Small Group Guide for Families with Young Children
Judges 13
Big Idea
God had a plan for Samson before Samson was even born. God is faithful, His timing is perfect, and He wants us to trust and obey Him.
Key Truths for Kids
1. God is faithful even when people mess up.
Israel kept disobeying God, but God still cared about them and planned to help them.
2. God has perfect timing.
Manoah and his wife waited a long time for a child. God gave them Samson at just the right time.
3. We can ask God for help.
Manoah asked God to teach him how to raise Samson. We can ask God to help us make wise choices too.
4. God sets His people apart.
Samson was set apart for a special purpose. Everyone who follows Jesus belongs to God and is called to live for Him.
5. Samson points us to Jesus.
Samson was going to help rescue Israel, but Samson was not perfect. Jesus is the perfect Rescuer who saves us from sin.
Opening Question
Have you ever heard the story of Samson before?
What do you remember about him?
Examples:
- He was strong
- He had long hair
- He fought the Philistines
Bible Reading
Read Judges 13:1–5, 8, 24–25.
Discussion Questions
1. Israel disobeyed God again.
What does “again” mean?
"It means they had done it before. They kept making the same wrong choices."
Follow-up:
Do we ever make the same wrong choice more than once?
2. Did God stop loving Israel when they disobeyed?
"No, God still loved them and planned to help them."
God is faithful even when we mess up.
3. Manoah and his wife had no children. Then God promised them a son.
Was this easy or hard to believe?
It may have been hard, but they believed God.
Faith means trusting God, even when we do not understand everything.
4. Manoah prayed, “Teach us how to raise this child.”
What are some things you can ask God to help you with?
Examples:
- Help me obey my parents
- Help me be kind
- Help me tell the truth
- Help me not be afraid
- Help me forgive
- Help me follow Jesus
5. Samson was “set apart” for God.
What does “set apart” mean?
"It means God had a special purpose for Samson."
If you follow Jesus, you belong to God too. God wants you to live for Him.
6. Samson was not perfect, but Jesus is perfect.
How is Jesus better than Samson?
"Samson helped rescue Israel from enemies, but Jesus rescues us from sin. Samson sinned, but Jesus never sinned."
Gospel Connection
Samson was born for a special purpose. He would begin to rescue God’s people from the Philistines.
But Samson was not the greatest rescuer.
Jesus is the greatest Rescuer.
Jesus came to save us from sin. He lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and rose again. When we trust in Jesus, He forgives us and makes us part of God’s family.
Game: “God’s Way or the Hard Way?”
Read a situation and let kids choose if it is “God’s way” or “the hard way.”
Have them point up for “God’s way” and cross their arms for “the hard way.”
Examples:
1. You tell the truth even when it is hard.
"God’s way"
2. You lie so you do not get in trouble.
"The hard way"
3. You forgive someone who hurt your feelings.
"God’s way"
4. You keep being mean because you are angry.
"The hard way"
5. You obey your parents the first time.
"God’s way"
6. You complain and refuse to obey.
"The hard way"
Say:
“God’s way is always best, even when it is not always easy.”
Personal Application
Ask the children:
What is one area where you need God’s help this week?
Examples:
- Obeying
- Sharing
- Being kind
- Telling the truth
- Praying
- Forgiving
- Not being afraid
Memory Verse
Judges 13:12
Judges 13
Big Idea
God had a plan for Samson before Samson was even born. God is faithful, His timing is perfect, and He wants us to trust and obey Him.
Key Truths for Kids
1. God is faithful even when people mess up.
Israel kept disobeying God, but God still cared about them and planned to help them.
2. God has perfect timing.
Manoah and his wife waited a long time for a child. God gave them Samson at just the right time.
3. We can ask God for help.
Manoah asked God to teach him how to raise Samson. We can ask God to help us make wise choices too.
4. God sets His people apart.
Samson was set apart for a special purpose. Everyone who follows Jesus belongs to God and is called to live for Him.
5. Samson points us to Jesus.
Samson was going to help rescue Israel, but Samson was not perfect. Jesus is the perfect Rescuer who saves us from sin.
Opening Question
Have you ever heard the story of Samson before?
What do you remember about him?
Examples:
- He was strong
- He had long hair
- He fought the Philistines
Bible Reading
Read Judges 13:1–5, 8, 24–25.
Discussion Questions
1. Israel disobeyed God again.
What does “again” mean?
"It means they had done it before. They kept making the same wrong choices."
Follow-up:
Do we ever make the same wrong choice more than once?
2. Did God stop loving Israel when they disobeyed?
"No, God still loved them and planned to help them."
God is faithful even when we mess up.
3. Manoah and his wife had no children. Then God promised them a son.
Was this easy or hard to believe?
It may have been hard, but they believed God.
Faith means trusting God, even when we do not understand everything.
4. Manoah prayed, “Teach us how to raise this child.”
What are some things you can ask God to help you with?
Examples:
- Help me obey my parents
- Help me be kind
- Help me tell the truth
- Help me not be afraid
- Help me forgive
- Help me follow Jesus
5. Samson was “set apart” for God.
What does “set apart” mean?
"It means God had a special purpose for Samson."
If you follow Jesus, you belong to God too. God wants you to live for Him.
6. Samson was not perfect, but Jesus is perfect.
How is Jesus better than Samson?
"Samson helped rescue Israel from enemies, but Jesus rescues us from sin. Samson sinned, but Jesus never sinned."
Gospel Connection
Samson was born for a special purpose. He would begin to rescue God’s people from the Philistines.
But Samson was not the greatest rescuer.
Jesus is the greatest Rescuer.
Jesus came to save us from sin. He lived a perfect life, died on the cross, and rose again. When we trust in Jesus, He forgives us and makes us part of God’s family.
Game: “God’s Way or the Hard Way?”
Read a situation and let kids choose if it is “God’s way” or “the hard way.”
Have them point up for “God’s way” and cross their arms for “the hard way.”
Examples:
1. You tell the truth even when it is hard.
"God’s way"
2. You lie so you do not get in trouble.
"The hard way"
3. You forgive someone who hurt your feelings.
"God’s way"
4. You keep being mean because you are angry.
"The hard way"
5. You obey your parents the first time.
"God’s way"
6. You complain and refuse to obey.
"The hard way"
Say:
“God’s way is always best, even when it is not always easy.”
Personal Application
Ask the children:
What is one area where you need God’s help this week?
Examples:
- Obeying
- Sharing
- Being kind
- Telling the truth
- Praying
- Forgiving
- Not being afraid
Memory Verse
Judges 13:12