MAIN IDEA
David, a young shepherd boy steps forward to face Goliath despite his inexperience in battle. While others saw his limitations (age and inexperience), David took it as an opportunity for God to display His power. This story reminds us that faith isn’t about experience or qualifications, it's about trust God’s experience and qualifications. When we feel unprepared or overwhelmed, God invites us to take a step of faith, knowing that He equips and strengthens those who depend on Him completely.

There are three stages to notice in David’s faith:

1. STEP OF FAITH INITIATED
   David didn’t wait until he was ready or when conditions were perfect. He stepped forward in faith when no one else would. His confidence wasn’t in himself but in God. Sometimes we must simply take that next step of faith even when we do not feel like we have enough experience or feel ready. How do we take that step of faith? We can only do so when we identify the source of faith.
   
   

2. SOURCE OF FAITH IDENTIFIED
   David’s faith wasn’t rooted in self-confidence but in God’s past faithfulness. He recalled how God delivered him from the lion and the bear as he was shepherding his flock, using those experiences as evidence that God would also deliver victory over Goliath. His courage came from remembering who God is and what God had already done. True faith draws strength from God’s track record, not our own strength. This source of faith identified leads to a step of faith initiated which thus ignites the spark of faith in others.
   
   

3. SPARK OF FAITH IGNITED
   David’s bold step inspired others that were paralyzed by fear. His personal faith ignited public faith, causing Israel to rally when one young man trusted God. Faith is contagious; one spark can light a fire in others. Our church has grown because of the spark of faith ignited by God’s people trusting in God’s power. When we step forward in faith, we invite others to believe and witness God’s power. This is the importance of a community. 
   

CONCLUDING REMARKS:
David’s story isn’t just about defeating a giant. It’s about trusting a faithful God in the face of fear and inexperience. Though David lacked worldly qualifications, he took a bold step of faith, not in his own strength but in God’s proven faithfulness. His faith sparked faith in others.. We see this truth in Jesus, who faced and conquered the ultimate giant of sin and death through the cross. Victory belongs to those who trust in God. Our faith is not in our experience, it is in the God who never experienced failure.

DISCUSSION QUESTION:
What step of faith might God be asking you to take, even if you feel inexperienced?