Summary
This sermon reveals what happens when Godly people are not willing to step up and into the needs of those around them. It reminds us that God will use a characterless person to accomplish His purposes. The story of Jephthah shows the danger of approaching God without knowing and seeking His character. It also shows our capacity to blame God for things that are not His doing.
Key Scripture – Judges 10-12
Discussion Questions
- Read Judges 10:6
- Discuss the pattern you see unfolding throughout this book.
- Do you see any similarity in your own life or the life of others today?
- How do you feel about “God can and does use characterless leaders“?
- Discuss various examples of where this happens elsewhere in the Bible.
- Have you seen examples of this in recent times?
- Reflect on the statement: “Repentance isn’t just turning from something, but it’s also turning to something.”
- What is it important to turn to something…namely, Jesus?
- Without getting political, where have you seen the principle “If Godly people won’t, godless people will.”
- Like Jephthah, have you ever tried to bargain with God? See Judges 11:30-31
- What can we learn in this story about trusting in God’s word?
- What is the danger of mixing non-Biblical beliefs with our daily walk in Christ? What are some examples we see of this today?
- Share a time when you have or were tempted to blame God for something not His doing?