PodCast - Hillside Assembly

Today’s Big Idea: Even in the most barren and lawless times, God is still working behind the scenes to birth deliverance. What looks dead and hopeless can still give life when God steps in.

1. God Plants Miracles in Barren Places

   1. Barrenness = shame, hopelessness, but God works there.

   2. God’s miracles often start where human strength ends.

   3. Barrenness is not the end—it’s God’s beginning.

2. God’s Word Always Comes with Purpose

   1. God never speaks without a plan.

   2. His Word gives direction and boundaries to protect the blessing.

3. From Barrenness to Breakthrough

Family Discussion Questions

1. Seeing God’s Miracles in Unexpected Places: Can you think of a time when something good came out of a situation that seemed impossible or hopeless? How might God have been at work behind the scenes?

2. God’s Word Has a Purpose: The angel told Manoah’s wife exactly what to do so God’s plan would succeed. Are there areas in your life where following God’s instructions might bring a breakthrough?

3. Barren Seasons Can Produce Growth: When life feels “dry” or empty, what are some ways we can trust God is planting something new? How can our family encourage each other during these times?

4. Looking for Breakthrough Together: What is one area in our family’s life or in each of our personal lives where we need God to bring a breakthrough? How can we pray together about it this week?

5. Faith Over Fear: The Israelites were living under fear and oppression, but God still had a plan. How can we choose faith instead of fear in difficult situations today?

1. Desperation

2. Deliverance

3. Deals

4. Devastation

Family Follow-Up Questions

1. Desperation: Can you think of a time when life felt really hard? How did it help you rely on God more?

2. Deliverance: God sometimes uses unexpected people or situations to help us. Who in your life has been a surprising source of encouragement or help?

3. Deals: How do you know when it’s time to try to make peace or when it’s time to take action? How can your family pray for wisdom in those situations?

4. Devastation: Are there relationships or people in your life that need your attention and love? What is one way you can show care for your family this week?

Jonah 1-4

Is any outlaw or frontier town too lawless for God?

God will always save the repentant outlaw.

Big Idea: God doesn’t need big numbers or strong people - He just needs willing hearts.

1. God Shrinks the Odds to Show His Power

2. God Prepares Us Before the Battle

3. God Wins Battles His Way

Family Discussion Questions:

1. What’s a time when you felt outnumbered but saw God come through?

2. Why do you think God sometimes lets our “army” shrink before the victory?

3. How can we build our faith like Gideon did — before the battle even starts?

4. Who can we encourage this week to remind them that God’s power is greater than the odds?

1. The Sheriff Sees the Deputy You Could Be

   God sees in you what you can’t see in yourself.

2. Questions Around The Campfire

   God is patient with our questions.

3. Breaking The Mustang

   God prepares us before he uses us.

Family Discussion Questions:

1. Why was Gideon hiding at the beginning of the story?

2. What did God call Gideon — even before he believed it?

3. What small thing do you think God might be asking you to do this week?

4. How does it help to know God might be asking you to do this week?

Big Idea: God calls both men and women to step up and serve, and He wins the battles we can’t.

1. God’s Call to Deborah: God Calls Women to Ministry

2. God’s Call to Barak: God Calls Men to Ministry

3. Men and Women Are Called to Work and Minister Together

Family Discussion Questions

1.  What made Deborah such a strong leader during a tough time?

2. Why do you think Barak was afraid to go alone?

3. Have you ever been scared to do something God asked you to do?

4. What does it mean that “the battle belongs to the Lord”?

5. How can men and women serve together in the church today

Big Idea: God’s deliverance may not come how we expect — but it always comes on time.

1. The Big Boss of Moab

2. The Unlikely Hero - Ehud

3. The Showdown, Escape and Victory

Family Discussion Questions

1. What surprised you the most about the story of Ehud? (For younger kids: What part was the most exciting or unexpected?) Ehud wasn’t a likely hero—but God still used him in a big way. Why do you think God chose someone left-handed?

2. Have you ever felt like Ehud—different, overlooked, or not the “right” person for the job? (Parents: Share your own experience, too!) What does this story teach us about how God sees us?

3. Can you remember the 4-part cycle the Israelites kept repeating? (Encourage kids to say them out loud: Rebellion → Retribution → Repentance → Restoration) Which part of the cycle do you think is the hardest for people today?

4. What should we do when we feel stuck, like the Israelites did under King Eglon? How can we ask God for help in our own lives?

5. Who is your King? Judges 21:25 reminds us that when there’s no king, people do whatever they want. Why is it better to follow Jesus as our King instead of trying to lead ourselves?

1. The Problem

2. The Cycle of Sin in Judges

3. God’s Deputies - Judges

4. The Difference Jesus Makes

5. Our Fight Today

Family Discussion Questions

1. Remembering God: The Israelites forgot God and kept repeating the same mistakes. What are some ways your family can remember God each day so you don’t get stuck in the same “cycle of sin”?

2. Being Deputies: Jesus calls us to be His deputies today. How can your family share what Jesus is doing in your lives with others this week?

3.  Choices Matter: Just like the peanut butter sandwich story, our choices can lead to the same results over and over. What are some choices your family can make this week that honor Jesus instead of just doing what seems right to you?

W.A.V.E.S.

Words

Approach

Voices

Expectations

Shame

B.R.A.V.E.

Breathe

Remember

Ask

Visualize

Elevate