YEA Lesson Library
Lookin’ For a Sign
About This Lesson
Using the story of Gideon, this lesson teaches that God provides the Bible and Godly counselors for us to make decisions and find assurance of the actions we should take.
Scriptures
Judges 6:1-40
Judges 7:1-25
Proverbs 10:11-14
Proverbs 13:24-25
Proverbs 15:1-2
Proverbs 15:22
Proverbs 15:18-23
Words to Know
VICIOUS CYCLE - when the same events continue to repeat
FLEECE - the wool from a sheep
COUNSEL - advice
THRESH - to separate seed from a harvested plant
The Lesson
Audrey rode her horse slowly along the fence, looking for holes. Their small herd of eight cows kept getting into the neighbor's pasture somehow. It was Audrey's job to figure out how they were doing it. She knew the fence wasn't completely down, but there must be some small hole or something. So she was looking for a sign, any sign that would show her how the cows kept crawling through the fence. Suddenly, there it was: a few tufts of bright red hair on the barbed wire! She dismounted to get a closer look at the section of fence. It looked solid. But when Audrey grabbed the fence post, the mystery was solved. The fence post had rotted off at the ground. It still looked like it would hold the cows, but one push would allow the cows to pretty much walk through the fence before it bounced back into place. Audrey took off her scarf and tied it to the fence so it would be easy to find again. Then she rode back to the house to get the post hole digger, a new post, and the pick-up.
After Joshua died, the Israelites began a vicious cycle of turning their backs on God and following other gods. God would allow their enemies to defeat them. Life would get very bad and the Israelites would call out to God for help. So God would send a judge to save the people again. When we pick up the story in Judges 6, the Israelites had done evil in God's sight. He allowed the Midianites to oppress the Israelites — for seven years. Things were so bad, the people hid in mountain clefts and caves. They planted their crops and the Midianites came and destroyed everything. As Israel became poorer and poorer, they cried to God for help.
The Angel of the Lord came to Gideon. Gideon was threshing wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites. The Angel said to Gideon, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior." Gideon wanted to know why all these bad things were happening to the Israelites if God was with them. So God told Gideon, "Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian's hand. Am I not sending you?" Then, Gideon asked God how he could do that. He belonged to the weakest clan in Manasseh, and Gideon was the least in his family. But God replied, "I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites together.”
But Gideon was still not convinced that God really wanted him to do this. He asked for a sign, but first he wanted to prepare a gift for the Lord. Soon he brought back unleavened bread, some meat from a young goat and its broth. The Angel of God told him to put the offering on the rock and to pour out the broth. Then the Angel touched the meat and the unleavened bread. Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and the bread. Gideon was very afraid that he would die because he then understood he'd seen the Angel of God.
Then God told Gideon to cut down his father Asherah's pole and tear down his altar to Baal. Then he was to sacrifice a bull on an altar made to God. Gideon did this, but at night, because he was afraid of his family and the people of the town.
Then Gideon blew a trumpet, calling people of Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali to fight against the Midianites. But still, Gideon asked God for another sign that He would save Israel through Gideon. So Gideon put out a fleece on the threshing floor. In the morning, if the fleece was wet and the ground dry, Gideon would know that God would do as He had said. The next morning, the fleece was wet and the ground was dry. But then Gideon again asked God to give him a sign. If he put out the fleece and this time the fleece was dry but the ground was wet, then Gideon would know for sure. God honored the request.
But now, God told Gideon that he had too many men to fight against the Midianites. God sent 31,700 men home. Gideon only had 300 men to fight against the Midianites. "The LORD said to Gideon, 'With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the other men go, each to his own place.' So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites to their tents but kept the three hundred, who took over the provisions and trumpets of the others" (Judges 7:6-7, NIV).
In the middle of the night, God told Gideon to take his servant Purah to the Midianite camp to hear what they were saying. One Midianite man was telling another his dream. The friend told him, "This can be nothing other than the sword of Gideon . . . God has given the Midianites and the whole camp into his hands" (Verse 14).
When Gideon got back to his camp, he called the three hundred men to get up because God had given the Midianites into their hands. Gideon divided the people into three groups, with trumpets and empty jars in the hands of all of them, with torches inside each jar.
In the middle of the night watch, Gideon and his men blew their trumpets and broke their jars, showing the Midianite camp surrounded. Then they shouted, "A sword for the LORD and for Gideon." The Midianites turned on each other with their swords. Then Gideon chased them all the way to the Jordan.
How curious it was that Gideon had to have so many signs from God! He just wasn't sure he was supposed to do what God wanted him to. What about us? Should we "put out the fleece” to figure out what God wants us to do? We don’t need to “put out the fleece” because God has given us different ways of choosing the right way to go. The Bible is a wonderful guide to our steps. Other good resources are our parents or pastor. Ask for advice from people you know who love and serve God. They can give you the sign — the direction — you need when you have to make a decision about what to do. Then, once you are convicted of what you should do, do it!
Activity
Teaching the Lesson:
Legacy Lesson: Student book/Teacher book - Teaching Time: 25 mins.
Lesson Prep - Teacher book - Time: 30 mins.
Activity (Teacher book): Signing the Way & Jigsaw Puzzle - Time: 40 mins.
Song: "One Door, and Only One" - page 44 of Kids Classics Collection - Time: 5 mins.
Activity (Student book): A Treasure Chest of Wisdom - Time: 20 mins.
Extending the Lesson - REACH Activities:
*Back to the Bible: Armed for Battle
*Journal Jot: A Sword for the LORD and for Gideon
*Word Study: advisors - yâ’ats
*Just Toolin’ Around: Signs
*Did you Know? The Middle Watch
*Stretch It Out: Gideon
*Music Notes: Hark, the Sound of Holy Voices
*Questions? - Writing Prompt - 10 mins.
Student Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Please help me to find the right counsel when I need to make a decision.
Please give me Your wisdom.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Daily Devotions
Sunday: Proverbs 15:1-2
Monday: Proverbs 13:24-25
Tuesday: Proverbs 10:11-14
Wednesday: Proverbs 15:18-23
Thursday: Judges 6:11-18
Friday: Judges 6:19-24
Saturday: Judges 7:1-7
Objectives
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
1. Retell the events in Judges 6-7.
2. Describe the signs God gave to Gideon that He would use Gideon.
3. Explore why God only allowed Gideon 300 men.
4. Apply the lesson to today.
5. Brainstorm sources for making decisions and receiving assurance.
Topics & Themes
Adversity
Angel
Battle
Fleece
Gideon
God’s Leading/Guidance
Midianites
Sign
Materials Needed
Bibles, YEA Students' and Teacher's books, pencils and pens, attendance and memory verse charts, stars, songbook, music player, CD or cassette, chalkboard and chalk, poster board jigsaw puzzles, markers and crayons, ziplock bags with the students' jigsaw puzzle pieces, construction paper, glue, glitter glue, glitter, paper punches
Preparation
As our children get older, they are able to take on more responsibility and learn to make more of their own decisions.There will be many influences swaying their directions and decisions. It is important that we provide a solid foundation for them to rely on, to withstand the negative influences of peer pressure, society, and their own carnal nature. We want them to go to the Bible, to their parents, respected church members, and their pastor for counsel. But they have to be comfortable going to these sources for help. Before the need arises, they must learn to recognize the value in godly advice and be willing to overcome their innate shyness and reluctance to approach an adult with some questions. Hopefully this lesson will help them realize that these resources are available and these people are willing to help.
How to Teach This Lesson
Open the class with prayer and begin the discussion.
Where to go for help - Ask: When you are hurt at school, where do you go for help? The school nurse, your teacher, or the school secretary are there to help you and they want to help. Where do you go for help when your bicycle tire is flat? Where do you go when you need help with your homework? Let’s talk about Gideon, who needed some help and encouragement.
Vicious cycle - Do you know what a vicious cycle is? It is something negative that happens over and over where you can't seem to get out of it. That's what was happening with the Israelites. After Joshua died, the Israelites served God for a while, then they began to serve other gods and turn their backs on God. So God allowed their enemies to oppress them. When things got bad enough, the people cried out to God. Then God sent someone to save them. That's what was going on in Judges 6. The Midianites were oppressing the Israelites, so much so that the Israelites were living in caves and mountain clefts. And the Midianites were destroying the crops of the Israelites. So the Israelites were hungry and poor.
Calling Gideon - Read through and discuss Judges 6:11-32 with the students. Note that already God had given Gideon some pretty amazing signs: the fire consuming the offering, and the lack of consequences for tearing down Baal's altar and the Asherah pole.
Putting out the fleece - Discuss this event, vs. 36-40. Gideon wanted the assurance so much he asked for the sign both ways. And God obliged. Why?
Gideon’s Army - Read Judges 7:1-7 with the students. Why did God only allow 300 men? More assurance? Now that Gideon only had 300 men, he wanted more assurance that God was going to save Israel through him. Read Judges 7:9-22 from a modern or youth translation with the students. Discuss how the torches and trumpets in every man's hand led the Midianites to believe that a much larger army had surrounded their camp. Nevertheless, it was still God who threw them into chaos, causing them to kill each other. Gideon and his men did not really fight the battle.
What about today? - Ask: What should we do when we are faced with a battle? Maybe we don't have the courage to do what we need to do. Maybe we are unsure about our direction. Maybe we just don't know what to do next.
Should we put out a fleece for God to give us a sign? When the Jews asked for miraculous signs, Jesus said, "This is a wicked generation. It asks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah" (Luke 11:29). While He was not speaking directly to us, the principle is the same. God has given us what we need for encouragement and direction: in Bible study, prayer, meditation, fasting, and wise counsel. We cannot rely on a special sign from God that shows He wants us to go in a certain direction. God expects us to use the tools He's already given us.
Review Questions
1. Why were the Midianites oppressing the Israelites?
2. Who did God call to save the Israelites?
3. What did God ask Gideon to do first?
4. What signs did Gideon ask for from God?
5. How many men were in Gideon's army?
6. Why did God allow only 300 men?
7. How did Gideon defeat the Midianites?
8. Where should we go for direction and encouragement?
Teacher-Directed Activity
Signing the Way
Sometimes we need to be reminded of the signs God has already given us. Choose a favorite verse to write on a piece of colored construction paper. Decorate with paper punches, glitter glue, etc. Possible verses: 2 Corinthians 4:17; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Hebrews 12:2; Hebrews 12:14; James 1:2-4; Romans 8:38-39; John 14:27. Continue working on your jigsaw puzzle, using the piece for Lesson Eight. On one side, write "Gideon." On the other, write "act on God-given information." Give the students their ziplock bags so they can continue with their jigsaw puzzle pieces.
REACH Activity
Back to the Bible: Armed for Battle
What were Gideon and his army armed with? Read Judges 7:20-21. There was a torch in their left hand and a trumpet in their right hand. That doesn’t leave any hands for a sword. There would be absolutely no doubt that God gave them the victory. There are other records of God giving the army the victory. Look up the following passages. Write a quick summary of who was involved and what God did.
2 Chronicles 20:1-23
Exodus 14:10-14
Joshua 10:11-15
Exodus 23:28; Deuteronomy 7:20; Joshua 24:12
1 Samuel 17:45-47
2 Samuel 5:22-25
2 Kings 6:16-17
Journal Jot: A Sword for the LORD and for Gideon
There’s a scene in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe where King Peter is engaging the White Witch and her armies in battle. As he charges into the fray, leading the Narnians, he yells, “For Aslan and for Narnia!!” It’s the battle cry, the call to engage the enemy. It means you are ready to fight and, knowing for whom you are fighting strengthens your resolve to succeed! We fight a battle every day. Ephesians 6:12 says that our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the Satan and his demons. Maybe we don’t realize that we’re in a battle every day. That would leave us vulnerable to attack because we’re not mentally prepared. Maybe we need a phrase, a battle cry, that sets our mind each morning as we start our day. In your Bible notebook, brainstorm what you might say to yourself as a call to arms, i.e. “Lead on, King Jesus” or “Fight the Good Fight” or “Onward to the Fray.” Once you have thought of several, ask your family to help you brainstorm more. Then design a ballot. Have the family choose one that they like best. Create a bumper sticker that you can post next to (on or above?) your front door to remind you to go in the power of God’s might each day.
Word Study: advisors - yâ’ats
The word translated “advisors” in Proverbs 15:22 is the Hebrew word which means “to advise, counsel, admonish; to direct, to resolve, to decide, to devise, to plan, to purpose; to consult with one another, to counsel together, to be advised. The first occurrence of the word is in Exodus 18:19, where Jethro suggests that Moses delegate some of his responsibilities to others.” (Source: Zodhiates’ NAS Hebrew-greek Key Word Study Bible, 1990, H#3289)
It’s very important to listen to Godly counsel. Rehoboam didn’t (1 Kings 12:8, 13), and neither did Absalom (2 Samuel 17). It did not end well for either man.
In your Bible notebook, write this word, its definition, and the scripture reference.
Just Toolin’ Around: Signs
There are many examples of people asking God for confirmation that they were/were not supposed to do something. Using a Bible resource, how many can you find? To get you started, think of Abraham’s servant going to find a wife for Isaac. What was the sign that he’d found the right woman? (Genesis 24:12-14) What sign did God tell Moses He would give to him to show him that He was with him? (Exodus 3:12)
Did you Know? The Middle Watch
According to V. Gilbert Beers’ The Victor Journey Through the Bible (1996, p. 88), the middle watch was normally from 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Obviously, this was after dark. The men would have been settling to sleep for the night. Gideon and his men attacked at the beginning of the middle watch, which was a complete surprise because armies rarely fought after dark.
As you think about Gideon’s attack, what three things took the Midianites completely by surprise? When you don’t expect an attack from a certain area, it’s called an attack on your blind side. It’s very important that we rely on God for protection from those unexpected attacks!
Write your thoughts about this in your Bible notebook.
Stretch It Out: Gideon
Draw a picture of Gideon and his army surrounding the camp of the Midianites. They would have had a torch in their left hand, a broken pitcher at their feet, and a trumpet in their right hand. Use your favorite art supplies to add color. When you are finished, put a title to your picture.
Music Notes: Hark, the Sound of Holy Voices
This hymn is on page 141 of the CEM Hymnal.
The text for this hymn was written by Christopher Wordsworth, the nephew of William Wordsworth. After obtaining his BA from Trinity College in Cambridge, he went on to earn an MA and a DD. He became Canon of Westminster Abbey in 1844, the Archdeacon of Westminster in 1865, and eventually the Bishop of London in 1868. Many of his writings are in prose; he published a hymnal containing 127 hymns. He believed "the first duty of a hymn-writer to teach sound doctrine, and thus to save souls.” (Source: https://hymnary.org/person/Wordsworth_Christopher)
As you sing this hymn, you will see many references to the battles we fight. Write down the one that most captures your attention. Sketch a banner in your Bible notebook and put those words on the banner. Seeing the words may help you to remember that it is God who fights our battles for us and it is through Jesus Christ that we will win.
Questions?
Write down any questions you have in your Bible notebook so that you can remember to ask your parents or your pastor.
Song
"One Door, and Only One" is on page 44 of the Kids Classics Collection.
Closing Prayer
Lead the students in prayer asking God for guidance and wisdom when making decisions and to choose godly counselors for advice.
Printable Pages
