A Faithful God in a Broken World "The Demise of Gideon" Judges 8:1-35

  JUDGES: A Faithful God in a Broken World 
"The Demise of Gideon"
(
Judges 8:1-35)

For bulletin in PDF form click here.

Message Slides

Gideon Lessons - Chisholm

Hypocrisy - Younger

God’s Grace and Decreasing Spirituality - Younger

Introduction: Ravi Zacharias and The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill


Respecting Your Critics (8:1-3)
Winsomely responding to pride with grace and wisdom preserves the peace.



Disrespecting Your Critics (8:4-9)
Harshly responding to fear with anger and threats disturbs the peace.


Routing the Enemy (8:10-12)
Faithfulness to the Lord requires tenacity and perseverance.


Revenge Part #1 (8:13-17)
Petty vengeance does not honor the Lord.


Revenge Part #2 (8:18-21)
Personal vendettas do not honor the Lord.


Risky Request (8:22-27)
Subtle pride and arrogance is revealed in your actions more than your words.



Relentless Repetition (
8:28-35)
The persistent idolatry of families and nations escalates and spirals out of control.



We should make it our life-long goal
to have our practice match our theology.

Next Steps
• 
Truth: Your walk talks louder than your talk talks.
•  Warning: When your practice does not match your theology, you will be exposed.
•  Challenge: Match your behavior to your beliefs.

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 8:1-9
•. Tuesday - Judges 8:10-12
•. Wednesday - Judges 8:13-21
•. Thursday - Judges 8:22-35
•. Friday - Judges 9:1-56

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
•  Read Judges 8:1-35.

•  What stands out in this passage or from the message?

•  It is commonly stated that, "Power corrupts and ultimate power corrupts ultimately."  Russell Moore has recently said, "Corruptible people seek power."  What do you think?

•  What are some stories you know of people who tragically did not finish well?

•  What do you think is essential for anyone who wants to finish well?

•  Which situations tend to make you winsome and which situations tend to draw out more harshness in your response?

•  Why is "a long obedience in the same direction" so difficult?

•  How do you feel when other people's actions do not match their words?

•  How do you feel when your actions do not match your words?

Finances
Weekly Budget      28,846
Giving For 02/13   29,157
Giving For 02/20   25,595
YTD Budget          980,769
YTD Giving         1,175,520
OVER/UNDER          194,750                          
Generations Campaign
Total Pledge 1,535,065
Received-to-date 1,629,697

Preparing for Easter - Ash Wednesday, March 2
Easter is April 17, and in preparation, we are providing a space on  Wednesday, March 2, from 10-8 PM
in the Fireside Room to spend time in prayer and confession to ready our hearts to celebrate the
resurrection of Jesus. Fellowship is also providing a free book as a devotional 
to read leading up to Easter as a devotional. You can pick up your free copy of
"Gentle and Lowly" at the Connection Center.

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.

Partnering in the Gospel
There are still some opportunities to get involved with the Missionary Giving Tree.  We are hoping to provide each Mission Partner an opportunity to sample a little taste of Conway with a Welcome Basket.  Take a tag(s) and bring your items back by March 6 (extended one week).  

GriefShare | March  17 - June 9 | 6-8:00 p.m.
GriefShare is a support group that meets weekly here at Fellowship, Thursday evenings, 6-8:00 p. m.  You'll find it to be a warm, caring environment and will come to see your group as an "oasis" on your long journey through grief. The 12-week class is $20 and will be March 17-June 9.  For more information contact Joe and Mary Garner at 469-556-8962, or register at fellowshipconway.org/equipping.

Getting Equipped At Fellowship  | March  7 | 6:00 p.m.
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. Video instruction, small group discussion, and practical tools to aid your prayer journey led by Michelle Robinson Monday evenings in the Fireside Room.  ​To register go to fellowshipconway.org/equipping.

Experience a taste of Downline Conway at Preview Night
Attendees will get to experience a taste of the Downline Institute as Renaut van der Riet teaches a section of Ephesians. There will also be an opportunity to hear from Downline staff and alumni. Downline Conway Preview Night is Monday, February 28th from 6:45-8:15 p.m. in the Elementary Worship Room upstairs at Fellowship Conway. Call or text Chris at 870-403-6007 for more information or questions. RSVP at  https://downlineconwayfeb2022preview.eventbrite.com.

Afghan Resettlement Update
The team is hoping to have a furnished home and reliable transportation for the Afghan family the Lord brings. If you have household items, furniture, or appliances you are willing to donate, please email Emily Allison at eallison@fellowshipconway.org. We are asking only to identify what items are available and will need those items delivered to the home when lodging details are nailed down (we are not able to store or transport items).