Update on work in Colombia

• Congregations tend to be small and spread out.
• Christians there tend to be very strong and knowledgeable.
• Nationally, there is not much desire to serve God. The government is indifferent to religion.

Recap of work in Mexico

• Several young men from Benchley went on the trip and preached their first lesson via translator.
• Several young women also went and taught classes for ladies and children, which were very well received.

Justice, Kindness, and Walking with God

• Micah 3:8
• Micah 6:1-2, 6-8
  • The people’s response is an insult to God. What did God want from them? Micah 6:8 gives the answer: justice, kindness, and walking humbly with God.
  • See Ephesians 4:28.
  • See Amos 3:3. To walk humbly with God, we must be in agreement with Him.

Part 2: The downward spiral of Israel’s apostasy (Judges 3:7-16:31), continued

Gideon (Judges 6:1-8:35), continued

Gideon’s first battle (Judges 7:1-8:3)

• Judges 7:5 – It is not stated exactly why this particular test was used. Possibly it was just an unusual behavior that would cut the size of the force drastically.
• Judges 7:9-15 – Gideon immediately worshiped when God strengthened his faith. God can also strengthen our faith when He deems it necessary.
• Judges 7:16 – The three hundred men would essentially be unarmed with torches and trumpets in their hands. This maneuver required faith!
• Judges 7:22 – God set the enemy against themselves, defeating themselves in the chaos.
• Judges 8:1-3 – Gideon wisely shows humility and quells the anger of the Ephraimites.

Gideon’s second (Judges 8:4-21)

Gideon’s apostasy (Judges 8:22-28)

• Judges 8:23 – This was a complete defeat of the Midianites.
• Judges 8:27 – Gideon’s ephod had catastrophic results – he facilitated idolatry.

Class 6 Takeaway

• We are tempted to think, like the Israelites, “My own hand has saved me” (Judges 7:2). Further, we may seek glory rightly due to God, like Gideon’s army did in shouting, “For the Lord and for Gideon” and “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon.” (Judges 7:18, 20).
• Let us always remember God delivered our souls from sin by his grace, not by anything we did (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our lives are meant to glorify him and not seek glory for ourselves (Matthew 5:16).

Let’s make Jesus our identity

Let’s be diligent in Bible study