Bible Study - When Faith Fades

Judges 2:10–18 KJV 1900

10 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel. 11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the Lord, and served Baalim: 12 And they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the Lord to anger. 13 And they forsook the Lord, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. 14 And the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies. 15 Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the Lord was against them for evil, as the Lord had said, and as the Lord had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed. 16 Nevertheless the Lord raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them. 17 And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the Lord; but they did not so. 18 And when the Lord raised them up judges, then the Lord was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the Lord because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.

Below is an engaging, ready-to-teach Bible study in Dr. Rick Warren’s easy, practical style. I avoided insider jargon, kept applications clear, and used KJV references throughout.

When Faith Fades

Text: Judges 2:10–19 (KJV) Series: Faith in the Fire: Standing Strong in Difficult Days

Introduction: When Faith Fades (Judges 2:10–18)

Faith rarely dies in one day. It fades in small steps. Israel had seen God’s power in Joshua’s day, but a new generation arose “which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10, KJV). When God’s people stop remembering God’s works, they start replacing God with idols. What they forget in worship, they repeat in the world.

Judges 2 shows a cycle we still see today: forget God, fall into sin, feel the pain, then cry for help. God responds in mercy, yet the people return to the same patterns. The problem is not that God is distant. The problem is that our hearts are distracted. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23, KJV).

The good news is that God does not give up on His people. He raises deliverers. He offers fresh starts. He invites us to return. “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not” (Lamentations 3:22, KJV). This lesson will help us face the drift, break the cycle, and build a faith that lasts.

I. The Forgetfulness that Weakens Faith (Judges 2:10–13)

What happened? A new generation rose up that did not “know” the LORD or His works (Judges 2:10). “Know” in Scripture means relationship, not trivia. You can know about God and still not know God. That gap leads to drift. Moses warned, “Beware lest thou forget the LORD” (Deuteronomy 6:12, KJV). Forgetfulness is not an accident. It is the result of neglecting what God has done.

Why does forgetfulness weaken faith? Faith feeds on remembrance. “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2, KJV). When we do not recall God’s past faithfulness, we will not rely on His present power. Israel forgot the Red Sea, the manna, and Jericho, so the gods of Canaan looked attractive. Psalm 78:7 says God’s intent is “that they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God” (KJV). Remembering keeps hope alive.

How do we prevent it? We rehearse the works of God and retell them to the next generation. “One generation shall praise thy works to another” (Psalm 145:4, KJV). We build simple rhythms: daily Scripture, prayer, testimony sharing, and family conversations about God. The goal is not perfect performance. The goal is a living relationship that keeps memory fresh and faith strong.

Synopsis

Israel’s faith faded because they forgot the Lord and His works (Judges 2:10–13). Scripture calls us to remember who God is and what He has done so our hope stays strong (Psalm 103:2; Psalm 78:7). When we regularly recall His faithfulness and retell it to others, idols lose their appeal and obedience becomes a joyful response (Psalm 145:4; Deuteronomy 6:12, KJV).

Start a “works of God” journal and record answers to prayer and providences.Psalm 103:2; Habakkuk 2:2 (KJV).

Habakkuk 2:2 “2 And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, That he may run that readeth it.”

Retell one testimony each week to a child, teen, or friend.Psalm 145:4; Deuteronomy 4:9.

Deuteronomy 4:9 “9 Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons;”

Create a daily 10-minute “remember and rejoice” time in Scripture and prayer.Psalm 119:16; Psalm 5:3.

Psalm 5:3 “3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.”

Place a visible reminder at home that points to God’s help.Joshua 4:6–7; 1 Samuel 7:12.

1 Samuel 7:12 “12 Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.”

Sing a hymn or verse of praise when anxiety rises.Psalm 42:5; Philippians 4:6–7.

Philippians 4:6–7 “6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

II. The Faithlessness that Wrecks Lives (Judges 2:14–15)

What faithlessness looks like. Israel “forsook the LORD… and served Baal and Ashtaroth” (Judges 2:13, KJV). Idolatry is loving, trusting, or obeying anything more than God. It can be money, approval, pleasure, or power. Scripture is plain. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3, KJV). “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21, KJV).

What faithlessness produces. God’s loving discipline came. “The anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers” (Judges 2:14, KJV). This was not God being cruel. It was God being a good Father, letting His people feel the fruit of their choices. “Be not deceived… for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7, KJV). Outside of God’s ways there is no lasting peace.

How to break the pattern. Call idolatry what it is. Confess it and turn from it. “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God?” (James 4:4, KJV). Return to first love. Replace idols with worship, the Word, and obedience. Choose to “serve the LORD” with a whole heart (Joshua 24:15, KJV).

Synopsis

Faithlessness is forsaking the Lord for lesser gods, which invites defeat and discipline (Judges 2:14–15). God’s commands are not burdens. They are blessings that protect our lives (Exodus 20:3). When we name our idols and turn from them, the cycle breaks and freedom begins (James 4:4; Galatians 6:7, KJV).

Identify your top rival to God and name it in prayer.Ezekiel 14:3; Psalm 139:23–24.

Ezekiel 14:3 “3 Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them?”

Confess and forsake the idol with a trusted believer.1 John 1:9; Proverbs 28:13.

Proverbs 28:13 “13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”

Replace the idol with a habit of worship and Scripture meditation.Matthew 6:33; Psalm 1:2.

Psalm 1:2 “2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; And in his law doth he meditate day and night.”

Schedule weekly accountability for obedience and encouragement.Hebrews 3:13; Ecclesiastes 4:9–10.

Hebrews 3:13 “13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”

Practice prompt obedience in one clear area God has shown you.James 1:22; John 14:15 .

John 14:15 “15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

III. The Faithfulness that Offers Restoration (Judges 2:16–19)

God raises deliverers. “Nevertheless the LORD raised up judges, which delivered them out of the hand of those that spoiled them” (Judges 2:16, KJV). The hinge word is “nevertheless.” God stays faithful even when we do not. His mercy makes a way back. “But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, long-suffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth” (Psalm 86:15, KJV).

Mercy invites repentance, not complacency. God’s rescue is an invitation to a new walk, not a permission slip to repeat the old one. Many in Judges returned to sin when the judge died (Judges 2:19). Real restoration includes a real turn. “If my people… shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways” (2 Chronicles 7:14, KJV).

Christ is our perfect Deliverer. Every judge points to Jesus, the greater Deliverer who saves us from sin’s penalty and power. “But God, who is rich in mercy… even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:4–5, KJV). He not only rescues us. He reforms us by His Spirit, His Word, and His people. He can “keep you from falling” (Jude 24, KJV).

Synopsis

God’s faithfulness opens the door to restoration through deliverers, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Judges 2:16; Ephesians 2:4–5). Mercy is a call to return and remain, not to repeat the cycle (Judges 2:19; 2 Chronicles 7:14). When we respond with repentance and discipleship, God establishes us in a new way of life (Jude 24, KJV).

Cry out to God for rescue in any area of bondage.Psalm 34:17; Psalm 50:15.

Psalm 34:17 “17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, And delivereth them out of all their troubles.”

Receive Christ’s saving work afresh and rest in grace.Romans 5:8; Acts 4:12.

Acts 4:12 “12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”

Commit to ongoing discipleship in Scripture, prayer, and community.Matthew 28:20; Acts 2:42.

Acts 2:42 “42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”

Install spiritual guardrails to protect your new walk.Proverbs 4:23; Romans 13:14.

Romans 13:14 “14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”

Become a helper to others who are stuck in the cycle.Galatians 6:1–2; 2 Timothy 2:2.

2 Timothy 2:2 “2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

Discussion Questions

Where do you see subtle forgetfulness showing up in your week, and how can you build a reminder rhythm?

What “modern idol” has the loudest voice in your life right now?

What would a genuine “turn” look like for you this month?

Who can you encourage this week with a testimony of God’s faithfulness?

Which guardrail do you need to install first?