Community Group Discussion Guide

Identity Crisis: Week 7 — Judges 9:1-57 – October 20, 2019

I. Starter Question

What is a hard-learned lesson from your life?

II. Outline of Scripture:

A. Abimelech is made king and kills Gideon’s sons (1-6)

B. Jotham uses a parable to call for God’s judgment against Abimelech and the people of Shechem. (7-21)

C. God divides the people of Shechem and Abimelech. (22-25)

D. Gaal plans a coup (26-29)

E. Zebel, the city ruler, warns Abimelech and plans a trap for Gaal (30-33)

F. Abimilech defeats Gaal (34-41)

G. Abimelech destroys the people of the city of Shechem as retribution for their previous rebellion. (42-49)

H. Abimelech is killed and God’s justice is satisfied. (50-57)

III. Brief Discussion of Scripture.

This passage highlights man’s sin and our condition when we ignore God’s principles and go our own way to do what we like. It shows us examples of very ungodly leaders and all of their wicked character qualities. This story also highlights the results of God’s justice. So basically, whatever we see Abimelech and the people of Shechem doing in this story, we need to do the exact opposite. We need to be reminded that although God is loving and merciful, He is also just. If we ignore His principles for our lives and just do what we like, there will be consequences and there will be justice. You reap what you sow. Notice also that almost nowhere is God even mentioned in this story accept for His plans of justice for the people. Why? They are not acting for or with God. He is left out of their plans and equations.

IV. Discussion Questions

A. Verses 1-61. Who was Abimelech? What was his relationship to Gideon? What was his plan?

2. What was his proposal to the people of Shechem?

3. What character qualities does Abimelech demonstrate?

4. Are any of these the qualities a good leader should possess?

5. How did Abimelech enforce his rule?

6. What kind of army did he possess? Is this the kind of army good kings had?

B. Verses 7-211. What did Jotham’s parable mean?

2. Why did Jotham say that Abimelech was made their king? Is this a good reason?

3. What is Jotham’s point here? What is he doing?

4. Did his pronouncement of judgment come true?a. Explain the parable.

b. The purpose of the parable is seen in its interpretation. Sometimes parables are given with no interpretation and we have to figure out what they mean. In this case, Jotham himself gave his own interpretation of his own parable.

c. This was basically a call for God’s judgment on Abimelech and the people of Shechem for the cruelty and disregard for God and God’s judge, Gideon. Later this pronouncement of judgment was fulfilled. Not sure if Jotham was functioning in the capacity of prophet here, but what he said did come to pass.

d. Jotham is also to be commended here as he didn’t try to exact revenge himself. He left the judgment up to God. Jotham is definitely the “best” character in this chapter with the most positive qualities that we can learn from.

C. Verses 22-251. What does it mean that God sent an evil spirit between them? Why would God do this?

2. What was the result of this?

3. Whose motive does verse 24 describe?

D. Verses 26-291. What is Gaal’s plan?

2. What kind of a person was he?

3. What are his chief qualities you can see here?

E. Verses 30-331. Who is Zebel?

2. Did he agree with Gaal?

3. What did he do?

F. Verses 34-411. What method’s did Zebul use to induce the fight?

2. How did he describe Gaal? (Lei sheng da, yu sheng xiao.)

3. Who won the battle?

4. What happened to Gaal and his relatives?

G. Verses 42-491. What did Abimelech do next?

2. Why did he want to attack the people of Shechem?

3. Why sow the city with salt?

4. If you had to describe Abimelech in one word what would it be? Gaal? Zebal? Abimelech (Cruel) Gaal (Boaster or Opportunistic) Zebal (Manipulative)

H. Verses 50-571. How did Abimlech finally die?

2. What happened after he died?

3. What is the moral of this story? What is the point as the author writes it?

4. What are the key words of the last two verses? (Repaid, returned)

V. Responding in Prayer:

1. Pray for ways in which we can pour our lives out for God this next week.2. Pray for our next Worship Pastor, the process and our elders as they seek the Lord’s wisdom

for our church.3. Pray for those who are hurting, grieving, or need healing in their lives.