In I Samuel 17, David defeats the formidable foe of Goliath and leads Israel to victory over the Philistines. But what happens when the biggest obstacle in our lives lies not outside of us but within? What happens when Goliath is not simply an outside threat but something more close to home? What happens when the biggest threat of our lives is ourselves?

Join us this week as we take a moment to work through the greatest battle of our lives—the war within. Because sometimes the greatest Goliath that we will ever face is not a circumstance or obstacle that lays beyond us. Sometimes the greatest Goliath of our lives is ourselves.

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SEE IT // BE IT

(WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE)

Title: Winning the War Within //

Scripture: I Samuel 18-31

ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes

Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out.

SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes

As we saw last Sunday in I Samuel 17, David defeats the formidable foe of Goliath and leads Israel to victory over the Philistines. But what happens when the biggest obstacle in our lives lies not outside of us but within? Sometimes the greatest Goliath we will ever face is not a circumstance or obstacle that lays beyond us. Sometimes the greatest Goliath of our lives is ourselves.

THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion

The greatest obstacle to God’s best in most of our lives is not that we will live our lives against God, but simply that we will live our lives without God.

SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes

Picture (What is the story saying?): Although Saul’s name means one who inquires of the Lord, what was the main struggle of Saul’s life? How do we see David, whose name means beloved, growing in favor with God and men?

Mirror (Where am I in the story?): Do you see yourself in how Saul was trapped in a box: insecurity, envy, jealousy, and entitlement? Or do you see yourself in how David lived outside the box: strong sense of identity, love, covenant, and sacrifice?

Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): If we’re stuck in the box it will affect our relationships. Do I see this being played out as I interact with those around me?

BE IT – Practice

Change UP // Exercise 15 minutes

We don’t want to be like Saul, who had potential and no power. Be still before the Lord, asking Him to show you how He is reaching out to you with identity, love, covenant, and sacrifice. Receive the truth He’s speaking into your heart.

Change IN // Group Activity 5 minutes On post-it notes, write the truth God spoke to your heart, include anything it leads you to think of like scripture, names of God, a song, etc. Then share these with each other. Take the post-it note home, and put it somewhere you will see it every day. When the enemy tries to put you back in the box, remember the truth God has spoken to you!

Change OUT // Life Application Assignment 5 minutes In following Jesus’ example, reach out to those closest to you this week with a strong sense of identity, love, covenant, and sacrifice. Walk outside the box!

CLOSING PRAYER 5 minutes Take a few minutes to gather any prayer requests and pray for each other to SEE IT and BE IT this week.