Week of June 24, 2012

1. Read 1 Samuel 17:32-49.
2. Do you know someone who has "beaten the odds"?  Who are they, what did they do and how did they do it?
3. Do you have a Goliath in your life?  Something that has positioned itself in your life that is making it hard for you to move forward?  How did it get there?  How long has it been there?
4. Before going down to Goliath's valley, David remembered how God had helped him in the past (v. 34-37).  Is it hard to remember God's faithfulness when you are facing your giants?  What "lions and bears" has the Lord rescued you from in the past?
5. Note how David rejects Saul's armor (v. 38-39).  Why does he do this?  What is a modern day example of "false armor"?  What do we use to fight our battles when we don't rely on the Lord?
6. What does David take as his weapon instead (v. 40)?  How can you use your gifts and resources now to battle your Goliath?
7. How does David respond to the taunts of the Goliath (v. 41-47)?  Does your "Goliath" speak to you? What does it say?
8. Note how eager David was to engage his enemy (v. 48).  Are you willing to engage your Goliath?  Why or why not?
9. At his first opportunity, David slings his stone in faith (v. 49).  What work will it take for you to overcome the giants in your life?  Will it be a short term or a long term process?  What will you do if you don't succeed at first?  How can your group support you?
10. Pray for one another.....