Gideon: A Homeschool Story of Glory

The story of Gideon is our story, that of homeschooling households everywhere. He was living under the tyranny of ungodly oppressors called the Midianites whose secular spirit had darkened the land, much like secular humanism has done in our day. The Hebrew response was to dwell in caves and other secluded places, quietly living out their lives and raising their families like good homeschoolers do.

Gideon, like many of his countrymen, was walking in fear of his enemies who would raid the land and take whatever they wanted whenever they wanted it. He was beating his wheat out in a winepress in order not to be detected by the Midianites. Surely, it was a low time for Israel. God revealed Himself to Gideon and gave him instructions to call an army together in order to bring about deliverance for his people. Like many who start considering homeschooling, Gideon felt overwhelmed at the prospect, ““Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” To paraphrase that in homeschooling lingo, “How can I do this? I wasn’t college trained to be a teacher. I don’t have the abilities needed to educate my children at home. I don’t even know where to start.” Sound familiar?

God met Gideon where he was at, answering his sincere fleece with a resounding “Yes!” Gideon was also instructed to tear down the false idols in his father’s house. In other words, he was called to go against the spiritual invasion of Israel that had come along with the Midianites’ physical invasion. Like us, he was so intimidated by this small step he did it by night to avoid man’s opinions. His extended family was so upset that Gideon had gone against the cultural and familial narrative they were calling for his head, but fortunately for him, his father sensed that God was genuinely at work in his son’s life and came to his defense.

“The Spirit of the Lord clothed Gideon, and he sounded the trumpet, and the Abiezrites were called out to follow him. ³⁵ And he sent messengers throughout all Manasseh, and they too were called out to follow him. And he sent messengers to Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali, and they went up to meet them.” He was so encouraged at all the resources that God had provided; he started to feel that he could do this. Suddenly, God told him he actually had too much curricula and too many outside activities, and he needed to simplify in order to keep his eyes on the Lord. Lest Israel would take glory for their homeschool success, God sent everyone back home, save three hundred. He wanted Israel to fear and reverence Him, knowing He is the ultimate source of knowledge and wisdom.

The rest, as they say, is biblical history. Gideon destroyed the Midian stronghold and went throughout the land purging it from the remaining pockets of resistance. Sadly, many of his fellow churchgoers did not support his army, still thinking they were not adequately equipped to raise the next generation. These individuals were eventually whipped with thorns of humiliation when Gideon came back in victory.

Gideon died at a full age, having over seventy sons. His quiver was definitely full. From a young man hiding in the winepress, to the judge over Israel, He found out that God was more than enough to meet his growing needs. When God’s people are willing to obey by faith, there is no end to His blessings, provision, and joy. May God continue to reveal the Gideon hiding within each of our hearts.

This month we are going to celebrate this great story with prayer requests that follow this narrative. It may be a great time to read the story as a family, discussing how it is their story as well. For those interested, we will pray and fast together on Tuesday, February 13^th or on a day that works best for you. You can also include these requests in your devotional time throughout the month, applying them to 21^st century Christianity.

1. Pray that our children will not walk in fear of the cultural oppressors but will have confidence to fight a spiritual fight, knowing the Spirit of the Lord is with them.
   • And I said to you, ‘I am the Lord your God; you shall not fear the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell.’ But you have not obeyed my voice.” –Judges 6:10
   • Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” –Joshua 1:9
   • Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle! –Psalms 24:8
   • (Parents can ask children what fears they have now or for the future. Never minimize children’s concerns. Pray with them and for them.)
2. Pray that God will give our older children “kisses of grace” to remind them that He has in no way forgotten them.
   • And the Lord said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.” –Judges 6:16
   • Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me. –Is. 49:16
   • Do not deliver the soul of your dove to the wild beasts; do not forget the life of your poor forever. –Psalms 74:19
   • (Why had Gideon thought God had forsaken them? Do you ever feel like God has forgotten you? Why?)
3. As God did with Gideon, let us pray that God will burn His purpose deep within the souls of our children to guide them, to inspire them, and to give them perseverance throughout life.
   • And the Lord turned to him and said, “Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?” –Judges 6:14
   • If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot. –Jer. 20:9
   • You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. –Ex. 4:15
   • (Ask children if God has laid anything on their heart to do, either in the short-term or the long-term. What is needed to help them fulfill that purpose?)
4. Pray that our children will learn to do things God’s way in all things and not let pragmatic thinking cloud God’s mission or methodology. We would rather have God’s 300 than our own 32,000.
   • And he said to him, “If now I have found favor in your eyes, then show me a sign that it is you who speak with me. –Judges 6:17
   • Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. –Zech. 4:6
   • Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.” –1 Samuel 14:6
   • (Can you or your children share a time when God did something that was so far past your own ability to produce? You may talk about pragmatism and how we think in human terms rather than having faith in God’s power.)
5. Pray that our children will not be intimidated by numbers, philosophies, influence, money, political connections, social media cancellation, etc. from the world.
   • As soon as Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, he worshiped. And he returned to the camp of Israel and said, “Arise, for the Lord has given the host of Midian into your hand.” –Judges 7:15
   • This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, –1 Samuel 17:46
   • If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. ¹⁸ But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” –Daniel 3:17, 18
   • (What are some ways people try to intimidate others (sports, religion, politics) and why do they do this? What can be done to counter act intimidating actions? Share why we should not care what man thinks of us.)
6. Pray that our children will conduct themselves with sobriety, dignity, maturity, and discretion, while acting, looking, and thinking like kings.
   • “As you are, so were they. Every one of them resembled the son of a king.” –Judges 8:18
     • Gideon went from being the least in his family to looking like a king.
   • Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. –1 Cor. 14:20
   • (What does it mean to look and act like a king in today’s culture? Be as specific as possible. This should challenge your children’s definitions.)
7. Pray that our children will be passionate to live their lives for the glory of God. Though man forgets your efforts, God never does.
   • Gideon said to them, “I will not rule over you, and my son will not rule over you; the Lord will rule over you… and they did not show steadfast love to the family of Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) in return for all the good that he had done to Israel.” –Judges 8:23, 35
   • Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! –Psalms 115:1
   • (What does it mean to live for the glory of God on a daily basis? Put it in daily actions.)
8. Pray that our children will clearly understand the will of God in their lives, not only in general areas like marriage and family but in specific areas as well.
   • And he said to him, “Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” –Judges 6:15
   • Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. –Romans 12:2
   • Teach me your way, O Lord, that I may walk in your truth; unite my heart to fear your name. –Psalms 86:11
   • (How do we discern God’s will? His word. Prayer. Counselors. Parents. Etc. Why is following God’s will so important?)
9. Pray that our children will have a deep desire to worship God through daily obedience in the small areas of their lives.
   • So Gideon took ten men of his servants and did as the Lord had told him. But because he was too afraid of his family and the men of the town to do it by day, he did it by night. –Judges 6:27
   • And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. –Ez. 36:27
   • (What are some smaller areas that God may be calling you into greater obedience? Why is obedience so important?)
10. Pray that our children’s faith will skyrocket with the understanding that God is with them.
    • And the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, O mighty man of valor.” –Judges 6:12
    • Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” –Gen. 28:15
    • (Why is it important to know that God is with you? A: His will will be accomplished)