Faith to Face the Giant

Faith to Face the Giant

This week we explore the work of God in David’s encounter with Goliath.

Sermon Outline

“David said to the Philistine, ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.’” (1 Samuel 17:45)

The Structure of the Story

  • From anointing to service of Saul to battle (16:14-23)
  • Conflict in the Valley of Elah (17:1-11)
  • David’s Arrival at the Valley of Elah (17:12-30)
  • David and King Saul before the battle (17:31-40)
  • David and Goliath (17:41-53)
  • David and King Saul after the battle (17:54-58)

Reading the Story of the Bible in Three Ways

  • The Story of God (Metanarrative)
  • The Story of God’s People (Covenant Narrative)
  • The Story of Individuals (Individual Narrative)

Living in God’s Story at All Levels

  • The Story of God: what story is God writing in the world, and how can we join in with it?
  • The Story of God’s People: what story is God writing in His people, and how might we take our part in it?
  • The Story of Individuals: what story is God writing in our life and how might we cooperate with God in it?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  1. When have you faced opposition that utterly overwhelmed you? What did you do?
  2. This week we continue our summer sermon series, “The Pursuit of God: The Life of David” by looking at one of the most well-known episodes from David’s life in 1 Samuel 17. Whether on your own or with others, begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak to you, and then read that entire chapter aloud.
  3. Background: Between today’s and last week’s text (1 Samuel 16:1-13), David has entered King Saul’s service, first to soothe him with music and then as one of his armor bearers. It is unclear how big Saul’s entourage is, but David is just one of many serving the king.
  4. How would you summarize the situation described in 1 Samuel 17:1-11?
  5. What do you think it would have felt like to stand in the crowd of warriors threatened by Goliath?
  6. When David arrives, what does he find and how does he respond (17:12-27)?
  7. After David inquires about the situation, how does his brother respond (17:28-31)?
  8. Have you experienced someone looking down on you, like David’s brother, perhaps because they know you “too well”? How does God see you in that circumstance?
  9. How would you describe the interactions between King Saul and David (17:32-40)? What stands out to you about David’s way of describing himself?
  10. When David finally faces his opponent, Goliath, what captures your attention about how David responds to Goliath’s defiant challenge (17:41-47)?
  11. What do you think is the real, fundamental conflict behind the David and Goliath story? What might that mean for our own lives?
  12. Now read Ephesians 6:10-20. How does the Apostle Paul shed light on the spiritual conflict we face?
  13. What is one thing God speaking to you personally through this week’s study? If you are with a small group, discuss that with one another and then pray about what you shared. If you are on your own, write it down, pray about it, and consider sharing your thoughts with someone this week.

Dig Deeper:

  • Memorize 1 Samuel 16:7 or Ephesians 6:12
  • Interact with the David and Goliath story in 1 Samuel 17 creatively. Perhaps you might draw, paint, letter, or sketch aspects of this story as you prayerfully reflect on it. What do you sense God is speaking to you? Consider sharing that with a friend.
  • Explore some or all of these resources:
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Spiritual Self-Destruction