Lesson 23: Judges 2-4; 6-8; 13-16

 May 30- June 5
Judges 2-4; 6-8; 13-16
"The Lord Requires Up a Deliverer"

Materials: video, printouts (below), scissors, pen, tape or glue
Opening Song: "Redeemer of Israel" (Hymns, 6)
Opening Prayer:

Attention Activity: Have your family do some basic exercises like jumping jacks, arm circles, sit ups, push ups etc. Why do people exercise? We should exercise to improve our physical health and strength. 

Lesson:

In the book of Judges, we read about a man blessed by God to have great physical strength. His name was Samson. Read Judges 13: 5. God blessed Samson with strength so he could help fight the Philistines, the enemy of the Israelites at the time. Samson's strength was legendary. No chains could hold him and he could lift heavy loads, but it came with a catch. Samson had to keep a covenant he made with God--he lived as a Nazarite. He could not cut his hair, could not drink any alcohol, or eat unclean meat.

 

Samson's strength helped to fight against the Philistines in many battles. The Philistines saw Samson as a threat and devised a way to defeat him. 

Watch "Samson and Delilah" from youtube. 

What did the Philistines do to defeat Samson? Delilah badgered Samson endlessly, saying that if Samson truly loved her, he would tell her the secret to his strength. After he was captured, Samson was taken to prison. The Philistines then tied him up between two pillars while they partied and worshipped idols. Have your family take turns reading Judges 16: 28-31. 

Samson's strength came from him keeping his covenants as a Nazarite. When he broke that covenant, his strength was taken from him. He later, prayed pleading with the Lord to remember him and restore his strength for one final time. The Lord answered Samson's prayers. 

Samson's story reminds us that there is strength and blessings given to us when we keep our covenants with God. Samson had physical strength, but we can have spiritual strength as we keep our covenants. 

Activity:

Directions: Before FHE print out the two pages below. Cut out the dumbbells. Ask your family: How can we be spiritually stronger? What are some spiritual exercises we can do? As your family comes up with spiritual exercises (i.e. reading scriptures, saying prayers, etc.) Tape or glue the dumbbells to bodybuilder picture. 

Keeping our covenants makes us stronger. As we keep our covenants, the Lord blesses us with strength to overcome our challenges. As we do spiritual exercises like reading our scriptures and having daily prayer, our spiritual strength is increased and we are then better able to withstand temptation and have the spiritual strength the combat Satan. 

Bear your testimony of your covenants. 

Closing Song: "Choose the Right" (Hymns, 239)
Closing Prayer:
Refreshment: