Good evening.  Let me start this evening by asking a question: Have any of you ever worn hand-me-downs?

Well, this evening we are going to take a look at a familiar story that we all probably learned back when we were kids.  In fact, just a few weeks ago, Nellie taught this lesson to the kids in Jr. Church.  In can be found in the book of I Samuel, and they try to get one guy to wear someone else’s armor.  However, that armor was to big, so he went into battle without any at all.  Can anyone guess what story we are going to look at this evening?

Well, go ahead and turn with me to I Samuel 17:1-50.  This is where we will find the account of David and Goliath.  Now, this is a large section of scripture, so bear with me.  Here in I Samuel 17:1-50 it says, “1”

Before we begin discussing this passage, let’s open our time with a word of prayer.  Let’s Pray!

Well, the armies of Israel had drawn up a battle line with the Philistines.  Day after day, Goliath, this 9 foot Philistine champion, came forward to defy the Israelites and challenge them to send a representative to fight him.  Can you imagine, a 9 foot person, challenging us to come at him one at a time?  There’s no way that I would take that challenge.  It would be like signing my own death warrant.

However, as we look at this story, one guy was willing.  One very heroic guy that was way smaller than this giant.  Let’s take some time now, and discuss what we have just read.

First, how would you feel playing a game of football all alone, against the best team in the NFL?

Well, that is much the way that these Israelites must have felt as Goliath gave them the challenge each day for the 40 days.

What does Goliath’s armor tell us about him?  (v.4-7)

As an Israelite, how would you have viewed Goliath’s proposal?  (v.8-10)

Why were the Israelites helpless against this Goliath guy?

They were afraid of Goliath, and I don’t now that I blame them.  This was a guy that had been a fighter since youth, and besides that, he was huge compared to everyone else.  Plus, I don’t believe that the Israelites had a great enough faith in God to deliver them, and so they never attempted to stand up to Goliath.

What it is that motivated David to fight against the mighty Goliath?  (v.25-27)

What was at stake for David in this fight?

What do you think made David think that he could fight and defeat Goliath?

Well, obviously David had a great deal of faith in God.  Because these Philistines had defied God, David believed that God would take care of him.  So David figured with that, and his ability to kill lions, tigers, and bears oh my, that he would be able to defeat Goliath as well.

How would you describe the sibling rivalry between David and Eliab?  (v.28-30)

What might be the root cause of that jealousy?  (16:6-13)

Well, as we look at the day that these 2 opposites fought each other.  We have the idea that David was maybe an underdog going into the fight, but he came out the victor by a long shot.

If you had been ringside for this fight, and you were placing bets on the fight, what odds would you have given David?  And who would you have placed your money on, Goliath and his mouth, or David and his faith?

Well, in this case, David was doubted about his abilities to go and fight.  However, he responded to these doubts by going out and defeating Goliath and showing everyone that he had it in him as long as he remained faithful to God.

How do you usually react when your abilities are questioned?

As we see the end of this fight, we know that David won, but just what did that mean for everyone?  What is the end result of David’s boldness for Goliath?  David?  The Israelites?  The Philistines?

As we begin to wrap things up this evening, let’s take a moment to apply this passage to our own lives.  Take this opportunity to make this story a little more personal and find out what we can learn form this text that we can apply to our lives today.

What giants are drawn up against you in battle?

Is your attitude toward them more like Saul’s or David’s?

What is holding you back form attacking these giants?

What do you fear might happen if you turned and faced the enemy who taunts and defies God?

What Goliaths are there in today’s society that defy God and Christianity?

How can you, small and unarmed, work to bring them down?

Of the following things that David had going for him, what could you use the most right now: self-confidence?  Courage?  A fighting spirit?  Faith in God’s deliverance?  Confidence in your own abilities?

Does anyone have anything that they would like to add this evening before we close?

Well, if there is nothing else, I will close us with a word of prayer and then we will sing a song and be dismissed.

Let’s Pray!