21 - Samson, a Nazirite to God

References
Judges 13-16.

Notes for Servants
- Samson's mother was barren and the Lord gave her ability to give birth to a child.....This stands
for the fruitless soul which becomes fruitful between the hands of the Lord, both in life and in
service.
- Manoah was a symbol of simplicity. When he knew that the angel appeared to his wife, he prayed
asking for the angel to appear to him to teach him what to do.
- When he realised that it was the Lord that appeared to him he was afraid he might die.

Objectives

General: To recognize the potentialities of the great power of God in our life.

Specific:
The children will be able to
A. know the meaning of Nazarite to God.
B. understand that humility and simplicity is the way to God.
C. learn about some of God's gifts to us.

Bible Verse

"Out of the eater came something to eat?"
(Judges 14:14)

Teaching Aids
Video.

Instruction
(1) Review last week's lesson.
(2) Who remembers the verse?
(3) Remind the children about the church occasions for the coming week.
(4) Make the stages of the lesson clear in your mind and be involved in them.
(5)Emphasize the following feelings:the humility of these people, the woman's amazement at seeing
the angel, how Manoah and his wife were afraid of the lion, Samson's courage, their joy when the
lion was killed, how they thanked God for the food that came out of the lion's belly.
(6) Make the story lively when you present it. Let the children act it.

Story Time
There was a pious man called Manoah. He was married but had no children. While his wife was
praying to the Lord to give her a son, the place was suddenly filled with light. She was deeply disturbed
when the angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, "Peace be to you...You will be pregnant and will give
birth to a son. This son of yours will deliver the people of God from the hands of the Philistines."
The angel disappeared and Manoah's wife came to herself. She ran to her husband in the field.
The husband wondered what made his wife come to him, he was worried and said, "Is it well with you?"
She said, "It is well, the angel ofGod appeared to me and she told him what the angel said. The man was
amazed. He paused for a while then he said to his wife: "Let us kneel down and pray." "O Lord, Let the
man of God that you sent come back to us and tell us what we must do withthe boy when he is born. O
Lord we thank you because you will give us a son. We are confident ofthe truth of your words, Amen."
+ What is the name of the man? Why was his wife praying? What did the angel speak to her about? Why
did Manoah pray?
One day, Manoah was in the field, and his wife was at another place caring for cows and milking
them. Suddenly she saw the angel standing near her. She ran to call her husband...Come quickly...The
angel has come...The man went quickly with her. They bowed to him and asked him what to do with this
child.
Nine months later, Samson was born. They brought him up in the fear of God and taught him how
to pray and how to read. In fact Samson was dedicated to God as a Nazarite - that is why the Lord gave
him a brave heart and wonderful powers. One day he was walking with his parent in a place full of grapes.
Suddenly a loin appeared to them and it was roaring, Manoah was afraid and his wife was afraid. Samson
said to them, "The Lord will fight for you, do not be afraid. He ran to the lion and got hold of its
head...Manoah was anxious about his son Samson...His wife screamed...Keep away from the lion, O Lord
help us. Samson managed to get hold of the lion's jaws. The lion made a vain attempt to devour Samson
but could not...Samson cried "The Lord fights for you" O Lord, help me to kill this lion...He was able to
separate the jaws and destroy the mouth of the lion. The lion fell dead and Samson threw it to the ground.
Manoah and his wife were amazed at the great power of Samson. They all knelt down and thanked God.
They went their way then they came back safely. What is that? The lion was still on the ground. What
is there in its belly? Many bees bringing out honey. Samson stretched out his hand and took some honey.
They all ate honey and Samson said, "Out of the eater came something to eat." And the Lord made
Samson rescue his people from their enemies.
+ What is the name of the enemies of the people of God in the days of Samson?
+ What does this statement mean, "Out of the eater came something to eat?"

Discussion
1 - Follow up the story by talking about it with the children.
2 - Continue the discussion while they do the activity.
Learning Activities
Activity Sheet.