📖 Study Guide: Judges 6 – God’s Strength in Our Weakness

Opening Thought

“Perhaps you’re in the bottom of the winepress, you have self-doubt, you have God-doubt, you’re sometimes cynical. I’m not here to tell you to just drum up some faith. I’m here to tell you that God is going to use you anyway.”

1. Read the Passage: Judges 6:1–32

Take time to read this story slowly. Note:

• What is the spiritual condition of Israel?
• How does God respond?
• What do we learn about Gideon?

2. Discuss the Cultural Context

“We are in many ways suffering a form of oppression that we created ourselves… We’ve forgotten what we are liberated for.”

• How does the description of modern culture resonate with you?
• In what ways do you see spiritual or emotional “oppression” in today’s world?
• Why do you think remembering God is the first step to healing and hope?

3. Fear and the Winepress

“Threshing wheat in a winepress was like trying to barbecue in your basement—funny, but tragic. It tells us Gideon was paralysed with fear.”

• What is your personal “winepress”? A place of hiding or fear?
• How do fear, cynicism, or self-doubt show up in your spiritual life?

4. The Call of God

“The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”

• Why do you think God calls Gideon a “mighty warrior” before Gideon does anything brave?
• How does God’s calling reframe Gideon’s self-image?
• How might God be calling you to something that feels impossible?

5. Courage and Weakness

“Courage is not the absence of fear… it’s stepping out despite fear.”

• Share a time when you stepped out despite fear or weakness.
• How does God’s promise of strength change your willingness to take risks?
• Read 2 Corinthians 12:9. How does this verse shape your understanding of power and weakness?

6. Dealing with the Past

“Gideon’s first step wasn’t leading an army—it was tearing down his father’s altar to Baal.”

• Why do you think God starts here?
• What inherited attitudes, patterns, or idols might God be calling you to confront?
• How can you act with grace and courage in your home or community?

7. Church Vision & Personal Purpose

“This is not it. There is much, much, much more.”

• What dreams or callings have you put off because of fear?
• What next step might God be prompting you to take in faith?
• How can your weakness become the place where God’s power is most visible?

🛐 Prayer Prompts

Remember

• Thank God for what He has done in your life.
• Ask the Holy Spirit to remind you of His promises.

Repent

• Confess any fear, cynicism, or self-doubt that has held you back.
• Ask for courage to tear down any idols in your life.

Respond

• Ask God to give you strength in your weakness.
• Pray for boldness to take the next step, even if it’s a “wimpish” one.
• Pray for our church—to be a place where God’s power is seen in our weakness.