Sunday Spotlight is where we share our Calvary Kids Bible lesson topic each week for kids of all ages. Use this lesson for a Family Night devotion or a review time to talk about what your children learned at Calvary on Sunday! We post a new lesson every Wednesday.

---

Sunday, June 1

Lesson Title: Gideon Led Israel

Bible Passage: Judges 6–7

Key Passage: 2 Chronicles 7:14

Big Picture Question: What is repentance? Repentance is turning away from sin and turning to Jesus.

Lesson Summary

The story of Gideon in Judges 6–8 reveals the power of God at work in the lives of His people and how victory belongs to Him alone. God’s call on Gideon’s life demonstrates how the Lord often chooses what is weak to shame the strong (1 Corinthians 1:27).

Why would God choose to drastically limit the number of Gideon’s soldiers in battle? How does God’s provision in this story point to an even greater salvation — our hope in Christ?

Once again, the Israelites had committed themselves to doing evil in the sight of the Lord. The Lord allowed the Midianites to rule over His people as a consequence for their sin. Yet, God again acted mercifully as He responded to their cries for deliverance in the face of oppression. God graciously sent a prophet to His people to remind them of the faithful love He had shown them since their days in Egypt. He urged them to remember His covenant with His people.

God called Gideon to be a judge for the Israelites and to deliver them from Midian. Not wanting His people to claim victory on behalf of their own strength, God told Gideon to pare down his troops. God showed His power by limiting the Israelites’ manpower in battle. This way, they could only attribute their victory to the Lord’s goodness on their behalf. Gideon and his army of 300 had no logical way of winning a battle against so many Midianite troops. Yet, God proved He is Lord over creation and the One who pursues His people and delivers them unto Himself.

God provided salvation to His people by delivering them from the hand of the Midianites, but even more, He has provided eternal deliverance to all who trust in His Son for salvation. In the battle against sin and death, we — like the Israelites — have no means of securing victory on our own. Yet through Jesus, the battle is already won. Lead the boys and girls in your care to see God’s ability to make a way where there is no way, as well as His heart for sinners who deserve death. May your children walk forward in faith, trusting in the Lord for His victory over sin and death.

 
Christ Connection

This is the big idea of how this week's Bible story points to Jesus.

• Babies & Toddlers: When we do wrong things, we need God’s help. God sent His Son, Jesus, to help us and to save us from our sins.
   
• Younger Preschool: The Israelites needed Gideon to help them. We need help, too. We need God to save us from our sins. God sent His Son, Jesus, to help us and save us forever.

• Older Preschool: The people of Israel asked God to help them. God used Gideon to help the people, and God fought for them. We need help, too. We need God to save us from sin. We cannot save ourselves. God sent His Son, Jesus, to save us.

• Kids: Gideon could have never won the battle without God’s power. Victory came from God alone. We cannot save ourselves from sin. Only Jesus can save us from our sin.

Big Picture Question & Answer

This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• All Ages: What is repentance? Repentance is turning away from sin and turning to Jesus.

Key Passage

2 Chronicles 7:14  This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.

• Babies & Toddlers: If we pray, God will hear and forgive our sins. 2 Chronicles 7:14
   
• Younger Preschool: If my people pray and turn from sin, I will forgive them. 2 Chronicles 7:14
   
• Older Preschool: [If] my people pray and turn from their evil ways, then I will forgive their sin. 2 Chronicles 7:14
   
• Kids: [If] my people, who bear my name, humble themselves, pray and seek my face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Next week: Samson and the Philistines (Judges 13–16)

---