King Of Hearts, Week 3: Calling a Bluff

Q:  Have you ever had to call someone’s bluff?

1 Samuel 17:4-7a (MSG)

1 Samuel 17:9-11 (MSG)

Today’s Core Truth:  When we allow the king of hearts to fight our fear, we can experience true freedom.

⇒ Don’t be surprised when those closest to you become your greatest supporters.

1 Samuel 17:32-33 (MSG)

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”  – “The Man in The Arena” by Teddy Roosevelt

⇒ You have to be who are in order to be who God wants you to be.

1 Samuel 17:38-39 (MSG)

⇒ The enemy’s is typically worse than his bite.

1 Samuel 17:42-44 (MSG)

⇒ When you stand up you may stand , but you’re really not alone.

1 Samuel 17: 45-47 (MSG)

⇒ It’s not really about what’s in your , it’s in who you trust.

1 Samuel 17:48-49 (MSG)

1 Samuel 17:51 (MSG)

Q:  Are there any “giants” God is chipping away in you?

Theme: Beating the Bully

Reflect Together

What impacted you the most from last Sunday’s Message as well as from the King of Hearts Growth guides?

Share Together

When have you had to stand up to a bully?

Read and Discuss Together

1 Samuel 17:1-54

Suggestion: Long passage so select multiple readers

• What was one new thought or detail in reading the familiar story of David and Goliath?
  
• Why did the Israelites feel helpless against Goliath? How was he being intimidating to them? 
  
  
• How can fear be a bully in our lives?
  
  
• What do you think David’s brothers felt when he showed up to battle? What was their response? What was King Saul’s response? Why?
  
  
• David chooses to face Goliath with a slingshot and stones, rather than traditional armor and weapons. What does this choice symbolize? How can it apply to our own lives when confronting challenges?
  
  
• Why do you think David was successful in defeating Goliath?
  
  
• How did this battle prepare him to become a King one day? 
  
  
• Reflect on the concept of the underdog. In what ways do underdogs like David have unique advantages in overcoming fear and adversity? Can you think of real-world examples for yourself or others?
  
  
• Who is the hero of this story? Why is he the hero of ours?
  
  
• What “giants” are you facing right now in life you could use prayer to overcome?
  
  
• What weapons has God given us to fight them? 
  
  

Pray Together 

Take time to share updates on how God is answering prayer and pray for specific needs in your group/family.

Download the Digital Growth Guide and see Spiritual Practices at https://ctk.church/NorthBay/KingOfHearts