Judges - 9 Sessions

The book of Judges tells the story of a time in Israel's history when the people often struggled to follow God, yet He faithfully raised up leaders to guide and deliver them. (more below list)

SESSION 1 - Faithfulness Forgotten, The Cycle of Sin – Judges 1:1-2:5

SESSION 2 - Cycle of Faithfulness and Disobedience - Judges 2:6-3:6

SESSION 3 - God’s mercy, the importance of repentance - Judges 3:7-31

SESSION 4 - God equips both Men and Women - Judges 4-5

SESSION 5 - Overcome Fear and Weakness - Judges 6-7

SESSION 6 - The Dangers of Forgetting God and Pursuing Selfish Ambition - Judges 8-9

SESSION 7 - The Cycles of Leadership and Justice in Israel Lesson Overview - Judges 10-12

SESSION 8 – Eyes on Revenge - Judges 13-16

SESSION 9 – Hope Beyond the Chaos - Judges 17-21

This book bridges the gap between Joshua, who led Israel into the Promised Land, and the time of the kings, when Saul and David ruled. Judges reminds us of God's patience, His justice, and His desire to rescue His people even when they fail.

One of the central messages of Judges is summed up in this repeated phrase: “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit” (Judges 21:25, NIV). This verse shows the spiritual and moral confusion of the time. When people turned away from God, they fell into sin and chaos. But God did not abandon them. Instead, He sent leaders called "judges" to rescue them from their enemies and bring them back to Him. These judges were not kings or perfect heroes—they were ordinary people, chosen by God to do extraordinary things.

Charles Spurgeon, often called the "Prince of Preachers," once said about the book of Judges: "The history of Israel in the time of the Judges is a mirror for us today, showing the need for God's grace in every age." Similarly, the writer Warren Wiersbe described the judges as people who were “raised up by God for a purpose, empowered by His Spirit, and used to accomplish His will despite their flaws.”

The stories in Judges offer many lessons. We learn how to trust God even in difficult times and how His plans are greater than our failures. Gideon’s story, for example, reminds us that God can use our small faith to accomplish big things. Deborah’s leadership shows us the importance of wisdom and courage, while Samson’s life warns us about the dangers of pride and disobedience.

As we study this book, let's keep our hearts open to the ways God wants to lead us, just as He led Israel through the judges. Judges may show the struggles of the human heart, but more importantly, it reveals the power of God's mercy and His promise to never give up on His people.