The book of Judges tells the story of the people that God sent to redeem Israel: men and women who bravely followed God and played a part in Israel’s pattern of sin, repentance, and deliverance. These people were chosen by God, but they might not be who you’d expect. They didn’t fit into a mold, and they definitely weren’t perfect, but they made a difference. Their leadership – both in good and bad moments – can help us learn how God can use us to lead others. Over the next six weeks, you’ll read about the lives of Deborah, Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson. You’ll learn how they lived, listened, obeyed, acted, and grew in ways that expanded their leadership and helped Israel. You’ll also walk through some of the not-so-shining moments of these leaders, and how the pattern of sin they were trapped in paid a toll on their leadership and the future of Israel. Throughout the book of Judges, one thing is clear: God can use us if we are obedient, regardless of where we’ve been or what we’ve done.
