David and Goliath

1. We Are Not David

• David is God’s anointed representative (1 Sam. 16:13)
• He points to Christ, the true King
• Israel is saved by one man’s victory, not their effort
• The story is about God’s deliverance, not self-empowerment

“The battle is the Lord’s.” — 1 Sam. 17:47

2. Goliath Is Not Our Giant

• Goliath represents defiance against God
• The real enemy is sin, fear, and separation from God
• Our struggle is spiritual, not merely personal (Eph. 6:12)

3. What Giants Do We Face Today

• Fear and anxiety
• Shame and guilt
• Addiction and bondage
• Pride and self-reliance
• Doubt and unbelief

“Some trust in chariots… but we trust in the name of the Lord.” — Ps. 20:7

4. Who Are We Talking To?

• Israel listened to Goliath for 40 days
• David listened to God
• Faith magnifies God, not the problem

“If God is for us, who can be against us?” — Rom. 8:31

5. Jesus Is the Greater David

• David foreshadows Christ
• Jesus fights on our behalf
• The cross is the ultimate victory
• We live from victory, not for victory

Colossians 2:15

6. Challenge Questions

Believers:

• What voices shape your faith?
• Are you fighting battles God already won?

Non-Believers:

• What are you trusting to save you?
• What if Jesus is your only true victory?

7. Reflection

• What “giant” feels biggest right now?
• Where is God inviting trust over fear?

8. Encouragement

• God is present and powerful
• Victory belongs to the Lord
• Walk forward in faith, not fear

• Judas walked with Jesus
  • He heard Jesus teach and saw miracles firsthand (Luke 9:1–6).
  • Proximity to Jesus does not equal transformation (John 6:70).
• Expectation led to betrayal
  • Judas expected a Messiah who fit his agenda.
  • When Jesus didn’t meet his expectations, disappointment turned into betrayal (John 6:66).
• Belief is not the same as faith
  • Even demons believe who Jesus is (James 2:19).
  • True faith involves obedience and surrender (Matthew 7:21).
• A divided heart is dangerous
  • Judas loved money and self-interest (John 12:6).
  • What we treasure most reveals our true loyalty (Matthew 6:21).
• Betrayal often begins inwardly
  • Judas’ betrayal started in the heart before it showed in actions (Luke 22:3–4).
• Heart-check for believers
  • Do I obey Jesus only when it aligns with my opinions?
  • Am I willing to let Scripture correct me?
• Challenge for unbelievers
  • Am I rejecting Jesus because He doesn’t fit my expectations?
  • Am I willing to surrender control to Him?
• Reflection & encouragement
  • Failure does not disqualify—refusal to repent does (Luke 22:62; John 21:15–17).
  • Jesus still calls us to follow Him wholeheartedly (Hebrews 3:15).

Teaching Notes: “Who Do You Say That I Am?”

Primary Text

• Matthew 16:13–17

“But who do you say that I am?” — Jesus

I. The Central Question of Life

A. Jesus Shifts from Public Opinion to Personal Conviction

• Matthew 16:13 – “Who do men say that I am?”
• Matthew 16:15 – “But who do YOU say that I am?”
• Faith cannot be inherited, borrowed, or avoided.

Key Point

• Every person must personally answer Jesus.
• Silence is still an answer

Reflection Questions

• Whose opinion has shaped your view of Jesus?
• Have you personally answered this question?

II. Peter’s Confession: The Right Answer

A. Jesus Is the Christ

• Matthew 16:16 – “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
• “Christ” = Messiah, God’s anointed Savior.

B. Revelation, Not Reasoning

• Matthew 16:17 – Revealed by the Father, not human wisdom.
• Saving faith comes through divine revelation.

Supporting Scriptures

• John 1:41
• 1 Timothy 2:5
• Acts 4:12

Key Point

• Jesus is not one option among many—He is the only Savior.

III. Who Jesus Reveals Himself to Be

A. God in the Flesh

• John 1:1, 14
• Colossians 2:9
• John 14:9

B. The Only Way to God

John 14:6

• John 10:9
• Romans 5:1

Key Point

• Rejecting Jesus is rejecting God’s only provision for salvation.

IV. The Urgency of the Question

A. Eternity Is Real

• Hebrews 9:27 – Death and judgment
• Matthew 25:46 – Eternal life or eternal punishment

B. Life Is Short

• James 4:14
• Psalm 90:12

Key Point

• Delayed decision is still a decision.

Reflection Question

• If today were your last day, are you certain where you would spend eternity?

V. The Gamble of Rejecting Christ

A. What Are You Risking?

• Mark 8:36 – Gaining the world, losing the soul
• Luke 12:20 – Foolish to store earthly riches only

B. False Foundations

• Good works (Isaiah 64:6)
• Morality without Christ
• Religion without relationship

Key Point

• Eternity is too high a price to gamble on uncertainty.

Key Point

• God’s patience is mercy, not permission.

A. Confession vs. Lifestyle

• Luke 6:46 – Saying “Lord” without obedience
• Matthew 7:21

B. True Discipleship

• Luke 9:23 – Deny self, take up cross, follow
• James 2:17 – Faith without works is dead

Reflection Questions

• Does your life reflect who you say Jesus is?
• Is Jesus Savior only—or Lord?

A. God’s Love and Invitation

John 3:16

• Romans 5:8

B. How to Respond

• Romans 10:9–10
• Ephesians 2:8–9

1. The Issue: Depending on People Instead of God

• Many believers live sermon to sermon instead of presence to presence
• Preachers are vessels, not the source
• Spiritual dryness comes when we replace intimacy with dependency

Key Scriptures

• Jeremiah 17:5 – Trusting in man brings weakness
• 1 Corinthians 3:5–7 – God gives the growth
• Psalm 146:3 – Do not put trust in princes (people)

Key Statement

A preacher can pour into you, but they cannot sustain you.

2. Jesus Identifies the True Thirst

• Everyone is thirsty for meaning, peace, and life
• Temporary sources always require another visit

Key Scripture

• John 4:13–14 – Earthly water vs. living water

Truth

If it cannot satisfy forever, it was never meant to.

3. The Invitation: Come to the Source

• Jesus calls people directly to Himself
• Relationship over religion
• Access is personal, daily, and available

Key Scriptures

• John 7:37 – “Come to Me and drink”
• Psalm 36:9 – God is the fountain of life
• Isaiah 55:1 – Invitation to the thirsty

4. The Danger of Broken Cisterns

• Cisterns = man-made systems to replace God
• Examples:
  • Sermons without prayer
  • Church attendance without devotion
  • Christian activity without intimacy

Key Scripture

• Jeremiah 2:13 – Broken cisterns that hold no water

Warning

Anything you depend on more than God will eventually fail you.

5. Growth Requires Personal Hunger

• God never intended believers to remain dependent
• Maturity requires personal pursuit

Key Scriptures

• Matthew 5:6 – Hunger leads to filling
• 1 Peter 2:2 – Crave spiritual milk
• Hebrews 5:12 – Danger of staying immature

6. Questions to Challenge Believers

• Would my faith survive without sermons?
• Do I seek God daily or weekly?
• Am I growing or just being inspired?
• Is my walk private or only public?

7. Questions to Challenge Unbelievers

• What have I been depending on for fulfillment?
• Why do I keep returning to empty wells?
• Could my thirst be pointing me to God?
• What if Jesus truly satisfies?

Key Scripture

• Isaiah 55:2 – Laboring for what doesn’t satisfy

8. The Call: From Dependency to Intimacy

• God desires direct relationship
• Preachers point the way—they are not the way

Key Scriptures

• Jeremiah 29:13 – Seeking God wholeheartedly
• John 15:4 – Abide in Christ

Key Statement

You don’t need another cup—you need the fountain.

9. Closing Reflection

What wells am I drinking from?

• Where has my dependence shifted?
• Am I living on yesterday’s water?

Key Scripture

• Matthew 5:6 – Those who hunger will be filled

10. Encouragement

• The source is still available
• The invitation is still open
• The water is still flowing

Key Scriptures

• Isaiah 55:1 – Come to the waters
• John 7:38 – Rivers of living water will flow

Final Truth

When you drink from the Source, you don’t just get filled—you become a well for others.

1. The Corrupted Life (vv. 12–15)

• Crooked speech reveals a crooked heart
• Sin is intentional, not accidental
• Sowing discord destroys relationships
• Sin leads to sudden consequences
• God warns because He loves and wants to save

2. Seven Things the Lord Hates (vv. 16–19)

• Proud eyes → self-exaltation
• Lying tongue → broken trust
• Hands that shed innocent blood → violence/injustice
• Wicked plans → sin formed in the heart
• Feet rushing into evil → eagerness for sin
• False witness → corrupted truth
• Sowing discord → division among people

God hates these because He loves what they destroy: truth, peace, unity, life.

3. God’s Mercy and Grace

• Mercy: God withholds deserved judgment
• Grace: God offers forgiveness and power to change
• Warnings are an act of mercy
• Through Christ, every sin can be forgiven

4. Turning from Sin

• Repentance = change of direction
• Grace empowers transformation
• God makes crooked paths straight

5. Heart-Challenging Questions

Believers:

• Am I tolerating what God hates?
• Do I bring peace or division?

Unbelievers:

• If sin destroys, why not turn to the Savior?
• What keeps me from surrendering to God?

Final Truth & Encouragement

• God hates sin but loves people
• No one is beyond grace
• God restores, transforms, and gives new life
• “He who calls you is faithful.” (1 Thess. 5:24)

1. Scripture Foundation

1 Timothy 5:8 (NKJV)

“But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

Key Idea:

Biblical faith is demonstrated first in how we care for our household.

2. Context Overview

• Paul is instructing Timothy on church order and caring for widows.
• “Provide” includes emotional, spiritual, relational, and practical care, not just financial.
• The issue is neglect, not inability.

3. Breakdown of the Verse

A. “If anyone…”

• Applies to all believers—men, women, families.

B. “Does not provide…”

• Means intentional neglect, not unavoidable hardship.
• Love is demonstrated through responsibility.

C. “His own… especially his household”

• Home is the believer’s first ministry.
• Godly leadership begins in private, not public.

D. “Has denied the faith”

• Neglect contradicts everything Christ teaches about love and sacrifice.

E. “Worse than an unbeliever”

• Even unbelievers recognize familial responsibility.
• A believer who rejects this lives beneath basic human morality.

4. Key Teaching Points

• Faith without responsibility is an empty confession.
• Providing includes guidance, presence, support, and protection.
• Our homes reveal our true character more than our public ministry.

5. Challenging Questions for Believers

1. Am I spiritually leading my home—prayer, Scripture, godly example?
2. Do I meet the emotional needs of my family?
3. Am I consistent at home, or only spiritual in public?
4. Do I use work or ministry as an excuse to avoid responsibilities?
5. What would my family say about my love and leadership?

6. Challenging Questions for Unbelievers

1. What legacy are you leaving inside your home?
2. Are your relationships marked by love or neglect?
3. What standard of morality guides your decisions?
4. How might your home change if God rebuilt your priorities?
5. Are you living up to the version of “good” you expect from others?

7. Encouragement & Hope

A. God Restores

• Failures do not disqualify you—God rebuilds broken homes and hearts.

B. Start Small

• One apology.
• One act of love.
• One step toward responsibility.

He gives:

• Strength to lead
• Wisdom to guide
• Grace to rebuild
• Courage to begin again

A transformed home becomes a living testimony of God’s grace.

With God, you can start again—stronger, wiser, and more intentional.

Let your home be the place where your faith speaks the loudest.