David #2

 [DAVID] The battle is the Lord’s_ 

1 Samuel 17 

 
The Bear is a story about an orphaned cub that is adopted by a giant Kodiac bear. The little bear copies everything he sees the big bear doing. He learns to eat honey from a beehive just like the big bear. He learns to fish from a mountain stream. And he learns to scratch his back – up & down and side-to-side – on a tree trunk just like the big bear. 
Then one day, while the little bear is all alone playing in a field, a mountain lion begins to chase him. The bear runs across an open, rocky field and crosses a river. But with a splash and two leaps the mountain lion stands face-to-face with the baby bear and shows his teeth. He swipes at the bears face with his claws and draws blood. He swipes again – and your heart breaks as you realise that the little bear is about to die. 
But in a desperate attempt, the little bear begins to do what he’s seen the big bear do – he stands up on his back legs and begins to growl as fiercely as he can in his baby bear voice. Suddenly, and surprisingly, a look of fear appears in the mountain lion’s eyes. He backs up, turns and runs away while the baby bear continues to growl behind him. 
Then the camera pans back, and you see what you couldn’t see before – although the lion could see it.  About twenty feet behind the growling baby bear the giant Kodiak bear is standing on his hind legs with his arms outstretched, roaring a terrifying growl! 

There are many times in life when we face frightening situations, like the mountain lion in the story. They might include losing a job, broken relationships or life-threatening illnesses. How do we respond to situations that seem intimidating, overwhelming or even terrifying?... 

 
[Group discussion starter] When you are faced with a challenge that seems beyond your abilities, how do you tend to respond? 
 

 
In this passage, David doesn’t face a mountain lion, but he does face a mountain of a man named Goliath... 
 

[Read 1 Samuel 17] 

 
 
In verses 1-11, humanly speaking, why were the Israelites justly terrified of Goliath? 
Spiritually speaking, what had the Israelites forgotten about God’s covenant promises (see Deuteronomy 20:1-4)? 

 
In verses 12-27, as David reaches the army camp, what does he learn about their situation? 

 
Why do you think David’s brother is so harsh with him (verses 28-30)? 

 
From a human perspective, why was David an unlikely choice as the ‘Champion of Israel’? 

 
What risk was Saul taking in allowing David to fight Goliath? 

 
Normally, we select people who are ‘humanly qualified’ to do a job. 
And we, ourselves, normally only take on responsibilities that we feel qualified to take on. Does faith remove the need for human qualifications? 
Why or why not? 

 

 
When is it proper to trust God to overcome our deficiencies? 

 
In verses 34-37, David is confident that he can defeat Goliath. 
Is this faith or merely youthful cockiness? Explain. 

 
How can previous spiritual victories encourage us when facing future battles? 

 
What impresses you about the conversation and battle between David and Goliath (verses 41-49)? 

 
What “Goliaths” are you currently facing? 
How can David’s experience give you hope and courage as you face those battles?