City Kids Parent Take-Home
Judges 13-16
Big truth: True strength is more about faith than muscles.
Christ connection: Jesus is strong! He never sinned, and he defeated its power when he died.
Faith Response: Children who rely on God’s strength, not their own abilities.
Memory verse: Proverbs 14:12, 27
There is a way that seems right to a man,
but its end is the way to death.
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
that one may turn away from the snares of death.
Dinner-table questions
- Samson was a strong warrior but a weak leader. How did Samson do what he wanted, instead of what God wanted?
He loved women who were not part of God’s people and did not love God. He also didn’t keep his special vow not to cut his hair or eat/drink anything unclean. - Even though Samson failed in some big ways, how did God work? What does this teach us about God?
God used Samson’s death to defeat the Philistines. God is sovereign, and nothing can stop His plan. - How was Jesus’ life and death different from Samson’s?
Jesus was always strong: he never sinned. Jesus chose to die to defeat the power of sin and death over us. Jesus’ victory is much greater. He rose again! - Samson lived for himself instead of using his muscles to bring God glory and serve God’s people. How had God gifted you? How might you use your gift for yourself? How can you use your gift for God’s glory instead?
Discuss.
Family activity: Samson, Delilah, Lion
This game is like rock, paper, scissors, only using your whole body. Samson beats the lion, the lion beats Delilah, Delilah beats Samson.
Samson: grunt and make a muscle-man pose.
Delilah: say ‘Ooh la la’, twirl your hair, bat your eyelashes.
Lion: roar and show your claws.
One of the ways Samson followed his sinful, selfish wishes was by loving women who didn’t know God. Chat about the importance of choosing close friends (and in the future, a husband/wife) who help you to keep loving Jesus.
Link love
The Biggest Story podcast: Spotify / Apple
This week’s Bible story video: