Read Judges 6:1-23 to familiarize yourself with the passage.
Read a second time, paying attention to the description of the Midianites and the threat they posed for the Israelites.
- What kind of people were they?
- What fears did they evoke for the Israelites?
- How did the Israelites respond to these fears?
During your third reading, focus on the character of Gideon.
- Take note of the progression of Gideon’s responses from verse 13 through verse 22.
- What fears can you name in his responses?
Read again from the Lord’s perspective.
- Notice the Lord’s responses, beginning with the message of the prophet in verse 7 through the words of the angel to the response of the Lord in verse 22.
- Compare and contrast Gideon’s behaviors with the progression of the Lord’s responses.
- How does the Lord address each of Gideon’s fears?
- Journal your reflections.
The Lord does not speak the words, “Don’t be afraid” until Gideon realizes that he is face to face with God.
- Reflect on why this is so, and consider what implications this might have for facing our fears today.
- Record your thoughts in your journal.
“The people God uses don’t have to know a lot of things, or have a lot of things – they just have to need him a lot.” Sally Lloyd-Jones The Jesus Storybook Bible
Sojourners y Peregrinas 