The armies of Israel had drawn up a battle line with the Philistines. Day after day Goliath - the 9 foot Philistine champion - came forward to defy the Israelites and challenge them to send a representative to fight him.

1. Why were the Israelites helpless against Goliath? (They were chicken, They didn't have a plan, They were intimidated, They forgot about God's promise to fight their battles) (v24)

2. What was going on between David and his older brother? (Sibling rivalry, David was embarrassing Eliab, Eliab was jealous of David, Eliab misread David's motives) (v28-29)

3. Why did David volunteer to take on Goliath? (To get reward, To marry the king's daughter, To get a tax break, To teach the Philistines a lesson, To prove himself, To vindicate God) (v34-38)

4. Why did David refuse to wear Saul's armor? (He didn't want to hide his good looks, It didn't fit, He wanted to be himself, He wanted to rely on God) (v39-40)

5. David's confidence came from: killing lions and bears, his sling-shot abilities, God's past deliverance, his conviction that God would fight for his people) (v34-38)

6. The way I usually fight "Goliath" is: with sticks and stones, with a sharp tongue, by turning the other cheek, with calm confrontation, with the silent treatment, by calling on the name of God, by hiding)

7. What is the hardest part of the battle? (Trusting the Lord, Courage to advance, Using God's weapons, Battle fatigue, Feeling alone, Facing too many battles at once)

8. What is the most reassuring lesson about this story? (Believers always win, God will fight my battles, God will train me for battle, The greatest enemy is never too big for God)