Note to parent or teacher: This lesson plan on Gideon highlights the following lesson objectives:“Learn of more of the lives of the great men and women of the Bible. Learn of historical characters who displayed great courage in the face of fear or seemingly insurmountable odds.”(Christian Life and Faith: Witnessing and Missionary Training: Great Men and Women of God-2a; Character Building: Values and Virtues: Courage-2c)

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Read “Heroes of the Bible: Gideon.”

Listen to “A Bible Adventure: A Pitcher, a Torch, and the Sword of the Lord” (runtime: 10:47).

Discuss the following points together:

• As with Gideon, the humble son of a farmer, God frequently uses weak, seemingly unqualified people, who are more dependent on Him. Brainstorm other instances in the Bible or from history where this is illustrated. (Some ideas are the following: Joseph, Moses, David, etc.)
• When God asks something seemingly impossible of someone, God provides the supernatural power equal to the task at hand. How do you see this played out in the people you discussed previously?
• Large numbers don't mean anything to God; in fact, often He seems to work with the weak and the few in number so that it will show His strength and not our own.
• As this story brings out when the men were sent to drink water, often the Lord tests us when we don't even know that we're being tested. Use a personal story or a story from the Bible or history to illustrate this point.

Do “Hero of the Month Coloring Page: Gideon.”

Do “Hero of the Month Quiz: Gideon.”

Additional resource:

• Illustrated Bible stories of Gideon for younger children