In the book of Judges, we meet an obscure tree that serves as a powerful illustration of what a life of faithfulness looks like. In Judges 9, Gideon’s son, Abimelech, convinces the people of Shechem to appoint him as king and then murders all his brothers, except one: Jotham. Having escaped, Jotham tells a fable about several trees that culminates with the atad. The atad looks strong and vibrant on the surface, but its splendor masks a sinister secret beneath the surface. By the end of this episode, you’ll be challenged to identify and uproot the ways in which your aspirations may be hindering those around you.

• What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? 
• One of the themes repeated throughout the Bible is that while human beings look at appearances, God looks at the heart. What are some ways you “look beneath the surface” in order to makes wise discernments about who or what is actually trustworthy? 
• What are some of the first things that come to mind when you hear the sentence: “Serving itself at the expense of others?” (Think culturally and interpersonally) 
• What are one or two atads in your life that need to be uprooted? 
• How would you describe the difference between appropriate self-care and prioritizing the self at the expense of others? 
• How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week? 

• Tree and Shrub in Our Biblical Heritage by Nogah Hareuveni 
• Trees, Plants, and Flowers of the Holy Land by BiblePlaces.com (Todd Bolen) 

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