Hall of Faith #11: Samson

Faith Lessons: Samson

Lesson for Life:  Each Christian is a target for temptation.  1 Corinthians 10:12 – “Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands – who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm – take heed lest he fall (into sin).” AMP

Faith Verse:  Repent.  Isaiah 55:7  – “Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.”

Opening Activity – Falling Stars:  (10 minutes)

Have a cup of 10 “Fallen Stars” on sticks on each table. Each star will have a name of a Hall of Faither that we have studied thus far and on the back some of their sins. Each person can draw a star and ask the table – what was their sin?

As a whole group then talk about our two verses…

Whole Group Scripture: (10 mins)

Read about Samson’s life up to capture using The Beginngers Bible from Zonderkidz pg146-150 (based on Judges 13; 16)

Let’s make a list of some of the main things we know about Samson on board

1.        Samson was an Israelite

2.       Samson’s strength came from his hair (talk for a moment…was it really his hair or his obedience?)

3.       Samson’s purpose was to kill the Philistines – God’s enemies

4.       Samson’s weakness was women - he fell in love with Delilah (a Philistine)

5.       Samson was captured by the enemies after telling Delilah his secret/disobedience and God took his strength away.

Hmmm…so if we look at this list, HOW did Samson end up in the Hall of Faith??  It was because of his REPENTANCE.

What does REPENTANCE MEAN?

Let’s read from our big bible about Samson’s redemption: Judges 16: 23-30

Table Time:  (15 mins)

ADULTS   go to separate room to complete Adult Reflection Sheet and Repentance Sheet

FAMILIES with young kids play plate/scenario game –Also have project to color/take home

FAMILIES with upper elementary and teen do Repentance Bible Sheet

End Conclusion: (5 mins)

Water – food color – bleach activity at each table but as a whole

Have a clear glass of water at each table. This was Samson before he opened his life up to women and the temptations he faced because of his desires. Drop one drop of food coloring in each glass...Once Samson let Delilah become more important to him than his promise to obey God, his life changed and his thinking was clouded with his love for her. It destroyed him. However, God offers each of us repentance when we are willing to admit our sin and give our life back to Him. When Samson decided to give his life once again to God's purpose of killing the Philistines, God forgave him and gave him the power to destroy the temple. Slowly pour in a few drops of bleach representing God's forgiveness and watch the water become clear again.

Bulletin Insert

Hall of Faith #10: Daniel

Faith Lessons: Daniel

Lesson for Life:  Staying true to God.  Daniel1:8  - But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way.

Faith Verse:  Living a faithful life – Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will.

Whole Group Scripture Time:  

Punch a Hole Bible Game

Play Males vs Females – have two people at a time come up. First one to answer a Daniel Fact correctly gets first chance to punch a hole to discover their response to the situation and points earned.  The other player gets to punch the remaining hole for their response/points.  After they sit down, they the whole group studies the related scripture.  (THEY DON’T GET HANDOUT UNTIL AFTER GAME)

6 Daniel Trivia

1.       Who took Daniel prisoner?  Babylonians

2.       How old was Daniel when he was taken prisoner by the Babylonians?  16 years old

3.       What was Daniel’s gift he received from the Lord that kept earning him recognition and promotions?  Dream Interpretations

4.       What were the names of Daniels three friends (these are the new names that we know them by rather than their original names?  Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego  (original Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.)

5.       What was the new name Daniel was given in captivity?  Belteshazzar

6.       How many kings did Daniel serve under?  4

6 Modern Day Daniel Situations:

1.        Just before you leave for lunch, your boss gives you a $50 bill for you as a way of thanking you for a project you finished early. What do you do with the money?

a.       Go to lunch at your favorite new restaurant in town and then stop at Dairy Queen for dessert. -10 pts

b.      Go to the local grocery store and buy bread, eggs and fruits to donate to the local food pantry.  + 20 pts

2.        You are trying to decide what job to apply for now that you are done with college.  You decide to:

a.       Ask family members to pray with you about it and see where the Lord leads you.  +20 pts

b.      Make a post on FB asking your friends for advice and apply for the top answer. -10 pts

3.        You were asked to perform the opening act at the Wintershow.  How do you decide to promote yourself?

a.       Have t-shirts made with you face on the front and give them away on the street corner. -10 pts

b.      Make posters to hang up saying that all earnings you make will go to the local Compassionate Ministries fund.  +20 pts

4.        You just walked into your 20^th class reunion. What is the first thing you do?

a.       Hold your spouse’s hand and introduce him/her to the classmates from your youth group. +20 pts

b.      Tell your spouse you will be back in a minute and go find the former cheerleaders who used to be the life of every party so that you can post a picture on Facebook with your arms around them. -10 pts

5.        Your daughter comes to you crying because someone at school teased her about her clothes and weight.  How do you help her through this?

a.       Take her shopping at West Acres to buy her several new outfits and let her get her hair colored. -10 pts

b.      Take her for a walk each evening for two weeks as the two of you work through a God’s Girl’s study on healthy eating and loving the body God gave you. +20 pts

6.        Your new co-workers invite you to their Vikings season kick-off party to watch the game which starts at 12 noon this Sunday, but your normal family Sunday routine includes church study and worship until 12 noon and then Subway. What are you going to do?

a.       Tell your family you will go to Sunday School with them, but then will be leaving to go to the party because you want to make new friends at work.-10 pts

b.      Tell your friends you will come at half-time after church and lunch with your family. +20 pts

6 Scriptures to look at

1.        Daniel 1:8, 12, 15, 17a

2.       Daniel 2: 17-19

3.       Daniel 2:27-28; 48

4.       Daniel 3:6, 12, 16-18, 26

5.       Daniel 4:19,27

6.       Daniel 6:7,10,21-22

Table Time – Life Application:

Tables work together to look at the lessons from the 6 scripture references and fill out a chart to identify areas in their own lives to apply the lesson to.

1.        Stay pure – don’t fill your life with worldly things

2.       Look to God for help

3.       Be humble and give God the glory

4.       Surround yourself with Godly friends

5.       Share the Truth with others to lead them to God

6.       Stay true to the One True God

Bulletin Insert

                

Hall of Faith #9 Gideon

Faith Lessons: Gideon

Lesson for Life:  God is our one true strength.  Psalm 28:7 - The Lord is my strength and shield.   I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.  I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

Faith Verse:  Victory comes when we let God fight the battles.  Judges 7:2 - The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me’ .

Opening Activity:  (10 minutes)

Ask the weakest person at each table to stand. Give them each 2 1-liter bottles filled with water. They need to put their arms straight out in a T and see who can hold up straight the longest.

Discuss:

            Was this challenge easier or harder than you thought?

            What could have made it easier other than putting the water down?

            In what ways does God give us strength?

Have volunteer stand back up, but this time have the strongest person at each table stand behind them and hold up their biceps. See who can hold up the longest.

Discuss:

            What made it easier this time?

            Psalm 28:7 - In what way does God give us strength?

            Why would God choose the weak to fight His battles instead of strong?  Judges 7:2 (think of David and Goliath)

Whole Group Scripture: (5-10 mins)

Judges 6: 7-16

            Why had God allowed the Midianites to take over the Israelites?

            How were the Israelites/Gideon in denial? 

Why did Gideon doubt God’s message to him?

            Judges 6:25-31

Before God sent Gideon out to destroy the Midianites, He commanded Gideon to do what?

What does this tell us about Gideon’s own families’ part in Israelites sin against God?

Notice Gideon is still scared so when does he do this act?

What does verse 31 tell us about Gideon’s father?

Table Time:

Read Judges 7:1-8a, 16-22

            Have everyone at the table select a large rock and write one thing that they are good at. Place it in the first pitcher.  This represents Gideon’s army with 32,000 men.

            Why do you think God first commanded that anyone who “trembles” or was afraid to leave?  What happens when others around you are too nervous to do something? 

            Next have everyone at the table choose a small rock and write one thing that they aren’t the best at or scared of doing. Place it in the second pitcher.  This represents Gideon’s army with 300 men.

            Have someone pour water into the two pitchers.  Which one had more room for the water? 

            These two pitchers are the same as the two sizes of armies Gideon had. God wanted the victory to be HIS so the Israelites would realize they need God.  If we only do what comes easy to us, do we give God room to work?

            Note also, what did Gideon give each man to hold?  Did they even draw their swords?

            What other battle that we have studied this summer can you compare this one to?

            Ask someone to take the small rocks out and hand back to each person.  As a table discuss how each person can use that skill for God’s kingdom.  Take this rock home with you and pray each day that God gives you the strength to do what He is calling you to do.

Bulletin Insert

                

Hall of Faith #8 Rahab

Faith Lessons: Rahab

Lesson for Life:  Trust in the Lord our God.  Psalm 9:10 (NLT) – “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, have never abandoned anyone who searches for you.”

Faith Verse:  You can trust God because of what He has done for others. Hebrews 11:31 – “By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.”

Opening Activity:  (10 minutes)

Ask for 3 volunteers to go to another room and shut the door 

Ask for 3 volunteers to come to front – blindfold them.

Motion for your three pre-chosen adults to come forward (before the morning talk to three men who are willing to catch the volunteers in the trust fall.)

Tell the 3 blindfolded to fall backwards and they will be caught. Once they do this, lead them (still blindfolded) into the room with the first 3 volunteers are. They will choose someone to tell about their experience and blindfold. They are then to lead their partner out to the big room where whoever caught them will motion to them. Ask the new volunteers to do the trust fall.

Discuss how it felt… and apply to Life Verse

Whole Group Scripture: (5-10 mins)

Joshua 2 – 3:5

Why did Rahab trust the spies and their God?

How is this similar to our volunteers in the trust fall?

Table Time:

Talk first about who you trust and why

Read Joshua 6: 20-25 and Matthew 1:5-6

                Why did God save Rahab?

                How did Rahab “stay with Israel forever”?  (point out she must have married an Israelite – meaning she gave her life to God and was accepted.)

Bulletin Insert for churches using same topic for sermon series.