The Harder They Fall

Theme: Courageous Faith

Scriptures: 1 Samuel 17:1-58

Objectives: (From the D6 Fusion Sunday School Lesson book)

Know: Displaying great faith in God, the young shepherd David fought and killed Goliath, the giant warrior champion of the Philistines.

Think: Live with the assurance that anything is possible with the Lord’s help.

Do: Do everything God leads you to do, confident that He will bring about His will.

Notes and questions:

B1 Goliath, at this time

C1 Birth place—Gath

C2 Nationality—Philistine

C3 Ancestry—Sons of Anak

D1 Numbers 13:33 NKJV “There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.”

D2 Joshua 15:13-14 NRSV  According to the commandment of the LORD to Joshua, he gave to Caleb son of Jephunneh a portion among the people of Judah, Kiriath-arba, that is, Hebron (Arba was the father of Anak).  14  And Caleb drove out from there the three sons of Anak: Sheshai, Ahiman, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak.

C4 Height—

D1 Everything from a little over 6 feet (Wikipedia) to 13 feet

D2 Bible—6 cubits and a span

E1 If cubit is 21 inches, then over 11 feet (~358 cm).

E2 If cubit is 18 inches, then over 9 feet (~297cm).

C5 Weight—

D1 If he was 11.75 feet, then based on the healthy BMI recommendation, his recommended weight is 515.7 lbs - 696.9 lbs lbs (237.1 kgs - 320.4 kgs).

D2 If he was 9.75 feet, then based on the healthy BMI recommendation, his recommended weight is 354.1 lbs - 478.5 lbs (163.2 kgs - 220.5 kgs).

C6 Strength—If he is 580 pounds, then according to the Livestrong article, he can on average

D1 1,143 pounds for the squat

D2 850 pounds for the bench press

D3 1,348 pounds for the deadlift

C7 Armament—

D1 His torso armor, chain of mail, made of bronze weighed about 125 pounds (~57kg).

D2 He also had a bronze helmet and shin guards.

D3 His iron spear point was made of iron and weighed about 15 pounds (~6.8kg).

B2 David

C1 He was a shepherd, the youngest of 8 sons of Jesse of Bethlehem.

C2 He may have been ~17 years old.

C3 God gave him strength to kill a bear and a lion to protect his father’s flock of sheep.

C4 What other characteristics of David can you think of?

B3 Israel

C1 God’s chosen earthly people.

D1 Isaiah 45:4 NKJV  For Jacob My servant's sake, And Israel My elect, I have even called you [Cyrus--ed] by your name; I have named you, though you have not known Me.

D2 Exodus 19:5-6 NKJV  Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine.  6  And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel."

C2 Many blessings are promised and will happen.

D1 Jeremiah 31:37 NKJV  Thus says the LORD: "If heaven above can be measured, And the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel For all that they have done, says the LORD.

D2 Romans 11:26-29 NKJV  And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The deliverer will come out of Zion, and he will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;  27  for this is my covenant with them, when I take away their sins."  28  Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers.  29  For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.

C3 Israel has been and will be punished for disbelief.

D1 Ezekiel 24:13-14 GNB  Jerusalem, your immoral actions have defiled you. Although I tried to purify you, you remained defiled. You will not be pure again until you have felt the full force of my anger.  14  I, the LORD, have spoken. The time has come for me to act. I will not ignore your sins or show pity or be merciful. You will be punished for what you have done." The Sovereign LORD has spoken.

D2 Deuteronomy 28—the list of blessings and cursings that happened because of obedience or disobedience.

C4 The church is

D1 Jesus’s body: Colossians 1:24 NKJV I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church.

D2 Heavenly assembly and church of firstborn: Hebrews 12:23 NKJV To the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect.

B3 Defiance

C1 1 Samuel 17:1-10

C2 1 Samuel 17:10 NKJV And the Philistine said, “I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together.”

C3 Defined (Wordsymth)

• definition 1: resistance against authority; insubordination; rebellion.
• definition 2: contempt or disregard for some danger or opposing force.
• definition 3: a provocation or challenge for combat.

C4 Blasphemy is always in word or deed, injury, dishonor and defiance offered to God, and its penalty is death by stoning; (c) (חרף, ḥāraph) of idolatry as blasphemy against Yahweh (Isa 65:7); (d) (נקב, nāḳabh) “And he that blasphemeth the name of Yahweh, he shall surely be put to death” (Lev 24:11, Lev 24:16); (e) (נאץ, nā'ac) David's sin is an occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme (2Sa 12:14; also Psa 74:10, Psa 74:18; Isa 52:5; compare Eze 35:12; 2Ki 19:3 the King James Version; Isa 37:3). (ISBE on the topic blasphemy).

C5 How serious is blasphemy?

B4 1 Samuel 17:10-17: some background on David

B5 1 Samuel 17:18-23: how David got to the battlefield, then heard Goliath’s challenge

B6 1 Samuel 17:24-31,

C1 1 Samuel 17:26 NKJV  Then David spoke to the men who stood by him, saying, "What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?"

C2 Why did David become angry?

C3 What characteristics does David show?

C4 Why did Eliab, David’s older brother, become angry with David?

B7 1 Samuel 17:32-39,

C1 Why did King Saul believe David’s story about the bear and lion?

C2 Why did David refuse the King’s armor?

C3 What can Christians learn from this? Why do things happen in our lives before God calls us to a ministry?

B8 1 Samuel 17:40-47,

C1 Goliath and David address each other before the battle. What is the differences between the two?

C2 What was David’s purpose, what he wanted to show the Philistines? (See 1 Samuel 17:46-47).

C3 What is our purpose for doing something?

C4 Faith,

D1 What is faith?

D2 Why does God require faith?

D3 Why do we need God to initiate salvation freeing us to trust in Jesus Christ?

D4 Can any person seek God on their own? (Romans 3:9-18, which is a quote from Psalm 53:1-3).

D5 Why do we need to know God by faith?

E1 Hebrews 11:6 NKJV  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

E2 Numbers 14:11 NKJV  Then the LORD said to Moses: "How long will these people reject Me? And how long will they not believe Me, with all the signs which I have performed among them?

E3 Psalms 78:21-22 NKJV  Therefore the LORD heard this and was furious; So a fire was kindled against Jacob, And anger also came up against Israel,  22  Because they did not believe in God, And did not trust in His salvation. This Psalm speaks of the greatness of God, His help, His guidance, His care and compassion, yet they did not believe. They are fools, just like Psalm 53:1 states, “Psalms 53:1 NKJV  To the Chief Musician. Set to "Mahalath." A Contemplation of David. The fool has said in his heart,"There is no God." They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity; There is none who does good.

D6 What was David showing to Israel and the Philistines? (Faith).

D7 How do trials affect faith?

D8 How did the bear and lion attacks on David and his sheep help prepare David?

D9 Does one have to be in their 60’s or 70’s before they can show great faith?

B9 1 Samuel 17:48-51,

C1 Why did David run quickly towards Goliath?

C2 What attitudes is David showing?

C3 Why did David cut Goliath’s head off?

B10 1 Samuel 17:52-58,

C1 Why didn’t King Saul and Abner recognize David?

D1 Note the words in verse 55: 1 Samuel 17:55 LITV  And when Saul saw David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, the army commander, Whose son is this youth, Abner? And Abner said, As your soul lives, O king, I do not know.

D2 Perhaps with all the actions and brief encounter with David before going out, they did not recognize him.

D3 A suggestion given by Jamieson-Faussett-Brown commentary is that when David was the King’s musician he was too young to have a beard or much of one, but now, older, he does.

D4 King Saul may have known who David is but not whom his father was. King Saul needed this information to keep his promise to the victor. 1 Samuel 17:25 NRSV  The Israelites said, "Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel. The king will greatly enrich the man who kills him, and will give him his daughter and make his family free in Israel.

C2 Matthew Henry points out:

D1 The Philistines relied on Goliath; Goliath relied on himself.

D2 David relied on God.

D3 Pride precedes a fall.

B11 Other questions

C1 What hinders faith?

C2 What stops us from doing God’s will?

B12 Next week:

C1 Seeking to please him

C2 Theme: A heart for God

C3 Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:1-15 and 2 Samuel 7:1-29

Bad Decisions and Consequences

Theme: The Importance of Obedience

Scriptures: 1 Samuel 13:1-23

Objectives: (From the D6 Fusion Sunday School Lesson book)

Know: King Saul impatiently offered a burnt offering to God, breaking the command of the Lord.

Think: Have the mindset that obedience is always the best choice.

Do: Commit to obey the Lord in every area of life, no matter the circumstances.

Notes and questions:

B1 Background: Israel was having problems with the Philistines. The Philistines were lording it over Israel and stealing from them. There was a garrison of soldiers at Gibeah.

C1 1 Samuel 7:7 NRSV  When the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it they were afraid of the Philistines.

C2 1 Samuel 13:3-4 NRSV  Jonathan defeated the garrison of the Philistines that was at Geba; and the Philistines heard of it. And Saul blew the trumpet throughout all the land, saying, "Let the Hebrews hear!"  4  When all Israel heard that Saul had defeated the garrison of the Philistines, and also that Israel had become odious to the Philistines, the people were called out to join Saul at Gilgal.

C3 The actions of Jonathan infuriated the Philistines, who gathered their soldiers to fight Israel. 1 Samuel 13:5 GW  The Philistines assembled to fight against Israel. They had 30,000 chariots, 6,000 horsemen, and as many soldiers as the sand on the seashore. They camped at Michmash, east of Beth Aven.

C4 The Hebrews were terrified and most ran and hid. 1 Samuel 13:6-7 GW  When the Israelites saw they were in trouble because the army was hard-pressed, they hid in caves, in thorny thickets, among rocks, in pits, and in cisterns.  7  Some Hebrews crossed the Jordan River into the territory of Gad and Gilead. But Saul remained in Gilgal, and all the people who followed him trembled in fear.

B2 Obedience-disobedience

C1 Defined

D1 What is the difference? Give an example.

D2 When is disobedience required for the Christian?

D3 When is obedience required for the Christian?

D4 What or who makes the difference?

C2 What is the difference between obedience and disobedience in the following?

D1 Romans 5:19 NKJV  For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous.

D2 John 14:15 NKJV  If you love Me, keep My commandments.

D3 1 John 3:4-7 WEL  Everyone doing sin also is doing lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. 5 And you are aware that he appeared to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. 6 Everyone remaining in him does not keep on sinning. Everyone who keeps on sinning has not seen or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you; he who is doing what is right is righteous just as he is righteous.

C3 What did the Apostles do differently than Saul?

D1 1 Samuel 15:23 NKJV  For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He also has rejected you from being king.

D2 Acts 4:18-19 GNB  So they called them back in and told them that under no condition were they to speak or to teach in the name of Jesus.  19  But Peter and John answered them, "You yourselves judge which is right in God's sight—to obey you or to obey God?”

B3 1 Samuel 13:8-9,

C1 Seven days: 1 Samuel 10:8 NKJV  You shall go down before me to Gilgal; and surely I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and make sacrifices of peace offerings. Seven days you shall wait, till I come to you and show you what you should do.

C2 Did King Saul not understand what Samuel say?

B4 1 Samuel 13:10-12,

C1 Why did King Saul not wait? Was his excuse acceptable?

C2 What does waiting have to do with obedience to God? How does impatience cause difficulties in our lives?

C3 When King Saul states, “You did not come within the days appointed,” what is Saul doing? (He is making excuses).

D1 By making excuses, Saul was NOT facing reality. He was NOT acknowledging the truth. The truth was that he was to wait.

D2 How do making choices affect our Christian life?

D3 Choices have consequences.

D4 We use a compass to help us with directions. How can you apply this to Saul’s situation?

B5 1 Samuel 13:13-14,

C1 What can we learn and apply to our life when Samuel tells King Saul, “You have done foolishly?”

C2 When are we to rebuke someone? What standard are we to use?

C3 How does this verse apply to King Saul’s actions: Proverbs 12:15 NKJV  The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise? How does it apply to us?

C4 Have you ever made a foolish decision? How did it turn out? (You don’t have to response, just think about it). How would you advise another person facing the same situation?

C5 What did King Saul lose? Was there any repentance? Could this judgment be reversed?

C6 Do Christians today lose blessings like King Saul did?

C7 Can you think of examples of Christians forfeiting God’s blessings?

C8 Now God is going to seek a man after his own heart, that is, loyal. Samuel is referring to David, whom he has not met—yet. What is the difference between King Saul and King David? A few translations render this: 1 Samuel 13:14 NET But now your kingdom will not continue! The LORD has sought out for himself a man who is loyal to him and the LORD has appointed him to be leader over his people, for you have not obeyed what the LORD commanded you.

B6 1 Samuel 13:15-18,

C1 The Philistines are trying to surround King Saul and his small army of 600.

C2 Before King Saul sinned, he had 2,000 soldiers, and General Jonathan, his son, had 1,000.

B7 1 Samuel 13:19-21,

C1 Why did the Israelites have so few swords and no blacksmith? (The Philistines had oppressed Israel to the extent that there was so little).

C2 What were the reasons the Philistines did not allow blacksmiths in Israel?

B8 1 Samuel 13:22-23,

C1 Does the situation look bleak?

C2 What are we to do when our life, as a Christian, looks bleak?

C3 How do we have hope in a hopeless world?

C4 How do we have hope when we have sinned?

B9 Hope

C1 Psalms 42:5 GNB  Why am I so sad? Why am I so troubled? I will put my hope in God, and once again I will praise him, my savior and my God.

C2 Psalms 119:114 NKJV  You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.

C3 Titus 2:13 NKJV  Looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.

B10 Next week:

C1 The Harder They Fall

C2 Theme: Courageous Faith

C3 Scriptures: 1 Samuel 17:1-58

Christian Doctrine: The Trinity

Doctrine: Trinity

B2 Theology proper

C1 Trinity

D1 One God = essence

E1 Essence is the stuff God is made of. God is a spirit, not flesh.

E2 Essence is explained by the example of water in a pitcher poured in separate glasses or the 3 petal leaf of a clover.

D2 Persons

E1 God the Father

E2 God the Son (See Jesus Christ below)

E3 God the Holy Spirit (See Holy Spirit below)

D3 Relationships

E1 God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit have one essence. It is the nature of what a being is. God’s nature is not human nature, or dog nature, or sparrow nature. God has one nature. God is life, aseity, self-existence. God is not created by another being or created by Himself.

E2 The same have the fullness of God. Each is fully God. One person is not lacking or inferior to another. They have both equality and unity.

E3 Each person of the one God has roles. These rolls are Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The role of the Father is He is not begotten or proceeds from anyone. The role of the Son is He is eternally begotten of the Father. This does not mean that the Son had a beginning, for it refers to a role the Son fulfills. The Holy Spirit eternally proceeds (is sent) from the Father and the Son. This does not mean that He is less God. He is fully God. It describes His role in the Trinity.

E4 Each person is equally authoritative and equally supreme. The Son is not in eternal subordination to the Father. The Son has equal authority and supremacy. The word begotten refers to His taking humanity in the womb of the Virgin from the power of the Holy Spirit. Yet, the Son has always been God. It refers to His role, not His origin. He is unique, the one and only (Genesis 22:2, 12, 16, John 3:16). The term firstborn refers to His position of authority, not referring that He came into being (Exodus 4:22, Jeremiah 31:9, Colossians 1:18 (pre-eminence), Hebrews 1:6, Psalm 89:27).

D4 Decrees

E1 This refers to His sovereign commands, decisions, and judgments.

E2 There is a difference how Calvinists and Arminians define and apply this term. You can search for decrees in the Westminster Confession and Monergism website. You can also search the Arminian view on the Society of Evangelical Arminians.

D5 Errors

E1 Tri-theism

F1 This is the idea that there are 3 gods who work with each other.

F2 The truth is there are 3 persons in one god.

F3 John 14:7-9 NKJV  "If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him."  (8)  Philip said to Him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us."  (9)  Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, 'Show us the Father'?

F4 John 10:30 NKJV  I and My Father are one."

F5 Isaiah 45:18 NKJV  For thus says the LORD, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: "I am the LORD, and there is no other.

F6 Deuteronomy 6:4 NKJV  "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!

F7 If there were more than one god, there would no unity.

F8 There would be 3 totally sovereign gods with all the same attributes.

F9 If they disagreed, there would be no unity, for who would win?

F10 One God is in His essence. The 3 persons are roles that one essence has chosen.

E2 Sabellianism (Modalism, Oneness theology)

F1 There is only one god. This one god takes the office of Father sometimes, Son sometimes, and Holy Spirit sometimes.

F2 Matthew 3:16-17 NKJV  When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him.  (17)  And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." How could this be, if Modalism were true? Whose voice was this?

F3 Matthew 28:19 NKJV  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

F4 John 8:18 NKJV  I am One who bears witness of Myself, and the Father who sent Me bears witness of Me." Jesus refers to two witnesses—himself and the Father. He also states that the Father sent Him. It would make no sense for Jesus to refer to being sent by the Father, when it is really him.

F5 1 John 4:14 NKJV  And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. The same comments in F4 apply here.

F6 John 11:41-42 NKJV  Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.  (42)  And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me." Who is Jesus praying to?

F7 (Matthew 26:42 (NKJV) Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” Compare: (Hebrews 5:7 (NKJV) Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear. Who is Jesus praying to?

F8 John 14:16-17 NKJV  And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—  (17)  the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. Who is this other comforter given while Jesus is gone?

E3 Arianism

F1 Jesus is the first created and is god. Some believe that Jesus was begotten but not of the same substance. The Father was unbegotten, the Son begotten. They claim 1 Corinthians 8:5-6 as proof.

F2 He is not equal or of the same substance (essence) as the Father. He does not have the same nature as the Father.

F3 He is god by designation. He is god by title.

F4 He is subordinate to the Father.

F5 John 20:28 NKJV  And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus is called God, and Jesus made no correction.

F6 (John 5:23 (NKJV) “That all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Same honor, not similar or less honor.

F7 John 1:1 NKJV  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

G1 The Jehovah Witnesses translate this as a god. This makes them have more than one god—polytheists.

G2 Greek rule of translation: Metzger writes, “A definite predicate nominative has the article when it follows the verb; it does not have the article when it precedes the verb.” (Bruce M. Metzger, “The Jehovah’s Witnesses and Jesus Christ: A Biblical and Theological Appraisal,” Theology Today (April, 1953): 71). Link

F8 Colossians 1:15-17. God cannot be created. The verse clearly refers to Jesus being Lord of creation—the first, the greatest, the only.

F9 John 14:28 NKJV  You have heard Me say to you, 'I am going away and coming back to you.' If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, 'I am going to the Father,' for My Father is greater than I. The word greater refers to role, not nature.

G1 Jehovah Witnesses teach that Jesus does not have the same nature or authority as God.

G2 There is only one God, not two. See Isaiah 48:15, John 5:18, and Hebrews 1.