INTRO–‘What’s Your Perspective?’Read Judges 6:1-6, 13

During challenging times like today, the question is how do you navigate them successfully? The Israelites often went through turbulent times as well, but God used these crisis’ to bring about change of heart and action. Gideon’s first encounter with God in Judges 6, probably describes most people in crisis when he asks the wrong question, ‘why God?’ The right question you should ask when going through challenges or turmoil is not why God, but ‘what is God doing?’ This question allows God to begin the process of proper change in your life as the pain of crisis exceeds the pain of change. Read James 1:2 & Romans 8:28.

• Do you ever ask the ‘why God’ question when things get rough in your life? Why?


• How do you normally navigate challenging times?


• Describe a time God made positive changes through a crisis in your life.

GOD PERSPECTIVE #1–‘Proper Self Perception’Read Judges 6:12, 15-16; & Luke 15:17-20

In keeping a God perspective you have got to have a proper self perception, and the right one is the way God views you and all God’s children. You are a mighty warrior and loved beyond measure by your creator, even though you intimately know and see all your own flaws and deficiencies. What God sees is a child who no matter what has great potential in Christ and will do whatever God can to encourage and empower you to be that person. However, to become that person that God has called you to fulfill, you must be willing to enlist for the duration, because it truly is not about you, but about pleasing God in all you do.

Read II Timothy 2:3-4 and Galatians 2:20.

• What is your perception of yourself? How is that different from God’s perception of you as a mighty warrior?


• As a follower of Jesus, have you signed up for the duration of building God’s kingdom or are you more of an independent contractor? How do you know?

GOD PERSPECTIVE #2–‘Proper Life Direction’Read Judges 6:24; & Romans 12:1

What is also key in keeping a God perspective is making sure your priorities are God’s priorities. And you can tell what your priorities are by the sacrifices you make in life and why you make them. Gideon built an altar to God in order to offer God something of real value from his life, and God accepted that offering. However, because of Christ, you are called to offer more than just money, time, occupation, energy, etc. God wants all of you and for you to offer your whole self as a living sacrifice. In doing this you will find that proper life direction God has for your life and it will be recession proof.

• On what altars are you offering your life sacrifices? What old altars do you need to tear down?


• What are our American idols? What is one idol in your life you need to remove?

GOD PERSPECTIVE #3–‘Proper Community Connection’Read Judges 7:1-7

Finally to fully understand God’s perspective you must purposely place yourself in the proper community of faith that will allow you to pursue God’s purposes and passion. This kind of community is not just a group that meets for its own sake. It is a group that comes together to serve a cause greater than themselves. It is these communities that truly change the world and bring hope and life to everyone around them.

• As a cell group, are you more of a fellowship community or a group that is serving a greater purpose?


• What is the passion of Christ’s mission in your life? What do you need to do to begin serving that call?