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Abide B

Day 5: Goliath and You!

Because GOD NEVER CHANGES, I don't have to worry about the future!

Read or quote the memory verse: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.  Hebrews 13:8, Discover God Bible, (NLT).

 

Because God Never Changes, He is still the same today as He was in King David's day. God wants us to stand up for His name and honor.

You have probably read the story of David and Goliath.

Who do you think the hero of the story is? Why?

Most people would say that David is the hero.

Let's read the story from 1 Samuel 17:4, 8-11, and listen carefully for another hero.

David and Goliath

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! . . . 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!". . . When Saul and the Israelites heard this, they were terrified and deeply shaken.

- Discover God Bible, (NLT).

Let's stop for a second.

What did Goliath call the Israelites? ("You are only servants of Saul.")

Did the fact that they were called servants of Saul give them courage? (No.)

 

David and Goliath continued.

Read 1 Samuel 17:22-26.

David left his things with the keeper of supplies and hurried out to the ranks to greet his brothers. As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, came out from the Philistine ranks. Then David heard him shout his usual taunt to the army of Israel.

As soon as the Israelite army saw him, they began to run away in fright. "Have you seen the giant?" the men asked. "He comes out each day to defy Israel . . ."

David asked the soldiers standing nearby, ". . . Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?"

- Discover God Bible, (NLT).

Let's stop again for a second.

What did David call the armies of Israel? ("Armies of the living God.")

David didn't see them simply as servants of Saul, but he also saw them as the armies of God.

Who was Goliath making fun of? (The Israelites and God.)

 

David and Goliath continued

Read 1 Samuel 17:31-37.

. . . Then David's question was reported to King Saul, and the king sent for him. "Don't worry about this Philistine," David told Saul. "I'll go fight him!"

"Don't be ridiculous!" Saul replied. "There's no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You're only a boy, and he's been a man of war since his youth."

But David persisted. "I have been taking care of my father's sheep and goats," he said. "When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I'll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!"

- Discover God Bible, (NLT).

In David's time, all young boys and girls had jobs they had to do every day. David's was to take care of the sheep. Little did he know that by being faithful to do his daily chores well, he was preparing to defeat a giant!

Who did David say delivered him from the lions and the bears? (God!)

Part of the preparation for meeting the giant was for David to learn what his responsibility was and what God's responsibility was. See if you can figure it out as we read the end of the story . . .

 

David and Goliath continued

Read 1 Samuel 17:41-49.

Goliath walked out toward David with his shield bearer ahead of him, sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy. "Am I a dog," he roared at David, "that you come at me with a stick?" And he cursed David by the names of his gods. "Come over here, and I'll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!" Goliath yelled.

David replied to the Philistine, "You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Heaven's Armies -- the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you, and I will kill you and cut off you head . . . and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel! And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues His people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord's battle, and He will give you to us!"

As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him. Reaching into his shepherd's bag and taking out a stone, he hurled it with his sling and hit the Philistine in the forehead. The stone sank in, and Goliath stumbled and fell face down on the ground."

- Discover God Bible, (NLT).

Who did David say would conquer Goliath? (God!)

When Goliath started walking toward David with his shield bearer beside him to protect him from this "dog" of a boy, David ran toward Goliath.

What do you think gave David such courage?

Have you figured out what David's responsibility was and what God's responsibility was? (David's responsibility was to stand up for God. He used the skills God gave him and he trusted God to do the rest. God's responsibility was to win the battle.)

Who do you think the true hero is in this story? (God!)

David knew who made him win against the lions and the bears and who would win against Goliath . . . and it wasn't him! David is a hero for showing up, but God is the hero for winning!

Because God NEVER CHANGES, He's the same today as He was in David's day. He is ready and willing to help anyone who will stand up for His name and honor.

You can have as much courage and confidence as David. You can see God work in amazing ways just like David, Daniel, Shadrack, Meshach, and Abendego. . . and just like Peter and Paul. . . just like Hudson Taylor, Amy Carmichel, Billy Graham, and Bill Bright!

NOTE: The latter four are all people God used in incredible ways for His glory. It could be very encouraging for your kids to read a biography of their lives!

 

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circle with words why it matters

Why does it matter?

Because God Never Changes, He can be the hero in your life story just like He was in David's!

 

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Talk with God and Stay Connected to the Vine!

  • What "giants" are you facing right now?
  • What do you need courage to do?
  • How can you stand up for God's honor?

Talk with God about your answers to these questions. Because He's the same yesterday, today, and forever, thank God that you can be confident that He will help you fight your giants just like He helped David fight his.

 

Action Point

Because God Never Changes, I will ________________________.

(Note: Fill in the blank by sharing a specific action point.)

 

All Bible Times for God Never Changes

Day 1   |   Day 2   |   Day 3   |   Day 4   |   Day 5

 

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