Theme

Finding the courage to do God’s will

Questions

• The phrase “laying a fleece” comes from v.36-40, and for many Christians it has come to be a way of finding out God’s will. Have you ever prayed this kind of prayer? What did you hope would happen/ what did you want from this prayer?
• Often we say that we “lay a fleece” to find God’s will.
  • Look at v.14-16. Had God already given clear instructions to Gideon?
  • If God’s instructions were clear, why do you think Gideon decided to make this fleece-test (twice!)?
• When Gideon first meets with God, God calls him “mighty warrior” (v.12), but to begin with, Gideon doesn’t live up to that name (look at v.15 & 27, for example).
  • Why do you think Gideon is so fearful about things? Is there a combination of reasons?
  • What makes you doubt what God calls you to do – can you relate to some of Gideon’s fears?
  • In what ways might Gideon’s decision to test God with the fleece come from his fears?
• The first task God gives to Gideon is not to go into battle against an ‘outside’ enemy, but to challenge what was going on within the people of God (v.25-27).
  • Compare what God asks of Gideon with what he says in v.7-10. How might this culture of religious compromise affect the trust Gideon has in God?
  • In what ways do God’s people today “hedge their bets” by mixing the ways of God with other spiritualities?
• Look at Deuteronomy 6:16 & Psalm 95:8-10. These are references to an event recorded in Exodus 17:1-7.
  • How does this event compare with Gideon’s situation?
  • How do these verses help us understand God’s leading of his people?
• The people of God, including Gideon, are wondering where God is in their troubles (v.13). Look at the whole of Psalm 95: how does focusing praise to God and remembering God’s actions in the past help us trust him for the future?
• Look at Judges 7:9-14, this is the night before the battle with the Midianites, and God reassures Gideon about the outcome of the battle.
  • Unlike with the fleece, Gideon didn’t ask for reassurance in this situation, but God gave it anyway. How does this incident show God’s ongoing concern for Gideon?
  • Gideon asked for a miracle with the fleece-test, and God did it, but in chapter 7 reassurance comes from an ordinary campfire conversation. What are some of the ways God reassures you about what you are doing for him? Does it always need to happen in ‘miraculous’ ways?

• Do you think Gideon’s example of “fleece laying” is something Christians should try to follow? Why/ why not?

• If you could ask Gideon one question, what would it be? (what do you think his answer would be?)