Confident acts of leaders sets the tone of confidence in the environment they influence. Confidence is essential for the moral and aspirations of a group. But how do you grow in confidence?
In the following inspirational video De Waal Esterhuizen shares on how to grow in confident leadership.
Scripture
1 Samuel 17:19-51
[Goliath the Philistine giant challenges the armies of Israel in the Valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines; David heard his cursing and said to King Saul]
32 And David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him. Your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.” 33 And Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him, for you are but a youth, and he has been a man of war from his youth.” 34 But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, 35 I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. 36 Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.” 37 And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the LORD be with you!”
38 Then Saul clothed David with his armor. He put a helmet of bronze on his head and clothed him with a coat of mail, 39 and David strapped his sword over his armor. And he tried in vain to go, for he had not tested them. Then David said to Saul, “I cannot go with these, for I have not tested them.” So David put them off. 40 Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine.
41 And the Philistine moved forward and came near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him. 42 And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance. 43 And the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field.” 45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head. And I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, 47 and that all this assembly may know that the LORD saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give you into our hand.” 48 When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine. 49 And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground. 50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him… 51 When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled. 52 And the men of Israel and Judah rose with a shout and pursued the Philistines as far as Gath and the gates of Ekron…
Observation and reflection questions
- David was very confident that he would prevail over the giant veteran worrier Goliath – why? [verses 34-37] What does this teach you about gaining confidence?
- King Saul tried to help David to feel secure in battle with the giant – what did he do and why did it not help? [verses 38-40] What does this teach you about gaining confidence?
- David was very confident in the face of Goliath’s mockery and threats – where did he place his confidence? [verse 45-47] What does that teach you about gaining confidence?
- What was the consequence of David’s act of confidence? [verses 51-52] What does this teach you about gaining confidence?
Personal reflection questions and prayer
David was a young man with no experience in battle, yet he was the only one willing to face Goliath the giant. His confidence was in the ever-Present, Living Lord who had carried him through bad situations in the past; he was secure in the love and power of the Lord. Every challenge he faced helped him grow in confidence, knowing the Lord had preserved him.
- David was confident to face the giant because he had slain a lion and a bear in the past. What can you remind yourself in which the Lord had given you success?
- Consider your biggest present-day challenge (either personal or family or friend):
- Why is this a big challenge for you? Can you do it yourself or do you need God’s grace?
- What have you faced that is similar to this? How has the Lord brought you through past experiences?
- Look at David’s declaration to the giant in verses 45-47; now make your own declaration of faith in God and “speak to your giant” out loud. By faith say how this situation will end.
- Thank God for what he had brought you through in the past. Now pray to God and ask him for confidence and fearlessness to act in faith. Declare your trust in Him!
Shofar Durbanville Bible Studies 