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Toughness 101
a look at tough people in the Bible.
David's Mighty Men2 Samuel 23:8-12, 15-21
8These are the names of David's mightiest warriors. The first was Jashobeam the Hacmonite,who was the leader of the Three-the three mightiest warriors among David's men. He once usedhis spear to kill 800 enemy warriors in a single battle.
1.Do you think it was easy to kill 800 warriors?2.What traits do you think would be needed to do that?
9 Next in rank among the Three was Eleazar son of Dodai, a descendant of Ahoah. OnceEleazar and David stood together against the Philistines when the entire Israelite army had lfled.10 He killed Philistines until his hand was too tired to lift his sword, and the LORD gave him agreat victory that day. The rest of the army did not return until it was time to collect the plunder!
1.What would you have done if you were Eleazar and the rest of your army fled?
2.
Do you think he had a good excuse to quit? What were some of those excuses?3.Why do you think he didn't quit?4.Verse 10 says, “ He killed the Philistines until his hand was too tired to lift hissword.” What do you think that says about his character?5.How would you feel about the army returning when it was time to collect theplunder? Why?6.Are you more like Eleazar or the army who wanted the plunder without thefight?7.What do you need to fight for in your life?
11Next in rank was Shammah son of Agee from Harar. One time the Philistines gathered atLehi and attacked the Israelites in a field full of lentils. The Israelite army fled, 12 but Shammahheld his ground in the middle of the field and beat back the Philistines. So the LORD broughtabout a great victory.
1.What in this passage whould you say makes Shammah a leader?2.Who brought about the victory that day (Verse 12)?3.How many people did God use to accomplish that victory?4.Could God use you to accomplish a victory?
15 David remarked longingly to his men, “Oh, how I would love some of that good waterfrom the well by the gate in Bethlehem.” 16 So the three broke through the Philistine lines,drew some water from the wel by the gate in Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But
 
he refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offereing to the LORD. 17 “TheLORD forbid that I should drink this!” he exclaimed. “This water is as precious as theblood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me.” So David did not drink it.These are examples of the exploits of the Three.
 
1.Would you have risked your life to give someone a drink of water?2.How do you think these men felt about David?3.What kind of things could love motivate you to do for your team?
18 Abishai son of Zeruiah, the brother of Joab, was the leader of the Thirty. He once used hisspear to kill 300 enemy warriors in a single battle. It was by such feats that he became as famous asthe Three. 19 Abishai was the most famous of the Thrity and was their commander, though hewas not one of the Three.
1.Why do you think Abishai was as famous as the Three? Was it because of his title(Commander of the Thirty) or was it because of his actions?
20 There was also Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a vailiant warrior from Kabzeel. He did many heroicdeeds, which included killing two champions of Moab. Another time, on a snowy day, he chased alion down into a pit and killed it. 21 Once, armed only with a club, he killed a great Eguption warrorwho was armed with a spear. Benaiah wrenched the spear from the Egyptian's hand and killed himwith it.
 
1.Would you say Benaiah was at a disadvantage when he fought the Egyptian inverse 21?2.How did he react to that disadvantage? Did it stop him?3.How do you react to a disadvantage or obstacle?Hebrews 11:1, 32-37
 
1 Faith is the confidence that what we hope fore will actually happen; it give us assurance about thethings we cannot see.32 How much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith ofGideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. 33 By faith thesepeople overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice and received what God had promised them. Theyshut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the flames of fire , and escaped death by the edge of thesword. Their weakness was turned into strength. They became strong in battle and put wholearmies to flight. 35 Women received their loved ones back from death. But others were tortured,refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the
 
resurrection. 36 Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others werechained in prisons. 37 Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed withthe sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed andmistreated.
1.What kinds of things were these people able to accomplish?2.What kinds of things were some of these people able to endure?3.According to verse 33, what enabled these people to do this?4.According to verse 1, what is faith?5.How can you show faith in God?6. What would your life look like if you exercised more faith?
 
Paul2 Corinthians 11:23-27
23 Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! Ihave worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faceddeath again and again. 24 Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. 25Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once Ispent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. 26 I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faceddanger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well asfrom the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I havefaced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. 27 I have worked hard and long,enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. Ihave shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.
1. How would you respond to all these difficulties?2 Corinthians 4:7-10
7 We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containingthis great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 8We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but notdriven to despair. 9 We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down,but we are not destroyed. 10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death ofJesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
1. In verse 7, Paul says, “ we ourselves are like fragile clay jars.” What does fragilemean?
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