Based on the message by Promise Bradley

OVERVIEW

In this message, Promise Bradley opens 1 Samuel 17 and reminds the Church that spiritual battles are won by people who remember why they’re fighting.

David didn’t show up to the battlefield with armor, status, or public confidence. He showed up with clarity. While trained soldiers lost heart, David asked one question that exposed the real issue:

“Is there not a cause?”

Promise connects David’s courage to our calling in 2 Corinthians 5: 14–20: we have been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, and we have been given the ministry of reconciliation. That is the cause.

This study centers on one defining truth:
“We are ambassadors for Christ… We implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” — 2 Corinthians 5: 20

When we forget the cause, we lose heart, we fight the wrong battles, and we waste our weapons. But when we remember the cause, we regain courage, recognize the true enemy, and move forward in obedience.

HOW TO USE THIS STUDY GUIDE
Hear → Answer → Act

Each section begins with a focus statement drawn from the sermon.
Read the Scripture aloud. Let the Bible supply the answers. The goal is not agreement, but transformation. Open your Bible. Go to the text. Let Scripture shape your thinking.

SECTION 1 — KNOW YOUR CAUSE

Focus:
“If I lose sight of the cause, I will lose heart in the face of opposition.”

READ
1 Samuel 17: 28–32
2 Corinthians 5: 14–20

RESPOND

In 1 Samuel 17: 28–30, what accusation did Eliab speak over David, and how did David respond?
In 1 Samuel 17: 31–32, what happened when David’s words were heard? What does that show about the power of remembering the cause?
According to 2 Corinthians 5: 18–20, what ministry has God given to believers?
In 2 Corinthians 5: 20, what does it mean to be an “ambassador for Christ”? What does an ambassador represent and carry?

REFLECT

● Where have I been distracted by lesser causes (offense, drama, politics, comfort, entertainment, fear) more than the cause of Christ?
● Who around me is not my enemy, but part of my assignment to love, pray for, and help reconcile to God?
● What would change this week if I treated reconciliation as my primary purpose?

SECTION 2 — KNOW YOUR REAL ENEMY

Focus:
“We do not wrestle against flesh and blood.”

READ
Ephesians 6: 10–12
2 Corinthians 10: 3–5

RESPOND

According to Ephesians 6: 12, who are we not fighting? Who are we fighting?
In Ephesians 6: 10, where does strength come from? What does “in the Lord” require from us?
According to 2 Corinthians 10: 4–5, what kind of battles are we equipped to fight, and what is our goal in those battles?
How does knowing the real enemy change the way you respond when someone speaks or acts out of fear, offense, jealousy, or accusation?

REFLECT

● Where have I been tempted to treat a person as the problem instead of recognizing the spiritual battle underneath?
● What would love look like if I believed the person in front of me is a “cause,” not a target?
● What stronghold of human reasoning do I need Jesus to tear down in my thinking?

SECTION 3 — REMEMBER YOUR TRAINING

Focus:
“The enemy wants you to forget what God has already done.”

READ
1 Samuel 17: 33–37
Psalm 103: 1–5

RESPOND

In 1 Samuel 17: 34–37, what past deliverances did David remember, and how did that shape his confidence?
What does David’s testimony teach us about training in hidden seasons?
In Psalm 103: 2, what are we commanded not to forget? Why does forgetting weaken courage and faith?
In Psalm 103: 3–5, list the benefits David names. Which one do you most need to remember right now?

REFLECT

● What has God already delivered me through that I need to bring back to memory?
● Where has the enemy tried to relabel me with old names that do not match who I am in Christ?
● What testimony do I need to tell again so my faith stays anchored in truth?

SECTION 4 — WEAPONS THAT WIN THE FIGHT

Focus:
“The Word is a weapon. Prayer is a weapon. Praise is a weapon. Humility is a weapon.”

READ
Ephesians 6: 17–18
Proverbs 4: 20–22
Revelation 12: 11
Psalm 149: 5–6

RESPOND

According to Ephesians 6: 17, what is “the sword of the Spirit”? How does that shape the way we speak, pray, and resist lies?
In Ephesians 6: 18, what does it mean to pray “always” and “in the Spirit”?
Proverbs 4: 20–22 describes God’s Word as what to our body and life? What does that teach you about using Scripture daily?
In Revelation 12: 11, what three things are named that overcome the accuser?
In Psalm 149: 5–6, what two things are pictured together? What does that teach you about praise and spiritual warfare?

REFLECT

● Which weapon have I neglected: Scripture aloud, prayer in the Spirit, testimony, praise, humility, unity, rest?
● Where do I need to replace “my words” with “God’s Word” this week?
● What would shift if I stopped waiting for feelings and started using the weapons God already gave me?

SECTION 5 — FIGHTING FROM VICTORY

Focus:
“I come to you in the name of the Lord… the battle belongs to the Lord.”

READ
1 Samuel 17: 45–47
Proverbs 18: 10

RESPOND

In 1 Samuel 17: 45, what did David refuse to trust in, and what did he trust in instead?
According to 1 Samuel 17: 46–47, what was David’s ultimate purpose for the victory? What does that reveal about the true “cause”?
In Proverbs 18: 10, what is the name of the Lord compared to, and what do the righteous do?
How does knowing “the battle belongs to the Lord” change the way you take action, confront fear, and step into obedience?

REFLECT

● Where am I hesitating because I fear failure, rejection, or sinking like Peter?
● What step of obedience would I take if I trusted Jesus to lift me even if I stumble?
● What would it look like to fight from victory, not for victory, in one specific situation this week?

UNIFIED PRACTICE FOR THE WEEK
Reclaim the Cause. Use Your Weapons. Move in Obedience.

Step 1 — Identify the Distraction
Each morning ask the Lord:
“Jesus, what has distracted me from the cause?”
Name it specifically (offense, fear, drama, comfort, entertainment, politics, discouragement, comparison). Write it down.

Step 2 — Recenter on the Cause
Read aloud: 2 Corinthians 5: 18–20
Then say:
“I have been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, and He has given me the ministry of reconciliation.”

Step 3 — Use One Weapon on Purpose
Choose one weapon each day and use it intentionally:
• The Word (read aloud and declare truth)
• Prayer in the Spirit (Ephesians 6: 18)
• Praise (Psalm 149: 5–6)
• Testimony (Revelation 12: 11)
• Humility (choose low, refuse pride and strife)
• Rest (honor Sabbath rhythms; refuse frantic striving)
Write down which weapon you used and what you targeted with it.

Step 4 — Take One Concrete Action
The cause always moves into obedience. Choose one visible action this week that aligns with reconciliation and Kingdom advancement:
• Forgive quickly and directly.
• Initiate the conversation you’ve avoided.
• Pray for healing when prompted.
• Replace gossip with intercession.
• Open your Bible before your phone.
• Speak courage into someone living in fear.

Do not wait for confidence. Move in obedience.

2.22.26 | IS THERE NOT A CAUSE? Remember the Cause. Know the Enemy. Remember Your Training.