Gather one random object (a Frisbee, rock, picture, pencil) for every student in your group. (Or, you can give students two minutes to find an object that represents the “Giant” in their life right now.) When students are sitting in a circle in the room, set out the proper number of “random objects” in the center of the circle. Instruct students to choose the object that best represents the most challenging thing in their life right now – that thing in their life that is difficult to overcome. We will refer to it as their “Giant” from here on out. Allow students to share about their challenge or “Giant” through the use of objects and images. 

 

Ask, “If you had the courage, what would you do about your ‘Giant’?” Sometimes we are not fully aware of the depth of our fears and don’t know how to process them in faith. Let’s look at how David explored his fears and accessed the faith and courage he needed to confront Goliath.

 

(NOTE: You can see the lyric video of this song here.) As you listen to this song, pay attention to what you are feeling. Consider what “War Cry” rises up in you as you hold the object that represents your Giant.

 

When you hear this song, you can feel the singer rising up with courage to face anything.Take a minute and reflect on what line stood out to you. What’s that line that’s in your mind even now? David was a man with a courageous war cry who faced an overwhelming Giant in his life. 

 

The story of David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17) provides encouragement as we engage our Giants. This familiar story informs us that every overwhelming challenge involves these common, fear-producing elements:

 

Intimidation (v.4-7) Goliath was over nine feet tall and David was a teenage boy. On the basis of size alone, David was no match for his opponent. At times we are scared for a very good reason. The odds may be stacked against us and from a human point of view the outcome doesn’t look very promising. 

 

Isolation (v.10) Goliath taunted the entire Israelite army by asking them to “Give me a man” to fight him. His challenge required that one man would have to step out of the ranks and face this giant alone. All eyes would be on that man and he would carry an enormous weight of responsibility. If David lost, all would be lost. 

 

Resistance (v.16) For forty days the Philistine took his stand every morning and evening and successfully intimidated Saul and the Israeli Army. Goliath used the effective tactic of wearing down his opposition. Some of our challengers are very persistent and will try to wear down our resistance through fear and doubt. 

 

Inadequacy (v.43) David had reason to fear a man with one hundred and twenty-five pounds of armor and a spear with a fifteen-pound head. In contrast, David had a sling with five smooth stones. How often have we felt inadequate and unprepared for the enormous challenge that we are facing and listened to the voice of doubt? 

 

Shame (v.28) David’s oldest brother attacked him with sarcastic accusations. King Saul reminded David that he was only a boy and the Philistine was a man of war. These were the critical voices that said, “you are not enough” for the task at hand. David had to overcome the psychological barrier of shame by trusting that God would not fail the mission He had given him. 

 

Risk (v.9, 44) Goliath threatened the Israelites by saying, “You will become our subjects and serve us” and told David, “I will give your flesh to the beasts of the field.” We will face financial, relational and emotional risks that are very real and their decisions are often accompanied by far-reaching consequences. David trusted how the hand of the Lord had been upon him. He knew that God would deliver him. 

 

Ask, “What are you afraid of at this time?” or “What would happen if you gave in to fear?” Get everyone in a circle and place three cards on the floor: FEAR—FAITH—COURAGE arranged in a triangle. Invite students to look at the cards and reflect on what would happen if they responded in fear? Allow them a moment to explore the depth of their fear. Then have them scan the FAITH card and ask what would happen in this situation if you responded in faith? Finally, step over to the COURAGE card and ask “How would we confront the Giant if we had the courage? This is when we find our War Cry. When we process our fear and access the faith to act courageously.” Close in prayer.