Gideon 2

Preparation
Read Judges 8:1-35

(8:1-9) The problems of success
-            Why are the people of Ephraim upset with Gideon and how does he deal with it? (Read Judges 12:1-7 to see how Ephraim’s attitude leads to their downfall)
-            Why are the men of Sukkoth and Peniel unwilling to support Gideon?

(8:10-21) Proving his strength
-            How does Gideon seek to show his strength?
-            How does this compare with Gideon in chapters 6?

(8:22-35) No happy ending
-            What is Gideon’s legacy?
-            Do God’s people need a human king? Keep thinking about this as you read on in Judges.

Group Study
Introduction: Is strong leadership a good thing?
Read Judges 9:1-25

(9:1-6) Why do they want Abimelek to be king?
-            How is this Gideon’s legacy from chapter 8? (Note: Abimelek means my father is king)

(9:7-21) How does Jotham’s parable expose their foolishness?
-            Why does the thorn-bush get chosen as king?
-            How have you seen this parable in real life?

Read Judges 9:50-57 or if you have time Judges 9:22-57
(9:22-57) How does God bring judgement on Abimelek?
-            How is this a fitting end to Abimelek’s story?

We often want to choose strong leadership. How have you seen this go wrong in your own experience?

12/08/2026

Planning your Visit

Welcome to St John's Church!

We are so delighted that you have found our website. We are a Church family in Wimborne for anyone living, working or studying around this area. Whoever you are, whatever your age, whether you’re an experienced Christian or not, we would love you to join us.

From an intrigued onlooker to the committed follower we are keen that everyone should grow in relationship with God through knowing Jesus. To help us do that our emphasis is on hearing God speak to us by his Holy Spirit through his word, the Bible. Each of us knows that we only grow in a relationship with someone and get to know them when we spend time listening to them and responding and reacting to what they say. So the focus of St John’s is on listening to God’s word, talking to him in prayer and taking up all that he says.

The Church family here at St John’s longs to help anyone who wants to investigate the life of Jesus. On this site you will find people, meetings, talks and events shaped to help you take another step forward in finding out more about God and his love for us in Jesus, and to help you get linked into the church family life.

We hope to have the opportunity to meet you personally in the very near future and that you will quickly feel at home at St John’s.

Stuart Hull and Nigel Day (Churchwardens)
Please note that we are currently seeking a new Vicar, following the retirement of Revd Peter Breckwoldt in July 2025