Gideon Sees Victory

Judges 2–4; 6–8; 13–16

After Joshua died, the tribes of Israel continued their conquest of Canaan. Some of the tribes failed to drive out all of the inhabitants of the land of Canaan as they had been commanded. Some Israelites forsook the Lord by worshipping the false gods of the Canaanites, and the Lord removed His blessing of protection from them. Despite the Israelites’ disobedience, the Lord raised up judges to deliver them from their enemies.

Additional Resources

Scripture Helps: Old Testament, “Judges 2–4; 6–8; 13–16”

Note: The “Introduction to the Course” provides guidance on how to use the standard lesson elements that follow.

Encouraging Personal Study

Before class, consider sending students one or more of the following messages or some of your own:

How can knowing who God is help you turn to Him? Consider what you learn about the Lord and his character as you study Judges 2–4.
Explore Judges 4 to see how a courageous woman inspired faith in others. How can her example inspire you to lead with faith in God?
As you study Judges 6–8, think about how relying on Jesus Christ can help you to do His will even when it feels impossible.

Questions and Sharing

Provide time for students to ask questions and share insights and truths they discovered in their personal study of Judges 2–4; 6–8; 13–16.

Skill Training

The learning activity for Judges 2–4 might be a good place to use the skill “Finding Patterns in the Scriptures” in Scripture Study Skills.

Learning Activity Options

Multiple learning options are provided for you and your students. Prayerfully choose which option or options will be most meaningful for your class. You could also seek input from your students.

Improving Our Teaching and Learning

Help Learners Strengthen Their Relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Helping students recognize the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in their lives will strengthen their connection to Them. To learn more, see “Help Learners Strengthen Their Relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ” in Teaching in the Savior’s Way [2022], 9.

Judges 2–4

How can I experience God’s deliverance in my life?

Consider introducing the skill “Finding Patterns in the Scriptures” in Scripture Study Skills. To illustrate the value of finding patterns, you could display the following image and have the students see how many numbers they can find in sequence, beginning with number 1, in 30 seconds.

Invite students to share if they noticed a pattern in how the numbers are organized. If needed, explain that if you insert a vertical and a horizontal line in the center of the chart to create four equal quadrants, you will find that the numbers follow a clockwise pattern, with each number in sequence appearing in the next quadrant (see image).

numbers with a red arrow pointing to a number

Invite students to take 30 more seconds to repeat the challenge and see the difference it makes when they follow the pattern.

Explain that the book of Judges tells the history of the Israelites following their settlement in the land of Canaan and the death of Joshua (see “What is the book of Judges?” in Scripture Helps: Old Testament). In the book of Judges, we learn about a spiritual pattern or cycle that the Israelites experienced because they repeatedly failed to follow the Lord’s instructions. Consider displaying a blank diagram of the cycle, like the one below, on the board. Invite students to copy it in on a piece of paper.

Invite the students to study the following verses with a partner or small group, looking for the pattern of behavior that occurred among the Israelites. Students could summarize each set of verses with a word or phrase and then write that word or phrase in the appropriate box on their diagrams.

After students have studied the verses, invite them to share the words or phrases they included on their diagrams. If needed, you could offer the following suggestions for each box: (1) Sin, (2) Consequences, (3) Crying unto the Lord, (4) Deliverance. You could also have them search for additional examples of the cycle or parts of the cycle in Judges 2:10–18; 3:12–15, 26–30; 4:1–4, 14–16. Then consider asking:

What are some truths you learn about the Lord from this cycle in Judges? (Examples of truths they could share include these: If we choose to reject the Lord, we risk losing His guidance and protection in our lives. As we choose to turn to the Lord and call upon His name, He will deliver us.)

Point out that one of the titles of Jesus Christ is Deliverer (see 2 Samuel 22:2). Invite students to share examples of situations or circumstances that we need the Savior to deliver us from. Consider listing their responses on the board. (For ideas, you could have students study Alma 36:27–29; 38:5.)

What are some actions we can take to help us access the Savior’s power of deliverance? (As part of your discussion, consider studying Mosiah 7:33; 29:20; Alma 58:10–11.)
What are examples of the Savior’s deliverance you can think of in the scriptures, in the lives of people you know, or in your own life?

Consider referring students back to the diagram of the cycle from earlier in the activity. You could write Me on the board in the center of the cycle. Invite students to ponder where they might currently be in the cycle and to think about situations in their lives where they need the Savior’s deliverance. Encourage them to record actions they can take to invite the Savior’s power of deliverance into their lives.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

Judges 4

How can my faith in Jesus Christ influence others?

Invite students to make a list of individuals who have most influenced their faith in Jesus Christ. They might include specific qualities, behaviors, or actions of these individuals that inspired them. Consider inviting students to share a few examples with the class.

Remind students that the book of Judges describes many instances of the Israelites falling into sin after entering the promised land. This led to the Lord no longer protecting them from their enemies. When the Israelites repented, the Lord raised up judges to deliver them. One of these judges was Deborah, a woman of great faith. Invite students as they study the account of Deborah to think of ways they might be an example of faith to their friends, family, or others.

Invite students to read Judges 4:4; 5:7 to find two of Deborah’s titles. It may be helpful to point out that a prophetess is “a woman who has received the testimony of Jesus and enjoys the spirit of revelation” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Prophetess,” Gospel Library).

Ask students to study Judges 4:1–15, looking for the influence Deborah had on the people around her. Then consider asking questions like the following:

What are some of Deborah’s words or actions that demonstrated her faith in the Lord?
How did Deborah’s faith influence Barak and others? (As part of this discussion, consider writing the following truth on the board: As we act with faith in the Lord, we can help others find strength to follow Him.)

Help students think about how they can follow Deborah’s example of faith. One way you could do this is by displaying the following statements and their accompanying questions and invitations. Invite students to record their answers for one or more of bulleted items.

Deborah’s faith in the Lord helped her to act boldly and courageously. What are difficult things that your faith in Jesus Christ can give you courage to do? What can you do to increase your faith in Jesus Christ?
Deborah relied on the Lord as she led Israel during a time of great difficulty. How does relying on Jesus Christ bring you strength? How can your faith help strengthen others during difficult times?
Deborah’s faith in the Lord strengthened others. Make a list of things you know about Jesus Christ—from the scriptures, the words of living prophets, or your own experiences. Who needs to know this? How will you share it?

Invite a few students to share some ideas that they recorded. Testify of the truths you have discussed today.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”

Judges 6–8

What difference can relying on the Lord make in my life?

Display the following diagram:

Invite students to silently consider where they would place themselves on the line in each of the following situations. You could also invite students to suggest additional situations.

Deciding on a career
Receiving education
Dealing with challenges or trials
Improving as a person
Approaching questions about the gospel

Explain that Judges 6 describes a time when the Israelites forgot the Lord and lost His blessings. For seven years, the Midianites oppressed the Israelites. In desperation, they finally turned to the Lord for help (see Judges 6:1–7). After the Israelites remembered the Lord and cried unto Him, He raised up a righteous man named Gideon to deliver them from their enemies. Invite students to look for truths that can help them rely more on the Lord as they study the account of Gideon.

Invite students to read Judges 6:11–16, 24–27, looking for the Lord’s instructions to Gideon. Ask students to share what stood out to them from these verses. You could also ask questions like the following:

What do these verses teach you about the Lord?
What might the Lord have been teaching Gideon and the people with his instructions in verses 25–27?

Explain that Gideon accepted the Lord’s call to lead Israel against the Midianites. It may be helpful to point out that the army of the Israelites initially had 32,000 men (see Judges 7:3), while the Midianite army had 135,000 men (see Judges 8:10).

Invite students to read the following verses and discuss the accompanying questions with a partner.

Before the battle: Judges 7:2–7
During the battle: Judges 7:15–21; 8:28

If you had been in Gideon’s situation, what are some questions or concerns you might have had before and during the battle?
What do you learn about the importance of relying on the Lord from the account of Gideon?

Invite a few students to share insights from their discussions with the class. As they share, students could mention a truth like this: As we rely on the Lord, He will bless us with His strength.

To help students better understand this truth, consider having them make a copy of the following chart. Invite them to discuss with a partner or small group different ways they could complete each box in the chart.

Situations that require us to rely on the Lord:	Ways we can rely on the Lord:

Why we can rely on the Lord:	Ways the Lord can strengthen us:

Invite students to share some of the things they wrote in their charts. You might also ask questions like these:

What verses or accounts in the scriptures inspire you to rely on the Lord? (If needed, you could suggest a few examples, like Proverbs 3:5–6; Philippians 4:13; Alma 26:12; Ether 12:27.)
When has the Lord strengthened you beyond your own abilities?

You could also share the following statement by President Russell M. Nelson:

Through His Atonement, the Lord Jesus Christ overcame the world. Therefore, He is “mighty to … cleanse [you] from all unrighteousness” (Alma 7:14). He will deliver you from your most excruciating circumstances in His own way and time. As you come unto Him in faith, He will guide, preserve, and protect you. He will heal your broken heart, and comfort you in your distress. He will give you access to His power. And He will make the impossible in your life become possible. (“Choices for Eternity” [worldwide devotional for young adults, May 15, 2022], Gospel Library)

Refer to the arrow diagram from the beginning of the learning activity. Ask students to think of an area in their life where they might be choosing to rely too much on their own ability. Encourage them to write down any thoughts or spiritual impressions they have had about how they can rely more on the Lord.

Return to “Learning Activity Options.”