. Repentance is being sorry and seeking to do things differently.
Judy — that “not giving my full opinion” because afraid of conflict is a hard one, but there is a time to speak and a time to be silent, and it really means hearing from the Lord. I recently bravely asked a Catholic pickleball friend if she would do a beginning Bible study. She said, “No, not interested — but its not personal — I have a friend who wants me to be Vegan and I’m not interested in that either.”
I was quiet because she said it so strongly, but I’m praying about going back to her and talking more. It really takes discernment from the Lord, and so we lean on Him and pray for wisdom, which He does promise to give!
Thank you. Good advice
Dee, I was in a similar situation a week ago. A Catholic family has attended our church on and off for the past few years. She and I talked after she attended one of our 4-week bible studies and shared some of her frustrations about life and church, I boldly asked her if she wanted to do a study with me on a flexible schedule and asked her to think about it. She was excited about the possibility. When I brought it up with her again, she said she is just spread thin and can’t commit (she has 6 children and a very busy husband). I told her I understood and that the offer still stand if she changed her mind. I sense a hesitancy to commit so I am praying for her.
9. Read aloud Judges 2:10-13
A. How is the next generation described (verses 10-13)? Notice the verbs in 11-13. They grew up not knowing the Lord and what He had done for them. They did evil, served Baals, forsook the Lord, followed and worshipped gods of people around them, soused the Lord’s anger
B. How does God keep His promise to them in verses 14-15? When they went out to fight the hand of the Lord was against them to defeat them.
C. Ralph Davis writes: “Passing on the knowledge of the saving work of God cannot guarantee the faithful of the next generation…but the failure to pass it on will guarantee their unfaithfulness.” Comments? The people failed to teach what the Lord had done for them and what it meant to them and should mean to their children. If I fail to pass my faith on, how will they know? Where will they get their information from? There is a lot information available, but much of it isn’t truth that should be guiding their lives.
10. Read Psalm 78:1-7 and Deut. 6:4-7. Comments. Who are the most important teachers and why? God and parents Parents have influence and are the ones who are with them most every day.
11. Deut. 6:4-7? We are to talk about God with them regularly
12. Therefore, what is your responsibility with the children God has put in your life? How are you doing it? Be specific by considering Paige’s questions: What do you talk about, celebrate, show them? (Take time with this.) On the days I take my grandkids to school we pray about their school, teachers, troubled classmates and any concerns they have. A few times while reading a story or watching a movie I’ve brought in why it’s important to forgive. I don’t share enough with them what God has done. My step son and dil seem resistant and I guess I’ve thought it falls on deaf ears. I pray for them, but realize now I need to ask God how to bring Him into conversations
13. What did John Piper mean when he said silence is dogma? When we are silent about Jesus we are not ascribing to Jesus His unsurpassable importance and worth. We make Him an after thought and not deserving of following and first place in our hearts and lives.
I love what you are doing with your grandkids. I liked Paige’s point that kids are not resistant, so now is the time.
14. What did you learn about these gods from Paige, particularly Baal and Ashtorah? (Her point with teaching your child to blow his nose?) the gods were agriculture and fertility. They weren’t replacing God they were adding to. God was no longer exclusive as their God We can’t add other gods and still worship God. The parents had failed by their actions to teach that they should worship God alone.
15. Read Judges 2:16-23 and describe what God did for the people and how the people responded. Verse 17 uses the word whoring. Comment? Where do you pour out your life and love? (She says look at credit card, calendar, and ask those closest to you.) He raised up judges (warriors) who would save them from raiders. They didn’t listen to the judges and continued in their wickedness and turned from their ancestors ways of obedience. My grandkids when they let me.
16. Many see disobedience as leading to freedom, but how does it imprison you? Give an example. How do these consequences show the love of the Lord? Anything that leads away from God will ensnare me because true freedom comes through God. I suffered from mild depression most of my early life. Once I surrendered to God and sought Him, the depression lifted. When God brings consequences, He is drawing people to come to an end of their sin so that they will turn to Him seek forgiveness and do things His way which is always better.
17. What was her point with the story of the contractor and his son? The son sought to cut corners when building the home then the father turned the house over to him. When I cut corners in my relationship with God I hurt myself because He turns things over to me until I turn away from my ways
8. Read aloud Judges 2:1-5
A. How does the Lord interpret the facts according to the angel? What promise does He remind them of and why?
He interprets them as disobedience.
The promise He made to their fathers of giving them the land which was a covenant and He never breaks a covenant made with them.
B. What question does God ask in verse 2 and why does He ask? (What do you learn about good parenting from this?)
What is this you have done?
It’s good to ask your child what they have done wrong so they know and are reminded of why they are being disciplined.
C. We are to walk by faith, not by sight, to live by revelation and not by reason. How does this apply to you right now? With fears? With compromise with the world?
In the circumstances I’m in right now it’s important that I trust in God and His word and just continue to pour my heart out to Him. I go back to what Paige said a couple of weeks ago…I may not not His plans but I know who He is and He never changes… I just need to walk in faith.
D. Paige gives examples of language of compromise: “I wish I could do this but, I wish I could take this away from my child but… where do you see this language in your life?
I see this when I’m with my adult children. I want to remind them of what they were taught about the Lord when they were young, to go to church, to trust in the Lord but I don’t because I don’t want to be preachy and controversial.
E. Keller asks: Think of an area where you say I cannot obey (forgive, resist temptation…) What are you forgetting?
My idol of approval is a big stumbling block for me.
Keller lists forgiveness, telling the truth to others, and temptation as common stumbling blocks.
F. How did the people respond? What is the difference between remorse and repentance?
They wept and sacrificed to the Lord.
Remorse is just feeling guilty, feeling sorry and maybe crying but repentance is turning, turning back to God.
It’s different with adult children — and that’s when prayer comes in. You have and gave such a wonderful heritage, and now you pray — I pray for them too. Father these grandchildren of Don and Caroline, how I pray they will remember what they know to be true, and return wholeheartedly to you.
Read Judges 3:1-6 and read aloud Judges 3:5-6.
19. Why was it so dangerous that they took wives from the “sites?” This not only applies to marriage, but applies to our relationship with the Lord. Explain. The people started to take on the gods of these people. They assimilated. I need to be careful in the desire for other people’s approval to hold firm to God’s truth and what He expects and not cave to fit in.
20. Is your default mode your love for the Lord first and foremost? Is this obvious to the people around you in your world in a positive way, even if it makes them uncomfortable? I fail. I’m usually fine around the Christian friends I hang with, but around others I don’t always spread His sweet aroma in all situations and may be silent about something I’m to say. Then I have to ask forgiveness. Paige s example of the friend who said she could close in prayer and the ladies said no is eye opening, Not always do people I come in contact with would guess I’m a Christian because of the way I may respond to things. I see the doctor tomorrow 2 weeks after a 3” incision on my leg completely opened up. My words need to be grace filled, humble with no hint of sarcasm.
21. What is the mystery of the book of Judges despite the downward cycling of sin? God didn’t destroy them. Instead they received God ‘s grace and love . Even when He knew the Israelites would continue to Sin, He heard their groaning and had compassion on them.
22. In what parts of your life do you most need to be reminded of God’s grace? What was her point Edmund from the end of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe? That even though I’m struggling with doubt and uncertainty about the future, my God is not going to turn His back on me. He is with me through my desert place and won’t leave me. Edmund no longer had a desire to bow down or fear the witch. The love aslin showed flipped everything for Edmund. It’s a love we already have in Jesus and love wins.
23. Are there areas where you ask God to co-exist with your idols? Where have you been re-programmed? I’m struggling with time management and I think it’s been leading me to just go through the motions with the important things – prayer, devotion, worship, and listening,
24. What is your take-a-way and why? That we can’t have God in anything but first place in our lives. God will not coexist with other lesser idols in my life. I must choose who I’m going to serve and not get bogged down and serve anxiety. Also the importance of passing down my faith to my family so they know that my hope comes from the Lord
It’s so good Judy how you are preparing to be Christ-like with your doctor who didn’t do a very good job.
THEOLOGICAL INTERPRETATION
Read all of Judges 2 on your own.
8. Read aloud Judges 2:1-5
A. How does the Lord interpret the facts according to the angel? What promise does He remind them of and why?
He saw it as disobedience and he reminded them of his covenant with them that He would never break.
B. Why question does God ask in verse 3 and why does He ask? (What do you learn about good parenting from this?)
C. We are to walk by faith, not by sight, to live by revelation and not by reason. How does this apply to you right now? With fears? With compromise with the world?
We don’t need to understand what God is telling us to do. Some things He reveals to us may not make sense (not reasonable) but we need to keep forging ahead. I appreciate the testimony of the couple in our community who fostered 4 girls even when they did not have the resources to keep them. She and her husband thought it was an impossibility, but they obeyed and walked by faith, they saw God every day meeting them and their needs.
4:45 pm 9/29/24 Our daughter, Ruth just called my husband, Richard, to tell us that she was in an accident; somebody hit her while she was driving, and her airbags were deployed. The crew who came thinks she should go to the hospital. Walk by faith and not by sight. Trust and obey., right now, Bing.
No compromise with the world even if people say to go with the flow.
D. Paige gives examples of language of compromise: “I wish I could do this but, I wish I could take this away from my child but… where do you see this language in your life?
Right now, with an adult daughter, I do a greater battle in the area of prayer. Now is the time to trust God even more even when her heart seems hard toward Him. He will complete what He started in her when she was at a younger age.
E. Keller asks: Think of an area where you say I cannot obey (forgive, resist temptation…) What are you forgetting?
Keller lists forgiveness, telling the truth to others, and temptation as common stumbling blocks.
Though not as persistent, it is still a temptation for me to give in to my idol of approval.
F. How did the people respond? What is the difference between remorse and repentance?
They wept aloud and offered sacrifices to the Lord. nowhere did it say, they repented of their sins.
I think of Hosea 6:6 “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.”
Remorse is feeling bad because you have been found out; Repentance is acknowledging my sin and turning away from it.
9. Read aloud Joshua 2:10-13
A. How is the next generation described (verses 10-13)? Notice the verbs in 11-13.
They do not know the Lord and have not heard of what He has done. They also worshiped idols like Baal and Ashtoreth. They forsook God.
B. How does God keep His promise to them in verses 14-15?
God promised blessings to them if they obeyed but if they didn’t, (and just as he had sworn to them). He promised He would send defeat to the Israelites because of the evil they have done.
C. Ralph Davis writes: “Passing on the knowledge of the saving work of God cannot guarantee the faithful of the next generation…but the failure to pass it on will guarantee their unfaithfulness.” Comments?
How would they know if they don’t hear? I agree to some degree as it does speak to the magnitude of our responsibility as Christian parents to pass on our faith to our children. Yet, there is the balance of God’s sovereignty that even if we do fail to pass the saving word of God, his will for their salvation can still be his purpose for them that He will complete. It does not excuse us Christian parents, though.
10. Read Psalm 78:1-7 and Deut. 6:4-7. Comments. Who are the most important teachers and why?
To tell the next generation of the wonderful works of God and his blessings on those who obey him
11. Deut. 6:4-7?
Talk about God and his laws in the day-to-day “operation” of our lives.
12. Therefore, what is your responsibility with the children God has put in your life? How are you doing it? Be specific by considering Paige’s questions: What do you talk about, celebrate, show them? (Take time with this.)
Right now, the children in my life are the children of our church family. We engage them through lessons on Sundays and a once-a-month Parent’s Night Out fellowship. We keep a birthday list of all of the kids and several of us make it a point to greet them either on their birthdays or during the week of their birthdays. Christian stickers are very popular now with kids; even the older ones.
I remember how older folks would talk to me when I was in church growing up. That warmed my heart and so I try to do that now.
Ruth’s accident above made me think that even though she is an adult, I need to spend more time with her and treasure those moments even if we don’t agree on many things and focus on what agree on which is more.
update: 5:58 PM Please pray for Richard, Ruth, and her dog, Sam who was with her during the accident. She has been taken to the hospital by ambulance, Sam is with a police officer, her car has been towed, and Richard should be getting close to where he is supposed to go. Thanks so much1
Praying for all Bing. 🙏🙏
Prayers all is well with Ruth and her heart is softened towards God.
Father, I do ask that you be with Richard, Ruth, and her dog — give doctors wisdom and all of them Your peace.
Prayers for Ruth and her dog, that she is ok and may God give you and Richard His peace.
Thank you, all! I sensed the power of the Spirit strengthening me through last night’s events. Ruth and Sam are doing alright, and Richard made it home safely at around midnight. I am so thankful she is alive. She was hit on the driver’s side. She also received news yesterday that one of her friends from many years ago died at the age of 34 from cancer.
9. Read aloud Judges 2:10-13
A. How is the next generation described (verses 10-13)? Notice the verbs in 11-13.
Did not acknowledge the LORD or remember the mighty things He had done for Israel.
Did evil in the LORD’S sight.
Served the images of Baal.
Abandoned the LORD.
Went after other gods.
Worshiped the gods of the people around them.
They angered the LORD.
Abandoned the LORD to serve Baal and the images of Ashtoreth.
B. How does God keep His promise to them in verses 14-15?
He handed them over to raiders who stole their possessions, turned them over to their enemies all around and the LORD fought against them every time they went out to battle causing them to be defeated.
He did all of the above just as He had warned.
C. Ralph Davis writes: “Passing on the knowledge of the saving work of God cannot guarantee the faithful of the next generation…but the failure to pass it on will guarantee their unfaithfulness.” Comments?
It is important that we share Jesus with our children and it may make the choice easier for them to be faithful but I do disagree that a failure to pass it on will guarantee their unfaithfulness. I can’t help but think of Romans 1:20, “For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”
I disagreed with that too, for God is bigger than that.
Sharon, I also agree with your thoughts on your answer to C. god is bigger than all of our failures as parents. He is God and He can use anything to draw people, our children, to Himself.
7. Read on your own Judges 1:19 – 1:36.
A. What theme do you see now? What is the irony to this conquest report?
The Israelites were trying to conquer each parcel of land but never actually drove out all of the Canaanites.
They made the Canaanites their slaves. It was supposed to be the Israelite conquer the Canaanites. It ended up the Canaanites “conquering” the Israelites.
B. Paige says that it is important to measure our life by obedience rather than success. Why? What application is there for you with this?
The Israelites weren’t successful because they weren’t obedient. Had they conquered the way God intended, then they would have been successful. Obedience equals success.
I think that being faithful to Him, no matter what happens, brings me success in the end.
C. What reason do the men of Judah give for their first defeat in Judges 1:19? Why is this a poor excuse?
They had iron chariots. It’s a poor excuse because they had God with them!
D. Paige contrasts the story of Rahab with the story in Judges 1:22-26. What is the same and what is the crucial difference?
It is the same because there were scouts sent to glean information. The scouts were taken care of and the man was saved. I see no acceptance of God by the man.
I think it is true obedience leads to success, if success is defined as pleasing the Lord, which is indeed, the way we should look at it!
10. Read Psalm 78:1-7 and Deut. 6:4-7. Comments. Who are the most important teachers and why?
Parents. They were commanded to teach their children the instructions God gave their ancestors and to continue the cycle. This is how each generation should set its hope anew on God, never forgetting His glorious miracles and obeying His commands.
11. Deut. 6:4-7?
Again it is parents so their children would love God with all their heart, soul and strength and commit themselves wholeheartedly to the commands given to their parents.
12. Therefore, what is your responsibility with the children God has put in your life? How are you doing it? Be specific by considering Paige’s questions: What do you talk about, celebrate, show them? (Take time with this.)
My responsibility is to teach God’s truth and my grandkids are the prominent kids in my life right now. I do pray for them, when we have them I try to have a time in His word and prayer…I know I can do so much more. I know they aren’t hearing about Him from their parents 💔 so I pray that God would give me wisdom and words to say and prepare their hearts to hear and have understanding.
13. What did John Piper mean when he said silence is dogma?
If we’re being silent about Jesus, we’re teaching kids a principle… that He isn’t that important to us and therefore He doesn’t need to be that important to them.
This really hit both Jim and I during her lecture and we had Children’s church where Jim taught about Elijah with the prophets of Baal and Jim quoted the passage from Deuteronomy 6:4-7 as to why it is important that we know God’s Word…all of it!
14. What did you learn about these gods from Paige, particularly Baal and Ashtorah? (Her point with teaching your child to blow his nose?)
Baal became a pantheon of gods, the god of agriculture, rain, storm, etc. and the Ashtorah’s were Baal’s consort. The Israelite were now growing their own crops and it seemed the right thing for them to do in worshipping Baal, thinking he could help them🥺!
The point of the nose blowing illustration is that the Israelites going to Baal or the Ashtorah’s, they were hoping to show them how to give them good crops. They weren’t replacing God with idols but adding to Him.
This is convicting and I find myself asking if I do the same thing in my life…of course I do and it’s subtle.
Jim shared that this is why Judges is his favorite book…these stories/facts mirror our own lives.
Jim is right — they do mirror our lives. How we need the Word to keep goading us back into the light.
8. Read aloud Joshua 2:1-5
A. How does the Lord interpret the facts according to the angel? What promise does He remind them of and why?
The Lord said He fought them out of Egypt and made a covenant that He would never break to give them their rightful land. He reminds them that they were to not make covenants with other people living in the land. They disobeyed by not destroying their altars. Therefore God said He would no longer protect them from the other peoples. He would not drive them out of the land.
B. Why question does God ask in verse 3 and why does He ask? (What do you learn about good parenting from this?)
Why did you do this (disobey)? Isn’t it a rhetorical question? They were trying to attend to the situations with their own ideas instead of listening to God’s way.
C. We are to walk by faith, not by sight, to live by revelation and not by reason. How does this apply to you right now? With fears? With compromise with the world?
I have to keep telling myself He is in charge and I need to be patient. I am in one of the trials of my life. I am calm because I do believe He sees the victory and I can’t. It may not look as I think it should either. I know if our battles goes against us I will be hurt. I also know He will prevail regardless.
Your last response is so true, and I pray you keep speaking it to your soul, dear Laura.
13. What did John Piper mean when he said silence is dogma?
Dogma means something held as an established opinion; a point of view or tenet put forth as authoritative without adequate grounds; a doctrine or body of doctrines concerning faith or morals formally stated and authoritatively proclaimed by a church
I am still saying something even when I am silent and don’t speak up.
14. What did you learn about these gods from Paige, particularly Baal and Ashtorah? (Her point with teaching your child to blow his nose?)
Baal and Ashtoreth are the gods and goddesses of the crops. The Israelites believed their worship of these two including sexual immorality/depravity would help with a bountiful crop. I am not sure about the blowing of nose (?) Is it showing by example and then reaping the benefits of increasing success do what Baal and Ashtorah do and you get the good crops? And what these gods offered when worshiped was pretty satisfying to the flesh and the eye and the pride of life.
15. Read Judges 2:16-23 and describe what God did for the people and how the people responded. Verse 17 uses the word whoring. Comment? Where do you pour out your life and love? (She says look at credit card, calendar, and ask those closest to you.)
God sure does not mince words and neither does Paige! “Whoring” is prostituting, giving yourself fully and completely to them. You are not just co-existing with them-you are covenanting with them. You have broken the covenant with God. Her question about where we pour out our love has given me pause and I realize I need to come before the Lord and have Him reorder my priorities.
16. Many see disobedience as leading to freedom, but how does it imprison you? Give an example. How do these consequences show the love of the Lord?
People can look at God’s laws as constricting so they will not follow. v. 14-15 They are as a snare. A controlling power in our lives. He was righteously angered and had them suffer the consequences of their disobedience. “He gave them over to their enemies.”
17. What was her point with the story of the contractor and his son?
The contractor is like God who gives us everything without reservation and we don’t receive them as is. We want to manipulate his gifts to what we think we deserve or want and we end up with something much, much lesser.
18. Where are you pouring out your life? Give a positive example of your life where you truly repented rather than just grieved the consequences and the joy it has brought you. (I love how she said obedience works not just because God says so, but because it is true.)
I repented how I rationalized my negative thoughts about a certain person and reasoned that I did not receive such treatment from that person. The Lord has given me a sincere love for this person and it has brought joy to me even when my efforts to try again are not appreciated. I am learning to pour out my life as Jesus did to my “enemies”. God help me not to give up on this person and others.
Read Joshua 3:1-6 and read aloud Joshua 3:5-6.
19. Why was it so dangerous that they took wives from the “sites?” This not only applies to marriage, but applies to our relationship with the Lord. Explain.
The wives from the “sites” have gods and marrying these women brought conflicting commitments. Now, accommodation has turned into full assimilation. They are now married to their wives’ culture. A covenantal relationship with God is exclusive. I cannot be committed to God and other gods at the same time.
20. Is your default mode your love for the Lord first and foremost? Is this obvious to the people around you in your world in a positive way, even if it makes them uncomfortable?
I would like to say that my default mode is now my love for the Lord as first and foremost. Though the idol or a god of approval tempts me, I am more aware when it starts to operate in my life. The battle can be fierce as I remember it has taken days before I can settle things in my heart with God and focus on Him alone. I want to be distinct, and distinguishable in my walk with God.
21. What is the mystery of the book of Judges despite the downward cycling of sin?
Because of the Lord’s compassion, deliverance always came to the Israelites when the Lord heard their groanings despite their increasing corruption.
22. In what parts of your life do you most need to be reminded of God’s grace? What was her point Edmund from the end of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe?
Whenever I feel like I don’t measure up. Edmund is no longer afraid of the witches and will not bow down to them because Aslan was there and showed him unconditional love.
23. Are there areas where you ask God to co-exist with your idols? Where have you been re-programmed?
Our luncheon is fast coming up and being the organizer, I have been challenged to let God be in control of the details instead of me. Our studies here have helped me to wait on the Lord, to be still, and to be in constant conversation with Him. The loose ends threaten to overwhelm me at times, and sleep has been less restful. I am thankful for God’s mercy even when I mess things up.
My takeaway:
Let my love for you, Lord, be first and foremost. May I always be reminded of your promises not only of blessings but of curses as well. Your covenant with me is exclusive; I cannot have any other gods besides you. Help me to be distinguishable in my faith and my love for you. Help me not to compromise or accommodate but instead, help me to be a light in the midst of an ungodly culture. Thank you for giving me a greater appreciation for your word in Judges.
and thank you to Paige, Dee, and Kathy (her transcription rocks!) Continue to open my eyes to the wonderful truths of your Word.
So glad Paige’s studies have helped you as you trust Him for this luncheon!
D. Paige gives examples of language of compromise: “I wish I could do this but, I wish I could take this away from my child but… where do you see this language in your life?
I can see this in the situation we are in with our daughter. I wish I had heard this series a very long time ago! I’m starting to think that we should have listened when a counselor told us to not allow her and her (now) husband live with us. Ugh! Reaping all the “benefits” now….I feel like we are the Israelites now and she and he are the “people of the land.” We should have cleared them out and we didn’t.
E. Keller asks: Think of an area where you say I cannot obey (forgive, resist temptation…) What are you forgetting?
It’s not that we can’t, rather we won’t. It’s deadly defiance, not just a minor thing.
Keller lists forgiveness, telling the truth to others, and temptation as common stumbling blocks.
F. How did the people respond? What is the difference between remorse and repentance?
They say they could not drive them out. Really it’s that they would not drive them out.
Remorse is when you truly believe in your heart you are wrong and you wish you didn’t do whatever you did. Repentance is that and then the next step where you take action and ask for forgiveness. Tearing down the altars and turning to Him.
Hindsight is always 20/20. I think of warnings I should have heeded too, Laura — yet now we go forward, trusting that God will teach us through it, and I do believe He has.
15. Read Judges 2:16-23 and describe what God did for the people and how the people responded. Verse 17 uses the word whoring. Comment? Where do you pour out your life and love? (She says look at credit card, calendar, and ask those closest to you.)
God raised up judges to rescue the Israelites from their attackers and whenever He did this He was with the judge and rescued the people from their enemies throughout the judge’s lifetime. The Lord took pity on His people, who were burdened by oppression and suffering.
The people responded by not listening to the judges but prostituted themselves by worshiping other gods. They turned from the path of their ancestors, who had walked in obedience to the LORD’S commands. When the judge died the people returned to their corrupt ways, behaving worse than those who had lived before them. Refused to give up their evil practices (serving other gods) and stubborn ways.
16. Many see disobedience as leading to freedom, but how does it imprison you? Give an example. How do these consequences show the love of the Lord?
It controls you, it has power over you.
Paige gives the example of addiction. In my life that addiction could be to social media, games, tv, family or anything that takes God off the throne and puts self there and becomes an idol…which is disobedience.
17. What was her point with the story of the contractor and his son?
The contractor gave his son carte blanche to build a house on his own as he thought he was ready and the son cut corners to save money and when he was all done the contractor handed his son the keys and told him the house belonged to him. In turn, we think we can cut corners/cheat the Lord, we are really cheating ourselves…sin is always its own punishment.
18. Where are you pouring out your life? Give a positive example of your life where you truly repented rather than just grieved the consequences and the joy it has brought you. (I love how she said obedience works not just because God says so, but because it is true.)
In taking care of my sister, the hospital & doctor appointments, she then requested me to do some grocery shopping for her and I was exhausted! I went to the store with a grudgingly, feeling sorry for myself, didn’t want to attitude, and then I knew I needed to take the focus off of me and do it as unto the Lord. I asked for forgiveness and repented and I did feel joy because my actions were very selfish and I had been praying that my life would be a good witness for the Lord and He answered my prayer by working in my heart!
Prayers for strength and that you are able to continue to witness to your sister.
Thank you so much Judy❤️
How often I have done the right thing with the wrong attitude — your confession reminds me of that and strengthens me to do an attitude check.
THEOLOGICAL INTERPRETATION
Read all of Judges 2 on your own.
8. Read aloud Judges 2:1-5
A. How does the Lord interpret the facts according to the angel? What promise does He remind them of and why? – They were in disobedience to the Lord’s commands. He reminded them that if they obeyed and followed him and not other gods, that he would give them the land that he promised to their fathers, but they didn’t do what was asked of them. They didn’t remove the alters of the people of the land and lived among them. So now the promise of God is that he will not drive them out of the land. The people of the land will now be a thorn in their sides. Their disobedience to the Lord, brought a negative promise of God upon them.
B. What question does God ask in verse 3 and why does He ask? (What do you learn about good parenting from this?) – He asks, “what is this that you have done?” I think he is giving them a chance to repent and explain why they did what they did. By holding back the consequence, it shows great love from God. He is giving them every opportunity to see that their way was wrong and to ask God to forgive. His patience and love for them is greater than the anger from their disobedience.
C. We are to walk by faith, not by sight, to live by revelation and not by reason. How does this apply to you right now? With fears? With compromise with the world? – There seems to be a lot of anger and hatred these days. I can even see a little bit of it this last week, with the effects of devastation from hurricane Helene that hit in NE Tennessee, just 40 miles SE of where we live. Anger of why’s and they shouldn’t haves. At a time like this with homes, business and worst of all lives lost, why can’t people come together and not complain that someone is not doing enough. The fear of these small towns possible not being rebuilt or major highways gone and needing to be rebuilt to connect the outside towns and the fear that the people still missing may never be found. But I can see love, hope and support from so many that aren’t complaining. People, churches, organizations, restaurants, large parking lots opening up to help provide a place, a meal or even a hot shower to so many that have lost in a huge way. God is still working in the hearts of many people. That brings me hope and relinquishes the fear that I have in this world of greed.
D. Paige gives examples of language of compromise: “I wish I could do this but, I wish I could take this away from my child but… where do you see this language in your life? – I wish I could be more bold…but. This is my stronghold I guess you can say. I want others to know about the Lord, but I hold back at times. I don’t like confrontation and I feel inadequate in providing answers, but I need to just get over it and let God work and talk through me like he did with Moses.
E. Keller asks: Think of an area where you say I cannot obey (forgive, resist temptation…) What are you forgetting? – Forgiving was big for me. I would say people did this to me so I won’t forgive them. But over the years, I let it go. I’ve felt the heaviness of not forgiving, I’ve forgotten that God has and continues to forgive me on a daily basis, so who am I to not forgive. It’s part of being obedient to the ways of the Lord to forgive. Once I learned this, and forgave the unforgivable, I had so much peace with it all. It hurts no one but myself and most of all God if I don’t forgive.
Keller lists forgiveness, telling the truth to others, and temptation as common stumbling blocks.
F. How did the people respond? What is the difference between remorse and repentance? – They wept. I think remorse you feel some regret or sadness of what you may have done, but repentance is remorse, and asking for forgiveness from God all in one. You feel regret and sadness and you are very sorry and want God to see your broken heart over what happened.
9. Read aloud Judges 2:10-13
A. How is the next generation described (verses 10-13)? Notice the verbs in 11-13. – They did what was evil, served the Baals, abandoned the Lord, went after other gods, bowed down to them. And worst of all I think, they provoked the Lord to anger.
B. How does God keep His promise to them in verses 14-15? – God turns the tables on them. He has their enemies plunder them, they became enslaved to the enemy and the Lord was not with them whenever they went out.
C. Ralph Davis writes: “Passing on the knowledge of the saving work of God cannot guarantee the faithful of the next generation…but the failure to pass it on will guarantee their unfaithfulness.” Comments? – I think this is so true. If we don’t pass on our knowledge to others, they won’t even know there could be another way of thinking. They will continue to just believe what they have been told. It is then up to that person to seek and grow in knowledge and find out what is truth and fact and what is just here say or someone’s own opinion.
10. Read Psalm 78:1-7 and Deut. 6:4-7. Comments. Who are the most important teachers and why? – Our ancestors, those older who have gone before us, walked where we are now walking. I know that not everyone has a godly leader in their life, but I pray that God puts people in their paths that will come along side them and guide them.
11. Deut. 6:4-7? – It’s our responsibility, a command of the Lord to teach those who come in to our paths. Whether they are our own, or someone who God places before us. We may be the only person that reaches out to them, we may be their only link to Jesus.
12. Therefore, what is your responsibility with the children God has put in your life? How are you doing it? Be specific by considering Paige’s questions: What do you talk about, celebrate, show them? (Take time with this.) – My husband and I try with 4 out of the 5 boys, the 5th doesn’t really communicate with us. We try to let them know and remind them that when something happens, there is a reason behind it. My two boys will reach out and ask me to pray for them, when something big is coming their way and for our grandkids we try and ask them questions, age appropriate, of what they think about God and the Bible. A few weeks ago, I asked our 7 year old grandson how Sunday school was and what he learned, he said it was good, but couldn’t remember what he learned. But as we kept talking he told everything he learned about Abraham and Isaac and how God provided the lamb. It was so cute and touched my heart that he is listening and remembering what is being told.
13. What did John Piper mean when he said silence is dogma? – Our silence toward something is huge I think. If we see something or hear something that we know is not right and stay silent, we are not speaking truth about it either. We are letting it just go to the wayside and in a sense we ignore it or not get involved. I think our silence or our not getting involved, can be a type of sin, a disobedience to what we know and who we know is Truth.
14. What did you learn about these gods from Paige, particularly Baal and Ashtorah? (Her point with teaching your child to blow his nose?) – I was a little confused on this, I think she is meaning that whatever is in front of us at the time will get our attention and if we think it’s ok, we think nothing of it. I do have a note jotted down that they added these false gods to our God and by doing that, by adding anything to God, we walk away from Him. What we do, or even don’t do will be what others around us learn. Like the blowing of our nose, we have to show kids, how to do it so they learn. It’s the same with our actions in other circumstances, our actions, can make or break a person’s walk with Christ.
15. Read Judges 2:16-23 and describe what God did for the people and how the people responded. Verse 17 uses the word whoring. Comment? Where do you pour out your life and love? (She says look at credit card, calendar, and ask those closest to you.) – God raised up judges for them, to saved them from the hand of the enemies. But they didn’t listen the the judges and still went after the other gods, made the other gods their idols. I’ve heard it before if you want to know what is priority to you, check your bank statement. This is true. When I look at ours, and it’s not all the time, I see money going out to ‘things’ we don’t really need. I get a sickening feeling when I see that, and have regret afterwards. I am getting better to say no, I don’t want ‘it’ whatever ‘it’ is at the time. I need to get to the point of a minimalist and allow God to provide my needs.
16. Many see disobedience as leading to freedom, but how does it imprison you? Give an example. How do these consequences show the love of the Lord? – When we disobey the Word of the Lord thinking we will be free, we are hurting the Lord. We think it looks fun or won’t hurt anyone, but the enticement is like a commercial grabbing your attention to what we know we really don’t want. An example that comes to mind, is when you have sex before marriage. You think it’s ok, but in reality you are tarnishing your walk with Christ, hurting him and defiling the marriage covenant. When the Lord gives us consequences because of our actions, he is doing it to help us. Help us see our ways that have turned us away from him and he is helping us to see that we need to repent and ask for forgiveness. We can’t have the hand of God upon our lives when we are sinning against him.
17. What was her point with the story of the contractor and his son? – When we don’t give our whole self to the Lord, but give him bits and pieces of our life, we are not getting all of Him. I think he can only give parts of himself back to us. We need to be fully committed to him, no cutting corners or checking off the boxes. We need to make him our priority and see our bank statements reflecting that. My priority needs to be pleasing Him, doing what honors him and giving Him the glory.
18. Where are you pouring out your life? Give a positive example of your life where you truly repented rather than just grieved the consequences and the joy it has brought you. (I love how she said obedience works not just because God says so, but because it is true.) – My Bible studies and growing in His Word has become a big priority in my life. Ive’ done them before, but at times, just checked the box. But know I’ve asked him to help me see Him in each one I do and for him to help me understand what he is really saying to me. I hate when I disappoint the Lord and I don’t blame others for my consequences that come because of my actions. They are mine to bear and learn from. When I’m obedient to Him, I can feel his presence in my life and it’s like a big hug from God.
Read Joshua 3:1-6 and read aloud Joshua 3:5-6.
19. Why was it so dangerous that they took wives from the “sites?” This not only applies to marriage, but applies to our relationship with the Lord. Explain. – When we become unequally yoked, we tend to start to do and think like the other non-believer. This only pulls us away from God. We may start to sin, be disobedient to His way. We break the covenant that he put in place. We’ve taken ourselves out of the relationship He made. When we sin, we sin against God most of all, which will weaken our relationship. His hand will not be upon us until we turn from our sinful ways and back to Him.
20. Is your default mode your love for the Lord first and foremost? Is this obvious to the people around you in your world in a positive way, even if it makes them uncomfortable? – I sometimes wonder about this, but I have been told from others who observe my actions or hear me speak, that they definitely know I love the Lord.
21. What is the mystery of the book of Judges despite the downward cycling of sin? – Paige said that Judges gets dark, but it is still about God. That God’s love and grace aren’t different, they are just more visible.
22. In what parts of your life do you most need to be reminded of God’s grace? What was her point Edmund from the end of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe? – I need to remember God’s grace when I fail him. He’s done so much for me, that I can’t understand why I can’t get that in my head and remember that he loves me. I didn’t catch the meaning when she said it, but I went back and reread that part, it makes so much sense. We have to sense the love of God always, and when we do, we will deeply repent of our sins, because of that love. When someone loves you, when we remember that God loves us, we are not afraid to approach and ask for forgiveness.
23. Are there areas where you ask God to co-exist with your idols? Where have you been re-programmed? – Oh my goodness, yikes. Sadly it’s not past tense for me, it’s active now. My attitude and thoughts is where I need God to co-exist with my idols. I’m being reprogrammed all the time. I am getting better, thankfully, to see the good in things, to see people as God sees them.
24. What is your take-a-way and why? – There is so much here this week. God allows us to choose, good or bad, but he allows us to think and do for ourself. But how we choose will determine what type of promise we receive. Will the hand of God be upon us or will he turn us over to be plundered by others. This was eye opening for me.
So good from Julie.
My Bible studies and growing in His Word has become a big priority in my life. Ive’ done them before, but at times, just checked the box. But know I’ve asked him to help me see Him in each one I do and for him to help me understand what he is really saying to me.
9. Read aloud Joshua 2:10-13
A. How is the next generation described (verses 10-13)? Notice the verbs in 11-13.
The adults did not share God with the children so the children did not know Him.
They abandoned God by worshipping other gods.
B. How does God keep His promise to them in verses 14-15?
He handed them to their enemies. They lost their battles.
C. Ralph Davis writes: “Passing on the knowledge of the saving work of God cannot guarantee the faithful of the next generation…but the failure to pass it on will guarantee their unfaithfulness.” Comments?
True, true! If they don’t know then how can they be expected to follow? If they at least know and choose otherwise, then that’s on them.
10. Read Psalm 78:1-7 and Deut. 6:4-7. Comments. Who are the most important teachers and why?
The parents because they are with the kids the most! It’s during the “normal” family things when you can talk about Him.
11. Deut. 6:4-7?
Talk with your children! Bind the Word to your heart. Be able to recite it easily.
24. What is your take-a-way and why? God chooses who He chooses for His own reason, not because of who we are or what we do. This keeps me from thinking that there’s something about me that God saw that made me stand out more than someone else or made me particularly special. It’s humbling.
Read Judges 3:1-6 and read aloud Judges 3:5-6.
19. Why was it so dangerous that they took wives from the “sites?” This not only applies to marriage, but applies to our relationship with the Lord. Explain.
We are in a covenant relationship with the Lord which means we are to be totally committed to Him, we are to follow Him and we belong to Him.
20. Is your default mode your love for the Lord first and foremost? Is this obvious to the people around you in your world in a positive way, even if it makes them uncomfortable?
Sadly, no. It is the desire of my heart but I get in the way.
21. What is the mystery of the book of Judges despite the downward cycling of sin?
Why aren’t they destroyed?
22. In what parts of your life do you most need to be reminded of God’s grace? What was her point Edmund from the end of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe?
In having a compassionate heart towards others.
Edmund knew the witch, bowed down to her but when he met Aslan his loyalty flipped because of love. He knew he was loved by Aslan which didn’t need to be earned or asked for.
23. Are there areas where you ask God to co-exist with your idols? Where have you been re-programmed?
Yes.
The same area as the Israelites… by fitting in.
24. What is your take-a-way and why?
There is so much in these first few chapters that Paige spoke on that have brought conviction. I continue to stand amazed at the love and grace God extends to me time and time again…it is humbling.
You are so mature yet so humble and honest.
12. Therefore, what is your responsibility with the children God has put in your life? How are you doing it? Be specific by considering Paige’s questions: What do you talk about, celebrate, show them? (Take time with this.)
Our responsibility is to teach them about God. We take them to church. We have them participate in AWANA, where they learn Bible verses by heart. We pray at meals, we talk about Jesus and God. We read stories about the Bible. I tell them that knowing Jesus is the most important thing in their lives.
13. What did John Piper mean when he said silence is dogma?
Silence tells as well. It says that you don’t really value God, there are other more important things than Him, and that Jesus is negligible. It’s dogma because it’s your belief system. It tells a lot.
14. What did you learn about these gods from Paige, particularly Baal and Ashtorah? (Her point with teaching your child to blow his nose?)
The gods were the “flavor of the day.” What do you need in that moment? There was a god for it. Baal was the god of rain and agriculture. Asherah was the goddess of sex. When you are teaching your child to blow his nose you are trying to get them to catch on. In this case, when you participate in the rites of Basl and Asherah, you are trying to get the gods to catch on so they will provide something to you. When you go to the pagan temple and whore yourself then the Baal and Ashersh will have sex and rain will come. Fertility happens. Ick!
15. Read Judges 2:16-23 and describe what God did for the people and how the people responded. Verse 17 uses the word whoring. Comment? Where do you pour out your life and love? (She says look at credit card, calendar, and ask those closest to you.)
God protected the people and they forgot Him. He was angry and fulfilled His promise to no longer help them.
They gave themselves to other gods and forgot His ways. They whored. It’s an icky mind picture for sure!
I would say we give our money to activities for the kids (piano, karate, dance), for exercise and keeping our house. Vacations. Work.
16. Many see disobedience as leading to freedom, but how does it imprison you? Give an example. How do these consequences show the love of the Lord?
They control us. You get addicted to drugs or alcohol. Work too much so you can have more money. It controls us. They show that we are led by the worldly things, not the Lord.
17. What was her point with the story of the contractor and his son?
Because the son decided to cut corners without knowledge, he was the one who received the home and had to live with his final product. Sin is its worst enemy. When we cut corners, cheat, we may have to live with the consequences. Our children. Oh.
18. Where are you pouring out your life? Give a positive example of your life where you truly repented rather than just grieved the consequences and the joy it has brought you. (I love how she said obedience works not just because God says so, but because it is true.)
I have poured my life into my grands. I have repented for having an abortion 40 years ago. I feel blessed that the Lord gave me Cooper and Grace to raise up for the last 6 years. This may be coming to an end now and I am heartbroken. They have been a blessing to me, although not a perfect experience by far. Please continue to pray that the judge sees that the kids are in a good place and shouldn’t have their lives uprooted for our daughter to fulfill her evil desires of control and power over us. We will all be hurt if it is determined the kids should leave us and go with them. She is vindictive and has said she would never let us see them again. Oh Lord please help us! That would be so painful.
19. Why was it so dangerous that they took wives from the “sites?” This not only applies to marriage, but applies to our relationship with the Lord. Explain.
Because similating into another culture, with expectations of that culture means you leave your own culture and ultimately, God. We are drawn away from Him when we imbibe with the world.
20. Is your default mode your love for the Lord first and foremost? Is this obvious to the people around you in your world in a positive way, even if it makes them uncomfortable?
Yes and sometimes. I am better than I have been in the past. Getting better EVERY day! I am extremely proud (I know this is not a good trait, but…) of myself for being SO patient with my daughter and SIL. It is the most difficult thing I have ever done.
21. What is the mystery of the book of Judges despite the downward cycling of sin?
The mystery is why God continues to save the people. He loves them so, but He must discipline at the same time.
22. In what parts of your life do you most need to be reminded of God’s grace? What was her point Edmund from the end of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe?
With my kids, my husband, myself.