[Read > Judges 10: 1-5]

• Do you think the amount of words written about someone in the bible can equate to how important they are?

[Activity] > Along with Tola and Jair, the other “minor” Judges include Shamgar [Chapter 3], Ibzan, Elon & Abdon [chapter 12] can you find anyone in the bible who has seemingly small insignificant parts to play…but actually they were significant?

• What could be the reason(s) for the lack of detail about Tola & Jair?
• Tola & Jair’s stories follow Abimelek’s without any kind of break. What could this tell us?

These short, seemingly insignificant few verses may not tell us much about these 2 characters, but they do tell us something about the character of God. In particular, about this God of Israel in her low fortunes at this time…

• This man, Tola “rose to save Israel” (or “was sent to deliver Israel”). Can you find any other Judges who were “called”, “rose” or were “sent” in the same way?
• Regardless of if Tola had been called as a military leader or as an administrator or both, what does this tell us about Tola, God & us?
• How is the link/comparison to Deborah significant?
• Next we see Jair. What is the importance of his 30 sons with 30 donkeys in 30 cities?
• Following last weeks story where the Isrealites chose a tyrant king, slip back into idolatry AND ignore the warnings of Jotham, they deserve to be wiped off the face of the earth. Instead, they get 45 years of peace under Tola & Jair. Why?
• What does this tell us about God?
• How is this applicable to us in 2010?

[Read Judges 9]

• Abimelek stands as quite a contrast to Gideon. How?
• Verse 5 mentions the place Abimelek killed his brothers as “one stone”, what could this mean?
• Judges 9:1-6 stands in stark contrast to Joshua 24:1 & 16. How?
• Verse 8-15 tells a strange story. What does this remind you of?

[Activity] > Take some time to discect this strange story in verses 8-15 and write down what you think it means.

• What does verse 26 tell us about the people of Schechem?
• In verse 45 we see that Abimelek, after capturing the city, scattered salt over it. Why?
• Verse 49 was a fulfilment of something that had been promised earlier in this chapter. What is it?
• While men used weapons like spears, bows and arrows to defend towers, women helped by dropping stones. Why?
• What does this part of the story remind you of?
• Grinding grain was seen as women’s work. Too lowly for men to perform. But, defending your city, fighting and killing pagan tyrants and enemies was definately a man’s job. How is this story significant?
• In verse 54 what’s going on with the armour-bearer and this whole “a woman killed him” business?
• From chapter 8:34 – 9:55 God isn’t mentioned at all. What could this tell us about Abimelek’s story?

The last 2 verses in chapter 9 wrap up this story and give a good “God conclusion”. How and why?

We have fun stuff to do to keep young peeps occupied throughout the week… all activities will take place between 12-2pm (so its not too early) apart from Wednesday which starts at 11am.

• Monday 15th – Art Workshop (for budding Picasso’s)
• Tuesday 16th – Puppetry Workshop (learning different skills)
• Wednesday 17th – Table Tennis Run-around Tournament (because its a good laugh!)

*These activities are at Oakham Evangelical Church, city road

• Thursday 18th – Football Skills
• saturday 20th – NFL-style Flag Football (if you enjoyed the Superbowl, then try your hand at American football without the rough tackles, perfect for someone trying a new sport… This is for adults as well as young folk!)

*These activities are at Grace Mary school field, Hawfield Road, off City Road

all activities are run by our youth and sports worker, Rob WJ
Looking forward to seeing you there!

For all you budding Picasso’s, come along at let your imagination run wild!

@ Oakham Church, City Road

Want to learn a new skill? How about puppetry?
You never know, you might be the next Jim Henson!

@ Oakham Church, City Road

Normal table tennis is so 2009… Run-around is the future!
Join us for a run-around table tennis tournament, Why? ‘Cause it it’s the most fun you’ll have in ages!

@ Oakham Church, City Road

Love football? Want to get even better?
Then come to our football coaching session led by a qualified FA coach.

@ Grace Mary School Field, Hawfield Road, off City Road.

All the fun times of American football without all the pushing and broken bones, try a new sport!

@ Grace Mary School Field, Hawfield Road, off City Road.

All ages welcome, Adults and kids!

Watch Superbowl XLIV with us on our 8 foot projection screen!

Bring food, snacks and a sleeping bag if 4am is too late for you to drive home!
Always a great night spent with people who love to watch the game. Age 18+

The next family service is on Sunday 7^th February.
The worship band will be playing and the message is by our assistant Pastor, Stephen Parkes. All are welcome!