Gideon: Your weakness. God's strength: Member Book

by Priscilla Shirer

Gideon: Your weakness. God’s strength. is a 7 session women's Bible study by Priscilla Shirer . When we hear the name Gideon, most of us think about his 300 soldiers or the fleece he laid out under the evening sky. But Gideon’s story is so much bigger than that—bigger than any one man and his mark on Israel’s history. Like everything else in the Bible, this is a story about God and His people. His love for them, as well as His strength operating in spite of their weakness—even through their weakness. And because God’s people includes you and me, Gideon’s story is also about us—our lives, our doubts, our struggles, and our possibilities as believers. From a state of fear, weakness, and insecurity, Gideon emerged as Israel's hero, filled with God's presence and His passion for deliverance. This study will encourage you to recognize your weakness as the key that the Lord gives you to unlock the full experience of His strength in your life. In what ways do you feel insufficient? Those places create the greatest opportunity to experience the sufficiency of God. Instead of ignoring, neglecting, or trying to escape your weaknesses, see them as the gifts that they are, given specifically and strategically by God to unlock the door of God’s strength. Features: Benefits:

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, Christianity, Devotional, Theology, Religion

176 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2013

About the author

Priscilla Shirer is a wife and a mom first. But put a Bible in her hand and a message in her heart and you’ll see why thousands flock to her conferences and dive into her Bible study series’ and books each year.

A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary, Priscilla holds a Master’s degree in Biblical Studies and considers it a privilege to serve believers from every denomination and culture by helping them to know the truths of Scripture intellectually and encouraging them to experience these truths practically by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In addition to Priscilla’s participation in many church and para-church conferences across the globe each year, Going Beyond Ministries hosts AWAKEN – an outreach event in their hometown designed to encourage and mobilize women locally. This free gathering brings together thousands of women from different denominations and backgrounds several times a year in an effort to stir revival.

Going Beyond Ministries also equips believers through books and Bible study resources. Priscilla has authored over a dozen video driven studies for women and teens on a myriad of Biblical characters and topics including Jonah, Gideon, the Exodus, discerning God’s voice, The Armor of God.

Her books include Discerning the Voice of God, God is Able, and two New York Times Bestsellers – The Resolution for Women and Fervent: A Woman’s Battle Plan for Serious, Specific and Strategic Prayer, which was named the 2016 Christian Book of the Year. Her latest offering is a 365-day devotional called Awaken: 90 Days with the God Who Speaks. In 2016, Priscilla ventured into the world of children’s publishing with The Prince Warriors, a fiction 4-book series and accompanying 365-day devotional (Unseen) designed to equip tween boys and girls for victory in spiritual warfare.

Priscilla has been married to Jerry for 20 years. Between studying and writing, she spends most of her time cleaning up after (and trying to satisfy the appetites of) their three growing boys – Jackson, Jerry Jr. and Jude.

Reviews

[christianchicklit · Rating 5 out of 5]

God Shines Most Brightly In Our Weakness

I have to admit that I didn’t know much about Gideon before starting this study. I knew about the fleece and that he was the guy that challenged God to show him His presence. And when God did, Gideon asked Him to do it again!

The whole story of Gideon takes place in just three chapters within the book of Judges and believe it or not, there is a lot for a woman of today to relate to with a man who lived 3000 years ago. It’s the story of God’s love, patience and mercy. It’s the story of our doubts, insecurities, struggles and God’s desire to use us in a powerful way in spite of (and through) these things. It’s also the story of being obedient to God’s promptings on your life and the amazing things that can result if you do. Sometimes this takes us out of our comfort zone, but He is there to equip us with all that we need to accomplish His purpose. Even the ordinary tasks that we feel may be part of our mundane life help to equip us for the future.

It is through our weaknesses that we realize how much we need God….which allows Him to work powerfully in our lives. Priscilla is an excellent Bible Study teacher and offers a great balance of historical, cultural and scriptural depth while also making it extremely relevant and applicable to today’s women. Her DVD is a wonderful supplement to the workbook and gives you the sense that a good friend is talking with you, offering you wise advice and is cheering you on. I’ve done this workbook on my own and can’t wait to share it with the Women’s Bible Study at our church.

[Jacqueline · Rating 2 out of 5]

overly simplistic, factually inacurate in places. Not theologically wrong but a very superficial treatment that relies on emotion and pathos to compensate for a lack of depth and thought provoking insight.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed going through this study with the ladies at my church. The weekly videos were incredible - I would definitely make sure to watch those/ find a study that includes them! The amount of knowledge and wisdom she was able to unpack week to week from the story of Gideon was pretty incredible. I would highly recommend this, I certainly got a lot out of it.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A refreshing change after doing so many Beth Moore studies recently. This was my first full study of Priscilla's and I really enjoyed it. It's just what I expected from her, after seeing her in person for a conference years ago. The daily homework was hard to keep up on. However, the personal application questions were very thought provoking and insightful, although many I'm still simmering on to actually answer. I really thought many of her questions specific to our culture made for excellent discussion. I really loved all the Biblical examples she used in her study to support how God can use our weaknesses for His strength and glory. Totally recommend this study either for a group or individually.

[Darcyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a great Bible study but for me I would have preferred reading the entire scripture being studied first, then breaking it apart for study. I had some difficulty getting a cohesive sense of the story.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for Bible study. The Bible covers Gideon in Judges 6:11 to 8:33, about 3 pages. Shirer does it in 189 pages. I highly recommend the Bible version.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me, this had too much "feeling" and not enough "meat" to the study. I was really rubbed the wrong way by constantly having the scripture in the margins and Priscilla's thoughts in the main text. The verses should have been in the main flow of the text as well. Also, I really didn't like that we never actually read thru the full story of Gideon at any point during the study. We were always directed to read a verse pulled out of the story.

[Elizabeth Balster · Rating 5 out of 5]

The whole study was very good, but the last lesson, concerning idolatry, was particularly thought-provoking and deeply useful. It spurred some great discussion within our small group.

[Virginia Seven Swans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by FAR the best Bible study I have EVER done!

[PollyAnna Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love. Love. Love! Gideon by Priscilla Shirer is a Bible Study I am so thankful I have had an opportunity to participate in. God is so good! What amazes me is how God uses a study like this at the same time I am reading or studying something in the 'secular' world to reinforce all that the Holy Spirit is speaking to me specifically about in the faith-based study! So powerful. Thank you, Priscilla, for being obedient and writing such an impactful study.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Priscilla can do no wrong!

[Tanya Biles · Rating 3 out of 5]

My weakness is a platform for His strength. Christianity is not meant to be convenient; just obey :)
I did not like the writing style of this author but I did learn more about Gideon from the videos

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good study. I would recommend it if someone is thinking of doing a video-based study through Scripture. The days were not too long and it gave the reader a lot to think about, especially on how God uses our weaknesses, but also on how we must be willing to let Him use us.

[Sakeenah Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

The study was good. But I wish it went in chronological order with the story of Gideon. I also wish she gave us reading from the Gideon story each week. Or at least gave us a heads up to read the 3 chapters before we began the study.

[Brandy Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

great study! I am going to give the Lord my first fruits and watch myself. its all about how you choose to live not what you say.

[Latrel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This study was awesome! Even in my weakness God is strengthen me to do His will. I recommend this study with video or audio Priscilla Shirer is an anointed women of God.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Bible Study on how good uses one's weaknesses to perfect His strengths. Very motivating and also relevant to today's daily struggles.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Videos were amazing, homework could've had a bit more meat. Overall a great message!

[Kristen Gebbia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Bible study was so perfectly timed for me. I was reminded that "The weaknesses we often despise are required for the light of Christ to be seen and for the darkness around us to be dispelled." God picked judges for Israel that were terribly flawed, then empowered them to fulfill their role in spite of their shortcomings; He will do the same with me if I am willing.

I was also reminded that God called Gideon while he was doing mundane, every day work. God meets me while I'm doing ordinary things. And today's ordinary tasks are preparation for tomorrow's calling. Wherever I am now is where I am meant to serve now. While I might not have the most recognition doing ordinary things, I can often have the greatest impact. The world is changed through the ordinary rhythms of daily sacrificial living.

When God calls me to release things, I don't need to retain them. I am better off with God's 300 than my 32,000 every time. "The secret to experiencing victory in our areas of deficiency is not in frantically trying to hang on to our precious 'resources', but in surrendering them to God's purposes. He will multiply our efforts within the resources we have."

And of course there are many more applicable lessons I learned in this six week study, but those three are the biggest for me, personally. I did not watch the corresponding video sessions; I just bought the book and worked through it on my own. I'm sure if you did it with a group it would be even more of a blessing. Overall, one of my favorite Bible studies!

[Kamryn Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite what I was expecting so that shapes my reception of the book, I suppose. Priscilla Shirer has an authentic voice that engages you in the word of God. She’s a favorite. For me, the content and the voice were a bit of a mismatch. This is a really good examination of Gideon and a continued exploration of the nation of Israel. Just as “One in Million” wrapped the exploration around Joshua, this one wraps it around Gideon. Although, I enjoyed the former much more. There is plenty to learn and study here. My Bible book club bought it to read but this is really more suited for class and interactive workshop not necessarily as a read through and discussion like some of the others. So, I give it three stars as a “book” but as a Bible study workshop it is well done. You will need to have your Bible along side of you as you read it to look up scripture passages. I’m assuming the video companion is a great help but we did not have that. 🤷🏽‍♀️

[Jennifer Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I wanted to like this study. It just seemed to be based on a questionable design. It appears that Shirer relied on a more thematic approach that logically flowed with the study than the narrative order. The problem from an interpretive perspective is that the choice actually obscures points of the narrative development. Beyond that, while I admittedly may have missed it, I don’t think she ever had people read through the entire narrative as a whole. (Others in our group also commented on this, so we actually read it together. We did not use the videos, though.) Many of the instructions to read the biblical text were very piecemeal. That winds up leading her audience to not fully understand the context and to have to rely on her depiction. The style is engaging, as her work usually is. Yet the missed opportunities based on the chosen thematic approach and the points at which she appeared to over interpret the text ultimately left me quite disappointed.

[Khiara Yates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highlights:
-The most difficult and intimidating opportunities to walk in God’s calling come when we are staring in the faces of those who know us best and whom we love the most
-“The fruit of the Spirit is patience” Galatians 5:22
-Needing a sign indicates a weakened faith in a believer, our God wants to be taken at His Word (faith), not relegated to performing signs (fleeces) to be believed
-God uses “the weak things of the world to shame the strong” 1 Cor. 1:27
-“A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath” Proverbs 15:1
- Idolizing, it becomes easier to choose than God
** Keep Him first until the end of your days. Pursue Him above His benefits with all your might. Prioritize His way and His Word until you hear Him say, “Well done.”

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book with a bible study group this spring. I didn't know what to expect when we started the study, but I found the more I read the more intrigued I became. The study delves into a few chapters in Judges to tell the story of Gideon and really digs into what makes the story so special and what we (especially as Christians) might take away from it.

The study is excellent alongside the videos, but I found on weeks when I wasn't able to make the video sessions that it was still wonderful on it's own. It has a lot of room for notes and for self-searching; it guides the reader through the study with questions and fill-in-the-blanks.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Priscilla has never disappointed me with her Bible studies. I always love them and learn so much. I think this was my 4th study by her. Regarding Gideon, I always love a good underdog in a story, especially in non-fiction. Priscilla helps us see God’s strength is perfected in our weakness and reminds us that we need to trust Him.

[Renee Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ll never forget this Bible Study by Priscilla Shirer because it was my first time embracing women’s ministry. Through a divine appointment, I got connected to the leader of the Bible Study and made some life long friends. This study taught me the key to unlocking God’s promises is through my weakness!

[Leslie Fitzpatrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Weakness is to be celebrated. That’s not something I ever would have thought. But I’m seeing the story of Gideon and applying it to me and my life...the amazing strength and glory of God is amplified in my weaknesses! I will not look at this part of my life the same way.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Embarrassed to say I knew nothing of Gideon before this bible study. Lots of lessons and guidance to take from this study about how God uses our weakness and struggles as a gift. To accompany this study I also listened to the related video lessons on Ladies Who Love Christ Facebook page.

[Dawn Traylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely worth the study! Gideon by Priscilla Shirer pulls all the details out of just a few chapters of the Bible to give us an in-depth look at Gideon and the lessons we can learn from him. Your weakness. God’s strength.

[Lisadunbar22 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This bible study was fascinating because after all the miracles the people watched God perform through Gideon in the end the people went back to worshiping Baal. Exactly where the people began, why did the ancient Israelites struggle to give God credit?

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another great bible study by Priscilla Shirer but I have to admit, not my favorite. While she went into depth on the story of Gideon and how it relates to us in current time, some of the details were a little to deep for me. However, I enjoyed this study and learned a lot from it.