This lesson plan will help you teach students about the story of Samson from the Old Testament Book of Judges. God gave Samson the gift of great strength, but he also had a weakness for women. As students read this story, help them reflect on their own strengths and weaknesses.
The format for the lesson is a simplified version of Lectio Divina Lesson Planning called The RE3 Framework: Read, Reflect, and Respond. Learn more about The RE3 Framework here.
Samson Lesson Objectives
- Students will be able to (SWBAT) summarize the life of Samson.
- Students will feel grateful for their strengths as gifts from God.
Read
Read this story summary of the life and death of Samson in the Book of Judges:
Samson’s mother did not think she would be able to have children, but then an angel of the Lord appeared to her and told her that she would have a son and he would be dedicated to God as a Nazarite. Nazarites vowed not to cut their hair or drink wine. God granted Samson amazing physical strength because of these vows. Samson had one weakness: he was very attracted to Philistine women. The Philistines worshipped other gods. They were the Israelite’s enemies and ruled over them at the time. His first attempted to marry a Philistine woman failed because she betrayed him before they were married. He then fell in love with Delilah. The Philistines convinced her to trick Samson into telling her the source of his great strength. After a few tries she got him to tell her that his long hair was the source of his strength. While he slept, Delilah cut off his hair leaving him helpless to an attack from the Philistines. They tied Samson’s arms to two great pillars in their temple so they could laugh at him. Samson called out to the Lord to restore his strength. The Lord answered and Samson broke down the temple killing the Philistines and sacrificing himself as well.
Reflect
Give students some time to reflect on his life by answering these questions:
- Samson had great physical strength, but what was his greatest weakness?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- How can you thank God for your strengths and helping you in times of weakness?
Download and print this Samson worksheet with the biography and reflection questions here:
This worksheet is one of 50+ printables available to members about the lives of the Old Testament heroes from the Patriarchs to the Judges to the Kings and Prophets.
Respond
Have students think about the week ahead. When will they need the gift of strength from God? In what specific moment can they seek his help?
Invite them to echo the prayer of Samson (Judges 16:28) and pray:
Lord God,
Remember me and strengthen me only this once.
Amen.
