Leader Guide
This weekend we talked about confidence and how sometimes we put our confidence in all the wrong things. What if we put all our confidence in God? Let's look at how we can do this.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
Leaders: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to knowing more, exploring. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. Share a time you were extremely confident. What are some things we put our confidence in?
2. I can keep my confidence because the Shepherd provides. Read Psalm 22:1-2, Psalm 23:1, Philippians 4:19. How does David's confidence change so quickly from one Psalm to the next? Have there been times in your life you were stuck in a chapter 22 mindset? How does looking back on the ways God has provided help us?
Leaders: We so often put our confidence in our job, material possessions, or a person. What happens when we lose those things? King David had everything he could possibly want but he learned that in God he had all he needed. Look back and reflect on how God has provided in the past.
3. I keep my confidence because the Shepherd leads. Read Psalm 23:2-3, Psalm 20:7-8. Consider the first 3 words “He makes me”. In what ways are we like sheep? Is it hard for you to put all your trust in Jesus to lead you? How can we make Jesus the number one place for our confidence?
Leaders: The Bible refers to us as sheep, meaning we don’t do well on our own. Sometimes we let news, politics, social media, or other things lead us. The world will let us down. The thing we are putting the most confidence in is what's leading us. Jesus should be the number 1 thing we are trusting in. Spend time with God, memorize scripture, reflect on His past faithfulness.
4. I keep my confidence because the Shepherd comforts. Read Psalm 23:4-5, John 16:33. Share a time when you lost your confidence in God? How can John 16 encourage you?
Leaders: We all have different stories, hurts, pain, and loss in our lives. God said in His Word that we would have trials but that He has overcome the world. God will give us the confidence to keep walking through the valleys. Our circumstances change but our confidence should be in an unchanging God.
Deeper
5. Read 1 Samuel 17:32-33, 37. Just as Saul discouraged David, have you had someone try to discourage you? How did David reflect on the past to gain the confidence needed for this massive feat?
Leaders: Saul told David that he was not able to go against Goliath. In life we tell ourselves and others tell us we cannot do certain things. However, David remembered the things God had done in his past and knew God could do this as well.
6. Read 1 Samuel 17:45-50. What are some areas you are afraid to tackle because you have put your confidence in the wrong help? How do you think speaking the words of confidence in God, like David did would help you as you face your giant?
Leaders: David spoke to the Giant directly and claimed the power was not in himself but in God. He was careful to give God the credit and praise.