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.”
Dear families,
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 kids you lead 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)
Check out the resources below designed to help you lead a family worship experience as well as suggestions for morning and evening prayer times and family activities. You can also find the Adult Daily Discipleship Guide that accompanies our adult groups.
FAMILY TALKING POINTS
CHRIST CONNECTION
This is the big idea of how this week’s Bible story points to Jesus.
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.
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 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.
Preschool: All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned - every one - to his own way. (Isaiah 53:6a)
Kids: All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned - every one - to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)
At Home
Family Prayer
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 Activities
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.
Family Worship
Adult Daily Discipleship Guide
** Next week: God Provided for Ruth (Ruth)
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