‘This One’s for the Ladies…’

Week 7: Discovering the Character of God through Deborah

7.1. Setting the scene… invite the group to imagine that they have a friend who they’ve taken a lot of time to get to know. A lot has been invested in this friendship; promises made and dreams shared. One day, that friend lets you down – breaks a promise – but you decide to forgive them and carry on. Soon after, they let you down again; standing you up to hang with someone else. Again, you choose to forgive them, but again they go on to hurt you by lying to you. The cycle never seems to end: after each hurt, forgiveness and a brief period of peace, it starts all over again. This situation is similar to the book of Judges.

7.2. Reflect on some of the covenants God has made with His people up until this point (Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua) and the promises that have been made. Read Judges 2:10-12, 18-19; 3:7, 12; 4:1; 6:1; 8:33-34; 10:6; 13:1. These verses show a people quick to break their promises and turn their backs on God, despite His continuing grace, forgiveness, protection and deliverance. If it helps, handout/sketch ‘The Time of the Judges’ graph (Handout, page 99). It is during this time, that we find Deborah.

7.3. Read Judges 4:4-5. Imagine that we are in a different culture; maybe different colour skin, or different religions and yet God calls us to be His voice in that place. This was Deborah’s situation. Up until ‘now’, God had used men to speak to Israel (again, look back at previous studies), but now He uses perhaps the most unlikely person – the opposite of cultural and historical expectations – to be one of Israel’s Judges.

7.4. Read Judges 4:6-9 and note Deborah’s response in verse 9. Why did she say this? Why would Barak not get any credit? (Yes, he was obedient, but only after first trying to bargain with her – and, ultimately, God).

7.5. Read 4:14-22. Try to ignore the gruesome bit for a moment. Having just read verse 9, what do these verses teach us? As a point of contrast, read Joshua 23:14. Between the two passages, we can learn that God doesn’t just fulfil his promises, he also fulfils His warnings.

7.6. Without wanting to inflict nightmares on anyone, reread verses 19-21 and compare with last week’s verses in Joshua 24:19-20. Last week’s conclusion was that our God is a jealous God who won’t accept compromise; who says, ‘The world can’t have you,’ who will do whatever it takes to keep us. Here, we see this same jealous God delivering his people from the enemy. It may be graphic, but this is an effective testimony of the lengths God will go to, to protect, save and keep His people.

Week 7: Summary

A lot of God’s character is seen in Deborah and her culture/history…

• God is a God of patience, reconciliation and restoration.
• God uses unlikely people.
• God will do whatever it takes to save and keep us.

‘The World Can’t Have You!’

Week 6: Discovering the Character of God through Joshua

6.1. As a group, watch Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, scene 49 and discuss what’s going on and how this might be an allegory for Christianity.

6.2. Read Deuteronomy 31 and Joshua 1. Look for repeated phrases and discuss. God keeps on telling Joshua (directly, through Moses and through the people) to be strong and courageous. He refuses to let Joshua be discouraged and will do whatever it takes to keep him going and get him to where he’s meant to be - just like Sam encouraging and carrying Frodo in Return of the King.

6.3. Invite the group to discuss times when they’re been jealous. Why were they jealous? What drove them? What was the underlying reason? Do they think jealousy is of God or the devil? (Read Genesis 1:26-27, if it helps!)

6.4. Read Joshua 24. Does this help us answer the last question? The writer of this book makes it quite clear that God is a jealous God. Why is God jealous? Is this relevant today? If so, how?

6.5. Look again at verses 14-15. What do these teach us about:

6.5.1. God’s character?

6.5.2. Repentance?

6.6. Finally, read again verses 16-27 and invite the group to discuss what is taking place. Clue: promises, terms and a sign… it begins with a ‘C’!

Week 6: Summary

This week’s characteristics of God…

• He encourages us
• He is a jealous God
• He won’t compromise

‘Let Me Take You on a Journey…’

Week 5: Discovering the Character of God through Moses
5.1. Invite the group to discuss times in their lives when they’ve had to face something that they can’t – or are scared to – do. What was it that they were asked to do? Why did they feel that they couldn’t do it? What happened? Did they overcome the obstacles or did someone else have to step in?

5.2. Read Exodus 3:1-6, 7, 10; 4:1-17. Establish the situation God is calling Moses to and his role in it and discuss the excuses Moses comes up with. Remember that he was afraid of going back because of his past and highlight verse 10: he feels inadequate.

5.3. Read Exodus 5:1; 7:15-16,20; 8:8-9, 25-29; 9:27-30; 11:4-8. What can we observe from these passages? What do they have in common? How do they contrast with the readings in 5.2? God used Moses despite his excuses and weaknesses. Paul, a New Testament writer, understood this and recognises that when we do things that we would ordinarily struggle with, or resist, we are doing those things in God’s strength, just as Moses did. Check out Philippians 4:13.

5.4. Take a moment to discuss the times when we’ve wanted to do things – especially for God – but felt inadequate as a young Christian. Perhaps we’ve been afraid that older/more ‘mature’ Christians might say we’re too young to get involved or have an opinion. Read Exodus 18:5-12 and observe the effect that Moses’ account of Israel’s experiences has on Jethro (salvation). Go on to read verses 13-27 to see what happens next. God uses this new believer immediately. Paul, who wrote Philippians, also understood the difficulties young believers face and encourages his friend Timothy – and ultimately us – not to be afraid. Read 1 Timothy 4:12.

5.5. Finally, what about when we actually do get to do the things we want/have to do, but find that the road is beset with problems? Discuss some of the problems that the Israelites faced after leaving Egypt (if it helps, read Exodus 14:10-12; 15:22-24; 16:3; 17:1-2). Put ourselves in their shoes – would we be any different? Their journey is not so different to ours but, regardless of the troubles, God has a purpose in mind. Read 13:17-18. The Israelites could have taken a shorter journey, but it would have been perilous.


Week 5: Summary
Three new characteristics of God that we have learnt this week…

• God uses us despite our excuses and weaknesses.
• God can use new believers.
• God has a purpose in mind.

‘Dream a Little Dream…’

Week4: Discovering the Character of God through Joseph

4.1. Briefly revisit the characteristics of God that we have discovered so far. What one stands out the most?

4.2. Read Genesis 28:12-16. Discuss the sorts of dreams we have and why we think we have them, compared to Jacob’s dream and God’s purpose in it (encouragement and reassurance).

4.3. Read Genesis 37:5-11. Think about and discuss…

• What about Joseph? Why did God give him this dream? (The answer should be the same as for Jacob: encouragement and reassurance)
• What do we think about Joseph’s decision to tell his brothers about the dream? (Remember Jacob’s dream – dreams were significant for this family).

4.4. Pause for a moment and discuss what we know about Joseph. Read Genesis 37:18-36 and put ourselves in Joseph’s shoes...

• How would we feel?
• Would we remember the dreams and be encouraged by them? (Check out Deuteronomy 4:9)
• What purpose might those dreams serve at this point in Joseph’s life? (Read James1:12)

4.5. Joseph probably held onto God’s promises and assurances while he was in prison as well as the pit. Read Genesis 39:20 – 40:23. Again put ourselves in Joseph’s shoes and imagine how he felt in prison. Reflect on how God used Joseph in his struggles because of his obedience.

4.6. Read Genesis 45:1-8. Note how Joseph gives God the credit and doesn’t take anything for himself in verse 8. His graciousness toward his brothers and forgiveness of them are fruit grown from his deep, trusting relationship with God.

Week 4: Summary

This week’s characteristics of God include:

• That He encourages and reassures us.
• He always sees the end goal – and wants us to, too.
• He uses us in our struggles.