Read 1 Samuel 17:45-47.

1. Each week throughout this sermon series there will be a new question. Today’s question is:“Am I playing offense or defense?” What does this mean to you regarding your faith?

2. Two different sports analogies were used in this week’s study:(1) prevent defense and (2) pulling the goalie (offense). What makes these strategies so different?

3. What happens when a church uses a prevent defense strategy? How common do you think this is?

4. What does a church on offense look like? How common do you think this is?

5. Were the Israelites playing offense or defense when Goliath was challenging and taunting them? What changed when David arrived?

6. Why do you think David was so much more confident than the Israelite soldiers? How did he see the situation differently than the soldiers?

7. How did David “flip the script” regarding the way he engaged Goliath in battle? What lessons can we learn from this regarding sharing our faith? (Hint:think about gifts)

8. What is the significance of David using Goliath’s own sword to behead him? How is this consistent with the cross? What might this mean for us in our daily battles?

9. Do you agree that the Church needs a greater sense of urgency in playing offense rather than employing a prevent defense strategy? Why or why not?

10. Are you willing to join in our “pulling the goalie” campaign and use the tools passed out today to be much more invitational? If not, why? What other tools would be useful?

Prayer for the Week:
Gracious God. Thank you for putting unique gifts inside each and every one of us. Help us to live with a sense of urgency and use these gifts to share the Good News of Jesus with the world. Thank you for reminding us that we never fight our battles alone, because you are with us. You never leave us or forsake us. Give us the faith, the courage and the confidence to follow you wherever you lead us. We love you and we want to serve you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.