A giant named Goliath once stood on a battlefield before thousands of Israelite soldiers. That Philistine giant dared any Israelite to come out and fight him. The Hebrew soldiers shook with fear every day for forty days when the Philistine strolled out before them and roared out his challenge. Then one day the shepherd boy David appeared on the scene. He asked why everyone was afraid of Goliath. Soon David was rushing out to meet the enemy with his sling and five small stones, saying that he would face Goliath in the name of the Lord God of Israel. He hurled one stone at the giant, hitting him in the forehead, and the giant fell to the earth (see 1 Samuel 17). David was not afraid of a lion or a bear, nor was he afraid of the wicked giant. What about our boldness for the Lord? Are we filled with courage, or does fear hold us in its grip? If we are bold for the Lord, we will have freedom to speak words of wisdom in His name. Do you think most Christians are bold today? Look at what the Bible says about being bold in the Lord:
1. Proverbs 28:1. Who are the righteous and how can they express spiritual boldness? How can we be as bold as a lion? Why should believers be bold in today’s world?
2. Mark 15:43. What does this verse say about Joseph? Why did he go to Pilate? Did that act take courage on the part of the man from Arimathea? Why?
3. John 7:25–32. What did religious leaders want to do with Jesus? How did Jesus show that He was not afraid of them? Are we sometimes afraid to express boldness for Christ?
4. Acts 4:13. How did the crowd describe Peter and John? What special characteristic did the two apostles have? What gives God’s people boldness?
5. Acts 4:31. Review the background of this Scripture. What two great events happened when believers prayed? Why are some of us timid rather than bold?
6. Acts 9:29; 14:3; 19:8. Who did Paul confront with the message of Jesus? What did some want to do to him? How did Paul respond?
7. Ephesians 3:12. What are some resources of spiritual boldness? Do you and I have confidence and freedom to talk to the Lord? Why or why not?
8. Ephesians 6:19–20. Why did Paul ask the saints of Ephesus to pray for him? Should we ask others to pray for us? Why did Paul want to be filled with boldness?
9. Hebrews 4:16. Do we have the authority and freedom to go into God’s presence and speak with Him? Why or why not? What is the result of a bold approach in prayer?
10. 1 John 4:17. Why do people need boldness as they face the final day of judgment? What helps us to become bold and not afraid of the future?
1. Proverbs 28:1. Who are the righteous and how can they express spiritual boldness? How can we be as bold as a lion? Why should believers be bold in today’s world?
2. Mark 15:43. What does this verse say about Joseph? Why did he go to Pilate? Did that act take courage on the part of the man from Arimathea? Why?
3. John 7:25–32. What did religious leaders want to do with Jesus? How did Jesus show that He was not afraid of them? Are we sometimes afraid to express boldness for Christ?
4. Acts 4:13. How did the crowd describe Peter and John? What special characteristic did the two apostles have? What gives God’s people boldness?
5. Acts 4:31. Review the background of this Scripture. What two great events happened when believers prayed? Why are some of us timid rather than bold?
6. Acts 9:29; 14:3; 19:8. Who did Paul confront with the message of Jesus? What did some want to do to him? How did Paul respond?
7. Ephesians 3:12. What are some resources of spiritual boldness? Do you and I have confidence and freedom to talk to the Lord? Why or why not?
8. Ephesians 6:19–20. Why did Paul ask the saints of Ephesus to pray for him? Should we ask others to pray for us? Why did Paul want to be filled with boldness?
9. Hebrews 4:16. Do we have the authority and freedom to go into God’s presence and speak with Him? Why or why not? What is the result of a bold approach in prayer?
10. 1 John 4:17. Why do people need boldness as they face the final day of judgment? What helps us to become bold and not afraid of the future?