Tips for Teaching This Week’s Session of The Gospel Project for Adults

Listen to this week’s leader training podcast with Y Bonesteele, team leader for The Gospel Project for Adults, for a summary and guidance in leading your group.

This week’s additional resources for study and preparation:

• Sermon Transcript: “David and the Gospel” by Dirck Van Clief
• Sermon: “God’s Unlikely Champion” by Danny Akin
• Conference Session: “Where to Find a Champion” by Courtney Doctor

Transcript of Leader Training Podcast:

Hi, this is Y Bonesteele, team leader of The Gospel Project for Adults, welcome to another Leader Training podcast. Today we are in Unit 11, Session 1, The Lord’s Battle, with the core passage of 1 Samuel 17:32-40 and 45-50 with the key concept of: We can trust God to be sovereign over all our battles.

Last week, we saw David humbly going into the service of King Saul in 1 Samuel as his armor-bearer and lyre player. The story continues with the very famous underdog story of David and Goliath which even our secular culture knows.

So in 1 Samuel 17:1-32, we see the Philistines gathered for battle again and Saul and his army gathered as well. Goliath, from the Philistines camp, tall and mighty, a hulk of a man in every way, taunted the Israelites, calling anyone out to come to fight him and if he wins, the Philistines would be their servants. But if Goliath wins, the Israelites would be the Philistines’ servants. Saul and his army were terrified in verse 11.

Three of David’s oldest brothers had joined Saul’s army. And David was running back and forth, a servant to Saul when needed but also tending to his family’s sheep. One day, Jesse, David’s father, sent David to bring food to his brothers and the commander on the frontlines. He heard what was going on and was brought to Saul.

The first thing he said to Saul is the beginning of our core passage. He told him: “Don’t let anyone be discouraged by him”—David was a man of encouragement; he knew what the others didn’t have faith to know: that God was on their side. David continued: “Your servant will go and fight this Philistine.” David was bold and courageous, not because he was relying on his own strength, but because he knew of the Lord’s strength. As The Gospel Project Commentary states on page 74: “David’s confidence comes from his assurance in God’s sovereign redemptive hand.” Also, this is the first of three times that David called himself “your servant.” David still lived in humility, seeing himself a servant of the king and of the King, big K, God Himself. He knew he was anointed for something big but still called himself servant.

At this point, Saul doubted David’s ability seeing that he was young, but Goliath was a seasoned warrior. But David answered back about not only his ability but about God’s ability to save. He mentioned how he had killed wild animals before, and this man, Goliath, was no different than a wild animal trying to defy “the armies of the living God.” Even though David acknowledged his abilities, he also attributed his success to God: “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine” in verse 37. David’s reasonings seemed satisfactory to Saul so he let him go.

Saul then tried to equip David in the way he would equip himself, giving him his military clothing, helmet, armor and sword. But what Saul thought was helpful for him, would not be helpful for David. Saul found his confidence in physical armor, but David knew his confidence was in God. So all he brought with him to battle was a staff, five stones, a shepherd’s bag, and a sling. Like The Gospel Project Commentary notes on page 73, the sling was less like a Y-shaped stick and rubber band, but more of “a long strap with a pouch in the middle. The slinger would whirl the sling overhead until releasing the free side of the sling.” With possibly tennis ball sized stones, David approached Goliath.

So, how can we ensure that we are depending on God’s power for our battles rather than our own resources? We need to already be living a consistent life of closeness with God through prayer and being in His Word. Our prayers should include prayers of thankfulness and praise as we see God working in our lives and in the world. When we do so, we can humbly see God at work in our challenges and battles.

How can our faith in God transform the ways we typically respond to threatening circumstances in our life? When we face challenges, it’s easy to get discouraged. But reminding ourselves of God’s sovereign power and having others remind us, as David for Saul, should elevate our faith and help us be at peace even when we’re tempted to worry. Our faith is faith in God’s character. That He is a good God and a powerful God. He is in control of all things, and we can trust that He is working things out for His glory and our good.

Because the thing is, although the David and Goliath story seems to be the ultimate underdog story, the reality is that David had God on his side the whole time so he’s really not an underdog after all. God is the God of the universe, and He is the most powerful person in all of existence.

Now, though armed with stones and a sling, David knew God was the one that would win the battle. In verse 45, he told Goliath: “You come against me with a sword, spear, and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of Armies, the God of the ranks of Israel—you have defied him.” David knew who God was—He was “the Lord of Armies;” He was “the God of the ranks of Israel.” It was like he was saying: You better watch out! You have defied the Almighty God.

How might recognizing your own weakness help you rely on God’s power through life’s battles? When we recognize our own weakness, we know that God is the one at work. When we’re weak, we can trust God’s strength more and identify that He is at work in our lives, fighting our battles. If we are prideful and think we’re strong enough to do this or that on our own, we ignore or push God out and may end up failing in our efforts. Recognizing our weakness reminds us that God is sufficient for all our needs.

Going back to David, his words are all about acknowledging God: Verse 46, “Today the Lord will hand you over to me” and “then all the world will know that Israel has a God.” And verse 47, “And the whole assembly will know…that the Lord saves, for the battle is the Lord. David mentioned the “Lord” or “God” six times in his speech to Goliath. David’s boldness to confront Goliath was not out of brazenness and pride for himself, but for God’s glory and honor, for the world and for the Israelites, those assembled, to see that God was powerful and mighty.

How can we make sure God gets the credit for the victories in our lives, both small and significant? Continuing to acknowledge and thank Him in our prayers and in the world is what helps us give God the credit He deserves. Both private and public praise and thankfulness toward God is needed when good things happen. For when we do so, our faith grows, and the world will know of His goodness and faithfulness.

From there, David does what we’ve heard from Scripture. He took a stone and slung it, killing Goliath, overpowering the Philistines. Like the Gospel Connection on p.73 in the Leader Guide states, David was an unlikely hero who saved the Israelites. His future descendant, Jesus, did even better: He saved the whole world. Jesus is the ultimate victor, defeating our greatest enemies, sin and death. So we can trust God today to be sovereign over all our battles. He is able to help us in our time of need because He the Lord that saves.

On to the Group Experience, then, think of a war movie with a turning point. My reference might always go back to the Lord of the Rings, but you might have a better example, Stars Wars maybe? The battle I think about is when Gandalf arrives with Eomer and his riders at the Battle of Helm’s Deep as the sun rises and the orcs are disorientated, and the battle turns around in their favor. What might have happened if these strategic turning points did not take place? Loss and failure and the good guys losing. What motivates a losing army to stage a comeback? When they see hope and help coming.

Transition with the Context in helping your group fill in some of the background information, realizing that there’s going to be a turning point in this battle between the Israelites and the Philistines. Recap with a brief summary of the core passage, asking for any questions from the week’s study. With such a familiar passage, make sure your group see the nuances of the words in Scripture, the acknowledgement of David as a servant and his repeated references to the Lord and His ability.

In the Group Activity, direct the group to page 62 of the Personal Study Guide as you point to the same chart on a board. Invite someone to read 1 Samuel 17:32-40. Using verse 34-37 first, ask, “How would fighting a lion or a bear be similar to fighting Goliath?” David acknowledged that he fought a lion or bear to save his sheep, but in verse 37, he acknowledged that it was the Lord who rescued him. In the same way, he knew that the Lord would rescue him from the Philistines as well. “How did David’s previous experiences prepare him for this moment?” Some answers might be that David had faced threatening situations before, and he knew to act as he relied on God. Trusting in God in difficult times prepares you to trust him more at the next difficult time. “How have you seen God work through previous experiences in your life that have prepared you for the present?” Your group will have varying answers here. Have your group write in their own words David’s sources of confidence and why he had such confidence: David’s confidence was in the Lord. When fearful or worried or faced with a dangerous situation, David had confidence in the Lord to be there for him and to rescue him when needed. David held on to that trust and grew in it with every troubling situation. It prepared him for the battle with Goliath.

Then read verses 33 and 38-40. What was Saul’s source of confidence? In battle experience, battle clothing, armor and weapons. “What are some differences in the ways David and Saul evaluated the benefits of experience?” Saul saw the benefits of experience in one’s own life and abilities, like how he saw Goliath as a seasoned warrior and David as a young shepherd, inexperienced in battle. David, however, saw that each battle, with God on your side, is a win. The group can write these thoughts down under Saul.

At this point, it doesn’t say it in the Leader Guide, but you might want to read through verses 41-44 to see more of Goliath’s mindset. Then read 1 Samuel 17:45-50. Goliath’s confidence was in himself mostly, feeling ridiculed that David wasn’t more formidable. David saw that Goliath’s confidence was in his weapons and skill as well, coming at him “with a sword, spear, and javelin” in verse 45.

Going back to David’s confidence, we see that he gave credit to God throughout his speech toward Goliath from verse 45-47. Then ask, “What was different about David’s view of his skills and resources as he battled Goliath?” David had complete trust in the Lord and knew that He was the Lord of Armies, the God of the ranks of Israel, that the Lord would hand Goliath over to David, that the Lord saves, and the battle is the Lord’s. Every word and phrase connected with the Lord and God shows David’s confidence in God’s identity, character, and actions.

Make copies and pass out Pack Item 6: David’s Enemies to see a summary of how David trusted the Lord in the face of enemies and how God provided.

Debrief with: How does reflecting on God’s faithfulness in the past give us confidence in our present struggles? As we see and acknowledge God’s hand in our past struggles, His presence and power, even when things didn’t work out as we expected, we can grow in our confidence in our present struggles because we can lean on His consistent character. We can be assured that He is with us.

What encouragement does this passage give about the difficulties we face in life? We can be encouraged that God is at work. That He works mightily even when we are weak. We can expect battles and struggles in our lives but be encouraged that God is always present. We can be encouraged to know that God’s faithfulness in our past reveals to us His faithful character. He is constant and never changing.

Then summarize with the understanding that we can trust God to be sovereign over all our battles.

Head into the Head, Heart, Hands section; the Leader Guid says to focus on the Head question if time is limited. I’m going to change that a little and say focus on the Hands question. David fought Goliath so the world would know the God of Israel. Today, we fight our battles that the world may know the love and truth of Jesus Christ. How will you rally behind Jesus to pursue the nations with the gospel of Christ? Many of us are willing to share about Christ if it comes up, but fewer are intentional about taking initiative to do so. By sharing our stories of God’s faithfulness in our lives, that’s the easiest way for us to share to the world about who God is. That gives us an in to share the gospel message of salvation and redemption. Encourage your group to take initiative and be intentional about sharing Christ to the world.

Remind the group of Next Steps and end with prayer requests and praises, ending with Psalm 35 if time permits.

Thanks again for joining me on another Leader Training podcast. Write me at [email protected] and hope you have a great group time!