Unexpected Battles (Study Guide)

“Unexpected Battles”

Sermon Study Guide for March 8, 2026


Downloadable Version


Scripture: Judges 4:16-23


1. Deborah the Judge


Sisera the oppressor - twenty years


Barak and his 10,000 men


Heber the Kenite


Jael


Hospitality - Genesis 19:8




2. Where the Battles Take Place


a. Face ____________________________



b. Fight ___________________________



c. Fight ___________________________

Hebrews 13:5

John 14:30

1 John 4:4

Revelation 11:15






Questions to Discuss or Ponder:

  1. Where do you experience violence in your world? Movies? TV Shows? Daily Life? How do you respond to violence in the Bible?
  2. Why do you think it took the Israelites twenty years to remember to ask God for help?
  3. What does “hospitality” mean in our culture? How do you experience it today?
  4. What battles are waiting for you in the “valley of Kishon” today?
  5. Who do you have in your life who can come alongside you in the battle(s) you’re currently facing? When will you talk with that person?
  6. What is the difference between courage and attacking others? What does courage look like?
  7. When you think of someone who has conviction, who comes to mind? What does conviction look like?


Scripture for the Week:

Monday - Ephesians 4:1-13

Tuesday - Hebrews 13:1-8

Wednesday - John 14:15-31

Thursday - 1 John 4:1-6

Friday - Revelation 11:15-19

Saturday - Matthew 5:1-20


In response to this Scripture, how will you live?



Prayer Prompt: Lord, help me in the midst of my battles.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Of the Same Mind

Image
Job 2:11-13 May 18, 2025 • Mount Pleasant UMC Well, it’s been an interesting year so far, but I am glad to be back in the pulpit today. I appreciate Pastor Rick jumping in to help with an extra week of preaching and all the other things, and I have appreciated all the calls and texts and messages and “Facebook likes” and chai tea lattes that have come my way. It has been quite a journey, one that is not over yet as there is yet another surgery in my near future, but I have appreciated the care that has come my way. Many of you know our sermon schedule is prayerfully planned out months in advance. And I can’t tell you how many times someone tells me, “That was exactly what I needed to hear today.” Well, today, I might be the one saying that because it seems that our preplanned schedule has lined up pretty well with my life. So don’t tell me the Holy Spirit can’t work through advance plans! As you know if you’ve been here with us, we’ve been looking at characteristics of communi...
Read more

First Focus (Study Guide)

“First Focus” Sermon Study Guide for April 8, 2018 Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15 Everyone prays… The Lord’s Prayer Jewish & Gentile Prayer “Teach us to pray…” A framework… Myths about prayer 2. Praying the Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven… Hallowed be thy name… Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in  heaven… Give us this day our daily bread… And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who  trespass against us… And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from  evil… For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen. Questions to Discuss or Ponder: What was the first prayer you remember praying? What questions or struggles do you have when it comes to prayer? What has been your pattern of prayer up to this point? Are you satisfied with your prayer life? Why or why not? Why do we tend to believe “myths” about prayer (li...
Read more

What Faith is Not (Study Guide)

“What Faith is Not” Sermon Study Guide for February 16, 2020 Scripture: Proverbs 3:1-6 1. The Value of Uncertainty Adds __________________ to faith Push us to ______________________________ Proverbs 3:3 - hesed Make ______________________ possible Hebrews 11:1, 6 1 Peter 1:12 I Corinthians 13:12 2. How to Trust _______________________________ (3:5a) _______________________________ (3:5b) _______________________________ (3:6) Questions to Discuss or Ponder: How do you respond when faced with uncertainty? What resources do you rely on to make decisions? Which value does uncertainty add most to your life? Explain. What is the difference between faith and knowledge? Why is faith crucial to “pleasing God”? To what are you committed most in life? When do you most tend to “lean on your own understanding”? What usually happens when you try to “do it yourself”? Why is faith better than “knowing everything”? ...
Read more