The First Judges
(Judges 3:7-31)
August 24, 2025
Sunday Recap
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Sunday Recap •
Hey Fams!
This week’s story ushers in a new chapter for God’s people: the era of the judges. These short-term rescuers pointed to the need for an eternal Rescuer and Savior with the power to redeem and transform the hearts of God’s people once and for all.
What pattern began to unfold in the lives of the Israelites? How did God prove Himself faithful and gracious in the lives of the Israelites, despite their sin?
The generations of Israelites who fought to conquer the land and renewed their commitment to God’s law had died. Judges 3:4 tells us how God left some nations to test His people and determine if they would walk in obedience to His commands. Unfortunately, the Israelites began to worship the gods of the nations around them.
The same phrase is repeated throughout Judges: “The Israelites did what was evil in the Lord’s sight.” They forgot the Lord who swore to never forget His people. God allowed His people to be ruled and oppressed by foreign nations as a consequence for their sin. The cycle of apostasy was at work: Israel sinned, received consequences, and cried out to God for help; He sent a judge or deliverer, the people repented, and the cycle began anew.
In this chapter, we are introduced to three judges: Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar. Through their leadership, God continued to prove Himself faithful by intervening and delivering His people, always preserving and setting them apart from the world. These earthly judges, however, could never save the people from their sins or produce new hearts with the desire to obey God. The peace these judges provided could not offer lasting change.
Lead your kids to see that only Jesus has the power to give us new hearts and transform us into His image. While judges provided temporary peace, Jesus has established an eternal peace for those who place their faith in His finished work on the cross. Even the mightiest earthly hero pales in comparison to the Prince of Peace who was resurrected to bring us new life! Pray that awe would mark children’s hearts as they reflect on God’s provision to secure everlasting peace and salvation.
** Next week: Deborah Led Israel (Judges 4-5)
Family Discipleship Plan
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Family Discipleship Plan •
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Read Judges 3:7-31 from the Bible.
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In 1998, five countries worked together to launch the International Space Station. It orbits Earth approximately 15 times per day collecting data for research. It’s been flying the same path around the planet for 24 years. If you do the math, this means the International Space Station has circled the planet more than 131,000 times! Talk about going around in circles!
After Joshua died, the next generation of Israelites forgot about the wondrous works God had done. For many years after that, the people followed the same devastating cycle of sin. Over and over again, the Israelites forgot God, turned away from God, and then cried out “God save us!” Each time, God sent a judge to deliver His people and save them from their enemy. But the cycle of sin kept going around and around.
This same cycle is in our lives. We have sinned and turned away from God. When we realize how sin separates us from God, we should cry out “God save us!” Glory to God that He has heard those cries for help! He sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sin and be the perfect Deliverer. Only Jesus has the power to defeat sin. He is the better rescuer who can deliver us from the cycle of sin.
God brought consequences to His people for their sins, but He also raised up judges to save them from their enemies. We also have consequences for our sins, but God sent Jesus to save us from our sins once and for all.
Pray: Jesus, thank You for being the Rescuer we need! Only You can save us from our sins. Help us remember Your works and help us follow You as King. Amen.
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But they make themselves humble in my sight. They pray and look to me. And they turn from their evil ways. Then I will listen to them from heaven. I will forgive their sin. And I will heal their land. After all, they are my people.
2 Chronicles 7:14 NIrV
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Mornings
Ask God for His wisdom and strength to confess sin. How can confessing our sin and seeking God’s help break the cycle of sin? What is God’s reaction when His people repent?
Evenings
Thank God for always hearing our prayers and responding according to His will. How did God respond to the cries of the Israelites? What does this teach us about His patience and love for His people—even when they disobey?
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For Fun
Play a game of follow-the-leader. Have the leader walk in a funny way, sing a song, or dance while others follow their motions. Assign one family member to shout ‘Repent’ at any point during the game, at which point the entire family must turn and begin marching in the opposite direction. The person at the opposite end of the line is now the leader. After playing discuss what repentance means (Repentance is turning away from sin and turning to Jesus). Talk with kids about God’s desire for people—including your family—to turn away from sin and follow Jesus.
To Serve
Work as a family to pick up trash and litter in a nearby park or along a neighborhood road. Talk with kids about how this area will likely be littered again and will need another cleanup in time. Remind kids that the judges could only bring temporary relief from the consequences of sin, but Jesus has completely defeated sin. Through Him, we can have forgiveness and total deliverance!