Judges

Set Apart by God for God d DuPont Campus

Set Apart by God for God

Judges 13:1-16:31  
May 17, 2026
Sermons by Mark Miller in DuPont and Kevin Pitts in Lacey

Opener: What are some things you set apart for special purposes? 

1. Interfaith marriage is not God's will for the believer. How do we help the next generation become convinced of this? If you are single, how can you guard your heart against falling for the wrong person?
2. Samson's eyes seem to be a source of much sin. What sins of the eyes do we struggle with today? How do we guard against each? 
3. All grape products were off-limits for the Nazirite; however the main goal was to ensure that the Nazirite could not possibly become drunk. What are your convictions on alcohol? If you have freedom in Christ to consume, how do you ensure you aren't getting drunk? 
4. Sexual purity was not a Canaanite priority in any way--in fact quite the opposite. We live in the same kind of sex-crazed society today. How do we stay "set apart" from the world as believers? What are some keys to winning our children's hearts to value purity? 
5. Anger and rage are serious issues with Samson. How has anger impacted your life? How do you deal with yourself when you become angry? How can we avoid sinning when we experience anger?
6. In what area of your life do you need to bend your knee to God and submit to his lordship? What sin have you become desensitized to? 
7. What else did you hope we would discuss? 

The GraceWorks Sunday Service May 3, 2026 - Lacey Campus

Sermon: The Cure for Conformity is Lordship

Passage: Judges 10:6 - 12:7

Series: The Consequences of Conformity.

Book: Judges

Wickedness Will NOT Win The Day - DuPont Campus

Judges 9
April 26, 2026
Sermons by Brian Bruya and Mark Miller

Opener (just for fun): If you could spend the next 24 hours anywhere in the world, where  would it be and why?

1. Refresh yourselves by reading Judges 9 (take turns reading).
2. Together, retell the story by stating what happened.  See if you can do this without looking at the text; until you need to ;)
3. What did you hear during Sunday's sermon, or today, that was new to you?
4. What curious questions came to your mind?
5. Describe a situation in which you personally observed or were impacted by wickedness around you.
   1. What type of natural response did you have?  
   2. What would a Christ-like response look like?
   3. In light of wickedness in our daily lives, read Psalm 37.   What are our responsibilities and what can we be confident in God doing?
6. Describe a situation in which you personally observed God prevail over wickedness.
7. Read Psalm 139:23-24.
   1. If anyone is brave enough to be vulnerable; what are you working to confess and repent from?  
   2. If it's a bit too personal to share during the large group, with who and when will you share, and ask for encouragement and accountability?

Finishing Well - DuPont Campus

Judges 8:22-35
April 19, 2026
Sermons by Brian Bruya and Mark Miller

Opener: Which is your favorite sport, or sporting event, to watch?

1. Review the events of Gideon's life from chapters 6, 7, and 8; what aspects of Gideon's life are worth emulating?  Which can we take as a cautionary example?
2. After God granted Gideon and his small army a victory over the Midianites, what could Gideon have done or said that would have pointed the Israelites in a better direction?
3. Think of a time you ‘missed the goal’ or didn't see your faith all the way through; share what that was like.  Has a similar situation ever presented itself to you for an opportunity for redemption?  How did that go? 
4. When in your life have you experienced impressive success (8:22–23)? What was your thought-life like afterwards; did Satan, your own flesh, or the world tempt you to claim the glory/credit for yourself? What was that journey like?  What did God teach you through that experience? How can you pass on what you’ve learned to others?
5. Finishing well is something we can train towards.  What areas in your own life would you like to Finishing Well (see your faith all the way through, beyond words and into action)?
6. In regards to influences in your life, who would you say:
   1. Influences you towards genuine worship of God?
   2. Distracts you away from genuine worship of God?
7. If someone made an objective list of the things that you invest in, are consumed by, or fixated on; what would be on the list?  With a biblical perspective in mind, what adjustments would they suggest that you make?

Choose Faith Over Fear - DuPont Campus

Judges 6:1-8:21
April 12, 2026
Sermons by Kevin Pitts and Mark Miller

Opener: Who's got a dad joke for us?
*I would not recommend reading the whole text this week. :) 

1. Why do you think God spoke through a prophet this time before raising up a judge to deliver Israel? How could the prophet's speech encourage you today? 
2. In 6:13, Gideon's response was pretty lame. In the past, what have been some sinful responses to trials of which you have been guilty? What are some biblical ways to respond to difficult situations? 
3. In what area of your life are you currently struggling to believe God’s Word (6:13–21)? Why is it so difficult to trust God’s promises in this particular area? How have you seen God fulfill His Word in your past experience? Why do you struggle to appropriate faith today? 
4. Gideon tries to discern God's will by "laying out a fleece." When have you struggled to discern God’s will ? What methods did you use to make your decisions? Was your orientation biblical? Why or why not? In your decision making today, how would you do things differently? How would you respond to the common question: “How can you know God’s will?” 
5. God gave a massive military victory to Gideon and Israel--a story that would be told for generations to come. What are some massive victories in your life that God is responsible for? 
6. How can you be a greater man or woman of faith? What areas of your life need further growth? When do you tend to be weak in faith? Read Genesis 22:1–19 for a great example of faith. Who is an example of faith to you? How can you learn from this person? 
7. We find out that fear became a family affair for Gideon's son. What are some other sins that we can unintentionally pass on to our children? Have you inherited any struggles from your parents? If so, what? Have you passed any down to your kids, if you have any? If so, what? How can we avoid this? 
8. What else stood out? Convicted? Encouraged? 

This Changes Everything! - DuPont Campus

1 Corinthians 15:1-11, 51-58
April 5, 2026
Sermons by Kevin Pitts and Mark Miller

Opener: The Corinthian church had some folks who were skeptical about the resurrection of Jesus. Sometimes we sort of have to be skeptical. What modern-day conspiracy theories do you think could be true? 

1. The Corinthians needed to be reminded of the Gospel that Paul had preached. What person in your life tends to be the one to employ the "ministry of reminding" with you most? Who do you remind of the truths of God often? 
2. If someone didn't "feel sinful" how would you explain to them their need for a Savior? Why did Christ have to die for our sins? Why is it important for us to be reminded of Christ's death for our sins? 
3. Paul lists many appearances of Christ after the resurrection to many people. What do you imagine it was like for those people? 
4. Paul refers to himself as a "stillborn baby" (one untimely born). What do you think he meant? 
5. Why is the grace of God such an important concept for the believer? How would you explain grace to a pre-Christian? 
6. Paul says that eventually all believers will "be changed." What do you imagine our new bodies will be like? What do you hope will be the same/different about you? 
7. Where do you find yourself on the skeptic scale of the supernatural in the Bible and the Christian life? Is it easy or hard for you to believe? 
8. Where do you find yourself currently on the fear of death scale currently? How do you think you can grow in that regard? 
9. What does God want from you in relation to the final verse? 

Don't Wuss Out; Don't Miss Out - DuPont Campus

Judges 4-5
March 29, 2026
Sermon by Kevin Pitts

Opener: When do you experience "FOMO"(Fear of Missing Out)?

1. The consequences of sin often linger for a long time. What consequences of sin have you had to deal with (or are currently still dealing with)? How can we force ourselves to consider the consequences BEFORE we make those stupid decisions? 
2. We all wish God would just clearly tell us what to do in every situation like he did for Barak. But we also have some clear directions and clear promises in God's Word we fail to do. What clear direction from God is difficult for you to do? How can you grow in that way? 
3. Barak says he will only obey if Deborah goes with him. What "spiritual security blankets" do Christians today struggle to let go of? 
4. Barak was likely focused on his inadequacies and obstacles rather than on God's strength to use him. What inadequacies or obstacles hold you back? How can you give those over to the Lord? 
5. What should a woman who is married to a spiritually passive man do? What should she not do? What should a man do if he realizes he is passive? 
6. Hundreds of years after God told Judah to drive out the Canaanite chariot riders, it finally happens. What is a long-term prayer that you are still waiting for God to answer? 
7. In chapter 5, the song blesses the Lord because the "leaders took the lead in Israel" that day. In what way is God convicting you to begin taking the lead as he's called you to? 
8. What else did you hope we would discuss? What stood out or convicted you?

Lacey Campus: March 29

The GraceWorks Church in Lacey, WA

The Consequences of Compromise

Judges 1:1 - 3:6 
March 8, 2026
Sermons by Mark Miller in DuPont and Kevin Pitts in Lacey

Opener: Obedience is an all or nothing thing. What other things are "all or nothing"?

1. The Israelites start off well by inquiring of the Lord who should go up first into Canaan. What are some future things you should probably be bringing before the Lord?

2. Judah recruits Simeon to go with him to claim his land. Name someone you trust to go to spiritual battle alongside. What makes them someone you would choose? 

3. The first compromise Judah and Simeon are guilty of involves the pagan practice of cutting off toes and fingers on the enemy king and keeping him as a human trophy. What pagan practices have some Christians adopted and normalized? 

4. What is the tension between God's unconditional love and his fatherly discipline? How would you explain this to a new believer? (Read Hebrews 12:5-11)

5. The first appearance of Jesus (the angel of the Lord) in the book of Judges is significant. What do you think is important about his message? 

6. The three things God told them not to do end up being the things Israel does over and over: lived amongst them, took them in marriage, and served their gods. What do these things translate to today?

7. In what ways are you most tempted to compromise your Christian values? 

8. What would you tell the next generation about avoiding small compromises? 

9. What else did you hope we would discuss? What stuck out?

Judges Intro -- The Consequences of Conformity

Judges 1:1-2; 2:10-19
March 1, 2026
Sermons by Mark Miller & Dave Shoffner in DuPont and Kevin Pitts in Lacey

Opener: What's your favorite book in the Old Testament and why?

1. What previous experience or preconceived notions do you have about the book of Judges? 
2. What detail(s) about the "Old Testament Timeline" stuck out or surprised you? 
3. Read 2:10-19. What do we learn about parenting? How do we ensure that the generations after us know the Lord and the work he has done for you and me? 
4. We may not have Baals and Ashtaroth; but what idols does our society serve? How can we avoid conforming in this way?
5. God's discipline of the Israelites likely looks different than his discipline toward believers today. In what ways has God disciplined you in the past? How did you recognize it as discipline?
6. Verses 18-19 describe a pattern of only doing what is right when they had a strong human leader. In what ways do we still struggle with that today? How do we avoid our faith being intertwined with a strong human leader/pastor/author/etc? 
7. Was there anything you learned that you thought was cool? Anything you hoped we would discuss? Anything you are looking forward to in this book?