Week of May 1 - God Used Samson

Samson is one of those characters in the Bible you don't easily forget. He was strong, handsome, successful, and blind. He is what in literature is called an anti-type. He is a type of Christ in all the wrong ways. Samson was consecrated from an early age yet disobeyed his covenant promises and dishonored his parents. When tempted, he gave in rather than resisting.

Before Samson was physically blinded, he was blind to his weakness and to the source of his strength. Samson should have turned the nation's eyes from themselves and pointed them to God; instead, he lived for his own appetite by doing what is right in his own eyes. God used him despite his flaws and failures. The sad reality of Samson's life was that it wasn't until he was captured by his enemies who gouged out his physical eyes that he truly started to “see.”
Unlike Samson, Jesus came into the world not "to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matt. 20:28). Jesus not only obeyed His Father but obeyed in such a way that we have a model for what obedience to God looks like.

Jesus is more than a model; He is also our substitute who lived a perfect life and died in our place for our disobedience. He, like Samson, placed His hand on the twin pillars of sin and death and destroyed them. But unlike Samson, Jesus didn't stay dead. He lives, and He opens the eyes of those who are blind to see the beauty of God in the face of Christ.

This week, pray that God will open the eyes of your children so that they would see Jesus as more beautiful than anything else. Pray that rather than running from Him and doing what is right in their own eyes, they will run to Jesus and find mercy in time of need. (Heb. 4:16)
Family Talking points

CHRIST CONNECTION
This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.

  • Babies & Toddlers: Jesus died and rose again to rescue God’s people from sin and give them life with God forever.
  • Preschool: God sent Samson to help His people. God sent Jesus to die and rise again to rescue God’s people from sin and give them life with God forever.
  • Kindergarten: Samson died because of his sin, but God used Samson’s death to help His people. Samson reminds us of Jesus. Jesus never sinned, but He died for our sin. Jesus died and rose again to rescue God’s people from sin and give them life with God forever.
  • Kids: Samson’s sin led to his own death, but God used his death to save the Israelites from their enemies. Samson’s story reminds us of Jesus. Jesus never sinned, but God sent Him to die on the cross and rise again to rescue people from sin and give them eternal life.

BIG PICTURE QUESTION & ANSWER
This is an important biblical truth that your child will encounter each week of this unit.

  • Preschool: What is the punishment for sin? The punishment for sin is separation from God.
  • Kindergarten: What is the punishment for sin? The punishment for sin is death.
  • Kids: What is the fair payment for sin? The fair payment for sin is death.

KEY PASSAGE
This is a Bible verse that relates to what your child will encounter each week of this unit.

  • Babies & Toddlers: God gives life forever. — Romans 6:23
  • Preschool: God gives life forever. — Romans 6:23
  • Kindergarten: The payment for sin is death. But God gives us the free gift of life forever in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 6:23
  • Kids: The payment for sin is death. But God gives us the free gift of life forever in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 6:23
Family Prayer Time
MORNINGS:
Ask God to keep your mind and heart focused on Jesus as the greatest treasure. Whenever you want food, water, or entertainment today, ask God to use that hunger as a reminder that true satisfaction is found only in Jesus. What makes Jesus the greatest hero, greatest friend, and greatest treasure?
EVENINGS:
Thank God for the peace that comes through knowing Him and for the greatest peace which comes through trusting in Jesus. Ask God to grow your faith in Jesus. How has Jesus brought ultimate peace for those who believe in Him? Have you trusted in Him for that peace?
Family ACTIVITY IDEAS
FOR FUN:
Work as a family to make a cake. Let kids choose the icing and decorations that will go on the cake. As you slice and enjoy the cake, talk about how each story we’ve been learning shows us God’s love as He saves people from their enemies, but—like slices of a cake—those stories are meant to point us to the bigger story of God’s great love and His ultimate act of salvation through the work of Jesus.
TO SERVE:
Volunteer to wash toys, launder blankets or burp clothes, or clean furniture for your church’s kids ministry. When finished, thank kids for helping so ministry can happen on Sundays. Read 1 John 1:9 and discuss how Jesus’ work can cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
LAST WEEK:  The People Kept Sinning (Judges 2)
NEXT WEEK: God Provided for Ruth (Ruth)
The Gospel Project is a weekly Bible study that helps kids dive deep into the big story of the Bible—God’s plan to rescue His people through His Son, Jesus Christ. Your child can access free Gospel Project learning games and activities in the LifeWay Kids app reader available in the iTunes or Google Play stores.