The strongest man

Get to know each other:

Do you know someone who is really strong? Who is your favourite strong man? Would you like to be strong?

Prayer

Help us to listen and learn from your word. Thank you for taking care of us and helping us in times of trouble. Amen

Songs

Oh, be careful

He made the stars to shine

My God is so Big

Story: The strongest man

Reference: Judges 14 - 16

Props: Sock puppets

There was a man and a woman who really wanted to have a child but they could not have one for a long time. An angel of the Lord appeared to the woman and promised her that she would have a son. The angel gave the woman some special instructions. She was to drink no wine when she was pregnant. When the baby was born they were to never cut his hair.

The woman gave birth to a boy and named him Samson. He grew up and he was strong. He could rip apart a city wall. His mighty strength came from God.

One day Samson fell in love with a Philistine woman named Delilah. The Philistines were the enemies of God’s people and thus also enemies of God. The rulers of the city came to her and promised her that they would give her lots of money if she could find out the source of Samson’s strength.

So Delilah asked Samson how he could be defeated. Samson answered her, “If any one ties me up with seven thick ropes I will be as weak as any man.” So she tied him up and then the Philistine soldiers came and tried to take him but he broke the ropes as if they were not even there and the soldiers ran away.

So Delilah asked Samson again how he could be defeated. Samson said to her, “Tie me up with new ropes that have never been used and I will be as weak as any man.”

So she tied him up tightly with lots of new ropes. Then the Philistine soldiers came and tried to take him but he broke the ropes as if they were not even there and the soldiers ran away.

So Delilah asked Samson a third time how he could be defeated. Samson said to her, “ Tie my hair into a loom and tighten it with a pin and I will be as weak as any man.” So she tied up his hair tightly in a loom. Then the Philistine soldiers came and tried to take him but he pulled up the loom and pin with one hand as if they light as a feather and the soldiers ran away.

So Delilah asked Samson for the source of his strength again. He was so tired of her asking him again and again, so he told her the real source of his strength. He told her, “ My hair has never been cut since I was born because I have been set apart to serve God. If anyone shaves all my hair off, I will be as weak as any man.” Then the Philistine soldiers came and captured him because he was weak. The Lord had left Samson because he had disobeyed him.

The Philistine soldiers gouged out his eyes and put him in prison. They laughed and mocked him because he was weak.

Slowly his hair began to grow back. One day the Philistines had a great party. They brought Samson out so they could make fun of him. He couldn’t see anymore but he knew the pillars were close to him. The temple was filled with Philistines. Samson then prayed, “Lord, give me strength again. Let me get back at these Philistines for what hey did to me. Samson put his hands on the pillars and pushed with all him might. Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!”

The pillars collapsed and the temple crashed down. Everyone died including Samson.

Samson killed many Philistines that day.

Questions:

1. What was special about Samson?
2. What were they not to do to his hair?
3. Who gave him his strength?
4. Who found out Samson’s secret?
5. Who captured Samson?
6. What did the Philistines do to Samson?
7. How did Samson kill many Philistines?

Memory verse

My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. Ps 121 vs 2

Activity:

A table is prepared for the activity. The table is covered with newspaper. A piece of A4 paper is placed where each of the children are going to work. The paper must be fastened down with prestic or masking tape. Paint is placed in small pots. The children are to wear aprons. Each child is given ¼ “ paint brush. The children are to paint on the paper. Encourage the children to wipe their brushes off in the pots of paint. This activity encourages fine motor control and creativity.