DAY 1

Hello Ladies!

Today is the first day of our Summer Bible Study Blog

I hope you each have your work books in hand and have been able to work through Day 1. If you are in the process of obtaining your work book, no worries. The beauty of this Bible Study Blog is that if you miss a day or two...or even a week you can always visit the blog and easily catch up with the group.  

Day 1 starts out with Gideon and the Israelites

The Session One Viewer Guide

Gideon is among a nation of people who have stopped moving forward.

The best way to study a biblical character or book is to observe the entire context in which it is set.

"Then the sons of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord gave them into the hands of Midian seven years." Judges 6:1

NIV includes the word again  

"In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." Judges 21:25

God raises up a group of people called Judges. 

Judges' role: they were called by God and empowered by God to unite the people of God to stand against the enemies of God.

How and why did God's people who have the favor of God and are in a covenant relationship with God get to a position of such devastation and oppression?

Heads, Hearts and Hands

1.They did not know the Lord: there was a problem with the information that was in their heads.

    a. Their parents didn't for the teaching.

    b. The young people didn't want to listen.  

2. There was a problem also with their hearts: their hearts had not been stirred for passion for Him. 

3. As a result: their hands aren't doing the right thing. 

This excerpt from the book is a great introduction into what we will be delving into ;

   ' Gideon's story is much bigger than...well...Gideon. Like everything else in the Bible, his story is actually about God and His people.  It tells of His love for them, His enduring and boundless mercy toward them, and His strength operating in spite of- even through- weakness in them.  And because God's people include you and me, Gideon's story is about us-- our lives, our doubts, our struggles, and our possibilities as believers. ' 

There are 3 chapters in the book of Judges that tell Gideons story. Out of all of the 66 books of the bible, that is not much real estate! Just remember that although the story doesnt occupy many pages it is a substantial piece of the Bible.

After reading Deuteronomy chapter 7, what were the orders that God had given the Israelites in settling the land?

What are your "iron chariots" of intimidation that keep you from moving forward in complete obedience to God's word?

The Deliverance Principle 

The one who delivers people from injustice reserves the right to rule over the delivered. The delivered ones become 'vassals' and the deliverer is the 'suzzerain'. 

What should the Deliverance Principle look like in your life?

Use your work book as a journal between you and God. Use this time of study to get really honest with yourself and God about where you are at and where He is at in your life. 

What are 2 effects of Israels moral disobedience.

1.

2.

What are 2 areas in your own life where disobedience might have a negative, weakening effect on your life? 

 1.

2.

In wrapping up Day 1, Priscilla Shirer leaves us with  this.

  'When God's Spirit asks us to eliminate something from our lives, we shouldn't play around with His Direction. He sees the future effects of our left over enemies. Take Him seriously! Fully engage in the task at hand.'

I will take this a step further and say that we need to truly look at our relationship with God as a living, breathing relationship. If my husband were to look me in the eye and say to eliminate something from my life for my own good, I might hesitate for a minute but then I would do it. Because I know that he always has my best interests at heart. My husband is just a man. As pure as his intentions are for me, how much more pure are Gods intentions for me. So, why when God prompts me to do something do I feel like I have the luxury of thinking it over for a while and then maybe I will do what is asked if it fits in with what I have going on at the moment? Ladies! God is so very real and present in our lives! We need to act like it.

He is our Suzerain and we are His Vassals

In the comments section below please answer the questions. Some of them or all of them, either way. If you have a thought to add to the discussion please post it. Use the comments section just as you would use the discussion time during a traditional bible study. 

Remember to head over to the Prayer Wall page to view prayer requests or to post a request of your own. I love you ladies and will see you tomorrow for Day 2.

~Randi