UNIT 9 Session 4 Use Week of: May 15, 2016 Samson BIBLE PASSAGE: Judges 13 16 MAIN POINT: God gave Samson power. KEY PASSAGE: Isaiah 33:22 BIG PICTURE QUESTION: How does God accomplish His plan? God uses people for His glory and our good. SMALL GROUP OPENING (10 15 MINUTES) PAGE 174 LARGE GROUP BIBLE STUDY (25 30 MINUTES) PAGE 176 SMALL GROUP ACTIVITIES (25 30 MINUTES) PAGE 182 4 Leader BIBLE STUDY Samson was the last of the major judges of Israel. He was born to parents who dedicated him to the Lord as a Nazirite after the Angel of the Lord announced that Samson would be born to save the Israelites from the power of the Philistines. Samson grew up, and God blessed him with great strength. But when Samson requested to marry a Philistine woman, his parents were confused. Samson was supposed to deliver the Israelites from the Philistines. Why would he want to marry one of them? But God had a plan in all of this. (See Judg. 14:4.) As Samson prepared for the wedding, he gave a riddle to the men with him about an event that occurred on his way 170 Older Kids Leader Guide Unit 9 Session 4
to Timnah. (See Judg. 14:9-14.) Days passed, and the men convinced Samson s wife to tell them the answer to the riddle. This action sparked a series of events that would eventually lead to the death of Samson. When the men solved his riddle, Samson was so angry that he torched the fields of the Philistines. He used the jawbone of a donkey to kill 1,000 men, and he left his wife. The Philistine leaders determined to kill Samson. When Samson fell in love with a woman named Delilah, the leaders bribed her into telling them where Samson s strength came from. A man came and shaved the braids from Samson s head. He lost his strength and became helpless. The Philistines gouged out his eyes and took him prisoner. They had him stand between the pillars of a pagan temple. In a final plea to God, Samson asked for his strength back. God gave him strength, and Samson knocked over the pillars, collapsing the temple. In his death, Samson killed more Philistines than he had killed in his life. (Judg. 16:30) 4 Though Samson disobeyed God, God used him to accomplish His purpose of delivering the Israelites from the Philistines. Jesus would come as the last Deliverer, saving through His life and His death those who would trust in Him. Additional resources for each session are available at gospelproject.com. For free training and session-by-session help, visit www.ministrygrid.com/web/thegospelproject. God Judges His People 171
The BIBLE STORY Samson Judges 13 16 The Israelites disobeyed God, so God let their enemies, the Philistines, rule over them. One day, the Angel of the Lord appeared to two of God s people: Manoah (muh NOH uh) and his wife. He told them they would have a son who would save the Israelites from the Philistines. God had special instructions for their son: He should never cut his hair. Manoah s wife had a baby, and she named him Samson. God blessed Samson and made him strong. When Samson grew up, he saw a Philistine woman he wanted to marry. He went with his parents to meet the woman. On their journey, a young lion jumped out at Samson. Samson killed the lion, but he did not tell his parents what he had done. When Samson and his parents returned for the wedding, Samson found the lion. Some bees had made honey in the lion s body. Samson scooped up some honey and gave it to his parents. Some Philistine men came to help Samson prepare the wedding feast. Samson told the men a riddle: Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet. The riddle was about the lion and the honey, but the men could not figure it out. They asked Samson s new wife for help. Samson told his wife the answer to the riddle, and she told the men. Samson had been tricked! He was angry, and he left his wife. When he went back to get her, she was gone. Samson was so upset that he burned the Philistines fields. This made the Philistines angry. They 172 Older Kids Leader Guide Unit 9 Session 4
wanted to kill Samson. Samson escaped to another city, where he fell in love with a woman named Delilah. The Philistines offered Delilah money if she would find out why Samson was so strong. Samson gave Delilah reasons for his strength, but none of them were true. Delilah tested his explanations, but Samson was still strong. Finally, Samson told Delilah the truth. If you cut my hair, I will not have my strength, he said. So when Samson was sleeping, the Philistines cut his hair. Delilah shouted, Samson! Wake up! The Philistines are here to kill you! But Samson wasn t strong anymore. The Philistines grabbed him and made him blind. They took him away in chains. Samson s hair began to grow back. One day, the Philistines made Samson stand between two pillars in their temple. Samson cried out to God, Lord, please remember me. Strengthen me once more. So God strengthened Samson. Samson pushed on the pillars and collapsed the temple. Samson and everyone in the temple died. Christ Connection: Samson s sin led to his own death, but God used his death to deliver the Israelites from their enemies. Samson s story reminds us of Jesus. Jesus never sinned, but God sent Him to die on the cross and rise again to rescue believers from sin and give them eternal life. WANT TO DISCOVER GOD S WORD? GET BIBLE EXPRESS! Invite kids to check out this week s devotionals to discover that like the Israelites, when Samson was blinded and mocked by enemies, he cried out to God, Lord God, please remember me (Judg. 16:28). Order in bulk, subscribe quarterly, or purchase individually. For more information, check out www.lifeway.com/ devotionals. God Judges His People 173
Small Group OPENING SESSION TITLE: Samson BIBLE PASSAGE: Judges 13 16 MAIN POINT: God gave Samson power. KEY PASSAGE: Isaiah 33:22 BIG PICTURE QUESTION: How does God accomplish His plan? God uses people for His glory and our good. Welcome time Greet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to your group. As kids arrive, invite them to talk about a time they did something they regretted, or wished they hadn t done. How did they feel? Were they able to make it right? (For example, if a kid insulted his sister, he could make it right by apologizing and asking for forgiveness.) Who Am I? Riddles activity page, 1 per kid pencils or markers Bibles Activity page (5 minutes) Invite kids to complete the Who Am I? Riddles on the activity page. Provide Bibles and assist kids in looking up the Scripture references to find the answers. You may choose to form three groups and assign each group one of the riddles to solve. SAY Who was the woman who lived in a tent? (Jael, Judg. 4:17-24) Who met with the king of Moab? (Ehud, Judg. 3:15-25) Who tested God by putting fleece on the ground? (Gideon, Judg. 6:11-16) 174 Older Kids Leader Guide Unit 9 Session 4
Session starter (10 minutes) OPTION 1: Doctor, doctor! game Guide kids to stand in a circle. Choose a volunteer to be the doctor. The doctor should go to the other side of the room while the kids quietly choose an affliction (flu, poison ivy, mosquito bites, and so forth).the doctor will ask kids yes-or-no questions. Kids will act out symptoms (scratching, coughing, and so on). The doctor will try to diagnose the group s affliction. Play multiple rounds. SAY Today s Bible story is about Samson. Like we just tried to figure out what made the group sick, a woman named Delilah kept asking Samson what made him strong. LOW PREP Transition to large group God Judges His People 175
Large Group LEADER SESSION TITLE: Samson BIBLE PASSAGE: Judges 13 16 MAIN POINT: God gave Samson power. KEY PASSAGE: Isaiah 33:22 BIG PICTURE QUESTION: How does God accomplish His plan? God uses people for His glory and our good. leader attire Bible Introduce the session (3 minutes) [Large Group Leader enters wearing khaki pants, a solidcolored shirt, an apron, and a hat. Leader is humming or singing to himself as he thumbs through the Bible.] LEADER When the moon hits the sky with a colorful [Address kids.] Ah! There you are. I ve been waiting for you. My break started a few minutes ago, so I was just finding our Bible story for today. I must say, this new employee training has been going very well. Today, a new trainee named Sam is scheduled to learn the ins and outs of placing a restaurant order. Not as a customer, of course, but an order from our supplier! All that food in the kitchen doesn t just appear, you know. So until then, let s jump right into today s Bible story. Giant Timeline Giant timeline (1 minute) LEADER Our last Bible story was about a judge named 176 Older Kids Leader Guide Unit 9 Session 4
Gideon. What was so special about Gideon? How did God use Gideon? God used Gideon s weakness for His glory. Today s Bible story is about another judge. This judge was very strong. [Point to the Bible story on the timeline map.] I see here that his name was Samson. Big picture question (1 minute) LEADER Before we listen to the Bible story, do you remember the answer to our big picture question? How does God accomplish His plan? God uses people for His glory and our good. As you listen to the story of Samson, think about how God used him to bring about His glory and the good of His people. Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) Open your Bible to Judges 13 16. Tell the Bible story in your own words, or show the Bible story video Samson. LEADER Joshua made a speech to the Israelites before he died. Does anyone remember what Joshua said to them? (Worship only God, Josh. 24:14) Did the Israelites worship only God? (no; Judges 2:11-12) When they forgot about God, what happened? (God allowed their enemies to take over, Judges 2:14-15) The Israelites were miserable, and they remembered how good they had it when they obeyed God. So they cried out to Him, Save us! God raised up judges to lead Israel. One of the judges was named Samson. Before Samson was even born, an angel appeared to Samson s parents and told them that their son would Bibles Samson video Big Picture Question Poster Bible Story Picture Poster God Judges His People 177
begin to save Israel from the Philistines. When Samson became judge, the Philistines were ruling over the Israelites and the Philistines were mean. Samson married a woman who was a Philistine, and he ended up defeating many Philistines by fighting them with the jawbone of a donkey. Can you tell me how Samson got so strong? God gave Samson power. God told Samson that he must never cut his hair. But Samson told too much to Delilah, and the Philistines cut Samson s hair. Samson lost his strength. The Philistines made Samson a prisoner and they made him blind. But Samson s hair began to grow back, and God made Samson strong again. Samson used his strength to knock down the temple of the false god, and even though Samson died, he killed many Philistines too. God raised up Samson as the last judge to deliver the Israelites from the Philistines. Samson made some wrong choices in his life, but God gave him power again so that in his death, he killed many Philistines and rescued the Israelites from their enemies. How does God accomplish His plan? God uses people for His glory and our good. Jesus came into the world as the last Judge, saving through His life and His death those who would trust in Him. Jesus lived the perfect life we fail to live and died the death we deserve to die. By giving up His own life, Jesus provided life for sinners who trust in Him for salvation. Jesus is alive and wants all people to receive eternal life from Him. 178 Older Kids Leader Guide Unit 9 Session 4
The Gospel: God s Plan for Me (optional) Use Scripture and the guide provided with this session to explain to boys and girls how to become a Christian. Assign individuals to meet with kids who have more questions. Encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other Christian adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian. Tip: Provide I m a Christian Now for new Christians to take home and complete with their families. Key passage (5 minutes) Show the key passage poster. Lead kids to read Isaiah 33:22 together. LEADER Who can tell me the first thing this verse tells us about God? (He is our Judge.) And the second thing? (He is our lawgiver.) How about the third thing? (He is our King.) Remember that God put people in charge over Israel Moses gave the people laws; people like Othniel, Ehud, Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon, and Samson served as judges; and later, God made people like Saul, David, and Solomon kings. No matter who was the ruler, we know that God was ultimately in charge. How does God accomplish His plan? God uses people for His glory and our good. The last sentence of our verse says that God will save us. For the Israelites, that meant being saved from their enemies. But the Lord had a plan to save His people from something much greater than physical enemies. He planned to send His Son, Jesus. Those who trust in Jesus are saved from sin and death! Invite boys to read the verse, followed by the girls. Then lead kids in singing He Will Save Us. Key Passage Poster He Will Save Us song God Judges His People 179
Pray (2 minutes) Invite kids to pray before dismissing to small groups. Thank God for His good gifts that enable people to live out His plan. Ask God to give kids wisdom to use their gifts and talents for His glory. Dismiss to small groups 180 Older Kids Leader Guide Unit 9 Session 4
The Gospel: God s Plan for Me Ask kids if they have ever heard the word gospel. Clarify that the word gospel means good news. It is the message about Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation. Use the following guide to share the gospel with kids. God rules. Explain to kids that the Bible tells us God created everything, and He is in charge of everything. Invite a volunteer to read Genesis 1:1 from the Bible. Read Revelation 4:11 or Colossians 1:16-17 aloud and explain what these verses mean. We sinned. Tell kids that since the time of Adam and Eve, everyone has chosen to disobey God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible calls this sin. Because God is holy, God cannot be around sin. Sin separates us from God and deserves God s punishment of death. (Romans 6:23) God provided. Choose a child to read John 3:16 aloud. Say that God sent His Son, Jesus, the perfect solution to our sin problem, to rescue us from the punishment we deserve. It s something we, as sinners, could never earn on our own. Jesus alone saves us. Read and explain Ephesians 2:8-9. Jesus gives. Share with kids that Jesus lived a perfect life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose again. Because Jesus gave up His life for us, we can be welcomed into God s family for eternity. This is the best gift ever! Read Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21; or 1 Peter 3:19. We respond. Tell kids that they can respond to Jesus. Read Romans 10:9-10,13. Review these aspects of our response: Believe in your heart that Jesus alone saves you through what He s already done on the cross. Repent, turning from self and sin to Jesus. Tell God and others that your faith is in Jesus. Offer to talk with any child who is interested in responding to Jesus. God Judges His People 181
Small Group LEADER SESSION TITLE: Samson BIBLE PASSAGE: Judges 13 16 MAIN POINT: God gave Samson power. KEY PASSAGE: Isaiah 33:22 BIG PICTURE QUESTION: How does God accomplish His plan? God uses people for His glory and our good. Key Passage Poster paper plates or index cards hole punch marker string or yarn Bibles, 1 per kid Main Point Poster Option: Retell or review the Bible story using the bolded text of the Bible story script. Key passage activity (5 minutes) Write words or phrases of the key passage on several paper plates or index cards. Punch a hole on each side of the plate or card. Cut lengths of string to fit between each plate. Mix up the plates and challenge kids to put them in order. When kids finish, show the key passage poster for them to check their work. They should use the lengths of string to tie together the plates in order. Then lead them to read the key passage aloud. SAY God sent judges to rule over Israel, but God ultimately is in control. We can trust Him to lead us. Bible story review & Bible skills (10 minutes) Give each kid a Bible. Instruct boys and girls to open their Bibles to Judges 13. To review the Bible story, call out the following verses and allow volunteers to read each verse aloud. Allow time for kids to find the verses in the Bible, and assist as needed. Explain that when kids listen to the verse or passage, they should cheer if something good is happening or boo if something bad is happening. Judges 13:1 Israel disobeyed the Lord. (boo) 182 Older Kids Leader Guide Unit 9 Session 4
Judges 13:3-5 God promised a couple that their son would set Israel free from the Philistines. (cheer) Judges 13:24 Samson was born. (cheer) Judges 16:6 Delilah tried to find out what made Samson strong. (boo) Judges 16:7,11,13 Delilah tried to make Samson weak. (boo) Judges 16:17 Samson told Delilah the secret to his strength. (boo) Judges 16:19 A Philistine man cut off Samson s hair. (boo) Judges 16:21 The Philistines made Samson blind and made him a prisoner. (boo) Judges 16:22 Samson s hair started to grow back. (cheer) Judges 16:25 The Philistines brought Samson to the temple of their false god. (boo) Judges 16:28-30 Samson prayed, and God made him strong again. (cheer) SAY Before Samson was born, an angel told his parents that Samson would rescue the Israelites from their enemies, the Philistines. Even though Samson made some wrong choices, God did ultimately use him to defeat the Philistines. How does God accomplish His plan? God uses people for His glory and our good. Samson s sin led to his own death, but God used his death to deliver the Israelites from their enemies. Samson s story reminds us of Jesus. Jesus never sinned, but God sent Him to die on the cross and rise again to rescue believers from sin and give them eternal life. Option: Review the gospel with boys and girls. Explain that kids are welcome to speak with you or another teacher if they have questions. God Judges His People 183
LOW PREP construction paper markers Activity choice (10 minutes) OPTION 1: God s good gifts Provide a marker and a piece of construction paper for each kid. Instruct kids to write their names in large letters at the top of their papers. Spread out the papers in a row on a table or on the floor. Instruct kids to write on each piece of paper something positive they see in the person whose name is on the paper. For example, a kid might write on Jaxson s paper, You are a good friend, or on Abby s paper, You make me laugh. Kids should write a phrase on each of the other kids papers. Observe kids to ensure all remarks are positive. When kids finish, collect the papers and distribute them according to the name on the page. Allow a minute for kids to read their friends responses. SAY Remember that God gave Samson power. Samson did not become powerful on his own. The Bible says that every good and perfect gift comes from God. We can thank God for blessing us with talents or abilities or qualities that glorify Him. As time allows, encourage kids to silently pray and thank God for giving them the things described on their pages. Prompt them to ask God for the power to use their gifts to glorify Him. 184 Older Kids Leader Guide Unit 9 Session 4
The LORD is our judge; the LORD is our lawgiver; the LORD is our king; he will save us. Isaiah 33:22 Key Passage (ESV) Kids Unit 9 2015 LifeWay OK to Print
God gave Samson power. Main Point Kids Unit 9, Session 4 2015 LifeWay OK to Print
Samson (Judges 13 16) Unit 9, Session 4 2015 LifeWay OK to Print
List three things you are good at. Thank God for your talent. Then write a few sentences about how you might use your skills to glorify God. (We glorify God when we show others how great He is.) Samson Judges 13 16 FOLD MAIN POINT: GOD GAVE SAMSON POWER. FAMILY DISCUSSION STARTERS Samson was supposed to rescue the Israelites from what people? (the Philistines) What was Samson not supposed to do? (See Judges 13:5.) Talk about a time you disobeyed. What were the consequences? The Israelites disobeyed God, so God let the Philistines rule over them. One day, the Angel of the Lord appeared to Manoah and his wife. He told them they would have a son who would save the Israelites from the Philistines. God had special instructions for their son: He should never cut his hair. Manoah s wife named her son Samson. God blessed Samson and made him strong. When Samson grew up, he saw a Philistine woman he wanted to marry. He went to meet the woman. On the journey, a young lion jumped out at Samson. Samson killed the lion. When Samson and his parents returned for the wedding, Samson found the lion. Some bees had made honey in the lion s body. Some Philistine men came to help Samson prepare the wedding feast. Samson told the men a riddle: Out of the eater came something to eat, and out of the strong came something sweet. The riddle was about the lion and the honey, but the men could not figure it out. They asked Samson s new wife for help. Samson told his wife the answer to the riddle, and she told the men. Samson had been tricked! He was angry, and he left his wife. When he went back to get her, she was gone. Later, Samson fell in love with a woman named Delilah. The Philistines offered Delilah money if she would find out why Samson was so strong. Finally, Samson told Delilah, If you cut my hair, I will not have my strength. So when Samson was sleeping, the Philistines cut his hair. Samson wasn t strong anymore. The Philistines grabbed him and took him away in chains. Samson s hair began to grow back. One day, the Philistines made Samson stand between two pillars in their temple. Samson cried out to God, Lord, please strengthen me once more. So God strengthened Samson. Samson pushed on the pillars and collapsed the temple. Samson and everyone in the temple died. Christ Connection: Samson s sin led to his own death, but God used his death to deliver the Israelites from their enemies. Samson s story reminds us of Jesus. Jesus never sinned, but God sent Him to die on the cross and rise again to rescue believers from sin and give them eternal life. 21
Samson in Action n and illustrate the scene to complete the comic strip. Look up each passage in your Bible. Write a short captio Judges 16:29-30 Judges 16:17-19 Judges 14:5 Who Am I? Riddles, THIS MAN MET WITH EGLON KING OF MOAB. HE PULLED OUT HIS SWORD AND GAVE HIM A JAB. GOING ONTO THE PORCH AND LOCKING THE DOOR, HE LEFT THE KING THERE, DEAD ON THE FLOOR! -25.) WHO AM I? (SEE JUDGES 3:15 Can you solve these riddles about people in the Bible? Look up N THERE ONCE WAS A WOMA WHO LIVED IN A TENT. GOD USED HER FOR GLORY IN ONE BIG EVENT. R WHEN THE ARMY COMMANDE CAME IN FOR A SNOOZE, Y SHE GAINED ISRAEL S VICTOR AND CANAAN DID LOSE. ) -24. WHO AM I? (SEE JUDGES 4:17 the verses to check your answer! AN ANGEL APPEARED UNDER A TREE AND TOLD THIS MAN, BE! A MIGHT WARRIOR YOU LL THIS MAN TESTED GOD, UND. PUTTING FLEECE ON THE GRO ; GOD CLEARLY WAS WITH HIM D! HE WAS ALWAYS AROUN -12.) WHO AM I? (SEE JUDGES 6:11 22
How does God accomplish His plan? Big Picture Question and Answer Kids Unit 9 2015 LifeWay OK to Print
How does God accomplish His plan? God uses people for His glory and our good. Big Picture Question and Answer Kids Unit 9 2015 LifeWay OK to Print
God s people forgot about God. God let Israel s enemies defeat them. God Judges His People Older/Younger Kids Leader Guide Unit 9 Sessions 1 4 2015 LifeWay OK to Print Judges Sequencing Cards Instructions: Print and cut apart the cards. Laminate the cards or cover them with contact plastic. Use as directed in the leader guide throughout Unit 9.
God s people cried out to Him for help. God sent a judge to help His people. God Judges His People Older/Younger Kids Leader Guide Unit 9 Sessions 1 4 2015 LifeWay OK to Print Judges Sequencing Cards Instructions: Print and cut apart the cards. Laminate the cards or cover them with contact plastic. Use as directed in the leader guide throughout Unit 9.
God gave His people peace. God Judges His People Older/Younger Kids Leader Guide Unit 9 Sessions 1 4 2015 LifeWay OK to Print Judges Sequencing Cards Instructions: Print and cut apart the cards. Laminate the cards or cover them with contact plastic. Use as directed in the leader guide throughout Unit 9.