Students should learn that just because something seems like it is a normal, nothing-out-of-the-ordinary event or part of their day, does not mean that God cannot do something extraordinary in those moments.

 

Play a regular game that may seem normal or not that exciting (i.e. musical chairs, tag, anything that can have only one winner) and have a great prize for the winner like a gift card to iTunes or the hot spot place to eat or Starbucks. This will take the meaning of the game from normal to extraordinary. Do not award the prize until after the transition questions. 

 

Ask the following:

Say, “Well, this was not just a normal game – in fact, there is a prize for the winner!” Award the prize to the individual that won. Then ask, “Now that you know what the prize is, would you have tried harder to win?”

 

Play the “Be Brave” video by Owl City. Be sure you have access to the lyrics so you can be familiar with the storyline of the song – you’ll use the storyline in a few minutes during the Bible Study!

 

Read 1 Samuel 17:12-58 (focus on verses 16-24 and 45-52) – Sometimes we can get caught up in life just going through the motions or life gets so repetitive that we do not expect anything extraordinary to happen. “Be Brave” by Owl City is the story of how an ordinary night of just going to a movie turned into a life-changing experience in that he met his girlfriend there. What he approached as a simple and normal event wound up being something amazing.

 

Often, we approach our faith the same way. We just go about it day-to-day not expecting anything awesome to happen – and then one day it does.

 

In 1 Samuel 17 we see a story of a normal day for David. His dad sent him to take food out to his brothers and to check on them. – which David does obediently. However, something happens during David’s time visiting his brothers. He experiences Goliath’s taunts of the Israelite army and it doesn’t sit well with him. By the end of the passage David has decided that he is going to stand up for God and God’s people and defeat Goliath, which he does. David does not use typical military weapons for this battle but rather a sling and a stone. He kills Goliath, and the course of his life is changed forever, just because he went to check on his brothers and take them food.

 

David did not set out that morning to go join the ranks and kill a giant. He was just going about his normal day and being obedient to his dad. Our lives are much the same. God has a plan for us and our lives and His timing is perfect.

 

If we want to see God do something amazing in and through our lives we have to be obedient and trust that His plan is good. It’s when we alter the course of our lives for selfish reasons that things start to get out of hand. Be patient, trust God, and let Him do amazing things through you!

 

When life gets dull and routine, finding excitement or being patient for God to work things out is hard. In these moments we are tempted to take control of our lives into our own hands. Don’t let Satan trick you into thinking that you know better and can do better. God’s timing and plan for your life is perfect. Don’t mess with perfection!

 

What are some ways that you can learn to be more patient and wait on God to do His will in your life?