The Champion

Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah And drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.
‍- 1 Samuel 17:2-3

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A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him.
- 1 Samuel 17:4-7

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Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel!Give me a man and let us fight each other.”
- 1 Samuel 17:10

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On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.
- 1 Samuel 17:11

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For forty days the Philistine came forward every morning and evening and took his stand.
- 1 Samuel 17:16

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Whenever the Israelites saw the man, they all fled from him in great fear.
- 1 Samuel 17:24

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Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- Hebrews 12:1-3

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Through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine,yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you
- 2 Corinthians 6:8-11

Mixer

Have you gone through the Go First book? If not, what’s been holding you back?

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Neighborly - Daily Devotional

To get the Daily Devotionals delivered to you every morning, text ‘dailydevotional’ to 97000.

1. In the 6/23/23 entry, Psalm 88, Ethan  reminds us that earthquakes happen when we keep our vulnerabilities buried beneath the surface, where they can build tension until they shake our lives to pieces. What do you do with your vulnerabilities? What are the protections you have put around these areas of your life – and how are those working out for you? Can you be vulnerable with God – why or why not?  If you were to draw a picture of what vulnerability before God could look like for you, what would be in your picture?

2.  In the 6/24/23 entry, Lessons From The Little Mermaid, Kyle reminds us that we all will face shipwrecks in our lives but that we have some hope for a rescue by turning to God. What are your go-to reactions when your world feels upside down and desolate? Do you feel abandoned by God, or could there be something else going on? How does knowing that God is the same – always reliable, trustworthy, and unchanging - change your hope for a rescue? What is one promise of God that you can meditate on this week that helps you expect that the rescue boat is coming?

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Sermon Questions

Scriptures: 1 Samuel 17:2-3, 4-7,10, 11, 16, 24; Hebrews 12:1-3; 2 Corinthians 6:8-11

1. According to 1 Samuel 17:2-11, Goliath was a representation of evil forces, waging war against Israel to instill fear and cause harm. What is it that you look to to face your fears? Inspiration? Motivation? How can we find rest knowing that Jesus has been sent as the substitute for our fear?
2. “Your kids don’t need to see how brave you are but how dependent you are on Jesus, the substitute.” How can we walk in this truth as parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles?  
3. Reflect on Pastor Jared’s question: What is causing your knees to knock (mental or physical health, the unknown, anxiety, etc.)? Take a moment to pray for one another.
4. Pioneer or archaegon in the Greek means champion. Share a time when God showed up for you in the valleys of your life.
5. Read Hebrews 12:1-3. Pastor Jared challenged us to obsess over our joy rather than our fear. What is one step you’ll take to get your joy back and fix your eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith?
   

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Serve

Go First as a Table Group and make an impact on our community! Here are some ways you can serve and a link below for more:

• Interfaith Community Services needs people to remove some trees at the new family shelter ASAP. Contact: mita@thechurchrb.org

• Alabaster Jar needs 2-3 people to help with yard work any day after 9am. Contact: mita@thechurchrb.org
• Help set up for our new high school Rise Wednesdays from 3-4pm. Come once, come weekly, or come monthly! Contact: matthew@thechurchrb.org

Check out more projects available here.

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Pray

VBS 2023 at The Church at RB is here – June 26 to 29! Please join us in praying for a week filled with community building, an awareness of how much Jesus loves each of these kiddos, and connections created between our amazing leaders and their groups! We ask that God would protect, inspire, and fill this space to every corner this week and beyond!

And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ,
who fills all things everywhere with himself.

- Ephesians 1:23 NLT