Crime Boss

Judges Chapter 10-12

Judges Series

Pastor Val @ Renewal

How crazy to worship the gods of your ___________enemies!

Idolatry leads to _______________.

Slavery leads to _____________.

We think our problem not worshiping an idol, but not worshiping an idol _________.

Romans 1:23-25  

It is possible to turn from idolatry in an __________ way

Repentance gets beneath the surface. It does not just focus on behavior but on motives.

The two signs of real repentance are:

• a sorrow for sin, rather than just for its _____________
• a sorrow over idolatrous _________, not just behavioral change.

Jephthah is an unsurprising, and a ___________, choice all in one!

 John 1:11; Hebrews 4:15

Jephthah uses three arguments to refute this claim:

• __________ (v 11:15-22).
• _____________ (v 11:23-24).
• Legal _____________ v 11:25-27

Truth must be told, and peace sought; but it does not always _____ the day.

1 Peter 2:22-23; Deuteronomy 12:31; Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:22-24

The God of the Bible wants only one kind of human sacrifice—the self-sacrifice of offering God the lordship of ______ ______ of our lives.

Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 27:1–8; Psalm 141:3

God can write straight with ________ pencils.

First, we are mostly far more affected by our ________ than by the Bible

Second, God’s people struggle to ________ in a God of grace.

We need to ask: Where am I too _________ to judge my fellow Christians?

Steps to Renewal (Crime Boss)

1. Have you experienced the temptation to worship an idol more because it has not delivered? Where did it lead you?
2. Do you want God, or what God gives you? Which aspects of God’s perfection will you meditate on so that you love him more than you love his blessings?
3. What caused Israel to recognize and repent of their sin?
4. What has God used in your life to convict you of sin?
5. What good qualities did Jephthah exemplify?
6. In what areas of your life do you need to depend more on the Lord?
7. *What have you learned from Jephthah about problem-solving?
8. What fatal mistake did Jephthah make?
9. *How can we guard against making rash decisions, promises, or agreements?
10. What does the Lord’s treatment of Israel in this situation reveal about His character?
11. How does God’s patience and compassion encourage you?

Next Steps to Renewal

1. *What specific steps could you take in the next few days to guard against making hasty and unwise promises or decisions?
2. What could you do today to thank the Lord for His patience and compassion?
3. Reflect on how you dealt with the last unfair accusation or criticism you faced (from outside or inside the church). How will Jephthah’s and Jesus’ examples shape your response next time it happens?