The Cloud of Witnesses

Former title Lessons From the People of the Bible

Set 1

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PDF These lessons are also available as PDFs (with the number of lessons in brackets).

Abraham (5) — David (5) — Esther (4) — Gideon (5) — Isaac (6) — Jacob (7) — Job (6) — John the Baptist (6) — Jonah (4) — Jonathan (6) — Joseph (10) — Joseph of Nazareth (6) — Mary (4) — Mary Magdalene (4) — Mary of Bethany (3) — Moses (5) — Nehemiah (8) — Nicodemus (4) — Noah (6) — Paul the Apostle (5) — Peter (5) — Philip (4) — Ruth (7) — King Saul (6) — Stephen (6) — Thomas (4)

Download the complete set 1 as PDFs (2.46 MB).

The lessons of set 1 are also available as individual online lessons below.

Set 2

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PDF These lessons are available as PDFs (with the number of lessons in brackets). These PDFs have not yet been updated to the new name.

Andrew (7) — Caleb (7) — Daniel (7) — Elijah (6) — Elisha (5) — Isaiah (21) — John (22) — Joshua (16) — Leah (2) — Luke (22) — Mary Magdalene (3) — Matthew (9) — Miriam (4) — Nahum (2) — Rachel (6) — Rebekah (5) — Samson (5)

Download the complete set 2 as PDFs (1.85 MB).

Gideon

Lesson 4: Gideon – You Can’t Please Everyone

Reading

Judges 8:1-21.

You Can’t Please Everyone

Here we read that Gideon had to run the gauntlet of criticism and skepticism.

Every leader has to do so. In fact, what I have learned over the years of ministry is that anyone who does something will be open to the same. So let’s have a look and see how Gideon got on.

Although Gideon had won a great battle on behalf of the whole Israeli nation – all the tribes – the Ephraimites accosted him because they felt rejected and neglected. They had been called in to help but they felt that they should have been involved from the beginning.

Gideon was quick to point out that their victory was superior since God had done most of the work before they got involved.

Having placated the Ephraimites, Gideon and his exhausted posse kept on in pursuit of the Midianite kings. They first went to Succoth, and then to Peniel, seeking refreshment and supplies. However, the leaders of both towns declined to assist. They probably looked at Gideon and his exhausted band of followers and wondered how on earth they were going to capture those kings who were leading such a vast army.

They just mocked and jeered at Gideon and his team who marched on… to victory. Everyone loves a winner, don’t they? Sometimes we need to look beyond the external, beyond the obvious and see by faith what God can do with a person’s life. Over the years I have been amazed how people can be totally transformed by the power of God.

I’ve had the privilege of leading Alpha courses for over a decade now and have seen so many people arrive the first night timid, shy, disturbed, angry, suspicious or determined not to enjoy themselves. By the end of the course, however, these same people are radiant, purposeful and excited. They have met with the living God and can’t keep quiet about it.

These people should not have under-estimated Gideon. He and his men went on to capture those kings and kill them. The leaders of those towns had to eat humble pie and pay the consequences of their cynicism.

How we deal with criticism and opposition is critical. We need to be wary of becoming arrogant and dismissive but we also need to be firm when the criticism is unjustified. It’s especially important that we don’t let our own team down.

Gideon would say to us today...

Just because you are a God-anointed leader does not mean everyone will love you or follow you. You need determination to follow God wholeheartedly and see His plan through to the end. Keep your eyes on Him, and like David – strengthen yourself in the Lord – He may be your only source at times.

Prayer

Father, please help me find my total security in You. Make me sensitive to others but not dependent upon them for approval. Above all, help me live with Your approval. Amen.

Additional readings

Philippians 2:5-16; Joshua 14:6-15; 2 Corinthians 6:3-10.

Questions

Why do we want people to like us?

What are the challenges we face if we are surrounded by ‘yes men’?

How should we treat those who oppose us?