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1st Retreat: A Friend Loves At All Times Session 2

29 May 2005

YAG RETREAT 29 May 2005
Session #2
Sunday Afternoon (3.00pm)
Text: 1 Samuel 17-18
The Person You Are

1. The Person that People perceive us to be

a) Disdained by some

i) David disdained by Jesse his father          1 Samuel 16:11

ii) Disdained by brothers          1 Samuel 17:28

iii) Disdained by Goliath          1 Samuel 17:42

b) Does public opinion affect us adversely?

i) Are we discouraged as a result?

ii) Do we prove public opinion right?

2. The Person We can become

a) Recall: The Spirit of God in our Life          1 Samuel 16; Romans 8

b) The Many Changing Circumstances of Life

i) Life as a shepherd          1 Samuel 16-18; Psalm 23

ii) Defending the flock from lion/bear          1 Samuel 17:34

iii) David in Saul’s employ as a singer          1 Samuel 16:21-23

iv) David as messenger for Jesse          1 Samuel 17:20-23

v) David in battle with Goliath          1 Samuel 17:40-54

vi) David victorious in battle          1 Samuel 17:4-54

c) The Exercise of Faith in God

i) A Living God

Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the Living God

1 Samuel 17:26

ii) Trust in God’s Help/Deliverance

The LORD who delivered me from the law of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me

1 Samuel 17:37

iii) Invocation of God’s name

I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts

1 Samuel 17:45

iv) Tremendous courage and confidence

This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands…

1 Samuel 17:46

d) The Person That We Are

i) Recognised and respected (by the discerning)

Then one of the servants answered and said,
‘Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite,
who is skilful in playing, a mighty man of valour, a man of war,
prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the LORD is with him

1 Samuel 16:18

i) Characterised by Wisdom

So David went out wherever Saul sent him, and behaved wisely

1 Samuel 18:5

ii) Acceptance by people in general and by Saul’s servants

And Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all
the people and also in the sight of Saul’s servants…

1 Samuel 18:5

iii) Admired and loved (Israel and Judah)

All Israel and Judah loved David, because he went out and came in before them

1 Samuel 18:16

iv) Consistency maintained

David behaved more wisely than all the servants of Saul so that his name became highly esteemed.

1 Samuel 18:30

3. Discussion: Self-Assessment

a) How do people see you?

b) How do you see yourself?

c) What are some flawed areas in your life you feel you need to address?

d) What are some positive and encouraging traits in your character that you like?

e) How does the Spirit of God help in the transformation of your life?

f) Is there yet hope for the future?