Study Guide: “The Cycle Begins” – Judges 3:7–11

📖 Bible Reading

Judges 3:7–11
7 The Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord; they forgot the Lord their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs.
8 The anger of the Lord burned against Israel so that he sold them into the hands of Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim, to whom the Israelites were subject for eight years.
9 But when they cried out to the Lord, he raised up for them a deliverer, Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, who saved them.
10 The Spirit of the Lord came on him, so that he became Israel’s judge and went to war. The Lord gave Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram into the hands of Othniel, who overpowered him.
11 So the land had peace for forty years, until Othniel son of Kenaz died.

🌀 Discussion: Recognising the Cycle

Judges presents a cycle that repeats throughout the book:
Sin → Oppression → Cry for Help → Deliverance → Peace → (Back to Sin)

“It’s not just a cycle—it’s a downward spiral to moral rock bottom.”
  • Where do you see this cycle in Judges 3:7–11?
  • Why do you think it only took 5 verses for the pattern to emerge?
  • Can you see similar patterns in society today—or even in your own life?

❓ Explore the Text

1. Verse 7: Forgetting God

“It’s ‘being-an-Israelite-101’: worship the Lord your God and no one else.”
  • What does it mean to “forget the Lord”? How does that happen today?
  • What idols might we be tempted to “serve” in our culture?

2. Verses 8–9: Consequences and Crying Out

“Actions have consequences. Sin has serious consequences.”
  • What do you notice about God’s response to Israel’s disobedience?
  • Why do you think it took 8 years for the Israelites to cry out?

3. Verse 10: God’s Deliverer

“God raises a deliverer immediately—no delay. That’s grace.”
  • How does God’s grace shine through in this passage?
  • What’s the significance of the Spirit coming upon Othniel?

🪞 Application: A Mirror, a Warning, and an Encouragement

Mirror

“We keep finding ourselves in the same place before God: ‘Lord, how have I done this again?’”
  • Are there repetitive patterns of sin in your life right now?
  • What influences might be pulling you away from God?

Warning

“Don’t let it get this bad.”
  • What compromises might you be tolerating in your life?
  • How can you guard yourself against slow spiritual drift?

Encouragement

“We serve a deeply compassionate God—just, but always leaning in grace.”
  • What does this story reveal about God’s character?
  • How does Jesus ultimately fulfil the role of deliverer that Othniel only points to?

🙏 Prayer Prompts

  • Confession: Lord, I confess where I have forgotten You—where I’ve allowed other voices or idols to take Your place in my heart.
  • Repentance: Help me break the cycle of sin. Show me where I’ve compromised, and lead me in a new direction.
  • Gratitude: Thank You for Your grace that raises up a Deliverer—again and again. Thank You for Jesus, who never fails.
  • Intercession: Pray for those who feel trapped in their own cycles. Ask God to help them cry out—and for His Spirit to move powerfully in their lives.

📖 Encouragement for the Week

“Acknowledge the cycle. Then cry out to God and look to Him for deliverance—because He’s the only one who can.”

Commit to reading Judges during this series—alone, with a friend, or as a group. Let it be a mirror, a warning, and above all, a signpost to Christ.