Gideon and the Valley Victory

Today's story in the Bible is about Gideon. Have you ever been scared of someone or something? In today’s true story from the Bible, a guy named Gideon went from being scared and feeling alone, to leading an army and defeating the Midianites. So sit down, strap in for a roller coaster ride of faith.

Every parent wants their child to have fun, learn, and grow more in the Bible. However, time is limited. Have you ever asked: “What can I do to grow my child’s faith?” “How can I connect with my child?” “What about the difficult topics of stress, loss, and anxiety?” This podcast connects laughter and the Bible. It provides starter questions at the end of every episode, a soft opening to begin those discussions. It resources parents ways to connect with their children where they are.

An interactive retelling of the greatest stories in the Bible.  Take a journey with your kids and benefit from the parenting next steps after each show. These are "Short" stories to be used anywhere; in the car, dinner table, bedtime or wherever you want, with me "Schertz." 

Voice talent: Kyle Schroeder, Shawn Ives

Go deeper with reading scripture: Judges 6

Follow up questions:

1. Find and count 300 objects either in your house, work, school, store or more. How long did it take you to count?
2. Have you ever feared doing something? What was it and what did you do? 
3. When God calls you to do something BIG in your life, who can you invite to join you in this journey? 

Next Level Question: What does doubting or questioning God look like you? Have you ever doubted God? 

I use Artist.io. A great platform for all SFX and music. This is my referral link: https://artlist.io/Israel-2865676

Your continued support helps provide more content.

Thanks for your support in listening.

Transcript

Narrator: 0:04

Welcome back to shorts with Schertz a fun next step Bible story podcast for you and your family. Have you ever been scared of something or someone? In today's true story from the Bible? A guy getting bullied for being scared and alone? To leading an Army and defeating the midainites. So sit down strap in for a roller coaster ride of faith and God's rescuing power shining through it. Midianites who were they? Where do they come from?

Gideon: 0:40

Wait, isn't the story about me, Gideon and how

Narrator: 0:44

whoa pump the brakes buddy. God used you in a great an amazing way from fear to faith. You're simply doing some quick history drink some chamomile tea. Sit back and listen. We'll get to your part soon.

Gideon: 1:06

Go on, go on. I'm listening. I need some history reminders too

Narrator: 1:11

To help us know the Midianites here's a quick history lesson. The Midianites first showed up in Genesis 37 When God used Midianites to actually save the Israelites.

Gideon: 1:22

say what? Now!

Narrator: 1:24

I know right. They were the merchants who purchased Joseph from the pit and took him to Egypt. And Joseph needed to be in Egypt to save his family from the famine. A seven years of no food. The Midianites were descendants of Ishmael, who was one of the sons of Abraham. Remember that guy? You know, Father Abraham had many sounds. God promised Abraham he would give him descendants as numerous as the stars above. Well, God is keeping his promise. Sit back and eat your popcorn folks because we're not done yet.

Gideon: 1:55

Oh, wait, you gave them popcorn.

Narrator: 1:58

Moses his wife support was a Midianite you think your family fights a lot? Oh, it was a crazy repetitive cycle. All 200 years past and the Israelites are now living in the Promised Land. Midianites are still attacking the Israelites. People were living in fear. What would need to happen? Well, enter Gideon.

Gideon: 2:20

Yes. Finally.

Narrator: 2:23

The Midianites had taken everything. What was a person had to do when their crops are ready to harvest and by the time they got there, someone else had burned it all down. Imagine being really hungry so you could get up. Go to your fridge or cupboard, and no food would be there. Yeah, not cool. That's what the Israelites faced. Gideon had an idea though. Instead of separating the useful pieces of grain called threshing, out in the open with the Midianites would and could stroll right up and steal it. He did the unthinkable. He hid underground.

Gideon: 2:59

I know it would have been easier to get outside so the unusable pieces of the chaff could fly away into the wind, but I didn't want to risk it. What can I say? I was scared.

God: 3:08

Gideon, oh Gideon do not be Afraid. I have chosen you. No more hiding Gideon it's time to take a stand. Now look before you and see that you are not alone and know... that I go before you. behind you. with you always...

Narrator: 4:25

men from across the land came a total of 32,000. That's the size of a small country. God put them through a quick test and elimination process 32,000 verses the army of Midian numbering 135,000

Gideon: 4:43

Wow. God is the living and rescuing God. He will be with us and help us defeat the Midianites who have bullied us for so many years. However, anyone who is afraid you have

Speaker: 4:56

Hey, hey, hey, Clarence. Look into the valley. permission to leave. All of us are going to get a hold of them. I'm out of here.

Narrator: 5:09

22,000 men left leaving 10,000 to face the 135,000 from one against four. Now it's one against 13. What is God up to because he wasn't finished? God thought that 10,000 was still too big. Gideon next, took them down to some water washed out everyone drink 300 drank with cupped hands. All the other 9700 did not. 300 men that day were chosen to battle against 135,000 Midianites.

Gideon: 5:47

let's get down to business to defeat the Midianites.

Narrator: 5:54

so Gideon listened to God.

Gideon: 5:58

Okay, okay. I have a plan. Take these torches in pots and surround the camp. When I give the signal, light torches, smash the pots and yell really loud.

Narrator: 6:12

Everyone did just as Gideon told them. The noise at night echoed in the valley making them sound like 1000s more. The Midianites were so confused and scared that they began attacking themselves. Those who remained ran away leaving no more Midianites and the land guarded us Gideon to rescue the Israelites from the Midianites. The End. Thank you for listening. Tune in next time as we have two episodes left of season one, God's rescuing power. One episode will involve a big wall, another episode a big fish. It's gonna be a great time. Until then. Let's jump into some fun connection questions. Question number one, find and count 300 objects either in your house, work school store or more. How long did it take you to count? Question number two. Have you ever feared doing something? What was it? What did you do? Question number three. When God calls you to do something big in your life. Who can you invite to join you? In this journey? And the next level question What does doubting or questioning God look like to you? Have you ever doubted God? If you've ever doubted God, it's okay. Every even God's a big guy he loves no matter what. As always these questions are in the show notes further review and see you next time