WK3

-          Start with a recap of week two

David’s nation was known as the Israelites (in the Old Testament they were known as Gods chosen people). One of their rival nations were called the Philistines, Goliath was part of the Philistine army. They would often find themselves at war with each other. The Israelites believed in God whereas the Philistines didn’t. On one of the occasions that the Israelites were at war with the Philistines both armies were lined up on opposite sides of a valley (the battle field). This is where Goliath enters the scene

1 Samuel 17:1-11

"The Philistines now mustered their army for battle and camped between Socoh in Judah and Azekah at Ephes-dammim. Saul countered by gathering his Israelite troops near the valley of Elah. So, the Philistines and Israelites faced each other on opposite hills, with the valley between them. Then Goliath, a Philistine champion from Gath, came out of the Philistine ranks to face the forces of Israel.

He was over nine feet tall! He wore a bronze helmet, and his bronze coat of mail weighed 125 pounds. He also wore bronze leg armor, and he carried a bronze javelin on his shoulder. The shaft of his spear was as heavy and thick as a weaver’s beam, tipped with an iron spearhead that weighed 15 pounds. His armor bearer walked ahead of him carrying a shield.

Goliath stood and shouted a taunt across to the Israelites. “Why are you all coming out to fight?” he called. “I am the Philistine champion, but you are only the servants of Saul. Choose one man to come down here and fight me! If he kills me, then we will be your slaves. But if I kill him, you will be our slaves! I defy the armies of Israel today! Send me a man who will fight me!”

Discussion

1.       What do you think Goliath was attempting to do here?

2.       One thing he was doing was intimidating the Israelites, have you ever been in a situation where you have felt intimidated before? e.g. first day  of school

3.       2 Timothy 1:7 “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” – What do you think this scripture says to us about how we are to be in times like this?

4.       F.E.A.R has been described as False Expectations Appearing Real. Often we can be fearful of thigs that will never happen. e.g. shark attacks (The odds of getting attacked and killed by a shark are 1 in 3,748,067. In a lifetime, you are more likely to die from fireworks 1 in 340,733.)

o   As followers of Christ what are some of the things we can be fearful of that we don’t need to be?

5.       How do we overcome our fears?

'There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.  ' 1 John 4:18

-          How does this apply to my life?

-          What am I going to do this week?