Deborah, God s Woman of Wisdom

Transcription

1 SESSION 8 Deborah, God s Woman of Wisdom Summary and Goal Deborah was a woman filled with wisdom, and God raised her up to judge the people of Israel. This was a woman who used her gifts in service to God, exhibited great faith in God s ability to save, and then gave glory for His mighty works. In Deborah, we see a picture of a faith-filled life that utilizes wisdom and courage in obedience to God. Main Passages Judges 4:1-7 Judges 4:12-16 Judges 5:1-11 Session Outline 1. Faith leads us to use our gifts in service to God (Judg. 4:1-7). 2. Faith leads us to be courageous in facing impossible odds (Judg. 4:12-16). 3. Faith leads us to give all glory to God for working through us (Judg. 5:1-11). Theological Theme Faithfulness is expressed in using our gifts for God s purposes, trusting in Him for victory, and giving Him glory for whatever we accomplish. Christ Connection Deborah was the chosen leader of God who not only rescued her people but also ruled with wisdom. Her life points forward to Jesus Christ, the Wonderful Counselor whose kingdom is marked by justice and righteousness. Missional Application God calls us to use our gifts in the service of evangelism (of those who do not know Him) and edification (of those who belong to His family). Date of My Bible Study: LifeWay Christian Resources. Permission granted to reproduce and distribute within the license agreement with purchaser.

2 Session Plan Deborah, God s Woman of Wisdom Introduction Option Before the group meeting, enlist two volunteers to research and share about their favorite storytelling song. Allow a few others to share their favorite storytelling songs. After a couple of minutes, proceed with the Introduction. Pack Item 8: The Judges Map Display this map before the group meeting. Reference it as needed through Unit 2. For this session, highlight: Deborah s location Naphtali and Zebulun Hazor (in Naphtali) Mount Tabor Point 1 Option Read the Essential Christian Doctrine Work of the Holy Spirit in Life of the Christian (leader p. 97; PSG p. 77), and ask the following questions: Why should we value having a diversity of personalities and gifts in our local churches? How can spending time with people not like ourselves be a matter of obedience and sanctification? Introduction Use the writer s examples of songs that tell stories to orient people to the idea of remembering events with poetry or song (leader p. 94; PSG p. 74). What songs can you think of that tell a story? Why do you think these songs stick with us? Note that in the biblical account of Deborah, the author used two forms of literature narrative and poetry to tell us the story of God once again rescuing His people. Summarize this session on Deborah as a faithful judge and woman of wisdom (leader pp ; PSG pp ). 1. Faith leads us to use our gifts in service to God (Judg. 4:1-7). Consider enlisting a couple of volunteers prior to the group meeting to help fill in the biblical storyline. Have them study the stories of the judges that come before Deborah, especially Othniel and Ehud, and briefly report about their cycle in the Book of Judges. Read Judges 4:1-7. Highlight the pattern of the Judges cycle found here using Pack Item 7: The Judges. Say that Deborah is another example of God giving His people an unlikely leader, and His use of her and her gifts should strengthen our faith (leader pp ; PSG pp ). What are some ways we can discover the gifts God has given us? What happens when we choose not to use our gifts in service to God? Show how Barak was a military general who demonstrated faith, albeit hesitantly. Focus on God s use of Deborah and Barak as two very different people a microcosm of the unity we should see in the church (leader pp ; PSG pp ). 92 Leader Guide Spring 2016

3 2. Faith leads us to be courageous in facing impossible odds (Judg. 4:12-16). Ask a volunteer to read Judges 4: Stress the seemingly precarious position of Barak s army in knowing they were outmanned, but God was on their side (leader pp ; PSG p. 77). What is the significance of Deborah telling Barak that the Lord had gone out before him (Judg. 4:14)? How was this word meant to encourage and challenge Barak? Explain that faith in God is what leads us to be courageous and obedient when facing impossible odds. Our faith should rest not in our giftings or skills but in the sure Word of God and in His unshakable character (leader p. 98; PSG p. 78). What happens when we have more faith in our gifts than in God s power? 3. Faith leads us to give all glory to God for working through us (Judg. 5:1-11). Highlight the switch from prose to poetry in chapter 5, noting that songs provide a different perspective from which to communicate a story (leader p. 98). Then read Judges 5:1-11. Compare the song of Deborah and Barak to a national anthem; it was a victory song. Use their song to point out the difference between Christianity and other religions, most of which aren t known for singing (leader pp ; PSG pp ). Why is it important to give God glory when He works through us? What happens when we take credit for what God has done? Emphasize that the focus of this song is not on the characters in the story but on God as the rescuer. When we sing songs like this, we are remembering and retelling what God has done on our behalf (leader p. 100; PSG p. 80). How does singing praise to God fortify our faith? In what ways does singing build unity in our church? Conclusion State how the story and the song of Deborah is our story and our song. We were captive to sin and had no hope on our own, but the hero of the story of our rescue is Christ alone (leader p. 101; PSG p. 81). Apply the truths of this session with His Mission, Your Mission (PSG p. 82). Point 2 Option Show the video clip from the film Rudy where Rudy s father tells him to stop chasing stupid dreams in view of the seemingly impossible prospect of his son becoming a football player at Notre Dame. movie-clips/rudy/ chasing-stupid-dreams Point 3 Option Play the audio clip of John Piper answering the question Is it true that Christianity is unique in the fact that it is a singing and rejoicing faith? interviews/why-is-singingso-important-for-christians Conclusion Option Consider concluding this session by singing The Solid Rock as a group. (A printable PDF of this hymn is available on the DVD in The Gospel Project for Adults: Leader Pack. Make as many copies as needed.) Christ Connection: Deborah was the chosen leader of God who not only rescued her people but also ruled with wisdom. Her life points forward to Jesus Christ, the Wonderful Counselor whose kingdom is marked by justice and righteousness.... Missional Application: God calls us to use our gifts in the service of evangelism (of those who do not know Him) and edification (of those who belong to His family). 93

4 Expanded Session Content Deborah, God s Woman of Wisdom Voices from the Church It is Yahweh who brings victory and we should not care which human instrument seems to shine the most therein. 1 Dale Ralph Davis Introduction When I was young, I would listen to stories from the men of our church epic tales of hunting and fishing, as well as the interesting aspects of life in a small town. These men were master storytellers. They lived adventures and survived to tell about them. I was amazed by their storytelling. I wanted to live like they did so I would one day have stories like theirs to tell. As a teenager, I listened to stories told through music. I remember a song that told the story of Martin Luther King Jr. s assassination. I remember listening to Steven Curtis Chapman sing about how following Jesus is a great adventure. Our church taught me about the work of Christ when we sang, On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross Songs teach us through the stories they tell. What songs can you think of that tell a story? Why do you think these songs stick with us? When important moments in history take place, they are almost always captured in some form or another. Either we report on them (journalism) or recount the events as a story (history) or capture their significance in poetry or song. In the biblical account of Deborah, the author used two forms narrative and poetry in order to tell us the story of God once again rescuing His people. Judges 4 is the account of a historian; Judges 5 contains the lyrics of a song. Both praise the God who rescues. Session Summary In the previous session, we saw how the Israelites began to live within a cycle of sin and rebellion, which would turn to repentance and rescue and then back to rebellion again. We saw how God began to raise up judges to rescue His people. 94 Leader Guide Spring 2016

5 In this session, we will study the account of Deborah, a woman filled with wisdom, whom God raised up to judge the people of Israel. This was a woman who used her gifts in service to God, exhibited great faith in God s ability to save, and then gave glory for His mighty works. In Deborah, we see a picture of a faith-filled life that utilizes wisdom and courage in obedience to God. 1. Faith leads us to use our gifts in service to God (Judg. 4:1-7). Let s jump into a story that shows the beautiful way the people of God come together and use their gifts. A prophetess, a warrior, and a housewife all play a part in this rescue, and through their actions, God gets the glory. 1 The Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord after Ehud had died. 2 So the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his forces was Sisera who lived in Harosheth of the Nations. 3 Then the Israelites cried out to the Lord, because Jabin had 900 iron chariots, and he harshly oppressed them 20 years. 4 Deborah, a woman who was a prophetess and the wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel at that time. 5 It was her custom to sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites went up to her for judgment. 6 She summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, Hasn t the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded you: Go, deploy the troops on Mount Tabor, and take with you 10,000 men from the Naphtalites and Zebulunites? 7 Then I will lure Sisera commander of Jabin s forces, his chariots, and his army at the Wadi Kishon to fight against you, and I will hand him over to you. Again the Israelites found themselves in the same Judges cycle. Unbelief was the root of the Israelites idolatry. They did not believe that God could satisfy them. So they kept chasing after other gods by doing what was evil in the sight of the Lord (v. 1). In response, the Lord allowed them to be oppressed by a foreign king named Jabin through his general named Sisera. His army included 900 chariots ready to terrify any enemy that would rise up. This was a brutal blow to the Israelites, and finally, after 20 years, the people cried out to God. Further Commentary A new cycle is introduced with the standard formula of Israelite rebellion (cp. 3:7,12). In this instance the enemy was Jabin, a Canaanite king from Hazor, in the north of Israel. An earlier Jabin had been defeated by Joshua at Hazor about a century earlier (Josh. 11:1-15); this suggests that Jabin may have been a dynastic name. Hazor was destroyed by Joshua, but as was the case with Jerusalem in Judges 1:8, the destruction did not prevent some form of reoccupation at a later date. Israel s failure to complete the occupation of the land once again came back to haunt them. The source of Jabin s strength, humanly speaking, lay in his 900 iron chariots. These gave him an enormous technological edge over the Israelites on flat ground. But his real power over Israel lay in the fact that the Lord, seeking to punish His people, had sold them into his hand. 2 Iain M. Duguid, HCSB Study Bible Voices from Church History Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold; take my intellect, and use every power as thou shalt choose, every power as thou shalt choose. 3 Frances Havergal ( ) 95

6 Further Commentary Given their patriarchal culture, it is a measure of the poor state to which Israel had been reduced that they were being judged by a woman a point emphasized in the Hebrew text, which piles up four feminine nouns at the beginning of the sentence ( Deborah, a woman, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth). She could be found seated under the palm tree of Deborah, a location that may reflect a connection with her earlier namesake, Rebekah s nurse (Gen. 35:8). As God s appointed representative, Deborah summoned Barak to take the lead in the fighting. She also gave him the Lord s plan of battle, deploying 10,000 men of Naphtali and Zebulun on Mount Tabor, a strategic location at the northeast corner of the Jezreel Valley. Further, she assured him of the Lord s victory over Israel s enemies. 4 Iain M. Duguid, HCSB Study Bible Against the backdrop of the Israelites unbelief stood a few individuals who were willing to serve God and use their gifts for His glory. This passage introduces us to Deborah and Barak, servants of the Lord who operated out of a deep understanding of who God is. They trusted in His word. Like the little boy in John 6 who offered loaves and fish to Jesus, Deborah and Barak employed their gifts for the Lord, and then they watched Him do something miraculous. Once again, God gave His people an unlikely leader. He raised up Deborah to be the judge over God s people. Of the 12 judges listed in the Book of Judges, Deborah was the only woman. She proclaimed God s word and faithfully spoke on His behalf. Day after day, the people brought problems for her to consider and offer a judgment. She was a prophetess, and she was the only judge we see using her gift of wisdom while not leading the military. Isn t it wonderful how God uses unlikely people to lead? Maybe you wonder if your gifts can be used in service to God. Perhaps God is calling you to begin a new small group in your church, but you feel like your gifts are inadequate. Maybe God has a certain ministry opportunity on your heart, a way to serve your community, love your neighbor, or invest in missions. Let the way God chose to work through Deborah strengthen your faith that He will use your gifts to accomplish His purposes. What are some ways we can discover the gifts God has given us? What happens when we choose not to use our gifts in service to God? Barak was Deborah s general, and he led the army of God s people. At first glance, it might seem like Deborah was filled with faith and Barak with fear, but this was probably not the case. Barak said he would fight Sisera s army if Deborah would go with him. Deborah was the representative of God s voice in this passage. Barak wanted to know that God would be with him, just as Moses did in Exodus 33 when he begged God to be with the people of Israel. So Barak demonstrated faith (Heb. 11:32), albeit hesitantly, and he obeyed by preparing an army of 10,000 men. Barak used the gifts God gave him to walk in faithfulness to his calling. Here were two very different people a female judge and a hesitant general coming together to walk in faithfulness. 96 Leader Guide Spring 2016

7 In this microcosm we see how the church today moves forward in unity, as one body with many parts. Some, like Deborah, lead with wisdom and counsel. Others volunteer to lead small groups and teach children. Some will change diapers in the nursery, while others will open their homes to foster children. All of us have a role to play in the body of Christ. As the apostle Paul would later write: Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another (Rom. 12:4-5). When we walk in faith by using our gifts, we realize we are not the center of the story. We no longer pretend that we are worthy of glory, which frees us to truly serve God and others. We are not the point of the story, but we point to the One who is. 2. Faith leads us to be courageous in facing impossible odds (Judg. 4:12-16). As we continue the story, we see how God s chosen leaders used their gifts in the face of incredible odds. Take a look at how the scene is described: 12 It was reported to Sisera that Barak son of Abinoam had gone up Mount Tabor. 13 Sisera summoned all his 900 iron chariots and all the people who were with him from Harosheth of the Nations to the Wadi Kishon. 14 Then Deborah said to Barak, Move on, for this is the day the Lord has handed Sisera over to you. Hasn t the Lord gone before you? So Barak came down from Mount Tabor with 10,000 men following him. 15 The Lord threw Sisera, all his charioteers, and all his army into confusion with the sword before Barak. Sisera left his chariot and fled on foot. 16 Barak pursued the chariots and the army as far as Harosheth of the Nations, and the whole army of Sisera fell by the sword; not a single man was left. The day of war had arrived. The army of God was assembled on the top of Mount Tabor, and they could see the 900 chariots coming. You may think that the battle didn t seem too hard because the Israelites had 10,000 men while Sisera had only 900 chariots. But this was before the days of air war and atomic bombs. No one had ever seen an army of 900 chariots. Barak and his men would not be able to overpower Sisera and his chariots filled with men equipped for battle. Imagine a group of three-year-olds being asked to play soccer against a professional team! Without divine help, they had no shot at winning. 99 Essential Christian Doctrines 65. Work of the Holy Spirit in Life of the Christian The Spirit s work in the life of a Christian begins in the work of salvation in bringing a person to faith in Christ and is continued through the work of sanctification in helping the Christian to become progressively more like Christ throughout the course of his or her life. He also empowers and indwells believers, intercedes on their behalf, and equips them with special gifts for the service of God s kingdom. He is the Comforter to the believer and aids us in properly interpreting the Bible. Further Commentary Possibly Deborah gave the order to attack [4:14] as she saw the storm approaching [5:4-5], knowing that a heavy downpour would nullify the numerical advantage and the superior equipment of the Canaanites and thus make this the propitious moment to strike. The Lord was often depicted as the God of the thunderstorm, moving in awful splendor and power to the help of his people (cf. Josh. 10:11; 1 Sam. 7:10, Ps. 18:9-15). 5 Arthur Ernest Cundall 97

8 Further Commentary Deborah s gender marks her out as unique among the judges. Like the final judge Samuel, she also combines the roles of prophet and judge. Rather than leading in battle, her ministry as judge entails judicial decisions among the Israelites (vv. 4-5). As prophetess, Deborah delivers a word from God to Barak that he should lead in battle (vv. 6-7). Barak s reluctance to trust God s promise of victory (v. 8) results in glory being given not to Barak or Deborah but to Jael again, God effects rescue from a surprising source (vv. 9,17-22). God provides in ways that are not in accord with normal human strengths or expectations. 6 W. Brian Aucker, Gospel Transformation Bible Voices from Church History This is a life of faith, for God will try the truth of our faith, so that the world may see that God has such servants as will depend upon His bare word. 7 Richard Sibbes ( ) Voices from Church History When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace; in every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil. 8 Edward Mote ( ) Consider Barak s army: they knew they were outmanned when it came to weapons (Judg. 5:8). The odds were stacked against them except God was on their side. And so they stood there and wondered what God was going to do. Maybe they retold one another the story of the exodus: Remember what God did when He parted the Red Sea and our fathers walked on dry ground? Remember when our families came into the promised land with Joshua and the rivers were parted? What is He going to do now? Deborah and Barak and the people of God had faith in the Lord s words. He said they would be victorious. Because He is a faithful God, their faith in His victory was secure. What is the significance of Deborah telling Barak that the Lord had gone out before him (Judg. 4:14)? How was this word meant to encourage and challenge Barak? The hinge of this narrative hangs on verse 14: Hasn t the Lord gone before you? This was the place of confidence and hope for the people of God the Lord had gone before them. There was nothing to fear because the Lord had prepared the way. Victory would be theirs because the Lord s promise was sure. The Lord whom they had forsaken and abandoned had not abandoned them. Faith in God is what leads us to be courageous when facing impossible odds. Faith is demonstrated by our belief and obedience, our trusting in God and desire to obey Him in faith. Our faith is not rooted in our giftings, found in our skills, or propped up by our ambitions. Our faith is in the sure Word of God and in His unshakable character. As the people of God, we build our lives on the promises of God. No other foundation is stable. What happens when we have more faith in our gifts than in God s power? 3. Faith leads us to give all glory to God for working through us (Judg. 5:1-11). The author of Judges recounted the story of God s rescue in chapter 4. Now, in chapter 5, in the middle of a book marked largely by prose, the author transcribed a beautiful piece of poetry the song of God s rescue. 98 Leader Guide Spring 2016

9 1 On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang: 2 When the leaders lead in Israel, when the people volunteer, praise the Lord. 3 Listen, kings! Pay attention, princes! I will sing to the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel. 4 Lord, when You came from Seir, when You marched from the fields of Edom, the earth trembled, the heavens poured rain, and the clouds poured water. 5 The mountains melted before the Lord, even Sinai before the Lord, the God of Israel. 6 In the days of Shamgar son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the main ways were deserted because travelers kept to the side roads. 7 Villages were deserted, they were deserted in Israel, until I, Deborah, arose, a mother in Israel. 8 Israel chose new gods, then war was in the gates. Not a shield or spear was seen among 40,000 in Israel. 9 My heart is with the leaders of Israel, with the volunteers of the people. Praise the Lord! 10 You who ride on white donkeys, who sit on saddle blankets, and who travel on the road, give praise! 11 Let them tell the righteous acts of the Lord, the righteous deeds of His warriors in Israel, with the voices of the singers at the watering places. Then the Lord s people went down to the gates. Further Commentary The song in Judges 5 helps us fill in some gaps in the story of chapter 4. It shows us that while everyone played a part, God went before His people. Deborah proclaims the word of the Lord (5:12a) but does not take the glory. She is not the hero. Barak leads away all of the captives after the war (5:12b) but does not take the glory. He is not the hero. Sisera s army is defeated by a torrent of rain (5:20-21). Jael the housewife plays her part by defeating Sisera (5:24 most blessed ), but the glory is not hers. All the praise belongs to God (5:9). 99

10 Further Commentary Israel sings praise to God for his deliverance (vv. 1,3,10-11) but also blesses the Lord for providing leaders who offered themselves willingly (vv. 2,9) and for entire tribes who risk their lives for the sake of God s people (v. 18). We sing since God is our warrior, but we are not mere observers of the conflict. God chooses to make us participants in his righteous triumphs in the world (v. 11), even when circumstances are most grim (vv. 6-8). 9 W. Brian Aucker, Gospel Transformation Bible Voices from the Church We can, and should, live our lives and order our memories not only historically but theologically not simply recollecting what happened, or what we did, but searching out what God was doing. This keeps us from overhonoring ourselves in success, or despairing in our struggles. 10 Tim Keller Sometimes songs are the best way to communicate a story. Songs teach. When Americans attend a sporting event, they stand and sing together a story: O say, can you see at the dawn s early light? They sing Francis Scott Key s account of the War of It s war history, and The Star-Spangled Banner reminds Americans of who they are and their story as a nation. Similar to a national anthem, the song of Deborah and Barak was a victory song. We resonate with this song because we have encountered the same God. We recognize His faithfulness. Consider the role of singing in Christianity. Other religions aren t known for singing and writing hymns and praise songs. Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism are not marked by song the way that Christianity is. As Christians, we can t seem to help but sing. Our faith sings. And here, after God gave His people the victory, Deborah and Barak broke out into song. Why is it important to give God glory when He works through us? What happens when we take credit for what God has done? The focus of this song is not on the characters in the story but on God as the rescuer. The leaders egos and the people s accolades fade away in light of the glory of the one true God (4:14). It was the Lord who called Deborah to sit as a judge over His people. It was the Lord who gave Barak skills and leadership to assemble and train an army. It was the Lord who gave Sisera into the hands of a housewife (Jael, the woman who struck down the mighty general with a tent peg). It was the Lord who went out before them. Why did the people sing? To praise the Lord and to remember His faithfulness. Deborah and Barak knew that the people would be prone to forget the mighty works of God. That s why they gave them a song of remembrance. In the same way, we have been given songs throughout the Bible (Exodus 15; the Psalms; Revelation 5) that are meant to remind us of what God has done. In the singing of these songs, we are remembering and retelling what God has done on our behalf. In our singing, we encourage and build up one another (Col. 3:16). What 900-chariot armies are stacked up against us today? Do you fear persecution and war against the people of God worldwide? The Lord goes before us. 100 Leader Guide Spring 2016

11 Do you despair because sexual sin in our culture is not only accepted but applauded? The Lord goes before us. Do you doubt because your home is a place of warfare and chaos? The Lord goes before us. Do you throw up your hands because you cannot seem to kill the sin in you? The Lord goes before us. The God of Mount Sinai is the God of Mount Tabor. The God of your past is the God of your future. How does singing praise to God fortify our faith? In what ways does singing build unity in our church? Voices from Church History Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him! All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him. Let the Amen sound from His people again; gladly for aye we adore Him. 11 Joachim Neander ( ) Conclusion The story and the song of Deborah is our story; it s our song. We were captive to sin and we had no hope on our own. Satan and his 900 chariots were stacked against us. We could not fight on our own. And the Lord stood in our place, fighting on our behalf, claiming victory over the enemy in an unlikely way through a cross reserved for criminals. There is another story of God crushing the head of His enemy. In Genesis 3, part of the covenant God made with Eve was that her seed would crush the head of the serpent. Or to put it more clearly Jesus would crush the head of Satan. God delivered His people here (Judg. 4:17-23) through the seed of the woman (Jael) crushing the seed of the serpent (Sisera). Today, we are the people of God because God has in Christ crushed the head of the serpent. It s through the great rescue the great story that we have been forgiven once and for all. We are like the Israelites, continually running after things we think will give us life. What does the world offer? The same things the serpent offered in the garden you can be greater than God; you can have glory; you are the hero. But here we see there is one Hero. The hero of this story is God alone. The hero of the story of our rescue is Christ alone. If you are struggling with the pull of sin in your heart, come and repent. Call out upon God to forgive you, and He will. If in this moment you realize that you have never been rescued from your sin, call out to Him and ask Him to rescue you. God has spoken, God has fought the battle for you, and God will get all the glory. CHRIST CONNECTION: Deborah was the chosen leader of God who not only rescued her people but also ruled with wisdom. Her life points forward to Jesus Christ, the Wonderful Counselor whose kingdom is marked by justice and righteousness. 101

12 Additional Resources Deborah, God s Woman of Wisdom References 1. Dale Ralph Davis, Judges (Great Britain: Christian Focus, 2011), Iain M. Duguid, in HCSB Study Bible (Nashville: B&H, 2010), 396, n. 4: Frances Ridley Havergal, A Stewardship Litany, quoted in The Wideness of God s Mercy, by Jeffery W. Rowthorn (New York City: Church Publishing, Inc., 2007), Iain M. Duguid, in HCSB Study Bible, , n. 4:4-5; n. 4: Arthur Ernest Cundall and Leon Morris, Judges and Ruth, in Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove: IVP, 2008), W. Brian Aucker, in Gospel Transformation Bible (Wheaton: Crossway, 2013), 306, n. 4: Richard Sibbes, quoted in Puritan Quotes: Faith, SermonIndex.net [online], [cited 22 July 2015]. Available from the Internet: 8. Edward Mote, The Solid Rock, in Baptist Hymnal (Nashville: LifeWay Worship, 2008), W. Brian Aucker, in Gospel Transformation Bible, , n. 5: Timothy Keller, Judges for You (Purcellville, VA: The Good Book Company, 2013), Joachim Neander, Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, trans. Catherine Winkworth, in Baptist Hymnal, Michael Kelley, Five Things Every Group Leader Should Do, 9Marks Journal [online], January/ February 2012 [cited 14 September 2015]. Available from the Internet: Study Material Get expert insights on weekly studies through Ministry Grid at MinistryGrid.com/web/TheGospelProject. Grow with other group leaders at the Group Ministry blog at LifeWay.com/GroupMinistry. -- The Period of the Judges Pages from Telling God s Story by Preben Vang and Terry G. Carter -- The Church Needs More Deborahs Article by J. D. Greear; find a link to this article at GospelProject.com/AdditionalResources --Previous Biblical Illustrator articles, including Deborah and Barak, can be purchased, along with other articles for this quarter, at LifeWay.com/BiblicalIllustrator. Look for Bundles: The Gospel Project. Sermon Podcast Josh Moody: Step Up to the Plate! Find a link to this at GospelProject.com/AdditionalResources Tip of the Week Let People Tell Their Stories Often if I m leading a group in which people seem to be shy or have trouble participating in discussion, I ll ask the group for a personal example of something that relates to the larger point, then use that personal experience to springboard into a larger discussion: What is one time on a vacation when your plans didn t go exactly right? (for moving into a discussion of patience) Tell us about a time when your children did something that genuinely made you happy. (for moving into a discussion about obedience and love) Using these stories fosters the kind of open atmosphere you re looking for and, at the same time, makes people more willing and confident in contributing Leader Guide Spring 2016

13 About the Writers The Gospel Project Adult Leader Guide HCSB Volume 4, Number 3 Spring 2016 Eric Geiger Vice President, LifeWay Resources Ed Stetzer General Editor Trevin Wax Managing Editor Daniel Davis Content Editor Josh Hayes Content and Production Editor Ken Braddy Manager, Adult Ongoing Bible Studies Michael Kelley Director, Groups Ministry Send questions/comments to: Managing Editor, The Gospel Project: Adult Leader Guide, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN ; or make comments on the Web at Printed in the United States of America The Gospel Project : Adult Leader Guide HCSB (ISSN ; Item ) is published quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President LifeWay Christian Resources. For ordering or inquiries, visit or write LifeWay Resources Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN For subscriptions or subscription address changes, subscribe@lifeway.com, fax (615) , or write to the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, orderentry@lifeway.com, fax (615) , or write to the above address. We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To review LifeWay s doctrinal guideline, please visit Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Unit 1: Philip Nation (sessions 1-2) is the content development director for LifeWay and the teaching pastor for The Fellowship, a multi-campus church in Nashville, Tennessee. His newest book is Habits for Our Holiness: How the Spiritual Disciplines Grow Us Up, Draw Us Together, and Send Us Out. Robert Smith (sessions 3-6) is a professor of Christian preaching and holds the Charles T. Carter Baptist Chair of Divinity at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham, Alabama. He is the author of Doctrine That Dances. He is married to Dr. Wanda Taylor-Smith, and they have four adult children with one in heaven. Tanya McAvoy (assisted with unit 1 session plans) serves in the areas of evangelism and education at Neptune Baptist Church in Neptune Beach, Florida. She earned her MDiv from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She and her husband, Ryan, have three children. Unit 2: Afshin Ziafat resides with his wife, Meredith, and two daughters in Frisco, Texas, where he is the lead pastor of Providence Church. He serves on the board of Vertical Ministries, East-West Ministries International, the 9Marks Council, and the Leadership Council of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. Matt Boswell has been leading worship and writing songs for the church for over 20 years. A graduate of Southern Seminary, he serves as the pastor of ministries and worship at Providence Church in Frisco, Texas. Additionally, he is the president of Doxology & Theology. He is married to Jamie, and they have four small children. Unit 3: Steven Smith is the vice president for Student Services and Communications and professor of preaching at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of Dying to Preach: Embracing the Cross in the Pulpit and Recapturing the Voice of God: Shaping Sermons Like Scripture. He is married to Ashley, and they have three children. WRITERS