Remember, in His Word, God has:
- Something to see – what does the text say
- Something to understand – what does it mean
- Something to apply – what does it mean to me
- Something to praise – for what are you thankful?
(1) Through the Bible
| Day 1: 1 Kings 9, 10 | Day 4: 1 Kings 15, 16 |
| Day 2: 1 Kings 11, 12 | Day 5: 1 Kings 17, 18 |
| Day 3: 1 Kings 13, 14 | Day 6: 1 Kings 19, 20 |
This week we anticipate Sunday’s upcoming sermon on Samson and consider the theme of “imperfect obedience”. We find Samson’s remarkable story in Judges 13-16. The story goes far beyond his super-hero sized strength. Consider Samson’s tragic ending, which goes against what we may expect from his miraculous birth narrative. Besides his great strength, we see great weakness. Notice how he chooses his first wife as he says to his objecting parents, “she is right in my eyes (14:3)” Sound familiar? Yet through it all, we see the merciful sovereignty of God on display!
(2) Key Passages
| Day 1: Judges 13:1-5 | Day 4: Judges 16:1-5 |
| Day 2: Judges 14:1-7 | Day 5: Judges 16:15-20 |
| Day 3: Judges 15:1-8 | Day 6: Judges 16:21-31 |
(3) Key Verses
| Day 1: Judges 13:1-2 | Day 4: Judges 16:15-17 |
| Day 2: Judges 13:5 | Day 5: Judges 16:18-20 |
| Day 3: Judges 16:2-5 | Day 6: Judges 16:28-30 |
(4) Pre-readers (in the translation of your choice, quoted below from the NLT)
To Parents: The story of Samson, and many other stories with Judges, is full of challenging content. Please use your discretion and sense of your own child’s development when deciding how to teach through such stories. Linda and I, generally, did not shy away from challenging content as the bible always presents sin in a moral framework (as opposed to glorifying it). If you take on the story of Samson I encourage you to carefully read all of the story for yourself first, such that you see the different elements at work, such as: Samson’s strength and weakness, sin and consequence, and God’s merciful use of imperfect people. Some children’s bible story books handle this well, but make sure that God is the hero and focus, not Samson and his strength.
“Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me again. O God, please strengthen me just one more time. With one blow let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my two eyes..”
Judges 16:28