SESSION 5

576

5WALKING TALL...TALKING TALL

77

We are in the fifth session of learning how to walk in God confidence. This week, we are going to focus on walking and talking tall! A key element of God confidence is learning to speak what we believe. Jesus taught us this in Mark 11:23-24 when He said, “If anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore, I tell you,

whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

David is a perfect example from the Bible of someone whose words matched his thoughts and actions. While visiting his brothers on the battlefield, David witnessed Goliath defying God. While everyone else saw a giant, David saw a mortal that he knew God would help him defeat and said, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him…The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” (I Samuel 17:32, 37). What a difference godly perspective can make! As you work through today’s study, take a tip from David and align your spoken words with God’s unique plan for your life.

WELCOMEBACK TOWALKINGTALL!

INTRODUCTION

Relying on God has to start all over every day, as if nothing has yet been done. — C. S. Lewis

• View Leader Lifter training video “Gather More Friends” (5 minutes)• Preview the study guide and Walking Tall: Session Five video lesson

(20 minutes)

2 MINUTES

L

LEA

DER

NO

TES

78

79

CATCHING UP 25 MINUTES

1 If you were going to compose a hit song about your life, what would some of the lyrics say?

2 How much have your beliefs influenced the lyrics of the song?

3 WHAT’S HAPPENED? Take a few minutes right now and talk about what has happened in this group over the past few weeks. What are some realizations or insights you’ve gained already by doing this study? What has happened with the relationships in this group? What are the things you can celebrate?

4 WHAT’S NEXT? It would be a shame to have all the momentum in your group come to a stop. Take a few minutes now to discuss what your group’s plan will be going forward. Is there another study God might be leading you to or could your group plan to celebrate all God has done during this study? Don’t let this time come to an end without considering how you might support each other in the future as you “walk tall.”

80

PRAYER & WORSHIP

We know God is listening right now because we know His Word (John 10:27). Choose someone to read the prayer out loud before worshipping as a group.

Jesus, thank you that you have been with us on this journey. You have broughtsome amazing insights to us through Pastor Cal and this group. Please help us to know your plan for us. Give us your clear direction. Please prepare our hearts and minds as we learn more about your Word. Increase our faith as we grow and experience more of your presence in our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Let’s show God that we love Him by worshipping together. Play a worship song or video.

81

PRESS PLAY

WATCH VIDEO LESSON: SESSION FIVE

View the teaching video for this session now. We have provided notes space below. Record any key thoughts, questions, and things you want to remember or follow up on. After watching the video, be sure to take turns asking and discussing the questions provided in this study guide.

20 MINUTES

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES

II Corinthians 4:13 • Mark 11:23–24 • Daniel 3:17–18 • Judges 7:15 • II Kings 6:15–16 • I Samuel 17:45 • Philippians 4:13, 19 • James 1:5 • Hebrews 13:5 • II Timothy 1:7 • Romans 8:28, 31, 37

82

1 Does it make sense that you should speak what you believe? Explain. Are there times where you don’t? If so, is it possible that there is unbelief?

2 Pastor Cal refers to several people in the Bible (Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, Gideon, Elisha, David) who represented God in situations that looked hopeless to the human eye. Does hearing about these characters from the Bible alter your desire to follow God in uncertain situations in your life? Explain.

3 These biblical men spoke out loud what they believed. How do you think that affected them, the situation, and the people around them?

DIG DEEPER 18 MINUTES

83

1 Think about a situation that seems uncertain or hopeless in your life. Look at the list below for the next minute. Which of these statements describe how you might speak about that situation in a time of weakness? Look up the verse next to it. How could you “talk tall” using scripture? Write a “talking tall” statement using the scripture below as a guide.

How are my needs going to be met? (Philippians 4:19)

There’s no way I can do this. (Philippians 4:13)

I cannot figure this one out. (James 1:5)

Where is God in all of this? (Hebrews 13:5)

It feels like the whole world is against me. (Romans 8:31)

I’m afraid. I’m not sure I can move forward. (II Timothy 1:7)

I don’t know if even God can fix this one. (Romans 8:28)

I feel like I’m not strong enough to fight any more. (Romans 8:37)

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

TAKE ACTION 25 MINUTES

84

2 Share that hopeless or uncertain situation in your life and which statement(s) you related to.

3 With your prayer partner, speak out loud your “talking tall” statement(s) into your situation! (e.g. Romans 8:28 — I know in all things God works for the good of my daughter, Elizabeth.) Pray with your partner as you feel led.

85

LISTENING FOR GOD

Before we pray together, let’s pause for silent reflection and listening. Get quiet for just one minute, close your eyes, and clear your mind. Ask God, “What do you want to say to me today? I’m listening.” Write down any thoughts, impressions, pictures, or feelings you might have. If you want to share what you received with the group, feel free!

PRAY TOGETHER

Jesus, thank you for providing a way for me to be in a close relationship with you and with this group of people. You are a great provider and I can trust you. Thank you for showing me ways I can honor you in the way I speak. Help me to be like David and speak out your truths even when I face giant problems in my life. Help me to study your Word so I can know your truth and proclaim it for others around me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Some of the group members may have personal prayer requests that they want to share. Allow each person one minute to share a personal prayer request. As the group members share, write down their requests in your study guide on the Prayer and Praise Report (page 118) or have one person write them and share with a group text or email.

L

LEA

DER

NO

TES

86

WHAT’SNEXT?

Take what you’ve learned and spend some time putting it into practice. Choose one or more of the following activities to further your spiritual growth and connect with your group in a richer way. Don’t feel you have to complete all of these. Decide what you can commit to and get started.

• Reflect Daily. Commit to a daily connection with God and His Word. See Daily

Reflections on the next few pages and the F.E.A.S.T. study method in the Appen-dices. (pages 122–123)

• Practice again. This week, “talk tall” over a situation in someone else’s life to encourage them. Use the Scripture provided in this session or other Scripture of your choice.

• Pray for each other this week. Pray for your Prayer Partner and your group. As often as you pray to God be sure to include their prayer requests.

• Renew your mind. God knows that we cannot remember His Word without being reminded of it often. Go to page 126 and give memorizing Scripture a try.

• Take personal notes during the weekend service. Note taking helps us to actively engage our minds while we’re listening. Share the highlights at your next group meeting.

87

CHARACTERSKETCH

David

David, more than anything else, had an unchangeable belief in the faithful and forgiving nature of God. He was a man who lived with great zeal. He sinned many times but was quick to confess his sins. He never took God’s forgiveness lightly or His blessings for granted.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUNDDavid lived from 1040–970 B.C. He was the youngest of eight sons of Jesse of the tribe of Judah. He was the second King of Israel.

STRENGTHS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS• A man described by God as “A man after His own heart”• Ancestor of Jesus• Took down the giant Goliath with a sling and stone in his youth• Led the nation of Israel to prominence like it had never known before

LIFE LESSONS• Forgiveness does not remove the consequences of sin• Willingness to honestly admit our mistakes is the first step to

dealing with them• God desires our complete trust and worship

OCCUPATIONShepherd, warrior, king

88

KEY VERSESovereign Lord, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, Sovereign Lord, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever.2 Samuel 7:28-29

89

DAILYREFLECTIONS

FFOCUSOPEN IN PRAYER. WHILE READING THIS PASSAGE, FOCUS YOUR HEART ON GOD.

DAY 1I SAMUEL 17:4–16

DAY 2I SAMUEL 17:17–27

DAY 3I SAMUEL 17:28–37

DAY 4I SAMUEL 17:38–47

DAY 5I SAMUEL 17:48–58

DAY 6USE THIS SPACE TO SUMMARIZE THE THOUGHTS GOD HAS PUT ON YOUR

HEART DURING YOUR STUDY OF DAVID.

EENGAGESUMMARIZE THE SCRIPTURES AS YOU READ.

90