Opening

Find out from the children if they have been in a situation where they were faced with something they feared, but had to be very courageous. Receive the answers from the children. The following story is about Samson, who was known as the strongest man in the Bible. He faced every danger with much boldness.

Bible Story

From the book of Judges, we learn that God governed the Israelites through the help of the judges. The judges would lead the Israelites in war, and also direct the Israelites to worship God.
● However, upon the death of any of the judges, the Israelites would do evil in the eyes. The Lord would then give them into the hands of their enemies.
● These enemies would treat the Israelites badly, making them suffer very much.
● In this Bible story, the Israelites had done evil in the eyes of the Lord, and God delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years.
● They cried out to God, and He had pity on them. He gave them a savior through the birth of Samson.
● Samson was filled with the Spirit of God, and grew up having supernatural strength. He was a very strong man. Ask the children to name some of the strong people they know.
● Samson would fight against the large armies of the Philistines, and would win them all.
● In today’s story, Samson is captured by the Philistines, after being betrayed by Delilah.

● The rulers of the Philistines assembled to offer a great sacrifice to their gods, to celebrate the capture of Samson.
● When the people saw him, they praised their god.
● Samson was called out of the prison, so that he can perform for them. He was made to stand among the pillars.
● Samson asked the servant who held his hand to put him where he can feel the pillars that support the temple. The temple was crowded with men and women, numbering about three thousand persons.
● Then Samson prayed to God, asking Him to strengthen him just one more time.
● Samson reached towards the two central pillars on which the temple stood.
● He pushed the pillars with all his might, and the temple came down on all the people in it, including Samson. Thus he killed many more people when he died than while he lived. Samson was a fearless man.
● Samson showed he was fearless by sacrificing his own life, and killed all the Philistines who were in the temple, and were cursing God by showing reverence to their gods. Just like Samson, we learn to always be fearless. We are children of God and He will always protect us.
● In the challenges like walking into a dark room or dealing with bullies that we face we can be fearless as we put our trust in God. God will help us face the challenge of darkness and remember He is always with us giving us light. When we have a challenge with a bully in school we will be fearless to say no to the bully and not be afraid to stand up for what is right.

Questions

1. Why did God give the Israelites over to their enemies? They did evil
2. What can we learn from Samson? He was a brave/ fearless
3. Who betrayed Samson? Delilah