DLTK's Sunday School Lessons
Samson and Delilah
by
Sunday School Teacher's Guide - this is just one possible lesson plan. Visit the Samson and Delilah Bible lesson plan for further ideas to supplement this.
Introduction:
This next lesson is about Samson. Most of us spend a large part of our lives trying to discover what our "purpose" for God is. Samson knew his purpose when he was born: that he was going to begin deliverance of the Israelites from the hands of the Philistines. Although Samson was not perfect (he broke every vow God had given him and had a weak spot for women) God used him anyway. That doesn't mean it's okay to sin, but just imagine how much more Samson could've been if he listened and honored God.
The message:
Preschool thru Grade 1: God made you for a reason.
Grades 2 and 3: God has a special purpose for your life.
I've split this message into two separate ones depending on the age level. For the younger children, the message is simple: God made you for a reason. For the older children, we expand on this message and say: God has a special purpose for your life. We can discover this by using our gifts, talents, and doing the things we enjoy for the glory of God.
Make sure you repeat the message many times during the lesson. Send the Samson and Delilah Take Home Sheet home with the children to encourage parents to reiterate the message during the week. It includes a poster at the bottom that the children can color and hang on their wall or refrigerator.
Preview of the lesson:
Some people like to do craft time first and story time second and some like to switch it around. I like the first option, myself.
Always consider offering the Poster or Coloring Pages for children who aren't interested in participating in the group activity (or if you get done the group activities very quickly and need something to fill in the spare time). Everyone has a need for "alone time" once in awhile. Also, sending home the mini book or coloring pages with the Take Home sheet provides parents with much needed help in reinforcing the lessons. You can make a nice little booklet each week with the Take Home Sheet on top -- I promise that most parents will appreciate the effort!
Description |
Time Allotted |
Supplies |
| Welcome! Receive name tags. Have the children use crayons, markers, yarn, feathers and whatever other materials (such as sparkle glue) that you have available to personalize their name tag. Sing the Learning our Names song |
10 to 15 minutes | Scissor name tags, scissors (or adults can precut), crayons, markers, yarn, safety pins or tape. |
Craft time! Preschool thru Grade 1: Make the Samson Paper craft and/or the Delilah Paper craft. Complete this simple paper craft and for fun glue glitter to the Delilah's crown and wool for Samson's hair to extend the craft. You can add a straw or popsicle stick to the craft to make a puppet and recreate the story with your very own puppet show. Grade 2 and 3: Make God's recipe card. Allow the children to write some of there special qualities or talents underneath. Reinforce that God made each of us new and different always using a new "recipe" for each person. (things like "a beautiful smile", "strong legs for soccer" and "a good sense of humor") and you can expand by asking: "how did you use your ingredients this week?" or "what ingredient do you find most useful when dealing with friends" (or family or siblings, etc). |
15 to 30 minutes depending on your adult/child ratio |
Preschool thru Grade 1: Samson
and Delilah
templates. Printer, paper, scissors, glue, something to color
with. OPTIONAL: wool and glitter.
Grade 2 and 3: God's recipe card templates. printer, paper, scissors, glue, something to print with.
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Bible Story Time: Preschool thru Grade 1: Read The Story of Samson and Delilah (or read from your own store bought children's bible). Grades 2 and 3: It's tough to know when it's the right time to start readings from the Bible, but if the children have been read a children's version of the story in the past, I believe this is a good age to introduce the King James (or your preferred) bible reading. |
10 minutes | The Coloring Pages can be distributed to the children so they are able to color at home, or during the story. |
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Closing: Preschool thru Grade 1: depending on the time remaining ask the children: does God makes any mistakes? Did God know what he was doing when he made you? Each of you is equally important and special to God. That also means that everyone around you is important and special to God too (even your brother or sister who gets on your nerves sometimes). Grade 2 and 3: depending on the time remaining ask the children if they think God made each of them with a special purpose in mind. As long as we're working to let others know who God is and how they can know Him too, we are doing the most important thing. It's just, we each have a unique way of helping and leading others to God and by using our talents in this way, we will discover what our purpose is.
Standard ending song: "We Love to Learn Together" |
5 to 15 minutes | Brainstorm Board (chalkboard, whiteboard, poster board,...)
Words to: Standard ending song: "We Love to Learn Together"
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