Judges 6: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Judges 6 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

The children of Israel did evil, and Yahweh gave them into the hand of Midian for seven years (vv. 1-2). The Midianites destroyed Israel's crops and livestock, causing Israel to cry out to Yahweh for help (vv.

Key verse

“Yahweh said to him, “Surely I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.”
Judges 6:16 (WEB)

Outline

Judges 6:1–6 Israel's Oppression by Midian
Judges 6:7–10 Prophet's Message to Israel
Judges 6:11–16 Gideon's Call
Judges 6:17–24 Gideon's Signs and Worship
Judges 6:25–32 Destruction of Baal's Altar
Judges 6:33–40 Gathering of Israel and Fleece Test

Discussion questions

In v2, what did the children of Israel do because of Midian's oppression?
What does Gideon refer to Yahweh as in v13 when he expresses doubt?
Gideon's actions in v27: what does his fear of his father's household suggest about his character?
In v39, why does Gideon ask God for confirmation with the fleece a second time?
When have you felt like Gideon, needing confirmation before taking a significant step?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Judges 6: Joshua 1, Luke 1, Judges 13.

Before next time: read Judges 7.