Kings and Prophets · Lesson 2
Gideon's Small Army
Judges 6:1-40; Judges 7:1-22 Old Testament PrincipleStrength
God chose fearful Gideon and shrank his army to just 300 men, so everyone would know the victory came from God's strength, not theirs.
God gives strength to the weak, and His power shows up best when we know we can't do it on our own.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9 BSB
Christ Connection · Need
Israel couldn't save itself, and God made sure everyone knew it. We need a Deliverer too. Jesus won the greatest victory in what looked like total weakness, dying on a cross, and He rose by the power of God. His power is made perfect in our weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9; 2 Corinthians 13:4; 1 Corinthians 1:27-29
The Big Story · Redemption
Again and again in the days of the judges, Israel turned from God and cried out for rescue, and God raised up a deliverer. Each rescue points to the final Deliverer, Jesus, who saves through weakness.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 45-minute class plan and prep checklist
- Object lesson: Light in a paper jar
- Ellie’s Lab (science experiment): The fleece test
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Break the jars
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
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Preschool (ages 3–5)
God makes me strong.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Hide the light, Color the fleece
- 7 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
God used a small army so everyone would know He is strong, and He makes me strong too.
Start here
Ask, "If you had to win a big race, would you want a slow, small team or a big, fast team?" Let them answer. Say, "Today God picks the small team on purpose. Let's find out why!"
Bible story 6 min
God's people were in trouble. Every year the Midianites came with tons of camels and took all their food. God's people hid in caves.
A man named Gideon was hiding in a winepress, a hole in the rock. He was beating wheat where no one could see. An angel came and said, "The LORD is with you, mighty warrior!"
Gideon said, "Me? My family is the weakest, and I'm the least in my family!" But God said, "I will be with you."
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
The shrinking army 8 min
You’ll need: Cardboard tubes or rolled paper
- Everyone stands up as Gideon's army. Say, "Anyone wearing blue, sit down!" Then, "Anyone with a birthday in summer, sit down!"
- Keep going until only two or three kids are standing. Give them tube "trumpets" to blow.
- Ask, "Could this tiny army win? Who really won the battle?" (God did!)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
3rd – 4th grade
God chose fearful Gideon and shrank his army to 300, so everyone would know the victory was God's, not theirs.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: The shrinking army, Jar and torch
- 7 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: in sports and games, at school, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
God works through weakness so that His power is unmistakable, pointing to Jesus, who won our salvation through the weakness of the cross.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Power in weakness, Jars of clay
- 7 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: online and on screens, at school, with friends
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in