“Boys & girls, let’s play a game and have fun!“

1. Arrange the Players: Set up two lines of players, with one line significantly longer than the other. [Coach it is important to have one line much longer, more players, than the other line].
   Line Formation: Ask all the smaller students to line up into one line and have all the taller players line up in the other line. Ask the fast players to line up in the line with the taller players. Players who think they are slow should line up in the short line. 
2. Organize the Race: [Coach this is Important: Before beginning the race, ensure that the smaller and slower players are in the shorter line. For instance, the line with smaller players should have around 10 students, while the faster and taller player line should have over 20 players.]
3. Now, explain the race setup: Players will run to the opposite side, touch a designated spot, and then return and tag the next player in their line. After completing their run, they should proceed to the end of their line and sit down.
4. When all the players on the entire team are sitting down.  That team is declared the winning team.
5. Predictable Outcome: The line consisting of smaller, slower players will consistently win the race due to the smaller number of players in that line.

“Boys & girls, listen carefully. Can you uncover today’s powerful Bible Discovery? Ready?”

THE CIRCUMSTANCE: (Judges 6-8)
In the land of Israel, a time of sorrow had come upon the people. They faced the cruelty of the Midianites, who took all of their crops which was their food, and left them feeling hopeless before their enemy. The Midianites were constantly coming and taking their food and money. The Israelites found themselves poor, hungry, and scared all of the time. This is when the Israelites cried out to God for help. They told God, they were sorry for not obeying Him, and worshiping false gods. (Judges 6:1-6). During this hard time, Gideon, a member of the tribe of Manasseh, was threshing wheat in a winepress to hide it from the Midianites. This wheat was used to make bread and was to last a year until the next crop of wheat was harvested. Children, God heard their prayers and did a wonderful thing, He sent an angel to come to Gideon. The angel spoke words that gave Gideon hope and strength: “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor” (Judges 6:12). This divine meeting marked the beginning of a history that would inspire generations to come.

THE CHOICE:  ((Judges 6:11-16, 36-49)
Gideon’s heart was stirred by the angel’s words, yet doubt still entered his soul and mind. He questioned how could the Lord be with them. Couldn’t God see how badly they were being treated by the Midianites? He asked an important question: “Please, sir, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His wonderful miracles, that our fathers told to us?” (Judges 6:13). They did not understand, they were the ones who walked away from God, by worshiping false gods. The angel’s response was an invitation to take a stand for God, to make a choice that would shape Gideon’s life forever. Gideon was chosen to deliver Israel from the Midianites. However, Gideon’s self-doubt came back Gideon set out a fleece of wool for a sign on two different times requesting that dew be on the fleece while the ground remained dry. The next time the fleece was dry and the ground was wet. God graciously granted Gideon’s request. (Judges 6:36-40) In the midst of uncertainties, God’s words were an unwavering anchor: “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man” (Judges 6:16). Gideon faced a choice—to accept his calling despite doubts, or to remain in the shadows of fear. Gideon chose to trust and obey God.

THE CONSEQUENCE: (Judges 7:1-8, 19-25)
Gideon obeyed God’s call and assembled an army to confront the Midianites. Yet God had a different plan for the battle. He instructed Gideon to reduce the size of his army from thousands to just three hundred. It was a test of faith, a challenge to rely on God over human strength (Judges 7:1-8). With a simple plan involving trumpets and torches, Gideon led his three hundred men against the vast Midianite camp. Boys and girls, we are going to pretend that we are in Gideon’s army, and let’s do what God told them to do. Put your hands together to form a trumpet by your mouth, then make the sound of a trumpet blast. Good Job! Now we must pretend to clap our hands together as we are breaking the pitcher revealing the torch-light. Now everyone shouts, “The sword of the Lord and Gideon.” Wonderful and that is just what they did. Let’s, shout it again, “The sword of the Lord and Gideon.” Wonderful!! As the trumpets blared and the torches blazed, confusion struck the Midianites. They turned on each other in fear, and victory was won without the usual battle. The Israelites didn’t even have to fight. God did it! Just as He had promised. The Midianites were defeated, and their cruelty came to an end (Judges 7:19-25). Gideon’s choice to trust God’s guidance resulted in triumph. The people witnessed God’s power and faithfulness, rejoicing in the deliverance granted to them. Gideon’s story is a reminder that victory is achieved not through human might alone, but through unshakable faith in the One who fights our battles. Jesus the Son of God came to earth to save us from our sins and help us fight our battles. “Boys & girls, what did we discover about God in this Bible History? (Coaches: answers will vary.) Let’s become great discoverers by asking some fun & challenging questions. Ready?”

“Boys & girls, what did we discover about God in this Bible History? (Coaches: answers will vary.) Let’s become great discoverers by asking some fun & challenging questions. Ready?”