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Bible Study: Feb. 5, 2017


NASHVILLE (BP) — This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, LifeWay publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.

This week’s Bible study is adapted from the Explore the Bible curriculum.

Bible Passages: Judges 6:11-16, 25-32

Discussion Questions: What names have you been given in anticipation of your fulfillment of a task? How do the names given to believers, such as saints and holy priesthood, serve as motivators to live up to those names?

Food for thought:

At the end of the day on February 5, one professional football team will be crowned champion. Shirts will be printed prior to the game for both teams, even though only one will get to wear the champion shirts as soon as the game is over. Shirts that would have been worn if the losing team won will be destroyed, because that team will have failed to recognize their goal. For both teams, being called “champion” is an aspirational title they have yet to obtain prior to the game. At this point the shirts sitting in the boxes simply declare what could be.

The Bible introduces us to Gideon by telling of him threshing wheat in a wine vat. He was hiding from the Midianites doing some of the most menial work a person could do. Threshing wheat required a room with high ceilings and breezes so the chaff could more easily be separated from the edible part. That also made the person more visible. Wine vats were completely enclosed with low ceilings, making them a poor choice, unless you were afraid. It was in this setting that the angel appeared to Gideon and addressed him as “mighty warrior.” There was nothing mighty or warrior-like about Gideon as he worked in his hiding place. The title was aspirational, defining what Gideon was to become.

When we read titles given to believers, we too may feel the same way as Gideon did while hiding in a wine vat. We are called God’s holy people, living stones, the righteous, saints, living sacrifices, God’s dwelling place, the pure bride of Christ, overcomers, just to name a few. No doubt, none of us live up to these names. These titles serve as aspirational goals, defining what we are to strive to become. Through dependence upon Christ and by the Holy Spirit’s working in our lives, we can take steps toward these titles.

Explore the Bible
Explore the Bible is an ongoing Bible study curriculum that helps groups dig into the key truths of each Bible book, while keeping the group on pace to study through the Bible books in a systematic way. More information can be found at LifeWay.com/ExploreTheBible.

Other ongoing Bible study options for all ages offered by LifeWay can be found at LifeWay.com/SundaySchool.

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  • Staff/Lifeway Christian Resources