Sunday School: 3/10/13

TOPICS:

God's Power, Strength, Following God, Obedience

This lesson about Samson and Delilah will help younger children understand that talents and strengths are a gift from God.

OPENING MUSIC:

Angela Zoltek will lead the opening music

The Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow,

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, you heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

STORY:

This week we will watch an animated movie:
Samson & Delilah:  Judges 13-16
The movie is about 45 minutes long will take up the whole class.

Summary of story:

Before Samson was born an angel spoke to his mother and told her that no razor was to touch Samson’s hair. In other words, she was never to cut his hair. Samson’s long hair was to be a sign that he was serving God. Samson did follow God faithfully, and as his hair grew, he also grew in strength.

The Philistines had captured the Israelites, made them do all the hard work, and treated them badly. When Samson grew into a man he freed the Israelite people from the Philistine captivity using the great strength God had given him. Samson was so strong that no one could defeat him in battle. He became a hero to the Israelites.

Samson was to keep his life pure, not cut his hair, and serve God. As Samson became famous, he started to depend more on his own strength instead of on God. He broke his promise to God, that he would keep his life pure. Samson fell in love with a Philistine woman named Delilah. It was the Philistines who had mistreated the Israelites before, and Delilah did not follow God.

The Philistines did not like Samson and they wanted to defeat him. Some of the Philistine men told Delilah that they would richly reward her if she could find out the secret to Samson’s great strength. Delilah asked Samson to tell her the secret to his great strength, but he would not tell her the truth.

Delilah would not give up. Continually, she pestered him until finally he gave in. Samson said, "All my life, no razor has ever been used on my head. If you cut my hair, my great strength will leave me."

Delilah lulled Samson to sleep and had his hair cut. Then the Philistine men rushed in and tied him up. When Samson woke up, his strength was gone. He had broken his promise to God. After that, the Philistines made Samson a slave and treated him very badly.

Sometime later the Philistines were having a big party celebrating Samson’s capture. People laughed at Samson and made fun of him. Samson cried out to God and asked God to restore his strength one more time, so that he could defeat the Philistines one last time. Samson used the strength that God gave him to push down two giant pillars that were holding the roof up. As Samson pushed the pillars the roof came crashing down. Samson died along with many Philistines that day.

Discussion Questions:

1. Who told Samson's mother not to cut his hair? (An Angel.)

2. Who did Samson follow and obey as he was growing up? (God.)

3. What did God give Samson? (Great strength.)

4. Samson freed his people from what group of people? (Philistines.)

5. Samson didn't keep his life pure and fell in love with a Philistine woman, what was her name? (Delilah.)

6. What did Delilah keep asking Samson? (What was the source of his great strength?)

7. What happened after Samson's hair was cut? (He lost his great strength and his freedom.)

ACTIVITY:  
for those kids who need a little activity during the movie
Coloring Page


SNACK: Popcorn during the movie

LORD'S PRAYER:

The children learn the Lord's prayer

CLOSING SONGS

TAKE HOME SHEET:

Click HERE to view or download the Take Home Sheet