JUDGES: A Faithful God in a Broken World "Idolatry and Leadership" (Judges 1-21)
JUDGES: A Faithful God in a Broken World
"Idolatry and Leadership"
(Judges 1-21)
For bulletin in PDF form click here.
From My Book Shelf: "Bullies and Saints" and The Beautiful Tune of Jesus
Insights on Idolatry
Idolatry has always been, and is now, a snare for God’s people.
The angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, “I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land I swore to give to your ancestors. I said, ‘I will never break my covenant with you, and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars.’ Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this? And I have also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you; they will become traps for you, and their gods will become snares to you.’”
Judges 2:1-3
• God is always faithful to His covenant; He will bless and discipline His children.
• God will use persecution and oppression to turn His children back to Him.
• We bring the consequences of idolatry upon ourselves.
• Idolatry is any priority that is greater than worshipping the Lord fully.
• Idolatry usually looks like we are simply fitting into the world’s value system.
• Idolatry makes sense in the moment.
Lessons on Leadership
Lasting spiritual impact requires faithful leaders.
Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for them,
he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the Lord relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them. But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways. Judges 2:18-19
• Corrupt leaders are interested in personal power and influence.
• Uncertain leadership provides a context for chaos and idolatry.
• A failure to teach and obey God’s word leads to subtle paganism.
• Ungodly leaders are always providing ways to peacefully get along with the world.
• You can be used by God, and even empowered by the Spirit, and not be spiritual.
• God can use anyone but He is looking for faithful leaders.
Next Steps
Truth: The Lord is faithful to fulfill all of His promises.
Warning: Idolatry is subtle and disastrous.
Challenge: The Lord is looking for faithful servants.
This Week’s Growth Guide
God’s Word is both central and critical to your spiritual growth. We invite you to utilize the Growth Guide during the week to further your application of the Truth from the message.
•. Monday - Judges 1-2
•. Tuesday -Judges 3
•. Wednesday - Judges 4
•. Thursday - Judges 5
• Friday - Judges 6
Home Church
Our Home Churches meet weekly to facilitate quicker relational depth, study the same passage taught
Sunday to help apply Scripture in the context of community, and pray with one another. Home Church helps our body seek God’s best for one another.
Home Church Questions
• What are some things you can celebrate that took place in 2021?
• What are some things you are planning on changing in 2022?
• As you reflect on Michael's message from Psalm 51, is there anything you need to repent of that is appropriate to share with the group? It might be a behavior, or an attitude, or a habit.
• Why is it so easy to be overcome with the appeal of idolatry?
• In what subtle ways do we let the values of the world become more controlling than our love for the Lord?
• What changes do we need to make to realign ourselves with the purposes of God?
• "Power corrupts." "Corrupt people seek power." "Corruptible people seek power." Talk about these three statements.
• Talk about an example (biblical or contemporary) where God has used a leader who was not consistently faithful.
• What is the impact when you have a truly godly leader who is used by God?
Finances
Weekly Budget 28,846
Giving For 12/26 20,722
Giving For 01/02 21,899
YTD Budget 778, 846
YTD Giving 753,843
over (25,004)
Generations Campaign
Total Pledge 1,535,065
Received-to-date 1,623,862
Fellowship 101
We invite you to join us Sunday morning, January 23, to learn more about
Fellowship. This is a great opportunity to learn about our mission, values, and ministries. If you’re new to Fellowship, mark your calendars for Sunday,
January 23, at 9:00 a.m. Join us in the conference room (first floor) to hear what God is doing and where He is taking us. During this time you will get to meet some of our ministry leaders and ask questions.
We’re excited to meet you!
New to Fellowship?
We are so glad that you joined the Fellowship Family to worship this morning. If you are joining us for the first time or have been checking us out for a few weeks, we are excited you are here and would love to meet you. Please fill out the “Connect” section of your bulletin, tear it off, and bring it to the Connection Center in the Atrium, we would love to say “hi” and give you a gift.
Getting Equipped At Fellowship
• Discover You - January 16-March 6
Have you ever felt you have more to offer at work, at home, at church, in life? This small-group experience will help you discover, optimize and unleash the resources God has placed inside you. Your “SHAPE” is the unique combination of your personality, strengths, skills, gifts, and passion. Cathy Lee will lead this course Sunday mornings in Equipping Room 2101. The cost is $60, which will cover all your assessments and online access. To register go to fellowshipconway.org/equipping.
• Financial Peace University Spring 2022 - January 15
Whether you realize it or not, money affects everything—your health, relationships, job performance, and even your future. And when your finances feel out of control, your life does too. Travis Mays and Bryan Abramovitz will lead this one-day event, and then you will work through the course at your own pace with the help of a financial coach. The course cost is $99, which includes; the materials, one year of online access, and lunch during the one-day event! To register go to fellowshipconway.org/equipping. For child care text Shanna at 501-336-0332.
• Prayer Course II: Unanswered Prayer - March 7-April 4
Following the success of the first Prayer Course, these five sessions go deeper, provoking honest conversation around the most challenging and most personal questions we all ask about prayer. This course has video instruction, small group discussion, and practical tools to aid your prayer journey. Michelle Robinson will lead this course on Monday evenings in the Fireside Room. To register go to
fellowshipconway.org/equipping.
Join a Small Group
Coming in January! If you haven’t had an opportunity to seek out and join a Home Church, January is a great time to jump in! For more information, go to fellowshipconway.org/homechurch.
A Place For. You
Finding just the right area to serve can sometimes be intimidating, but knowing what opportunities are available and what the time commitment is to fulfill the role, could help you make the right connection. Go to fellowshipconway.org/serve to see current and ongoing service opportunities for a good fit and try out what interests you.