Small Group Guide for Families with Young Children
“When Love Goes Terribly Wrong”
Judges 16 Samson and Delilah
For younger children, summarize the adult parts of Judges 16 gently. You can say, “Samson went to places he should not have gone and made choices that did not honor God.” Focus on disobedience, temptation, trust, consequences, and God’s mercy.
Big Idea
God gives us strength to follow Him, but wrong choices can pull us away from Him. Even when we mess up, God is merciful and can still hear us when we turn back to Him.
Opening Question
Have you ever wanted something so badly that you did not stop to ask, “Is this what God wants?”
Examples:
- Taking something that was not yours
- Saying something mean because you were angry
- Disobeying your parents because you wanted your own way
- Watching or playing something you knew you should not
Discussion Questions
1. Samson Made Wrong Choices
Samson often followed what he wanted instead of asking what God wanted.
Questions:
- Why is it sometimes hard to obey God?
- What are some things kids your age might be tempted to choose instead of God’s way?
- Who can help you make wise choices?
Leader Point:
Sometimes we want something right now, but God knows what is best for us forever.
2. Samson Trusted the Wrong Person
Delilah kept asking Samson for the secret of his strength. She was not trying to help him; she was helping his enemies.
Questions:
- How can friends help us follow God?
- How can friends pull us away from God?
- What kind of friends should we choose?
Good Friend Examples:
- Friends who tell the truth
- Friends who encourage you to obey
- Friends who pray with you
- Friends who do not pressure you to do wrong
Leader Point:
We should love people, but we should be careful who we let influence our hearts.
3. Samson Did Not Learn From Warning Signs
Delilah tested Samson over and over. Each time, Samson should have realized something was wrong. But he stayed.
Questions:
- What is a warning sign?
- What are some warning signs that you are about to make a bad choice?
- What should you do when you notice a warning sign?
Examples of Warning Signs:
- You feel like you need to hide something
- You know your parents would say no
- You feel guilty before doing it
- You have to lie to keep doing it
- You are afraid someone will find out
Leader Point:
God often warns us before we get hurt. Wise people listen.
4. Samson Was Worn Down
Delilah kept asking and asking until Samson finally gave in.
Questions:
- Have you ever been pressured to do something wrong?
- What can you say when someone pressures you?
- How can prayer help when you feel weak?
Things Kids Can Say:
- “No, I’m not doing that.”
- “That would not please God.”
- “I need to ask my parents.”
- “I’m going to walk away.”
- “I don’t want to disobey God.”
Leader Point:
When we feel weak, we can ask God for strength.
5. Samson Thought Everything Would Be Fine
After Samson’s hair was cut, he thought he would still be strong. But the Bible says he did not know that the Lord had left him.
Questions:
- Why was Samson really strong?
- Was his strength mainly from his hair or from God?
- What happens when we try to live without God’s help?
Leader Point:
Samson’s hair was a sign of his promise to God, but his real strength came from the Lord.
6. God Does Not Ignore Sin
God loved Samson, but Samson’s wrong choices still had consequences.
Questions:
- What is a consequence?
- Why do loving parents give consequences?
- Why does God correct His children?
Leader Point:
God’s discipline is not because He hates us. It is because He loves us and wants to bring us back to Him.
7. God Still Gave Hope
Even after Samson was captured, the Bible says his hair began to grow again. That reminds us that God was not finished.
Questions:
- Have you ever felt like you messed up too badly?
- What should we do when we sin?
- Does God still love us when we make wrong choices?
Leader Point:
When we sin, we should not run away from God. We should run to Him, confess, and ask for forgiveness.
Practical Applications for Kids
This week, choose one:
1. Ask God First
Before making an important choice this week, stop and pray:
“God, what do You want me to do?”
2. Watch for Warning Signs
If you feel like you need to hide something, lie about something, or sneak something, stop and ask for help.
3. Choose Wise Friends
Think about your closest friends. Do they help you obey God or pull you away from Him?
4. Tell the Truth
If you have done something wrong, tell the truth to God and to a trusted adult.
5. Remember Your Strength Comes From God
When you feel weak, angry, scared, or tempted, pray:
“God, please give me strength to do what is right.”
Memory Verse
Proverbs 3:5–6
“When Love Goes Terribly Wrong”
Judges 16 Samson and Delilah
For younger children, summarize the adult parts of Judges 16 gently. You can say, “Samson went to places he should not have gone and made choices that did not honor God.” Focus on disobedience, temptation, trust, consequences, and God’s mercy.
Big Idea
God gives us strength to follow Him, but wrong choices can pull us away from Him. Even when we mess up, God is merciful and can still hear us when we turn back to Him.
Opening Question
Have you ever wanted something so badly that you did not stop to ask, “Is this what God wants?”
Examples:
- Taking something that was not yours
- Saying something mean because you were angry
- Disobeying your parents because you wanted your own way
- Watching or playing something you knew you should not
Discussion Questions
1. Samson Made Wrong Choices
Samson often followed what he wanted instead of asking what God wanted.
Questions:
- Why is it sometimes hard to obey God?
- What are some things kids your age might be tempted to choose instead of God’s way?
- Who can help you make wise choices?
Leader Point:
Sometimes we want something right now, but God knows what is best for us forever.
2. Samson Trusted the Wrong Person
Delilah kept asking Samson for the secret of his strength. She was not trying to help him; she was helping his enemies.
Questions:
- How can friends help us follow God?
- How can friends pull us away from God?
- What kind of friends should we choose?
Good Friend Examples:
- Friends who tell the truth
- Friends who encourage you to obey
- Friends who pray with you
- Friends who do not pressure you to do wrong
Leader Point:
We should love people, but we should be careful who we let influence our hearts.
3. Samson Did Not Learn From Warning Signs
Delilah tested Samson over and over. Each time, Samson should have realized something was wrong. But he stayed.
Questions:
- What is a warning sign?
- What are some warning signs that you are about to make a bad choice?
- What should you do when you notice a warning sign?
Examples of Warning Signs:
- You feel like you need to hide something
- You know your parents would say no
- You feel guilty before doing it
- You have to lie to keep doing it
- You are afraid someone will find out
Leader Point:
God often warns us before we get hurt. Wise people listen.
4. Samson Was Worn Down
Delilah kept asking and asking until Samson finally gave in.
Questions:
- Have you ever been pressured to do something wrong?
- What can you say when someone pressures you?
- How can prayer help when you feel weak?
Things Kids Can Say:
- “No, I’m not doing that.”
- “That would not please God.”
- “I need to ask my parents.”
- “I’m going to walk away.”
- “I don’t want to disobey God.”
Leader Point:
When we feel weak, we can ask God for strength.
5. Samson Thought Everything Would Be Fine
After Samson’s hair was cut, he thought he would still be strong. But the Bible says he did not know that the Lord had left him.
Questions:
- Why was Samson really strong?
- Was his strength mainly from his hair or from God?
- What happens when we try to live without God’s help?
Leader Point:
Samson’s hair was a sign of his promise to God, but his real strength came from the Lord.
6. God Does Not Ignore Sin
God loved Samson, but Samson’s wrong choices still had consequences.
Questions:
- What is a consequence?
- Why do loving parents give consequences?
- Why does God correct His children?
Leader Point:
God’s discipline is not because He hates us. It is because He loves us and wants to bring us back to Him.
7. God Still Gave Hope
Even after Samson was captured, the Bible says his hair began to grow again. That reminds us that God was not finished.
Questions:
- Have you ever felt like you messed up too badly?
- What should we do when we sin?
- Does God still love us when we make wrong choices?
Leader Point:
When we sin, we should not run away from God. We should run to Him, confess, and ask for forgiveness.
Practical Applications for Kids
This week, choose one:
1. Ask God First
Before making an important choice this week, stop and pray:
“God, what do You want me to do?”
2. Watch for Warning Signs
If you feel like you need to hide something, lie about something, or sneak something, stop and ask for help.
3. Choose Wise Friends
Think about your closest friends. Do they help you obey God or pull you away from Him?
4. Tell the Truth
If you have done something wrong, tell the truth to God and to a trusted adult.
5. Remember Your Strength Comes From God
When you feel weak, angry, scared, or tempted, pray:
“God, please give me strength to do what is right.”
Memory Verse
Proverbs 3:5–6