Big Idea: God uses broken people, but calls us to be obedient and trust Him.

Bible Passage: Judges 13-16

This week we learned about another Judge (leader) of the people of Israel. His name is Samson, and he's the strongest man who ever lived. But he's not the hero of the story. At the beginning of his life, Samson is set apart to be dedicated to God. His family are given instructions of how he is to live, and promised that he will deliver the Israelites from the hands of their enemies.

However, every single one of the instructions that Samson is given, he disobeys. The consequences of his disobedience are severe, and he ends up in prison, weak without strength. It is in this dire situation that Samson calls out to God and asks Him to remember him, even in his disobedience, and is able to save the people from their enemies, as was prophesied at his birth.

Samson was a broken, disobedient man and leader. But God used him mightily to save the people from their enemies. We can take comfort from this story knowing that when we too, repent and call out to God, He will remember us and love us and continue to use us for the great work of His kingdom. Because of Jesus- the real hero of this story – the only one who was perfectly obedient to God and able to save us from sin eternally – God looks at us in our brokenness and chooses to love, restore, redeem and purpose us for His glory. Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice, and thank you for your faithfulness to us even when we make big mistakes.

Family Activity

In our sin, it is our natural instinct to hide and run from God, or from people who we feel we might let down in our mistakes. Samson's story teaches us that instead we can cry out to God, as he did, and know that God hears and forgives and restores us. Make it a practice this week of intentionally stopping and admitting mistakes to eachother – and stopping for prayer to tell God each time if necessary. In this way, we model the act of confession of our sins – helping children see that we don't need to be ashamed, but honest with our God who sees our sin, and because of Jesus, welcomes us back to Himself every time.

For a fun game idea to get kids talking about strength – play a tug-o-war game with them in your home this week. Let this game lead to discussions about Samson and his strength and his failures, and where we can turn in our own.

See you Sunday!