Fearless Faith with Gideon · Woodlawn Student Ministry

Scripture

Judges 6:11-16

¹¹The angel of the Lord came, and he sat under the oak that was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash, the Abiezrite. His son Gideon was threshing wheat in the winepress in order to hide it from the Midianites. ¹²Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “The Lord is with you, valiant warrior.”

¹³Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened? And where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about? They said, ‘Hasn’t the Lord brought us out of Egypt? ’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to Midian.”

¹⁴The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and deliver Israel from the grasp of Midian. I am sending you! ”

¹⁵He said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I deliver Israel? Look, my family is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the youngest in my father’s family.”

¹⁶“But I will be with you,” the Lord said to him. “You will strike Midian down as if it were one man.”

Quote

It is not great faith, but true faith, that saves; and the salvation lies not in the faith, but in the Christ in whom faith trusts

— Charles Spurgeon

Sermon Outline

1

GOD SEES BEYOND OUR FEARS AND LABELS

Supporting Scripture: Judges 6:12

¹²Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “The Lord is with you, valiant warrior.”

Key Truth: God’s perspective is bigger than our fear. God sees us for who we are becoming in Him, not just who we are in this moment. He calls Gideon “valiant warrior” even when Gideon is full of doubt and hiding. Illustration 1: Think of an athlete who gets passed over for the team, but one coach sees their potential, trains them, and they become a leader. That coach saw more in the athlete than anyone else did, including the athlete themself. Illustration 2: A student is told they are not a good writer. Years later, after encouragement from a teacher, they publish their first story. The words others spoke did not define their future. Reflection Pause: - Why do you think God likes to use people who do not look impressive by the world’s standards? - What is one label you have believed about yourself that is different from what God says?

2

GOD IS PATIENT WITH OUR DOUBTS AND QUESTIONS

Supporting Scripture: Judges 6:13

¹³Gideon said to him, “Please, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened? And where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about? They said, ‘Hasn’t the Lord brought us out of Egypt? ’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to Midian.”

Key Truth: God is not offended by your honest doubts. He wants you to bring them to Him. When Gideon questioned God, God did not walk away. He answered. He reassured Gideon and reminded him, “I will be with you.” Illustration 1: A child learning to ride a bike falls and asks, “Can I really do this?” A loving parent does not scold but encourages them to keep trying and promises to help. Illustration 2: A student who keeps raising their hand in class might feel embarrassed, but a good teacher never shames them for asking for help. Instead, they patiently explain until it makes sense. Reflection Pause: - What questions or doubts do you wish you could ask God? - How can you bring your doubts to Him honestly this week?

3

COURAGE IS FOUND IN GOD’S PRESENCE AND PURPOSE

Supporting Scripture: Judges 6:14

¹⁴The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and deliver Israel from the grasp of Midian. I am sending you! ”

Key Truth: God never asks for perfection, only willingness. Courage is not about never being afraid; it is about taking the next step with the faith you have, knowing God goes with you. The less Gideon relied on himself, the more room there was for God to display His strength. Illustration 1: A relay team can only win if every runner gives their best and passes the baton. Even if one runner is slow or nervous, they run anyway, and the team keeps going. That is real courage. Illustration 2: Someone preparing for a big test might feel unready, but their parent says, “Do your best, and I will help with the rest.” God says the same: “Go in the strength you have. I will be with you.” Reflection Pause: - Where do you need to take a next step, even if you feel afraid? - How can you trust God to fill the gaps this week?

Where it lands

APPLICATION Practical Steps: 1. Ask God to show you how He sees you this week. 2. When you feel inadequate, pray, “God, help me trust your view of me, not my own.” 3. Take one step of faith out of your comfort zone—pray out loud, serve, talk to a friend about faith, or ask a mentor for help. 4. Check in with your group midweek and celebrate every act of courage, big or small. Leader Note: Courage grows in community. Encourage students to support and check in with each other. CLOSE / CHALLENGE Gideon’s story proves God does not wait until we have it all together. He is looking for people who will trust Him with their weaknesses and small beginnings. Charles Spurgeon said: “It is not great faith, but true faith, that saves; and the salvation lies not in the faith, but in the Christ in whom faith trusts.” Gospel Tie-In: The greatest proof that God uses the unlikely is Jesus Himself—born in a manger, dying for us, and making us sons and daughters. You are not your doubts. You are who God says you are.