- Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
Farmer turned leader and warrior
God can use anyone, even if they feel small or scared, to do great things with His
help.
Gideon lived when the Israelites were in big trouble. Bad guys called Midianites kept stealing their food, so everyone was hiding and hungry. Gideon was just a regular farmer, working quietly one day, when an angel popped up and said, “Hey, mighty warrior! God’s with you!” Gideon didn’t feel mighty—he said, “Me? I’m the littlest guy in a not-so-big family!” But the angel told him God picked him to save his people.
Gideon wanted to be sure, so he asked God for signs. First, he put out some wool and said, “Make it wet and the ground dry.” The next morning, it was! Then he flipped it: “Make the wool dry and the ground wet.” God did that too! Gideon finally believed God was serious.
Later, Gideon got a bunch of men to fight the Midianites, but God said, “Too many! I want everyone to know I’m the one winning this.” So, God shrank the army to just 300 guys. Gideon gave them trumpets, jars, and torches. At night, they sneaked around the enemy camp, smashed the jars to show the fire, blew their trumpets, and yelled. The Midianites freaked out, fought each other, and ran away! Gideon’s tiny team won because God was with them. After that, Gideon led his people, and they had peace for a long time.
“The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” – Judges 6:12 (NIV, simplified for kids)
– “God is with me wherever I go!” (Inspired by Genesis 28:15)
– Gideon was a farmer, not a fighter, but God called him anyway.
– He asked for signs with the wool to trust God’s plan.
– With only 300 men, Gideon tricked the big Midianite army using noise and light.
– God gave Gideon courage to lead and win!
Gideon’s story shows kids that they don’t have to be the strongest or bravest to do something big—God helps them when He asks them to do something. It’s okay to feel unsure, like Gideon did, because God is bigger than our fears.
1. Wool Experiment: Lay out a piece of cloth outside overnight (or sprinkle water to pretend) and see if it’s wet or dry in the morning. Talk about how Gideon used this to trust God.
2. Trumpet Craft: Make trumpets from paper towel rolls and decorate them. Pretend to “scare” the Midianites with loud blasts!
3. Jar Smash Game: Stack cups or safe containers, then knock them down with a soft ball while shouting a cheer—like Gideon’s army breaking jars.
– Why do you think Gideon didn’t believe he could be a hero at first?
– How would you feel if God asked you to do something scary?
– What’s one way God helps you when you’re
Gideon’s 300 men didn’t even have swords—they won with just trumpets, jars, and torches! God made the enemy so confused they beat themselves!
