Faith - Part 4: "Faith to Fight"

There are many giants that we face in our spiritual lives. We have the choice to turn and run from them like the Isrealite army did from Goliath, or stand and fight like David. Through our daily battles, God prepares us, so when the real giants stand before us, we are ready to rely on Him and defeat those giants with the weapons He gives us and full confidence in His strength. Key verses: Hebrews 11:32-34, 1 Samuel 17:4-11, 16, 24, 28, 34-40, 43-47 1. What were the giants (besides Goliath) that David was facing? Have you experienced similar giants in your own spiritual walk? Were you defeated by them? How did you stand against them? 2. God’s people were discouraging David from fighting. As the body of Christ, how can you not be a part of the crowd that is fearful in the face of giants (even if they aren’t your giant to fight)? 3. Why is this “giant” of fear and in-action sometimes the hardest to overcome? What is the best way to “fight” it? 4. The armies of Israel were afraid of Goliath, but David’s brother Eliab goes even further; he attacks David and questions his abilities and intentions. Would you have been able to face a giant after hearing something like that from your own brother? Why do you think his brother was so critical? How do you think David was able to stay strong in that adversity? How does that translate into your own life? 5. Is comparison a giant that you have faced in your life? Why does this giant stop many people from facing the bigger battle before them? How did David move past the giant of comparison? 6. What weapons did David have in his fight against Goliath? (past preparation, using what was available to him, His God) 7. Why is it important to fight the “lions and bears” in your daily life? How can they prepare you for the bigger battles ahead? What are some specific examples of lions and bears in your life that prepared you for something bigger? 8. David’s most important weapon was his God. He truly believed that God would win His battle for him. How might your own life battles look different if you had faith in God like David?