Children’s Sermon Lesson – Gideon and the Midianites The Battle is the Lord’s!
Main Objective: This message describes the story of Gideon, a man who had no reason to be a military hero, but who was used by God to defeat a powerful army. God wanted the Israelites to know that He was in control and that He had ultimately won the battle. The message here reminds children of God’s strength and of His power to use our lives.
Law/Gospel Theme: We might think that we are not capable of doing great things for God, but it is God who equips and allows us to do His work. He guides us and goes with us in all that we do, and can use our lives in powerful ways! If He can help 300 soldiers defeat a massive army, He is more than able to fight our battles and help us with all that we face.
Note: This lesson is the second in a series on “impossible heroes,” Biblical figures who were able to do amazing and unlikely things only through the power of God.
Optional Materials: Pictures of weapons and armor; flashlight; water pitcher
Bible Passage: Judges 6-7 (Paraphrased)
Don’t miss the Bible Craft ideas on Gideon and the Midianites.
Message: Note: As with most messages, the details of how you choose to communicate this are adaptable and should cater to timing as well as to your audience and student needs.
Greet children, and talk about items that might be needed to go to battle.
Hello, children of God!
I have a question for you…if you were going to battle, what are some things you might need? Hopefully you won’t really have to be prepared for that, but let’s just imagine it for moment. What items would you want if you had to go up against an enemy? As you hear or take answers, hold up pictures of items that you discuss, or toy representations of them. You’d probably want some sort of armor to protect you, right? Now, you’d also need some weapons. Again, we don’t want to carry weapons around, but if you were in a battle you’d want them. If this was a long time ago, you might have a sword, or maybe bow and arrow. In modern warfare, you’d more likely have guns of some sort. Well, how about (hold up items if available) a water pitcher? Does that sound like a good weapon? Or what about a flashlight? Those might not seem like ideal choices…But guess what? Those are the very things that were used in the Bible to defeat a powerful enemy! Well, not a flashlight exactly…they didn’t have batteries or electricity then, so that part was a torch, but– well, maybe you’d like to hear about it?
In the book of Judges, we hear about a time in the Bible when there was no king for the people, and “everyone did what was right in their own eyes.” The problem there is that if people do what’s right in their own eyes, it might not always be what’s right in God’s eyes. The Israelites got in a lot of trouble that way, and often came under oppression from enemies. God called people to be judges– not like a courtroom, but leaders who would help the Israelites and rescue them from their enemies. One of those judges was named Gideon. Gideon was not what you’d consider a military hero. In fact, when God called him, he at first wasn’t so sure, and questioned God about whether he was really the best choice. He even asked God to give him specific signs so he’d know it was for sure that he was being called. Finally, he agreed to listen to the Lord’s instructions.
God wanted Gideon to lead the Israelites against an enemy called the Midianites. There were a lot of Midianites, and they had been oppressing the people of God for awhile. But God had some interesting instructions for Gideon. First, He told him that the army of Israelites needed to shrink. Everyone who was afraid was supposed to go home! There must have been a lot of people scared, because the army went from about 32,000 to only 10,000. That probably seemed like a challenging order, to take such a small group up against the huge army of Midian. But guess what? God said that there were still too many men. He instructed Gideon to watch the way that they drank water, and based on that, more men had to go home. This test dwindled the army down to only 300 men! 300, to go up against a huge group of Midianites. You see, God wanted to make sure the people weren’t too confident in themselves, thinking that they had won over the enemy. He wanted to show HIS power. I’m sure Gideon was confused about how God would make that happen. But it gets even stranger…
Gideon told his army that they were going to fight the Midianites…with torches and pitchers. They were to place their torches within empty jars. Then on the signal, they were to blow trumpets, break the jars, and rush into the enemy camp. Well, this might not have seemed like advanced weaponry, but the people did what Gideon instructed. They broke the jars, blew the trumpets, and came upon the Midianites with their torches. And guess what the Midianites did? They ran away! They panicked, ran, and even started fighting one another, and the Israelites had the victory! It wouldn’t have seemed like a likely win (in fact just the opposite), but it was God who made it happen. We know that with Him, anything and everything is possible! Without Him, we can do nothing.
This account is another great reminder that God fights for us. He is responsible for all of the victories in our lives, when we accomplish things or have success. The other thing we can learn from Gideon is that God equips us for what He calls us to do. Gideon did not consider himself fit for the task of leading the army, and on his own, he wasn’t. But God helped him. And God has a purpose for your life, too. It might not be leading an army to victory, but He has great plans for you! Whatever He has in mind, He will help you do. Our job is just to be open to His leading, and trust in Him to guide us. We can always ask God for strength and understanding, knowing that He will help us to understand and do what He wills.
Why don’t we pray now and ask God to help us know and do His will?
Prayer:
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for fighting for and with us
And for being victorious!
Please help us to understand your plans for our lives
And do your will.
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
Bible Verses/story to Reference:
That same night the Lord said to him, “Arise, go down against the camp, for I have given it into your hand. But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant. And you shall hear what they say, and afterward your hands shall be strengthened to go down against the camp.” Then he went down with Purah his servant to the outposts of the armed men who were in the camp. And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the people of the East lay along the valley like locusts in abundance, and their camels were without number, as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance. When Gideon came, behold, a man was telling a dream to his comrade. And he said, “Behold, I dreamed a dream, and behold, a cake of barley bread tumbled into the camp of Midian and came to the tent and struck it so that it fell and turned it upside down, so that the tent lay flat.” And his comrade answered, “This is no other than the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel; God has given into his hand Midian and all the camp.”
As soon as Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped. And he returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Arise, for the Lord has given the host of Midian into your hand.” And he divided the 300 men into three companies and put trumpets into the hands of all of them and empty jars, with torches inside the jars. And he said to them, “Look at me, and do likewise. When I come to the outskirts of the camp, do as I do. When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then blow the trumpets also on every side of all the camp and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon.’”
So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, when they had just set the watch. And they blew the trumpets and smashed the jars that were in their hands. Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the jars. They held in their left hands the torches, and in their right hands the trumpets to blow. And they cried out, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” Every man stood in his place around the camp, and all the army ran. They cried out and fled. When they blew the 300 trumpets, the Lord set every man’s sword against his comrade and against all the army. And the army fled as far as Beth-shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel-meholah, by Tabbath. And the men of Israel were called out from Naphtali and from Asher and from all Manasseh, and they pursued after Midian. -Judges 7:9-23
The Battle is the Lord’s! Sunday School Lesson on Gideon and the Midianites
The story of Gideon is an amazing example of God’s power and ability to use anyone for His purposes. In a way, it is also an example of how easily we are doubtful or uncertain. This lesson aims to encourage children to trust God and believe in His promises. God will always do what He promises, and will rescue us in times of trouble. He can use even the smallest of people to do amazing things for His glory.
This lesson is the second in a series on “Impossible Heroes” who experienced victory against the odds with God’s help.
Passage: Judges 6:11-7:25 (or selected portions)
Target Audience: Kindergarten-6th grade (See notes for specific age modifications)
Materials Needed: Water pitcher, party horns, pictures of weapons or heroes, tissue paper or construction paper, toilet paper or paper towel tubes, stickers, markers, glue, Bible verses.
Lesson Opening: This lesson is a powerful reminder of God’s strength in our lives, and His plan for us. There are interesting elements to consider and act out along the way. Here are some openers to get kids thinking (select the best ones for your audience and age group):
- Us versus them: invite several students to stand up (the whole group, depending on size). Ask them if they think they can work as a group to knock down the teacher, or another adult nearby. It might sound do-able with everyone…Then have about half the kids sit back down. Do they think they can still knock him/her over? Perhaps. Have several more students sit down. Would it be tougher now? Finally, have everyone except one student (preferably a younger or smaller one) sit. Do you think he/she can knock the big adult over? Give it a try! Upon coming near the adult, have the adult fall down without even being touched. Explain that in today’s story, an unlikely and very small army defeated a much bigger enemy. But God made something amazing happen!
- Knock Down the Idols: Have something to represent the idols of Baal: this could be a large cut-out poster, tower of stuffed animals, or just a stack of boxes. Have students toss beanbags or hit the “idols” with pool noodles to knock them down, as Gideon tore down idols in the story.
- The man for the job…show students pictures of tools or uniform pieces that would be used in various professions, and have them identify what kind of job would use each one. Gideon didn’t think he was equipped to lead the Lord’s army, but God chose him and provided for him! He has jobs for us, too.
- Dewy fleece: If possible, bring in a fleece or soft object, to act out the story of Gideon’s “test” for God’s instructions. Invite children to touch it, and spray with a little water to talk about the dew.
- Choose your weapons…what are some weapons that we might see or hear about? Display several pictures of modern or ancient weapons, like swords, guns, tanks, or bows and arrows. Do these seem like big and powerful weapons? Next, hold up for students a water pitcher, a flashlight, and a party horn or instrument. Do these seem like good weapons? Maybe not so much…but with God, anything is possible!
Explain to students that today’s lesson will focus on trusting God and following Him, even when it seems things might be difficult or even impossible.
Bible Lesson:
The Bible story covers a bit of length, so it might be best to paraphrase parts of it, or for younger students most of it. Depending on time and attention, you might focus on only certain parts of the account.
At this time of the Bible, the people of Israel were ruled by judges. Explain that a judge was sort of like a governor or special leader that could help people. Set the stage by explaining that the people of God often made mistakes and did not obey Him. When this happened, sometimes enemies came and took over their land.
Ask: Have you ever been nervous or afraid? When is a time that you were worried about doing something the write way?
When the people of Israel cried out to the Lord on account of the Midianites, the Lord sent a prophet to the people of Israel. And he said to them, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: I led you up from Egypt and brought you out of the house of slavery. And I delivered you from the hand of the Egyptians and from the hand of all who oppressed you, and drove them out before you and gave you their land. And I said to you, ‘I am the Lord your God; you shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell.’ But you have not obeyed my voice.” –Judges 6:7-10
There was a man named Gideon, who was a farmer. An angel came to Gideon and announced that God was going to use him to save the people and destroy their enemies. Gideon was doubtful. He was not mighty or powerful or a strong warrior. How could God use him? The angel assured him that he was the man for the job. Point out to students how this happens a lot. God chooses unlikely heroes, like Moses, David, or the disciples, and does incredible things.
Describe for children how after the angel visited, Gideon was instructed to tear down the idols of the false god, Baal. He took them out of the temple and replaced them with God’s altar. You’d think this might give Gideon a little boost of confidence, but he was still somewhat doubtful. He even made a deal with God. Have you ever made a deal with someone? Well, Gideon asked God to give him a special sign, just to make sure he really was the one God wanted to use to defeat the Midianites:
Then Gideon said to God, “If you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said, behold, I am laying a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew on the fleece alone, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you have said.” And it was so. When he rose early next morning and squeezed the fleece, he wrung enough dew from the fleece to fill a bowl with water. –Judges 6:36-38
If you have a piece of fleece material or clothing handy, let children touch it to remind them of what fleece is. Gideon was asking God to do something special so he could be sure that His instructions were accurate. It would be sort of like asking God to make it rain if He wanted you to win a soccer game. Sounds a little strange, doesn’t it? But God did it! Yet Gideon still was not satisfied. He asked God to prove Himself again!
Then Gideon said to God, “Let not your anger burn against me; let me speak just once more. Please let me test just once more with the fleece. Please let it be dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground let there be dew.” And God did so that night; and it was dry on the fleece only, and on all the ground there was dew. –Judges 6:39-40
Ask: How can we know more about God’s will for our lives? How can we follow it?
So now Gideon pretty much knew he had to go through with this, or at least we’d hope so. Before he went into battle, though, God did another interesting thing. He shrank the army. You would think that defeating a big enemy would require making the army bigger, right? Not this time. See if students can figure out why God did what He did…
Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the spring of Harod. And the camp of Midian was north of them, by the hill of Moreh, in the valley.
The Lord said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ 3 Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.’” Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained.
And the Lord said to Gideon, “The people are still too many. Take them down to the water, and I will test them for you there, and anyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall go with you,’ shall go with you, and anyone of whom I say to you, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ shall not go.” So he brought the people down to the water. And the Lord said to Gideon, “Every one who laps the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set by himself. Likewise, every one who kneels down to drink.” And the number of those who lapped, putting their hands to their mouths, was 300 men, but all the rest of the people knelt down to drink water. And the Lord said to Gideon, “With the 300 men who lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hand, and let all the others go every man to his home.” So the people took provisions in their hands, and their trumpets. And he sent all the rest of Israel every man to his tent, but retained the 300 men. And the camp of Midian was below him in the valley. –Judges 7:1-8
So why did God get rid of so many potential fighting soldiers? First He cut the army in half, and then cut it down even further! The Midianites now outnumbered them almost 50 to 1! If students have not caught on, explain that God wanted to make sure HE received the glory for the victory. The Israelites had to know there was no possible way they could have done it on their own.
And Gideon? Well, he was still pretty nervous. He sneaked down into the Midianite camp and listened in on their conversation. In it, he overheard someone discussing a dream he had experienced, in which a big barley cake came and knocked over their tent. Gideon took this to mean that they would win the battle, and it gave him hope and inspiration.
Ask: What gives you confidence when you feel nervous or afraid?
As soon as Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped. And he returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Arise, for the Lord has given the host of Midian into your hand.” And he divided the 300 men into three companies and put trumpets into the hands of all of them and empty jars, with torches inside the jars. And he said to them, “Look at me, and do likewise. When I come to the outskirts of the camp, do as I do. When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then blow the trumpets also on every side of all the camp and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon.’” –Judges 7:15-18
Pause the story for a few rounds of rock, paper, scissors. Talk again about weapons. What kind of weapons seem best for a battle? Probably not trumpets and pitchers with fire inside. That seems a bit odd and unusual. Do you think God can still use those things to win? Of course!
So Gideon and the hundred men who were with him came to the outskirts of the camp at the beginning of the middle watch, when they had just set the watch. And they blew the trumpets and smashed the jars that were in their hands. Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the jars. They held in their left hands the torches, and in their right hands the trumpets to blow. And they cried out, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” Every man stood in his place around the camp, and all the army ran. They cried out and fled. When they blew the 300 trumpets, the Lord set every man’s sword against his comrade and against all the army. And the army fled as far as Beth-shittah toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel-meholah, by Tabbath. And the men of Israel were called out from Naphtali and from Asher and from all Manasseh, and they pursued after Midian. –Judges 7:19-23
Wow! Make sure students are aware just how surprising and miraculous this battle was. The Israelites didn’t even have to fight. All they had to do was blow their trumpets and smash their pitchers to reveal the torches inside. As soon as they startled the army of Midian, the enemies ran away, and then started fighting amongst themselves! God did it! He won with Gideon’s help, just as He had promised.
Reflect again on how God fulfills His promises and does amazing things through His people. Gideon might have been afraid and doubtful, but he knew He could trust God. And so can we! We might not think we are special or strong, but we don’t have to be. We just need to be willing to let God work through us. And we know He will give us what He promises, because He sent the savior Jesus, just like He said He would! What a terrific thing to remember. And just as God had a plan for Giden, He has a plan for each of our lives, too!
Review questions about the lesson:
- What do you think God might have planned for your life? How can you find out?
- Why did God shrink the Israelite army?
- How can God help us in challenging and scary situations?
Close with prayer, asking God to help us trust in Him in all circumstances and thanking Him for being with us.
