MAIN POINT:

Your faith is contagious. When you live by faith you enable everyone around you to live by faith.

ICEBREAKER:

What is the most rewarding thing about your vocation? What is the most frustrating?

INTRODUCTION:

Fans of Saturday Night Live have undoubtedly been influenced by non-licensed therapist Stuart Smalley. Stuart always had a word of encouragement for himself and others, including his famous “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me.” Unfortunately, most of us live lives that are the polar opposite of Stuart. We tend to believe the worst about ourselves and because of our insecurities we bring negativity to everyone around us. Thankfully, through faith there is a better way. Just like God used David’s faith to inspire others, God wants to use you to increase the faith of those around you.

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/150494855[/vimeo]

ENCOUNTERING GOD THROUGH BIBLE STUDY:

 

Stop making ________________ for why you can’t

 

Read 1 Samuel 17:4-11

1. Pastor Chris said, “If you accept excuses, you will never excel.” What do you think of that statement?
2. Has accepting excuses ever kept your from excelling?
3. What excuses do you think the Israelites made about why they couldn’t defeat Goliath? Can you blame them?!
4. At your workplace do you energize those around you through positivity or discourage your team with negativity?
5. What excuses have you accepted for why God isn’t going to help you overcome whatever challenges you face this year?

 

Start taking the lead in working __________________

 

Read 1 Samuel 17:37 and 17:44-47

6. Why do you think David had so much faith that God would give him victory over Goliath?
7. What do you think everyone around David thought as he approached the battlefield?
8. Pastor Chris said, “God picked at guy who couldn’t win so that God would get all the glory and the credit.” Why do you think God chooses the weak things of this world to shame the strong (1 Cor. 1:27)?
9. What are you currently facing that seems insurmountable?
10. Do you believe by faith that God wants to do incredible things through you so that He will be glorified?

 

___________ others on as they walk by faith

 

Read 1 Chronicles 20:4-8 and Colossians 3:23-24

11. How did David’s faith spur others on to victory?
12. If everyone around you had your attitude, how would your workplace change?
13. At work who are you trying to please, your boss or God? How might things look different if you focused on working unto the Lord?
14. How can you begin to set the temperature by faith in your workplace?

 

Close out your time together by asking God to glorify Himself through each of you this week.

 

LEADER NOTES

3. Goliath was a giant! Not only was he physically bigger than all the Israelites, but also his incredible strength allowed him to use bigger and better weapons. Goliath was a trained warrior while most of the Israelites were farmers and merchants who joined together for battle. Everything from a natural standpoint pointed to Goliath being the victor in any one on one matchup.

4. David’s faith was bolstered by what God had done in the past. God had given him victories over a lion and bear when they threatened David’s flock of sheep. Surely God would protect the flock of Israel if David had faith. David’s faith was also strengthened because he knew his God was greater than anything he could face. Goliath may have had the physical advantage, but David understood the spiritual realities of the situation he was in.

8. God uses the foolish and weak things of this world so there isn’t any doubt that God deserves the glory. When we accomplish something unremarkable it is easy to believe we did it on our own. Not only do we fail to recognize God’s hand in what we have done, but others also miss that God is at work. God wants to do incredible things through “normal” means so that people will see how great God is and turn to Christ. God doesn’t seek this glory for any selfish reasons, but instead because God wants what is best for everyone, namely to see that true fulfillment comes only through a relationship with Jesus Christ.