Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 9, Session 4: Samson … · 1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide...

1st-3rd Grade Kids Bible Study Guide Unit 9, Session 4: Samson

2012 LifeWay Christian Resources

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TEACHER 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 an 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 Judges 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 to Timnah. (See Judges 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 lead to the death of Samson.

In his anger, Samson torched the fields of the Philistines. He used the jawbone of a donkey to kill

1,000 men. The Philistine leaders determined to kill Samson. When he fell in love with a woman

named Delilah, they 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 the 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. (Judges 16:30)

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.

LESSON OVERVIEW/SCHEDULE Session Title: Samson

Bible Passage: Judges 13–16

Big Picture Question: What should I do when I sin? I should ask God for forgiveness.

Key Passage: Judges 2:18

Unit Christ Connection: God used the judges to deliver His people from their enemies; Christ

delivers people from the greatest enemy, Satan.



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Transition Time

Welcome time

Activity sheet/Table Centers

Session starter (10 minutes)

Lesson

Countdown

Introduce the session (1 minute)

Timeline Map (1 minute)

Big picture question (1 minute)

Sing (5 minutes)

Key passage (4 minutes)

Tell the Bible story (10 minutes)

Discussion starter video (3 minutes)

The Gospel: God’s Plan for Me (optional)

Prayer (5 minutes)

Table Time

Timeline map (1 minute)

Bible story review (10 minutes)

Large Group Review / Activities

Key passage activity (5 minutes)

Activity choice (10 minutes)

Prayer (5 minutes)

THE BIBLE STORY/OVERVIEW

Samson

Judges 13–16

The Israelites disobeyed God, so God handed them over to their enemies, the Philistines, for 40

years. But not all of the Israelites disobeyed God. Some of them still worshiped Him. Two of

those people were Manoah and his wife. One day the Angel of the LORD appeared to Manoah’s

wife and told her she would have a son. Her son would belong to God. God had special

instructions for the baby’s life: he should never cut his hair. God said, “Your son will be a

Nazirite. He is going to save the Israelites from the Philistines.”

Manoah’s wife had a baby, and she named him Samson. As Samson grew, God blessed him.

God gave Samson great strength.

When Samson grew up, he saw a Philistine woman he wanted to marry. He went to her town to

talk to her. As he traveled with his father and mother, a young lion jumped out at him. Samson

killed the lion with his bare hands. Samson did not tell his parents what he had done. After some

time, Samson traveled again to marry the woman. Samson found the lion’s carcass. A swarm of



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bees had made honey in the carcass. Samson scooped some honey into his hands and gave some

to his parents.

The Philistines sent 30 men to help Samson prepare the wedding feast. He told the men a

riddle:

Out of the eater came something to eat,

and out of the strong came something sweet.

Samson was talking about the lion and the honey, but none of the men could solve the riddle.

They asked Samson’s new wife to help them. Samson’s wife cried until Samson told her the

answer to the riddle. Then Samson’s wife told the men the answer. Samson had been tricked!

He was angry, and he left his wife.

Later on, Samson went back to get his wife. But her father had given her to another man. “I

thought you hated her,” he said. Samson was so mad that he went out and caught 300 foxes. He

tied their tails together with a torch and sent them out into the Philistines’ fields. The foxes

burned up the fields. The Philistines went to find Samson to punish him. The men of Judah had

tied him up with ropes, but Samson was so strong that he broke through the ropes. He took the

jawbone of a donkey and killed 1,000 men with it.

Samson escaped to the capital city of Gaza. The Philistines found him there and planned to kill

him. Samson fell in love with a woman named Delilah. The Philistines talked to Delilah. “Get

Samson to tell you why he is so strong,” they said. “We will each give you 1,100 pieces of

silver.”

Delilah asked Samson why he was so strong. She tested him with seven fresh bowstrings and

with new ropes. She tried weaving the braids on his head, but nothing took away Samson’s

strength.

Delilah begged Samson to tell her the truth, so Samson did. “If you cut my hair, I will not have

my strength.” Delilah sent for the Philistine leaders. They waited until Samson was sleeping,

then a man cut his hair. Delilah woke him up. “Samson! Wake up! The Philistines are here to

kill you!” But Samson’s strength had left him. The Philistines seized him and made him blind.

They took him away in shackles and made fun of him.

Samson’s hair began to grow back. One day, the Philistines made Samson stand between two

pillars in the temple of Dagon, the Philistines’ god. Samson cried out to God, “Lord GOD, please

remember me. Strengthen me once more.” So God strengthened Samson. Samson pushed on the

pillars and collapsed the temple. Samson and all of the Philistines in it died.

Christ Connection: God raised up Samson as the last judge to deliver the Israelites from the

Philistines. Samson killed more Philistines in his death than he did in his life. Jesus came as the

last Deliverer, saving in His life and in His death all those who would trust in Him.



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TRANSITION TIME Session Title: Samson






Welcome time Tip: As kids arrive this is a great time to collect the offering, fill out attendance sheets, and help new kids connect to

your group.

Arriving Activity: Just Ask bowl

candy or fruit

Place a bowl filled with candy or fruit somewhere in the middle of the room. As kids enter the

room, point out the goodies. Tell them there is only one way to get a treat from the bowl. Kids

must do something to receive a treat. Their challenge is to figure out what they need to do.

Instruct them to whisper their guesses to a leader.

The only way to get a treat is to simply ask a leader if they may have a piece. If a child

whispers the right answer, give her one of the treats.

Say • There was only one way to get a treat. You had to ask. Today, we will learn about

something very important that you can only get by asking.

Activities/Table Centers (5 minutes) Table Centers (Miscellaneous Activities)

“Riddle Me” activity sheet / Bible Story Coloring Sheet, 1 per kid

markers, colored pencils, crayons

Guide boys and girls to complete the activity page.

Say • Do you know what each of those items have in common? Find out in today’s Bible story.

Session Starter (10 minutes)

Option 1: Too Heavy “Too Heavy” instructions

straws or other lightweight items, 1 per team

reusable grocery bag, 1 per team (or 2/classroom)

unopened water bottles (approximately 20/classroom)

Form two teams. Invite each team to form a circle. Give one kid in each circle something very

light, such as a straw. Explain that when you say go, each team will try to be the first to pass the

item all the way around the circle and back to the kid it started with. Repeat a few times.

Next, give each team a much heavier item, such as a grocery bag full of unopened water bottles.



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Follow the same rules as before. Repeat the game if time allows.

Say • Which item was easier to pass? Why? Would the heavier object have been easier if you

were stronger? Today, we will get to see how God used someone who was very strong.

Option 2: Barbell Snack pretzel sticks

fruit-flavored O-shaped cereal

napkins

Provide each kid with a napkin, a handful of fruit-flavored O-shaped cereal, and pretzel sticks.

Invite them to push one end of a pretzel stick through the opening in the middle of a piece of

cereal. Demonstrate how to turn the pretzel stick around and push the other end through another

cereal piece, creating a small barbell.

Allow the kids to race to see how many barbells they can make. When finished, kids may eat

their snacks.

Say • A barbell is a pole with weights on each end. People lift barbells to make themselves

stronger. Today’s Bible story is about someone who didn’t need barbells. He was very

strong because God gave him strength.

Transition to large group

LESSON Session Title: Samson






Countdown countdown video (on provided DVD with lesson videos and worship)

Show the countdown video as you clean-up table centers, set up classroom chairs for lesson and

set it to end as large group time begins.

Introduce the session (1 minute) dumbell [Large Group Leader enters the room with a dumbbell.]

Leader • I see you’re back. I bet you are all excited about the chance to “judge a judge.” I’ve



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been working out at the gym, trying to get stronger. I just don’t want to look too wimpy when

we see today’s judge. I hear he is really strong. It looks like it’s time, so let’s get started.

Timeline Map (1 minute) Timeline Map (small group visual pack – copies provided for Table Time Review)

Leader • Let’s take a look at what we’ve learned over the past couple of weeks.

Can anyone name the first judge we studied? Othniel was first. Second was Ehud, and

Shamgar was third. We saw how God works in the lives of people to bring about His plan for

redemption.

Deborah was the next judge for the Israelites. God used her and the leader of the Israelite

army, Barak, to defeat the Canaanite army. We discovered that God’s plan is to bring about

His glory and our good.

Last week, we got to meet Gideon. Gideon wasn’t sure if God really wanted to use him at

first, but after a few tests, he was marching into battle with only 300 men. God used Gideon to

show us that we should obey God and trust Him to help us.

Wow! This is an interesting picture for today. I’ve never seen anyone get a haircut like that

before. It looks like we are going to learn about a man named Samson.

Big picture question (1 minute) Big Picture Question: What should I do when I sin? - 11x17 poster provided

Leader • Do you remember the pattern the Israelites followed? The people sinned. God sent an

enemy nation to rule them. They cried out to God. God sent a judge to deliver them. When

the judge died, they went back to their old ways. Then, it all started back over again.

The problem is that sin can’t be beaten by a judge. It takes a Savior, and we have one. Does

anyone know who that is? That’s right! It’s Jesus! Where can we find out about Jesus? We

can see all about Jesus in the Bible. Do you have yours today?

Let’s take a look at our big picture question! What should I do when I sin?

Sing (5 minutes) Worship Song: “My Deliverer” (on provided DVD)

Leader • Romans 3:23 says we have all sinned. The pattern of the Israelites is a perfect

example. No matter what God did, they would disobey Him. We are not that much different.

We sin too.

Aren’t you glad that God didn’t give up on the Israelites? He didn’t give up on us either.

That’s why He sent Jesus to be our Deliverer.

Sing together “My Deliverer.”

Key passage (4 minutes) Key Passage Poster: Judges 2:18 (provided)

Worship Song: “As Long As the Judge Was Alive” (on provided DVD)

Leader • Our key passage tells us that God was willing to help His people if they would ask.



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Show the slide or poster of the unit’s key passage, Judges 2:18. Lead the boys and girls to read

the verse together. Sing together “As Long As the Judge Was Alive.”

Tell the Bible story (10 minutes) “Samson” video (on provided DVD)

Bibles, 1 per kid

Bible Story Picture Slide or Poster

Leader • Let’s open our Bibles to Judges 13. Several judges came and went after Gideon. The

Israelites’ pattern of sin continued, and that brings us to Samson.

We’ll also discover the answer to our big picture question, What should I do when I sin?

Choose to tell the Bible story in your own words using the script provided, or show the “Samson”

video.

Note: For more details about the Nazirite vow, see Numbers 6.

Leader • The Philistines ruled over the Israelites for 40 years. This time we don’t know if the

people cried out to God, but God did send someone to rescue His people.

Samson was a Nazirite. A Nazirite had different rules about how to live. A Nazirite was

supposed to let his hair grow long. He was also supposed to stay away from two things: any

kind of grape or juice from a grape and anything dead.

Samson grew up, and God blessed him with great strength. But Samson didn’t always keep

his vow. He killed a lion with his bare hands and later reached into the dead lion where there

were bees, and he took some honey. Samson wasn’t supposed to be around anything dead.

The Philistines were really angry with Samson, but they couldn’t capture him because he was

too strong. One time they tried to capture him, and he killed 1,000 men with a bone from a

donkey—something he wasn’t supposed to touch. Yet Samson judged the Israelites for 20

years.

The Philistines didn’t give up though. They used a woman name Delilah to find out that

Samson would lose his strength if his hair was cut.

A Philistine came at night and cut his hair. Samson was no longer strong, so the Philistines

captured him, made him blind, and took him to prison. His hair began to grow back, and the

Philistines decided to make fun of him at a party for one of their false gods. Samson asked God

for the strength to punish the Philistines. God granted his request, and Samson pushed over two

giant posts holding up the building, killing the 3,000 people inside.

We don’t know if Samson ever asked forgiveness for his sins, but we know that we should.

What should I do when I sin? I should ask God for forgiveness.

Ask the following review questions:

What did the Angel of the LORD tell Samson’s mother not to cut? (Samson’s hair,

Judges 13:5)

What did Samson use to kill 1,000 Philistines? (a jawbone from a donkey, Judges 15:15)

Who told the Philistines that Samson’s strength was tied to his hair? (Delilah, Judges

16:18-19)



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How was Samson able to push down the posts holding up the false god’s temple? (He

asked God to give him strength one more time, Judges 16:28-30)

What should I do when I sin? I should ask God for forgiveness.

Discussion starter video (3 minutes) Unit 9, Session 4 - Discussion Starter Video (on provided DVD)

Big Picture Question: What should I do when I sin? - 11x17 poster provided

Leader • Have you ever sinned, knowing you were doing something wrong? The answer is

probably yes. Here’s one example of how easy it is to sin.

Show the discussion starter video.

Leader • Have you ever said you were sorry when you didn’t mean it? Sometimes we don’t

even say it when we are sorry. God knew we couldn’t go without sinning, so He sent someone

who could. His name is Jesus. Does being a Christian mean we won’t ever sin again? Of

course not. What should I do when I sin? I should ask God for forgiveness.

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. If this is not

possible, encourage boys and girls to ask their parents, small group leaders, or other Christian

adults any questions they may have about becoming a Christian.

Prayer (5 minutes) Big Picture Question: What should I do when I sin? - 11x17 poster provided

Show the big picture question slide or poster.

Leader • Let’s see our big picture question and answer one more time. What should I do when I

sin? I should ask God for forgiveness.

Invite kids with hair below their shoulders to ask the big picture question. Those with shorter hair

should answer the big picture question.

Before transitioning to small group, make any necessary announcements. Lead the kids in

prayer. Pray that the kids will always seek forgiveness when they sin.

Dismiss to small groups for Table Time

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.



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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 3:18.

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.

TABLE TIME LEADER

Session Title: Samson






Bible story review (10 minutes) Bibles, 1 per kid

Timeline (small group visual pack – extra copies provided for Table Time Review)

Big Picture Question: What should I do when I sin? (11x17 poster provided in classroom)

Tip: Divide children into small groups for table time. Each group should include an adult leader at the table.

Encourage the kids to find Judges 13 in their Bibles. Help them as needed.

Say • Is Judges in the Old Testament or New Testament? (Old Testament) Which book of the

Bible does Judges follow? (Joshua) Which division of the Bible is Judges part of?

(History) Who are some of the judges we have learned about so far? (Othniel, Ehud,

Shamgar, Deborah, Gideon, and Samson)

Use the small group visual pack to show kids where today’s Bible story is on the timeline.

Review the Bible story provided or summarize the story in your own words. Read the following

statements. Ask the kids to tell you what is wrong with each statement.

Samson was strong as long as he had short hair. (He was strong as long as he had long

hair, Judges 16:17)



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Samson killed 1,000 Philistines with the jawbone of a cow. (Samson used the jawbone of

a donkey, Judges 15:15)

Samson scooped milk out of a dead lion’s body. (He took honey from the dead lion’s

body, Judges 14:8-9)

Samson burned up the Philistines’ crops by letting go 300 cats with their tails tied and on

fire. (It was foxes’ tails, Judges 15:3-5)

Samson was a judge for 15 years. (He judged for 20 years, Judges 15:20)

Show the big picture question slide or poster.

Say • What’s the answer to the big picture question? What should I do when I sin? I should

ask God for forgiveness. Neither the Philistines nor Samson dealt with sin the way they

should have.

LARGE GROUP REVIEW

AND ACTIVITIES

Key passage activity (5 minutes) “First Letter Only” Instructions

Key Passage Poster: Judges 2:18 (provided)

dry erase board and marker

Make sure the key passage, Judges 2:18, is visible for each child, either as the printed poster or

written on a dry erase board. Read the verse together.

Say • Samson was the last major judge for the Israelites. It seemed like each judge trusted God

less and struggled with sin more. This was a picture of how Israel was slowly forgetting

all that God had done for them in the past.

God asks one thing of us when we sin. What should I do when I sin? I should ask God

for forgiveness. Of course, God wants us to turn from sin and not do it again. The judges

were a temporary way of dealing with the sin of God’s people and the sin of others living

in the land. The only real solution to sin is Jesus. Who remembers our key passage?

Since this is the final week of this unit, cover or remove the key passage poster. Write only the

first letter of each word of the key passage on the dry erase board. See if your class can recite the

verse together several times, using only the first letter of each word. Invite a few kids to say the

verse alone or with a friend. If you still have several kids who don’t know the verse, prompt

them with the next word of the key passage when they get stuck and need extra help.



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Activity choice (10 minutes)

Option 1: Strong Competition

Invite the kids to compete against each other with common exercises. Consider forming two

groups—boys and girls. Try some of the following ideas:

Who can do the most jumping jacks in one minute?

Who can do the most push-ups?

Who can stand on one leg the longest?

Who can do the most sit-ups in one minute?

Who can stand on their tiptoes the longest?

Say • Physical exercise makes our bodies stronger, but it won’t make us perfect. Samson was

very strong, but he still struggled with sin. What should I do when I sin? I should ask

God for forgiveness.

Option 2: Forgiveness Folder folders, 1 per kid

crayons or markers

stickers (optional)

paper, 1 per kid

Provide each child with a folder and a sheet of paper. Allow them to decorate their folders with

markers or stickers.

Explain that these are their “forgiveness folders.” Invite each kid to draw on her sheet of paper

a picture of a time that she asked for forgiveness. It could be from something she did to someone

or to God.

Encourage kids to keep these folders as a reminder that they sin and need forgiveness.

Encourage them to ask God for forgiveness and then write a note or draw a picture of what

they’ve done when they sin in the future.

Say • You are keeping a reminder of your sin so you can later see what God has forgiven you

for. However, God doesn’t file it away. The Bible says God does not remember our sins.

(Hebrews 8:12) All we need to do is ask. What should I do when I sin? I should ask

God for forgiveness.

Prayer and Clean-Up (5 minutes) Say • Let’s review our big picture question. What should I do when I sin? I should ask God

for forgiveness.

If time remains, take prayer requests. End the session with prayer, thanking God for

forgiveness. Pray for each child by name, asking God to help kids clearly see their sin and need

for forgiveness.

__ __ __ __ __ ____ __ __ ____ __ __ __

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L R D

BF

The JudgesUNIT 9 • Session 4 • Younger Kids Activity Pages© 2012 LifeWay Christian Resources.

Instructions: Use the scrambled pictures and riddles below it to identify each item.

“I am king of the jungle.”

“I am an animal that talks in the Bible.”

“I make quite a buzz.”

“I tie things up.”

“I am small, furry, and live in a den.”

24 Younger Kids Leader Guide Unit 9, Session 4 Copyright 2012

LifeWay

Family Journal Page

® OK TO PRINT

Samson was a strong man. God used Samson’s muscles against the enemies of Israel. Have

a family strong man competition. Try arm wrestling, thumb wrestling, push-ups, or sit-ups.

Modify the requirements for preschoolers. Record the results below.

The JudgesSamsonJudges 13–16

PreschoolKey Passage:

Big Picture Question:

Christ Connection: God chose Samson to help

save the Israelites from their enemies,

the Philistines. When he died, Samson

killed many Philistines. God sent

Jesus to save people from sin. Jesus

died on the cross and rose again to

rescue us from sin.

KidsKey Passage:

Big Picture Question:

Christ Connection: God raised up Samson as

the last judge to deliver the Israelites from the

Philistines. Samson killed more Philistines in his

death than he did in his life. Jesus came as the last

Deliverer, saving through His life and His death

those who would trust in Him.

®

Whenever the LORD raised up judges for them,

the LORD was with the judge, and he saved them from the

hand of their enemies all the days of the judge.

Judges 2:18

OK TO PRINTThe Judges

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