Culling the Army of God

Purpose: To equip saints to be effective soldiers in the Lord's Army.

Judges 7:2

And the Lord said to Gideon, “The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ (NKJV)

Pass out sheets.

The approach questions can reveal where our thoughts or feelings need to be transformed by Scripture. That is why it is especially important not to read the passage before the approach question is asked. The passage will tend to color the honest reactions people would otherwise give because they are, of course, supposed to think the way the Bible does. Giving honest responses before they find out what the Bible says may help them see where their thoughts or attitudes need to be changed.

Keeping in mind humility and your purpose for this study

Ask approach questions.

How would you define humility?

After everyone has answered the questions read Judges 6 and 7. Use Judges as a springboard for discussion:

What is walking in the Spirit?

What is Godly humility?

The Lord called Gideon out of hiding in the wine press (Judges 6:11,12), The Lord is calling us also out of hiding. We have been too ineffective for far too long in the Church, and in our walk. The Lord told Gideon He would cull the Army down to a fighting force that would show it was His power not theirs. The same is true today.

In the account of Gideon and the Army that was called, we see many thousands were called, but after the culling process only 300 men were standing with Gideon.

When the culling process is finished here on Earth, will you be one of the ones still standing?

In the sermon on the mount (Matt.5-7), Jesus tells us part of the culling process (we call it Sanctification). Humility is a major part of being ready to fight, for as the Army of Gideon saw, Israel did not win the battle, the Lord did.

Lesson 1:Humility or Futility?

Purpose: To determine what we can do to more effectively walk in the power and assurance of our Lord, tempered with the true humility the Lord requires of us.

Proverbs 15:33

33 The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom,

And before honor comes humility.

Humility — a prominent Christian grace (Rom 12:3; 15:17, 18; 1Cor 3:5–7; 2 Cor 3:5; Phil 4:11–13). It is a state of mind well pleasing to God (1 Pet. 3:4); it preserves the soul in tranquillity (Ps 69:32, 33), and makes us patient under trials (Job 1:22).

Christ has set us an example of humility (Phil 2:6–8). We should be led thereto by a remembrance of our sins (Lam. 3:39), and by the thought that it is the way to honor (Prov 16:18), and that the greatest promises are made to the humble (Ps 147:6; Isa 57:15; 66:2; 1 Pet 5:5). It is a “great paradox in Christianity that it makes humility the avenue to glory.”

The first test the Lord put the Army through was fear, many failed this test. Throughout the Bible the Lord tells His children (us) not to fear anything or anyone but Him (The Lord), for the Lord will deliver them (us) from the enemy.

Paul tells us to take every thought captive to the authority of Jesus Christ, especially fear. This can be accomplished with the proper sense of humility. Literally putting yourself under the authority of the Lord, every aspect, every area.

What is true humility? What does the bible say about humility? Is walking in humility a dichotomy from assurance?

As we look at what the Bible says about humility, I hope we discover that a humble heart for the Lord is a powerful heart.

Humble in NKJV

Ex 10:3, Le 16:29, Le 16:31, Le 23:27, Le 23:29, Le 23:32 , Le 26:41, Nu 12:3, Nu 29:7, Nu 30:13, Dt 8:2, Dt 8:3, Dt 8:16, Dt 21:14, 2 Sa 6:22, 1 Ki 21:29, 2 Ki 22:19, 2 Chr 7:14, 2 Chr 12:6, 2 Ch 12:7, 2 Ch 12:12, 2 Ch 28:19, 2 Ch 30:11, 2 Ch 32:26, 2 Ch 33:12, 2 Ch 33:19, 2 Ch 33:23, 2 Ch 34:27, 2 Ch 36:12, Ezr 8:21, Job 22:29, Job 40:12, Ps 10:17, Ps 25:9, Ps 34:2, Ps 35:13, Ps 37:11, Ps 69:32, Ps 76:9, Ps 107:12, Ps 113:6, Pr 6:3, Pr 11:2, Pr 15:33, Pr 16:19, Pr 18:12, Pr 22:4,Pr 29:23, Ec 10:6, Is 2:9, Is 2:11, Is 2:17, Is 5:15, Is 58:3, Is 58:5, Is 66:2, Eze 22:10, Eze 22:11, Da 4:37, Da 5:19, Da 5:22, Da 10:12, Am 2:7, Am 8:4, Mic 6:8, Zep 2:3, Zep 3:12, Zec 9:9, Mt 11:29, Mt 18:4, Mt 23:12, Lk 1:48, Lk 1:52, Lk 14:11, Lk 18:14, Ac 20:19, 2 Co 11:7, Eph 4:2, Php 2:3, Php 2:8, Php 3:21, Php 4:12, Col 3:12, Jas 1:9, Jas 1:21, Jas 4:6, Jas 4:10, 1 Pe 3:8, 1 Pe 5:5, 1 Pe 5:6

As you read these passages ask these questions:

What is humility according to the Bible?

How does this differ from your definition?

(use back of sheet if you need space to write)

Gather group into smaller groups and read through passages, making their own notes on their findings. Gather group back in 15 min. for group discussions of findings.

Defining humble:

Let us take a look at the usages of humble in the bible:

show group definitions of humble/humility...

Have different members of group read and discuss usage of humble/humility...

Hebrew #6038

Nu 12:3, Ps 9:12, Ps 10:12, Ps 10:17, Ps 22:26, Ps 25:9, Ps 25:9, Ps 34:2, Ps 37:11, Ps 69:32, Ps 76:9, Ps 147:6, Ps 149:4, Ps 149:4, Pr 3:34, Pr 14:21, Is 11:4, Is 29:19, Is 61:1, Am 2:7, Zeph 2:3.

humble in NKJV

Ex 10:3, Le 16:29, Le 16:31, Le 23:27, Le 23:29, Le 23:32, Nu 12:3, Nu 29:7, Nu 30:13, Dt 8:2, Dt 8:16, 2 Sa 6:22, 2 Chr 7:14, 2 Chr 33:23, 2 Chr 36:12, Ezr 8:21, Job 22:29, Job 40:12, Ps 10:17, Ps 25:9, Ps 25:9, Ps 34:2, Ps 37:11, Ps 69:32, Ps 76:9, Pr 6:3, Pr 11:2, Pr 16:19, Pr 29:23, Ec 10:6, Is 58:5, Is 66:2, Da 4:37, Am 2:7, Am 8:4, Zeph 2:3, Zeph 3:12, Zech 9:9, Mt 11:29, Lk 1:48, Lk 1:52, Php 3:21, Php 4:12, Jas 1:9, Jas 4:6, Jas 4:10, 1 Pe 3:8, 1 Pe 5:5, 1 Pe 5:6,

Greek #5011

Mt 11:29, Lk 1:52, Ro 12:16, 2 Co 7:6, 2 Co 10:1, Jas 1:9, Jas 4:6, 1 Pe 5:5,

1.

Read passages with humble/humility in them. (It is suggested you read a few passages before each question instead of trying to read them all at once. Take your time on this study, do not try to do it in one day. Ask the questions below after each passage to get the feel of humility/humble that God is trying to impart, if necessary read paragraph or chapter verse is contained in to get context.)

What do these verses tell us about humility?

What are the most significant facts about humility in these verses?

Have group break up into smaller groups of 2-3 and let each read and discuss 4-5 passages with humble/humility in them.

Gather group together for findings.

Look at teachings of Christ on humility.

Humility in NKJV

Ps 45:4, Pr 15:33, Pr 18:12, Pr 22:4, Zeph 2:3, Ac 20:19, Col 2:18, Col 2:23, Col 3:12, 2 Ti 2:25, Tit 3:2, 1 Pe 5:5.

2Sa 22:36 , Ps 18:35 , Ps 45:4 , Pr 15:33 , Pr 18:12 , Pr 22:4 , Zeph 2:3.

Discuss relevance of verses with daily life.

Does this apply to me?

How can I apply this in real world circumstances?

Narrow down your list to 2 or 3 key points.

2.

What good examples of humility do you see in Rms 12:13?

3. What is God’s attitude toward humility in Phil 2:8,9?

4. Compare two sons in Matt21:28-32