LESSON 4
SAMSON
The Strong Judge
Con
Judges 13-16
Intermediate Sunday School
OVERVIEW
Today at a Glance
AIM
KEY CONCEPT
READING
To show that God is a God of
forgiveness and He will not
forsake us, if we have faith.
God hears our prayers and
answers them according to
His will.
Judges 16:4-31
Reference: Judges 13-16
Memory verse: Philippians
4:13
+
HOLY
BIBLE
OVERVIEW
G
Our Plan Today
1
Starting Up
2
Setting the Scene
3
Bible Story
Where does our strength
come from?
Israel and the Nazirite vow
The life of Samson
(Judges 13-16)
4
Lessons for Us
5
Brain Strain
6
Zoom Activities
?
?
Overview
?
Faith and trust
Questions and memory verse
Games and breakout rooms
STARTING UP
The Source of Strength
We all make mistakes. Where do we find the strength to do better?
STARTING UP
M
Think Over This Past Week
Something you did
that would NOT have
pleased God
Something you did
because you wanted
to PLEASE God
Write both down
privately (or type in
your notes)
Have you made
the same mistake
several times?
Starting Up
Share only if you want to - no pressure.
MEMORY VERSE
"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:13
Did you know? If we try to do what God wants, He will give us the strength to do it.
SETTING THE SCENE
Set Apart to God
Israel, the Philistines and a very special baby
SETTING THE SCENE
The Cycle Again (Lesson 1)
1
Rebelling
2
Being Rebuked
3
Repenting & Rescued
Israel does evil in the eyes of
the Lord.
God allows enemies to overrun
them. Judges 13:1: forty years
under the Philistines.
Israel cries out; God sends a
deliverer.
Samson is the next deliverer in the cycle.
SETTING THE SCENE
A Baby Promised
1
Manoah, from the
tribe of Dan, had
no children.
2
An angel told
Manoah's wife she
would have a son.
3
She was to follow
special dietary
guidelines.
4
The boy would be
a Nazirite from
birth.
Judges 13
SETTING THE SCENE
Quick Quiz: A Nazirite Was ...
A
B
C
?
Setting the Scene
A Jewish person from
the town of Nazareth
A Hebrew person who
vowed to serve God
trained to use a weapon
An Israelite soldier
in a special way
called a Nazir
V
Note: the KJV spells it "Nazarite"; NKJV and NIV spell it "Nazirite".
SETTING THE SCENE
Quick Quiz: A Nazirite Was ...
A
B
C
?
Setting the Scene
A Jewish person from
the town of Nazareth
A Hebrew person who
vowed to serve God
trained to use a weapon
An Israelite soldier
in a special way
called a Nazir
Note: the KJV spells it "Nazarite"; NKJV and NIV spell it "Nazirite".
SETTING THE SCENE
What Is a Nazirite?
A LIFE
SET APART
FOR GOD
A Special Vow
For a Set Time
Well-Known Examples
A person of Israel who
made a solemn promise
(a vow) to serve God
in a special way.
For a set time -
from thirty days
to a lifetime.
Samson, Samuel and
John the Baptist were
life-long Nazirites.
SETTING THE SCENE
Three Restrictions (Numbers 6)
1
Num 6:3-4
2
Num 6:5
3
Num 6:6
No wine, grapes or anything
from the vine.
No razor on the head -
let the hair grow long.
Never go near a dead body.
These showed their dedication to God.
SETTING THE SCENE
Other Life-long Nazirites
1 Samuel 1:11
Luke 1:15
Judges 13
SAMUEL - dedicated to God
by his mother Hannah
JOHN the Baptist - filled
SAMSON - set apart before
with the Spirit from birth
he was born
BIBLE STORY
The Spirit of the Lord Came Upon Him
Judges 14-16
BIBLE STORY
Samson's Task
Deliver Israel
from the Philistines
The Philistines:
a warlike nation on
the coast of Israel
God did NOT make
Samson an army
leader
God gave him
great strength
to fight alone
Samson was a Judge for twenty years
Judges 13:5; 15:20
BIBLE STORY
The Lion and the Bees
1
2
3
Samson was on his way
to visit a Philistine girl
A lion attacked Samson -
he killed it with his bare
Later he found bees
living in the lion's
he later married.
hands.
carcass.
Judges 14:5-9
BIBLE STORY
The Riddle at the Wedding
Samson's riddle
The pressure
Their answer
(14:14)
The Philistines threatened
Samson's wife, and she pestered
him until he told her.
(14:18)
"Out of the eater, something
to eat; out of the strong,
something sweet."
"What is sweeter than honey?
What is stronger than a lion?"
Samson was furious that they had cheated.
BIBLE STORY
Samson's Revenge
1
2
3
He caught 300 foxes
A lighted torch was
Set free in the
Bible Story
and paired them
tail to tail.
tied to each pair.
Philistines' crops, the
fields caught fire and
were ruined.
Judges 15:3-5
BIBLE STORY
The Jawbone
GOD CAN USE
ORDINARY THINGS
1
2
3
4
TO DO
EXTRAORDINARY
THINGS.
The Philistines
demanded Samson
be handed over.
The Israelites tied
him with ropes and
took him to them.
Samson burst the
ropes, picked up a
donkey's jawbone,
and fought.
How many men
did he kill?
1,000
(v16)
Judges 15:14-17
BIBLE STORY
Thirsty and Trusting
Samson was very thirsty
1
and called out to God.
Verse 18 shows he knew
2
God gave him his strength.
3
The Philistines tried to
trap him in Gaza.
He lifted the huge city gates
4
and carried them about
fifty kilometres.
Judges 15:18 - 16:3
BIBLE STORY
Delilah
M
1
2
3
4
Samson fell in love
The Philistines
He lied to her
three times
Finally he told her
with Delilah
wanted the secret
the truth
of his strength
BIBLE STORY
Judges 16:4-17
BIBLE STORY
The Secret
"No razor has ever been used on my head, because I have been a Nazirite set apart to God since birth. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me."
Judges 16:17
BIBLE STORY
The Fall
1
2
3
4
5
A
Delilah had a man
shave Samson's
head while he slept.
"The Philistines
are upon you!" -
but God had left
him.
He had trusted
in himself rather
than God.
Captured, blinded
and made to grind
corn in prison.
Verse 22: his hair
began to grow again
- and so did his
trust in God.
Bible Story
Judges 16:18-22
BIBLE STORY
Samson's Prayer
Bible Story
1
2
3
A feast to the Philistine
god Dagon - Samson
was brought out to be
to show him the two
He asked the boy
great pillars.
He prayed to the Lord
for strength just
once more.
mocked.
Judges 16:23-28
BIBLE STORY
"O Sovereign Lord, remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more."
Judges 16:28
BIBLE STORY
m
The Temple Falls
1
2
3
4
5
God heard
He pushed
The temple
collapsed -
He killed more
His family
buried him
Samson's
prayer of faith.
on the pillars
with all his
strength.
in his death
than in all
his life.
thousands of
Philistines died
with him.
between Zorah
and Eshtaol,
in Manoah's
tomb.
Judges 16:29-31
LESSONS FOR US
Faith and Trust
What does Samson's life teach us?
LESSONS FOR US
Everyone Did What Was Right in His Own Eyes
01
02
03
MY WAY
GOD'S WAY
Judges 21:25
That kind of living
brings all sorts
of trouble.
DISCUSS:
describes the
whole period.
Is there any
similarity in today's
society?
Judges 21:25
LESSONS FOR US
Where Does Strength Come From?
While he trusted
When he broke his
For us
God helped Samson.
VOW
True strength is courage,
sound moral judgment and
complete trust in God - not
muscles.
God left him weak and
helpless.
COURAGE
SOUND
JUDGMENT
TRUST
IN GOD
HOLY
BIBLE
REMEMBER: God will strengthen those who trust in Him.
LESSONS FOR US
Jesus: The Greater Deliverer
The judges
Samson
+
Jesus
Chosen to protect Israel from
surrounding nations.
Sometimes showed faith and
trust in God.
ALWAYS showed faith and trust.
The name JESUS means
"The Lord is salvation".
Hebrews 11 lists Samson as a man of faith in the Kingdom!
BRAIN STRAIN
Questions
Answers and discussion
BRAIN STRAIN
Questions 1-3
?
1
What made Samson
different?
2
What was noticeable
about the Philistines?
3
How was Samson
made weak?
He was a Nazirite
His hair was shaved,
breaking his vow;
God left him.
from birth, set apart
to God with great
strength.
A warlike nation
living on the coast.
BRAIN STRAIN
Questions 4-5
4
How can we keep ourselves
separate from the world's
evil ways?
5
"Samson is a tragic picture of the
man of God, fully equipped but
made ineffective by passion and
lust."
(Discuss: prayer, Bible reading,
good friends, choices)
Discuss. What could stop YOU
from serving the Lord?
Passion
and lust
Distraction
from purpose
Brain Strain
Prayer
Bible reading
Pride
RIGHT
CHOICE
WRONG
CHOICE
Wrong
influences
Good friends
Choices
EXTRA ACTIVITIES
Put Samson on the Map
Where did Samson
live?
Where did he kill
the lion?
Where were 1,000
killed? / Dagon's temple?
Mahaneh Dan, between
On the way to Timnah (14:1)
Lehi (15:14) | Gaza (16:21)
Zorah and Eshtaol (Judges 13:25)
Lehi (15:14)
Gaza (16:21)
Mahaneh Dan
Timnah ->
Zorah
Eshtaol
Judges 13:25
Judges 14:1
1,000
killed
Dagon's
temple
EXTRA ACTIVITIES
Pen & Paper
Map work, a virus puzzle and worksheets - grab a pen and paper!
PEN & PAPER
Get Ready
Pen & Paper
Time for each activity: 3-5 minutes
PEN & PAPER
Activity 1: Put Samson on the Map
Pen & Paper
Workbook page 29
PEN & PAPER
Map Questions
1. Where did Samson live?
Judges 13:25
2. On the way to which town did he kill the lion?
Judges 14:1
3. Where did he kill 1,000 men with a jawbone?
Judges 15:14
4. In which city was the Temple of Dagon? (Judges 16:21)
PEN & PAPER
Map Answers
1. Home
Mahaneh Dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol
2. The lion
On the way to Timnah
3. The jawbone
Lehi
4. Temple of Dagon: Gaza
PEN & PAPER
Activity 2: Virus Alert!
"Trus tint he Lordwit hall you rhear tand leanno tony ourow nund erstan ding; inal lyour waysack nowl edge himan dhew ill makey ourp athsst raight."
Proverbs 3:5-6
The words have run together! Separate them and write out the verse.
PEN & PAPER
Virus Fixed!
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6
Memory challenge: read it twice, cover it, and write it from memory.
PEN & PAPER
Activity 3: Nazirite Do or Don't?
Pen & Paper
Write DO or DON'T for each one a Nazirite followed:
Samson's vow
PEN & PAPER
Do or Don't: Answers
Pen & Paper
Numbers 6:3-6
PEN & PAPER
Activity 4: Fill in the Blanks
Pen & Paper
Answers are in brackets - cover them first!
(Nazirite)
(lion)
(300)
(jawbone)
(Delilah)
(twenty)
PEN & PAPER
Activity 5: Draw and Tell
Pen & Paper
Be creative!
PEN & PAPER
Activity 6: My Strength Journal
Pen & Paper
Private - only share if you want to
MEMORY VERSE
Say It Together
"I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:13
Read aloud x3, then hide words one by one.
MEMORY VERSE
Say It Together
"I can __ everything through ____ who gives me ______."
Philippians 4:13
Read aloud x3, then hide words one by one.
ZOOM ACTIVITIES
Let's Play Online
Ten games and challenges for our Zoom class
ZOOM ACTIVITIES
Zoom Setup and Rules
Zoom Activities
Host tips: enable Polls, Annotate and Breakout Rooms before class
ZOOM ACTIVITIES
How We Score
Zoom Activities
Optional prizes: bragging rights and a round of applause!
GAME 1
Samson Poll Quiz
Eight questions - vote in the Zoom poll!
GAME 1: POLL QUIZ
Question 1
Who was Samson's father?
A
Manoah
B
Elkanah
C
Gideon
Vote in the Zoom poll or type your letter in chat!
GAME 1: POLL QUIZ
Question 1
Who was Samson's father?
A
Manoah
B
Elkanah
C
Gideon
Vote in the Zoom poll or type your letter in chat!
GAME 1: POLL QUIZ
Question 2
What special group was Samson part of from birth?
A
Pharisee
B
Nazirite
C
Levite
Vote in the Zoom poll or type your letter in chat!
GAME 1: POLL QUIZ
Question 2
What special group was Samson part of from birth?
A
Pharisee
B
Nazirite
C
Levite
Vote in the Zoom poll or type your letter in chat!
GAME 1: POLL QUIZ
Question 3
What animal did Samson kill on the way to Timnah?
A
Bear
B
Wolf
C
Lion
Vote in the Zoom poll or type your letter in chat!
GAME 1: POLL QUIZ
Question 3
What animal did Samson kill on the way to Timnah?
A
Bear
B
Wolf
C
Lion
Vote in the Zoom poll or type your letter in chat!
GAME 1: POLL QUIZ
Question 4
Samson's riddle was about...
A
Fish and bread
B
Honey and a lion
C
Grapes and wine
Vote in the Zoom poll or type your letter in chat!
GAME 1: POLL QUIZ
Question 4
Samson's riddle was about...
A
Fish and bread
B
Honey and a lion
C
Grapes and wine
Vote in the Zoom poll or type your letter in chat!
GAME 1: POLL QUIZ
Question 5
How many foxes did Samson catch?
A
30
B
300
C
3,000
Vote in the Zoom poll or type your letter in chat!
GAME 1: POLL QUIZ
Question 5
How many foxes did Samson catch?
A
30
B
300
C
3,000
Vote in the Zoom poll or type your letter in chat!
GAME 1: POLL QUIZ
Question 6
What did Samson use to defeat 1,000 men?
A
A sword
B
A jawbone of a donkey
C
A spear
Vote in the Zoom poll or type your letter in chat!
GAME 1: POLL QUIZ
Question 6
What did Samson use to defeat 1,000 men?
A
A sword
B
A jawbone of a donkey
C
A spear
Vote in the Zoom poll or type your letter in chat!
GAME 1: POLL QUIZ
Question 7
Who cut Samson's hair while he slept?
A
Delilah (through a man she called)
B
Manoah
C
The angel
Vote in the Zoom poll or type your letter in chat!
GAME 1: POLL QUIZ
Question 7
Who cut Samson's hair while he slept?
A
Delilah (through a man she called)
B
Manoah
C
The angel
Vote in the Zoom poll or type your letter in chat!
GAME 1: POLL QUIZ
Question 8
Where was the temple of Dagon?
A
Hebron
B
Shiloh
C
Gaza
Vote in the Zoom poll or type your letter in chat!
GAME 1: POLL QUIZ
Question 8
Where was the temple of Dagon?
A
Hebron
B
Shiloh
C
Gaza
Vote in the Zoom poll or type your letter in chat!
GAME 1: POLL QUIZ
Quiz Answer Key
Game 1: Poll Quiz
Count the points!
GAME 2
Who Am I?
Guess the Bible character from three clues
GAME 2: WHO AM I?
Who Am I? #1
Game 2: Who Am I?
Guess early for more points!
GAME 2: WHO AM I?
Who Am I? #2
Game 2: Who Am I?
Guess early for more points!
GAME 2: WHO AM I?
Who Am I? #3
Game 2: Who Am I?
Guess early for more points!
GAME 2: WHO AM I?
Who Am I? #4
Game 2: Who Am I?
Guess early for more points!
GAME 2: WHO AM I?
Who Am I? #5
Game 2: Who Am I?
Guess early for more points!
GAME 2: WHO AM I?
Who Am I? Answers
Game 2: Who Am I?
Great detective work!
GAME 3
Emoji Charades
Guess the Bible scene from the emojis
GAME 3 | 1
🦁🐝🍯
Judges 14: a riddle begins
Type your guess in the chat!
GAME 3 | 2
🦊🔥🌾
Judges 15: revenge
Type your guess in the chat!
GAME 3 | 3
🐴🦴💪
Judges 15: a mighty fight
Type your guess in the chat!
GAME 3 | 4
😴✂️💇
Judges 16: a secret is lost
Type your guess in the chat!
GAME 3 | 5
🏛️💥🙏
Judges 16: the last prayer
Type your guess in the chat!
GAME 3: EMOJI CHARADES
Charades Answers
Game 3: Emoji Charades
Who got all five?
GAME 4
True or False?
Thumbs up = True | Thumbs down = False
GAME 4: TRUE OR FALSE
Statements 1-4
Game 4: True or False
Use the Reactions button
GAME 4: TRUE OR FALSE
Statements 5-8
Game 4: True or False
Use the Reactions button
GAME 4: TRUE OR FALSE
True or False: Answers
Game 4: True or False
God was the source of strength.
GAME 5
Word Scramble Race
First to type the correct word in chat wins
GAME 5: WORD SCRAMBLE
Unscramble These
Game 5: Word Scramble
All words come from our story!
GAME 5: WORD SCRAMBLE
Scramble Answers
Game 5: Word Scramble
Well done!
GAME 6
Order the Events
Put Samson's story in the right order
GAME 6: ORDER THE EVENTS
Scrambled Events
Game 6: Order the Events
Type the order in chat, e.g. C F B...
GAME 6: ORDER THE EVENTS
Correct Order
Game 6: Order the Events
Lion, riddle, foxes, jawbone, haircut, temple
GAME 7
Missing Words
Memory verse challenge
GAME 7: MISSING WORDS
Round 1
"I can do ________ through Him who gives me ________."
Philippians 4:13
Type the missing words in chat.
GAME 7: MISSING WORDS
Round 2
"I ___ do ______ ______ Him ___ ____ me ________."
Philippians 4:13
Say it aloud with the class.
GAME 7: MISSING WORDS
Round 3
"I c__ d_ e__________ t______ H__ w__ g____ m_ s________."
Philippians 4:13
Who can say it from memory? Volunteers - unmute!
GAME 8
Breakout Rooms
Small groups, big discussions
GAME 8: BREAKOUT ROOMS
Room Assignments
Room 1: Samson's Weakness
What led Samson to fail? Where does our strength really come from?
Room 2: Today's Philistines
What temptations pull us away from God today? How can we resist?
Room 3: Samson's Prayer
Why did God hear Samson? Share a time God answered a prayer.
8 minutes - pick a reporter!
GAME 8: BREAKOUT ROOMS
Report Back
Game 8: Breakout Rooms
Return to the main room
GAME 9
Map Annotate
Mark Samson's places together
GAME 9: MAP ANNOTATE
Annotate the Map
Game 9: Map Annotate
Different colour for each student
GAME 10
Prayer Circle
Our key concept: God hears our prayers
CLOSING
Remember
God will strengthen those who trust in Him.
Philippians 4:13