Sunday School Lesson

1. Judges 1 – 3
Introduction to the Book of Judges
“Rebellion’s Cycle”
January 22, 2017
First Baptist Church
Jackson, Mississippi
USA
What’s the number one thing?
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The Glory of God!
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1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV
31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
January Memory Verse
1 Corinthians 13:7 ESV
7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

2. References
• MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Study Bible (Nashville, TN: Nelson
Publishing, 1997).
• The ESV Study Bible (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2008).
• Missler, Dr. Chuck. The Book of Judges, Session 1; YouTube Video.
Introduction to Judges
• Judges is the story of Israel after Joshua lead them into Promised Land.
• Israel is a theocracy with God protecting them directly and they are to
follow His commandments.
• The Book of Judges covers Israelite history from 1400 BC to 1100 BC.
• Probably written by Samuel (Last Judge).
Biblical Definition of a “judge”
• Definition = a collective term applied to a diverse group of “Leaders”
appointed by God.
• Their mission was rescuing God’s people from the neighboring enemy
(civil and military).
• They were not always spiritual leaders, but followed God’s calling for the
mission.
• There are 12 judges mentioned in Judges.
Summary of Judges 1:1-36
• After Joshua’s death, God appoints Judah and Simeonites to drive out the
Canaanites.
• God gave them successful battles, but they were unable to conquer the
plains because of enemies’ chariots.
• Israelites did not fully drive out the Canaanites from the Promised Land.
• Israel compromised with enemies and allowed them to remain in land.
Summary of Judges 2:1-5
• The angel of the Lord comes to the people and tells them they have
disobeyed God by not driving out the occupants of the Promised Land.
• The angel reports that God will not break His covenant even though they
have broken theirs.
• The people weep loudly and name the location Bokin, meaning
“weepers.”
Introduction to Judges 2:6-23
• The writer (Samuel) provides a narrative summary of the Book of Judges.
• The writer presents a “cycle of sin” of the Israelites over these 300-400
years.

3. Judges 2:6-10 ESV
6 When Joshua dismissed the people, the people of Israel went each to his
inheritance to take possession of the land. 7 And the people served the Lord all
the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua, who had
seen all the great work that the Lord had done for Israel. 8 And Joshua the son of
Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of 110 years. 9 And they buried him
within the boundaries of his inheritance in Timnath-heres, in the hill country of
Ephraim, north of the mountain of Gaash. 10 And all that generation also were
gathered to their fathers. And there arose another generation after them who did
not know the Lord or the work that he had done for Israel.
Duties of Israelites as God’s Chosen People in Deuteronomy 6
1. Love and Obey God – Deut. 6:1-5
2. Teach God’s Law to Your Children – Deut. 6:6-9
3. Be Thankful – Deut. 6:10-15
4. Separate Yourselves from Pagan Worship – Deut. 6:16-20
Judges 2:11-13 ESV
11 And the people of Israel did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and served
the Baals. 12 And they abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had
brought them out of the land of Egypt. They went after other gods, from among
the gods of the peoples who were around them, and bowed down to them. And
they provoked the Lord to anger. 13 They abandoned the Lord and served the
Baals and the Ashtaroth.
Baal
Baal Worship
• The god worshipped by the Canaanites.
• Believed to give “fertility” to the womb and life-giving rain to the soil.
• Pictured as standing on a bull (fertility & strength).
• Storm cloud was his chariot; thunder his voice; lightning his spear and
arrows.
• Worship involved sacred prostitution and child sacrifice.

4. New Testament Explanation of Idolatry
Romans 1:25 NIV
25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served
created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.
Baal Child Sacrifice
Baal Worship Today?
Ashtoreth Worship
• Female consort of Baal.
• Associated with the evening star and goddess of fertility and war.
• Worship involved male and female prostitution.
• Sexual expression in every form as a means of worshipping.

5. Judges 2:14-15 ESV
14 So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he gave them over to
plunderers, who plundered them. And he sold them into the hand of their
surrounding enemies, so that they could no longer withstand their enemies.
15 Whenever they marched out, the hand of the Lord was against them for harm,
as the Lord had warned, and as the Lord had sworn to them. And they were in
terrible distress. 16 Then the Lord raised up judges, who saved them out of the
hand of those who plundered them. 17 Yet they did not listen to their judges, for
they whored after other gods and bowed down to them. They soon turned aside
from the way in which their fathers had walked, who had obeyed the
commandments of the Lord, and they did not do so. 18 Whenever the Lord raised
up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge, and he saved them from the
hand of their enemies all the days of the judge. For the Lord was moved to pity
by their groaning because of those who afflicted and oppressed them. 19 But
whenever the judge died, they turned back and were more corrupt than their
fathers, going after other gods, serving them and bowing down to them. They did
not drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways. 20 So the anger of the Lord
was kindled against Israel, and he said, "Because this people have transgressed
my covenant that I commanded their fathers and have not obeyed my voice,
21 I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations that Joshua left when
he died, 22 in order to test Israel by them, whether they will take care to walk in
the way of the Lord as their fathers did, or not." 23 So the Lord left those nations,
not driving them out quickly, and he did not give them into the hand of Joshua.
The Worst of Times for Israel
• Instead of spiritual fervor, there was spiritual apathy.
• Instead of obeying the Lord, there was apostasy.
• Instead of law and order, there was anarchy.

6. Key Summary Verse in Judges
Judges 21:25 ESV
25 In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his
own eyes.
• Modern day definition for “relativism” – There is no absolute truth.
• Relativism = You define truth for yourself.
“Cycle of Democracy”
Alexander Tyler 1747-1813
Two centuries ago, a somewhat obscure Scotsman named Tytler made this
profound observation: "A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of
government. It can only exist until the majority discovers it can vote itself largess
out of the public treasury. After that, the majority always votes for the candidate
promising the most benefits with the result the democracy collapses because of
the loose fiscal policy ensuing, always to be followed by a dictatorship, then a
monarchy”.
What are the lessons for us in Judges?
Judges 2:10 ESV
10 And all that generation also were gathered to their fathers. And there arose
another generation after them who did not know the Lord or the work that he
had done for Israel.
• Do not neglect to teach the next generation.

7. Another Lesson From Judges
Judges 2:1b; 18b ESV
1b I said, 'I will never break my covenant with you,
18b For the Lord was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who
afflicted and oppressed them.
• God hears the prayers of His people when they cry out to Him, even after
repeated failures.
A Personal Application on Failures in Life
• Reference: SLAYING THE GIANTS IN YOUR LIFE by Dr. David Jeremiah
(2001).
• Chapter 11 – Facing Your Failure.
Facing The Giant of Failure
• Facing the Reality of Failure
• Failure is guaranteed: mark it down; expect it early and expect it
often.
• 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 ESV
8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not
driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but
not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so
that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
• James 3:2a NIV
2a We all stumble in many ways.
When you experience failure…
• When you experience failure, remember God understands and His
compassion has no limits.
• Psalms 103:13-14
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.
Facing the Reasons for Our Failures
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 ESV
17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory
beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the
things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things
that are unseen are eternal.

8. Let’s look at the paradoxes in these verses…
Paradox – contradiction in terms
2 Cor. 4:17-18
• Light momentary affliction that is seen is temporary.
• Weight of glory unseen at this time is eternal.
Facing the Reasons for Our Failures
1. We fail now to succeed later.
• Present affliction means future glory.
• Jesus said that our present suffering will bring future glory.
• Success depends on the definition.
• What appears as failure may actually be success.
• Failure is not final!!
2. We fail in the incidental to succeed in the important.
• We must view things from a spiritual perspective.
• The earthly things will not matter in the end.
• Your failure may bring more glory to God than your success.
3. We fail in the temporary to succeed in the important.
• Hebrews 12:2 ESV
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy
that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is
seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
4. We fail outwardly to succeed inwardly.
• The world may see failure, but God sees success
• The world looks at the outside – appearances
• 1 Samuel 16:7b ESV
7b For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward
appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."
How to Face Failure
1. Acknowledge your failure.
• Not every failure is sinful – living in a broken world.
• Can be the result of the sins of others.
• However, if it is the result of your own sin…
• 1 John1:9 ESV
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

9. How to Face Failure
2. Accept God’s Forgiveness.
• God does not deal with us based on our failures, but in the light of His
grace.
• 2 Peter 3:9 ESV
9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is
patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all
should reach repentance.
• Satan will remind you of failures-God sees the Jesus in you.
3. Apply the Lessons of Failure Toward Success.
• In Judges, the Israelites did not appear to learn from their repeated
mistakes
• Proverbs 26:11-12
11 Like a dog that returns to his vomit
is a fool who repeats his folly.
12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.
4. Accept Failure As a Fact of Life, Not a Way of Life.
• Failure is an event, not a person.
• Failure is something you do, not something you become
• John 18:26-27 ESV
26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear
Peter had cut off, asked, "Did I not see you in the garden with him?"
27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.
5. Arise from Failure and Start Again.
• When you stumble, get up and go again
• Jonah failed initially
• Jonah 3:1-3a ESV
1 Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah the second time, saying,
2 "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the
message that I tell you." 3a So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh,
according to the word of the Lord.
6. Avoid Judging Failure in Others.
• Only God knows the circumstances.
• Luke 18:13-14
13 But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes
to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, a
sinner!' 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather
than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but
the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

10. Closing Thoughts
1. You become like what you are worshipping.
2. A moral failure is not usually a “blow-out”, but a slow leak.
3. Everything you need to know about living life and serving God is found in
God’s word.
4. Apply scriptures to your life daily.
5. Pray, Pray, Pray, Pray……………………………………..Pray!
Overcoming Failure Scriptures
Psalms 37:24 ESV
24 though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong,
for the Lord upholds his hand.
Psalms 103:10 ESV
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
nor repay us according to our iniquities.
Psalms 103:13-14 ESV
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame;
he remembers that we are dust.
Habakkuk 3:19 ESV
19 God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer's;
he makes me tread on my high places.
Philippians 1:6 ESV
6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to
completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 4:16 ESV
16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may
receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

11. Sunday
http://tse2.mm.bing.net/th?id=JN.YeZK4m9R0ZovA7PRca4vag&pid=15.1
Judges 4
Willing Servants
“The Prophetess Deborah”
Dr. Bill Boteler
January 29, 2017
First Baptist Church
Jackson, Mississippi
USA
The Plan of Hope & Salvation
John 3:16 ESV
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes
in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
John 14:6 ESV
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to
the Father except through me.”
Romans 3:23 ESV
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Romans 6:23a ESV
23a For the wages of sin is death,
 Death in this life (the first death) is 100%.
 Even Jesus, the one who doesn’t deserve death, died in this life to pay the
penalty for our sins.
 The death referred to in Romans 6:23a is the second death explained in
Revelation 21:8.

12. Revelation 21:8 ESV
8 “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the
sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the
lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Romans 5:8 ESV
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for
us.
Romans 6:23b ESV
23b but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Revelation 21:7 ESV
7 "The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will
be my son.”
 Romans 10:9-10 explains to us how to be conquerors.
Romans 10:9-10 ESV
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your
heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart
one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
Romans 10:13 ESV
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
If you have questions or would like to know more, please, contact First Baptist
Church Jackson at 601-949-1900 or http://firstbaptistjackson.org/contact/