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June 4: Deborah and Barak (Judges 4:1-10)

By May 30, 2017Teacher Tips

To begin the session:

This week’s lesson represents the first of four studies from the book of Judges. (The traditional term “judges” actually refers to the leaders God raised up to deliver the Israelites from their enemies.) In this light, ask your group members to share their answer to at least one of the following ice-breaker questions.

  1. When you were in high school or college, who was the BMOC (Big Man on Campus)? Who was the most popular or influential female?
  2. Apart from the Bible, name one man and one woman you admire for their leadership or example.
  3. What qualities do you look for in a spiritual leader? What qualities do you look for in a political leader? Are there significant differences in your standards and expectations? Why or why not?

 

To engage the learners in a study of the Scripture text:

Have your group read Judges 4:1-3 and discuss the following questions.

  1. Deborah was the third of Israel’s major “judges,” or leaders. A man named Ehud was the second judge. What effect did Ehud have on the Israelites?
  2. How were the Canaanites able to sustain their oppression of the Israelites?
  3. The Standard Lesson Commentary notes, in its lesson background, that the book of Judges is focused on Israel’s recurring four-stage cycles, which have been summarized as sin, sorrow (or servitude), supplication, and salvation. How do we see the first three stages playing out here?

Have your group read Judges 4:4-7 and discuss the following questions.

  1. What leadership roles did Deborah fulfill?
  2. In the midst of a male-oriented society, why do you suppose God chose a woman to lead Israel? How do you suppose the Israelites felt about it?

Have your group read Judges 4:8-10 and discuss the following questions.

  1. Why do you suppose Barak refused to lead the Israelites into battle if Deborah didn’t go with him?

Note: The Standard Lesson Commentary points out that various reasons have been suggested for why Barak said this. Deborah’s reply clearly seems to be a rebuke for Barak’s lack of trust in the Lord. Nevertheless, Barak did obey the call to lead the Israelites into battle, and Hebrews 11:32 includes him among those in the Old Testament who exemplified great faith.

  1. What would Barak’s hesitation cost him?

Note: The battle plan that God gave Deborah was to draw Sisera into a trap. The armies engaged along the Kishon River, where the Canaanites’ chariots should have been free to maneuver. But God would fight for his people via storm and flood (see Judges 5:19-21). Sisera fled on foot to some people he assumed would give him refuge. But after a woman named Jael invited Sisera into her tent and he fell fast asleep, Jael drove a tent peg through his head—thus fulfilling Deborah’s words that “the Lord will deliver Sisera into the hands of a woman” (Judges 4:9).

  1. What woman has God used to call forth the best in you?
Andrew Sloan

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