Derailment: Samson Subdued
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Transcript
Lust: “a strong, intense desire, especially for what is forbidden and contrary to the will of God”
Temptation: “an enticement to do evil
I. Our Potential for Godly Impact (Judges 13:24-25)
II. The Impulses That Lead to Sin (1 John 2:16)
a. The lust of the flesh (Judges 14:6, 8-9, 16:16-17)
b. The lust of the eyes (Judges 14:1-3; 16:21)
c. The pride of life
III. God’s Instructions for Victory
a. Walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16)
b. Humble yourselves. (James 4:7-10)
c. Flee temptation. (2 Timothy 2:22)
To follow the Spirit is to flee temptation.
GENERAL LESSON INSTRUCTIONS
Teacher’s Note: Prior to beginning the lesson, it is advised to safely practice getting the mousetrap to operate by using a stick or rod long enough to set off the trap, but without causing bodily injury. For the mousetrap, a small piece of cheese might be substituted with something else that also attracts a mouse.
Also, prior to the beginning of the lesson, make sure to print eight Footstep cut-outs and Footprint Verse Cards. Both of these have been provided for you at the end of this lesson.
For your convenience, business cards have been created for the Footprint Verse Cards. They have been formatted to fit the perforated Avery 5371 Business Card template so they can be printed and then simply torn apart. Links have been provided for you in the Resources and References section to make it easy for you to obtain the templates.
HOOK
How many of you have ever had problems with mice in your home? [Allow for a few responses.] What did your family do to get rid of the mice? [Allow for a few responses.]
[Hold up the mousetrap for the students to see.] A mousetrap is a pretty common device people use to get rid of these pesky little rodents. But have you ever considered how one works? [Set the mouse trap and gently place it on the floor.]
Let’s say this stick [Hold up the stick.] is a mouse walking along this floor here. What would attract the mouse to this trap? [Wait for the response of “cheese” or something else that could lure the mouse.] The trap itself is not very enticing, but the bait is.
[Move the stick along the floor as if it was a mouse moving towards the mousetrap.] That mouse is going after the bait, thinking it has a nice snack until… [Move the stick right onto the mousetrap and allow the trap to close.] Snap!
Now, that would be bad news if this stick was a mouse. But what if you were that mouse? Or what if the trap was big enough to get you? What if there were things that looked really nice, but once you got too close, they wound up trapping you?
Today, we will see that the world is filled with things that look desirable but are really designed to trap you. They look good, and they may even feel good, but, if you give in to them, they will only end up destroying you.
Today’s lesson is the second lesson in a four-part series called [Show the PowerPoint slide with the module title.] Train Wreck: Off the Rails. This series is actually a character study of four different men whose life stories are recorded for us in the Bible. Each of these men made foolish decisions that caused their lives to go off the rails.
● In our first lesson, we learned about the dangerous effects of uncontrolled anger, as we discussed the collision of Cain’s calamity (Genesis 4).
● Today’s lesson warns of the dangers of uncontrolled lust, as we learn about someone who derailed his life because he couldn’t keep his lust in check.
[Show the PowerPoint slide with the definition of the word “lust.”] When we say “lust”we mean “a strong, intense desire, especially for what is forbidden and contrary to the will of God.” Lust is an enormous temptation, not just for students, but for adults as well.
But what is “temptation”? [Show the PowerPoint slide with the definition of the word “temptation.”] It is “an enticement to do evil.” It’s that pull we feel toward doing things that disobey God.
Before we go any further, we need a quick disclaimer. It is not a sin to be tempted; however, it is sin when we give in to the temptation and choose to disobey God with our actions, words, or thoughts.
Our negative example from the Bible today is someone who gave in to temptation and to his lusts and repeatedly derailed his own life. [Show the PowerPoint slide with the lesson title.] His name is Samson, and his story can be found in the Old Testament Book of Judges. So, turn in your Bibles to Judges 13.
As we look at Samson’s life and what the Bible teaches about temptation, we will learn this truth. [Show the PowerPoint slide with the Sticky Statement.] To follow the Spirit is to flee temptation.
LESSON CONTENT
As the Bible introduces Samson, there’s one word we could use that rightly describes this man: that word is “potential.” From the start, we get the impression that Samson was on track to become an amazing man of God. He had so much potential for godly impact, which should remind us that we too have potential for godly impact. [Show the first slide]
I. Our Potential for Godly Impact (Judges 13:24-25)
Even before Samson was born, the Angel of the Lord visited Samson’s mother, explaining that she would give birth to a son who would rise up to deliver his people from the enemies of Israel (Judges 13:5). Now that’s a lot of potential!
Samson’s godly parents made sure to guide Samson in the way he was supposed to go. One thing that set Samson apart from others was the special Nazarite vow that he took. As a part of the vow, he wasn’t to touch anything that was dead, he wasn’t supposed to drink any wine or similar drink, and he wasn’t supposed to cut his hair. He was to be devoted to God completely. Keep those details in mind as we observe his story. [If desired, repeat the three parts of the Nazarite vow for clarity.]
Samson had everything he needed in order to succeed spiritually. Listen to Judges 13:24-25. [Read Judges 13:24-25
24 And the woman bore a son and called his name Samson. And the young man grew, and the Lord blessed him. 25 And the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him in Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.
As Samson grew up, God blessed him, and the Spirit of the Lord was at work in him. All Samson had to do was follow the leading of the Spirit of God. In fact if anyone could have been a real life superhero it would have been Samson. He could have been roaming the countryside, delivering justice wherever he went, sharing the goodness of God along with saving people, and all the phillistines would have been like who are you? I’m Samson…
He could have been one of the greatest men the Bible tells us about; the potential was all there for Samson.
Key Word… Could have
And you have amazing potential, too. God can do amazing things in you and through you. Imagine what your world would look like if all your friends and family members followed Jesus. God can use you to lead your family, your friends, your school, or your entire community to Jesus. He can use you to guide others in God’s Word, so that their lives will be changed forever.
However, sadly, this potential can be squandered if we, like we will discover that Samson did, give in to the impulses that lead to sin. If we [Hold up the mouse trap.] take the bait of sin. [Show the PowerPoint slide with the second point of the outline.]
II. The Impulses That Lead to Sin (1 John 2:16)
Even though Samson had godly parents and godly boundaries set up for him to have a godly life, Samson was about to derail from the tracks of life like a train moving too fast. For Samson especially, his struggles with lustmessed up what could have been an otherwise amazing and God-honoring life.
In the New Testament Book of 1 John, John explains the different types of sinful temptations that the world offers. Would someone read 1 John 2:16
16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
Did you hear that? What was the first type of temptation that John mentioned? [Allow for a response.] It’s the lust of the flesh. [Show the next subpoint of the outline on the PowerPoint slide.]
a. The lust of the flesh (Judges 14:6, 8-9, 16-17)
Samson fell hard for this temptation many times. At one point in his life, Samson made a trip to the town of Timnah to pursue a woman he wanted to marry. On the journey he had an encounter with a young lion.
Let’s have a volunteer read Judges 14:6
6 Then the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him, and although he had nothing in his hand, he tore the lion in pieces as one tears a young goat. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done.
Samson is known as a strong man, but it was God’s Spirit that empowered him to kill this lion with his bare hands. Yet he was secretive about this incident; he didn’t tell his parents about it. That’s important to note because of what happens on his way back to town.
Let’s see what else this chapter tells us about Samson. Who will read Judges 14:8-9
8 After some days he returned to take her. And he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion, and behold, there was a swarm of bees in the body of the lion, and honey. 9 He scraped it out into his hands and went on, eating as he went. And he came to his father and mother and gave some to them, and they ate. But he did not tell them that he had scraped the honey from the carcass of the lion.
On the surface, this just seems like a weird story, but not necessarily an ungodly act.
But here’s the thing: Samson had taken a special vow to become set apart for God as a Nazarite. Remember, a Nazarite was never to touch anything dead. Samson just seemed to mock that part of the vow by scooping up some honey for himself. This was his first time going off the rails. He didn’t say “no” to the lust of the flesh. (In this case, his desire for honey caused him to derail from the “don’t touch dead things” part of his Nazarite vow.)
In Judges 16, we learn that Samson fell in love with a woman named Delilah. But it’s clear that Delilah didn’t truly love him back. Some of the Philistine leaders tried to use Delilah as bait to trap Samson so that they could find out what actually made him so strong and how they could exploit his weakness. Samson toyed with Delilah a few times, lying about his weakness. But finally, Delilah wore him down.
She questioned his “love” for her, even though it was all about fulfilling his lusts anyway. We can read what happened in Judges 16:16-17
16 And when she pressed him hard with her words day after day, and urged him, his soul was vexed to death. 17 And he told her all his heart, and said to her, “A razor has never come upon my head, for I have been a Nazirite to God from my mother’s womb. If my head is shaved, then my strength will leave me, and I shall become weak and be like any other man.”
After her constant pressure, he spilled the secret to his strength: God had blessed him for keeping his Nazarite vow to never cut his hair. Samson wouldn’t say “no” to Delilah, and he wouldn’t say “no” to his lust for food. As we will see in a moment, Samson would pay dearly for giving in to the lusts of his flesh.
But it wasn’t just the lust of the flesh that derailed Samson. It was also his lust of the eyes. [Show the next subpoint of the outline on the PowerPoint slide.]
b. The lust of the eyes (Judges 14:1-3; 16:21)
We learn very early on in the life of Samson that his heart would follow his eyes wherever they would take him. Let’s go back to Judges 14:1-3 to see what happened. [Read Judges 14:1-3
1 Samson went down to Timnah, and at Timnah he saw one of the daughters of the Philistines. 2 Then he came up and told his father and mother, “I saw one of the daughters of the Philistines at Timnah. Now get her for me as my wife.” 3 But his father and mother said to him, “Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you must go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.”
The only standard Samson seemed to be using for finding a wife was outward appearance. In fact, that final phrase in verse 3 literally means “she is right in my eyes.” This is likely how Samson determined his other relationships with women, including his last lover, Delilah.
If you recall from Judges 16, Samson gave away his “secret” about his strength to Delilah. She cut his hair, his strength left him, and then he was taken prisoner by the Philistines. This woman that he saw with his eyes as beautiful was a trap designed to take advantage of Samson and take him captive.
There’s a bit of irony with what happened to the man that was led away by the lust of the eyes. Let’s look at Judges 16:21
21 And the Philistines seized him and gouged out his eyes and brought him down to Gaza and bound him with bronze shackles. And he ground at the mill in the prison.
Samson, the man who quickly fell for whatever pleased his eyes, lost his eyes; they were poked out by his enemies.
How could Samson fall so hard? He yielded to the lusts of the flesh and the lust of the eyes. But those unrestrained behaviors were all built on the weak foundation of the pride of life. [Show the next subpoint of the outline on the PowerPoint slide.]
c. The pride of life (Judges 16:20)
On the surface, Samson would have given the appearance of having it all together. He had women, he had enormous strength, and he struck fear into the hearts of his enemies. Sadly, it was all empty and would end in disaster. That’s because instead of walking in step with the Spirit of God, Samson tried to take all the glory for himself. Another way we could say it is that Samson struggled greatly with the sin of pride; he had an exaggerated view of his own importance.
As you think about the life of Samson, was he really able to claim his incredible strength as his own accomplishment? Was his strength based on how much he could bench press or was it something else? [Allow for responses.]
Although Samson’s hair was the “secret” to strength, the only reason that even mattered is because God blessed him with special strength. His long hair was just an outward show of the inward vow he took.
The Bible gives us some insight into Samson’s prideful attitude. After he told Delilah about his long hair and Delilah had it cut off, listen to Samson’s thoughts. [Read Judges 16:20.] What a sad commentary on his life: “He did not know that the LORD had departed from him.”
In his pride, he thought he couldn’t be defeated, but when his hair was cut, his derailment was complete.
The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life took over Samson’s life when he gave in to temptation. His derailment from God’s plan brought death and destruction to himself and to others. In the end, Samson lost everything: his pride, his hair, his strength, his eyes, his dignity, and eventually his life. God had a plan for his life, yet Samson derailed time and time again.
If Samson had a time machine and could have a do-over in his life, then he would probably make some serious changes. How could he have been victorious over temptation? Well, in fact, the Bible actually gives us God’s instructions for victory. [Show the PowerPoint slide with the third point of the outline.]
III. God’s Instructions for Victory
There are a few ways that followers of Jesus can have victory over temptation and lust. These ways keep Christ followers on track and prevent derailment. We will look at three specific ways, but the first two are decisions that come well before any temptation creeps onto the “tracks” of our life attempting to derail us. Choosing to take these steps prepares us for the times when we feel tempted to sin. And the first way is to walk in the Spirit of God. [Show the next subpoint of the outline on the PowerPoint slide.]
a. Walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16)
Listen to the Apostle Paul’s teaching in Galatians 5:16. [Read Galatians 5:16.] If you, as a follower of Jesus, do not want to fulfill the lusts of the flesh, then, according to this verse, what do you need to do? [Allow for responses.] The Bible makes it crystal clear that if you walk in the Spirit, then you won’t fall into the dangers of uncontrolled lust. There’s no middle ground: either you’re walking according to the flesh or according to the Spirit. But what does it look like to walk in the Spirit?
Teacher’s Note: At this point in the lesson, bring out the eight footstep cut-outs and lay them on the floor so they form a straight path. Keep them on the floor for the Connection as well.
Can we have a volunteer for a very easy task? [Choose a volunteer and have the volunteer stand next to you. Then speak the following content directly to the volunteer.]
● Can you demonstrate how to walk in step with these footprints? [Allow the volunteer to demonstrate walking in step with the footprints.]
● Was it easy or hard to walk in step with these footprints? [Allow for a response.]
Let’s give [Insert volunteer’s name.] a hand. [Allow for applause.] It’s easy to walk in step with these footprints. All you have to do is follow the steps.
So, what do you have to do to walk in step with the Spirit since we don’t have physical footprints to follow? Well, God’s Word actually gives us figurative “footprints” to follow. God’s Word tells us God’s will for our lives. And here is the great thing about God’s will—it will never lead us in the direction of the “mouse traps” of life. [Hold up the mouse trap.] That is to say, it will never lead us toward temptation or the lusts of the flesh.
If you walk in the Spirit, you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Or, as we are saying it today, [Show the PowerPoint slide with the Sticky Statement.] to follow the Spirit is to flee temptation.
As you are walking in the Spirit, you are admitting that God’s way is the way to victory rather than your own way. And that requires that you humble yourselves. [Show the next subpoint of the outline on the PowerPoint slide.]
b. Humbleyourselves. (James 4:7-10)
Who remembers the third type of lust that John wrote about? It was the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the what? [Allow for responses.] The pride of life!
What is the opposite of pride? [Allow for responses.] Humility is the opposite of pride. Humility is when we view ourselves in the proper and lowly state in comparison to God in His full glory.
Listen to what God’s Word says about how humility is crucial to your victory against temptation. [Read James 4:7-10.] If you try to fight temptation with your own strength, you will lose that fight; you will derail and fail. We saw this in Samson’s life. He was strong, but against temptation, he was terribly weak.
The way to stay on track is to submit to God (James 4:7). That means you recognize God’s authority over your life in all areas. And when temptation comes, by acting in humility before God, you can rely on God and His Word to resist the devil. You can stand your ground because God is with you to help you. And in due time, the devil will flee from you.
But notice, James wrote that when we humble ourselves and submit to God, then we can resist, or fight against, the devil. The Bible never teaches to resisttemptation. Rather, it says you can fleetemptation by walking in the Spirit and humbling yourselves to God’s authority. So, don’t try to resist temptation… [Show the next subpoint of the outline on the PowerPoint slide and read it to the students.]
c. Flee temptation. (2 Timothy 2:22)
Could we have a volunteer read 2 Timothy 2:22 for us, please? [Choose a volunteer and allow time for 2 Timothy 2:22 to be read.] We finally get to see what we are supposed to do when we are tempted! And what does God’s Word tell us we should do with temptation? [Allow for a response.]
Don’t linger, don’t overthink it—if you are tempted to sin, then fleefrom the temptation. Get yourself out of the situation that is making you feel tempted. Leave the room, turn off the phone, or even call a friend who can get your mind off of that lustful thinking. Do whatever it takes to flee!
Like all of us, Samson encountered plenty of temptations in his life. He had an enormous potential for godly impact, but instead of following God’s instructions for victory, Samson let temptation take root in his heart. Before we wrap up this lesson, let’s take a quick look at how Samson’s life story ended.
[Read Judges 16:28-30.] Although Samson’s life story is more of a tragedy and saga of what could have been, when we read about the end of his life, we see a man who was humbled. In his humility, he finally cried out to God for strength, rather than relying on himself. In a sad way, God still used Samson to rescue His people from the Philistines, even though Samson was far from innocent. When God answered his prayer, we see a glimpse of what Samson could have done his entire life if he had not allowed himself to be derailed by all of his lusts.
CONNECTION
Similar to Samson, each one of you has tremendous potential in your lives. Lord willing, you have many years of life ahead of you. There is no limit to what God could do through you to make a change in the world. But at the same time, that potential can go one of two ways: the way that Samson ended up taking or the way that the Holy Spirit would lead you. If you take the way of Samson, you will end up in a situation like that mousetrap we saw earlier.
● When you are alone at night and the screen lights up on your phone, there’s a “mousetrap” just a tap away, trying to lure you in with attractive images and videos that can lead to all sorts of sin.
● When you’re left alone with your boyfriend or girlfriend, there is the desire to take things a little further physically until you’ve fallen into the trap of going further than you ever imagined.
● There’s even a mousetrap when you walk through the doors of your school or co-op and start comparing yourself with other people—whether it’s your appearance, your grades, your accomplishments, or something else.
Teacher’s Note: Prepare to use the footstep illustration once again. Place the mousetrap on the floor off to the side of the path of the footsteps; don’t put the mousetrap in the path. It should be placed towards the middle of the path, but off to the side. There should be enough space in-between the mousetrap and the footsteps so that you can demonstrate what it looks like to not walk in step with the Holy Spirit. This mousetrap will illustrate the temptations that can be avoided by walking in step with the Holy Spirit.
Perhaps you are being lured away by the lust of the flesh. [Start walking in the direction of the mousetrap near the footsteps, but not stepping on them; slow down when you are close to the mousetrap.]
Maybe you sometimes cross the line physically with your boyfriend or girlfriend. [Take some very small steps forward, continuing walking near the footsteps, but not stepping on them. Slowly get closer to the mousetrap.]
But how does the Holy Spirit say you should walk? [Turn back around to the start of the footstep trail. Walk in the first four steps with the footsteps as you say the next line.]
The Holy Spirit would prompt you to flee from youthful lusts. [Point at the mousetrap.] It’s the trap trying to lure you toward sexual sin. [Point to the footstep trail.] But the Holy Spirit gives you a path to walk that avoids that temptation so that you don’t fall into the trap.
When you follow the Spirit’s lead, you won’t be trapped by the lust of the flesh. To follow the Spirit is to flee temptation. [Step off the footsteps when done and go back to the start of the footstep trail.]
Maybe you often fall into the trap of lustful eyes. [Start walking in the direction of the mousetrap near the footsteps, but not stepping on them; slow down when you are close to the mousetrap.]
You are looking at things on your phone that you would be ashamed of if anyone found out. Or you’re watching movies or television with sexual content.
[Now walk in step with the footsteps as you say the following.] Instead, you can avoid pornography when you follow the Spirit because to follow the Spirit is to flee temptation.
You can walk with the Spirit by focusing on the things of God. You can get accountability software and content blockers on your devices to keep yourself from looking at those things. And you can flee when a movie or show comes on that you shouldn’t watch. [Step off the footsteps when done.]
And then some of you might struggle with the pride of life.[Start walking in the direction of the mousetrap near the footsteps, but not stepping on them; slow down when you are close to the mousetrap.]
You spend so much time and mental energy comparing yourself with others. Perhaps you’re quick to spread rumors about other people so that you can stand out. Or maybe you always become defensive when someone else offers constructive criticism because you think you’re always right. That’s not the way to walk in the Spirit.
[Now slowly walk in step with the footsteps as you say the following.] Instead of trying to feel superior to others, when you follow the Spirit, you start thinking about how you can serve others. Instead of talking down about others, the Holy Spirit guides you to speak words of kindness and encouragement. And rather than being defensive when others offer criticism, the Spirit prepares you to receive it humbly as you desire to grow as a follower of Jesus. [Step off the footsteps when done.]
CHOICE
So, are you walking in step with the Holy Spirit or are you derailing with the many temptations this world has to offer?
Maybe you’re not walking in the Spirit because you’ve never actually trusted in Jesus Christ to be your Savior. The Bible teaches us that if anyone does not have the Holy Spirit living in them, then they are not His (Romans 8:9).
The only way you can receive the Holy Spirit is through believing in Jesus Christ, the Son of God Who died on the cross for your sins, was buried, and rose again. If you’ve never trusted in Jesus Christ as Savior, would you do that today? If so, please talk with one of our leaders after the lesson.
Some of you may have already trusted Jesus to be your Savior. Are you walking in the Spirit? Are you spending time in prayer and in God’s Word so that you know the steps to take to avoid the traps of the world? Remember, the Word of God will always lead you toward the will of God. It will never lead you toward temptation; to follow the Spirit is to flee temptation.
If you are not spending time in God’s Word consistently, will you commit to follow the leading of the Spirit today? Will you listen to God’s guidance? Will you put barriers in your life to keep you from the things that tempt you? Will you take some time right now to pray and ask God to help you walk in step with the Holy Spirit? If you do, you will discover for yourself that [Show the PowerPoint slide with the Sticky Statement.] to follow the Spirit is to flee temptation.
Teacher’s Note: At this point, provide about fifteen seconds of silence for the students to pray. At the end of the silent prayer time, you might choose to pray to close the time of prayer. The following prayer is an example of what could be prayed:
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for what You have shown us in Your Word from this lesson. I pray that each student here would make the daily choice to flee from temptation, especially in areas of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. While fleeing those things, I pray they would closely follow the Holy Spirit by trusting in Your Word rather than feelings or lies from the world.
In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”
NEXT STEPS
Not everyone’s struggles are the same, but everyone does have struggles. As a way to help you flee temptation by following the Holy Spirit, we have a small card for you to help you flee temptation with the Word of God. [Pass out the Footprint verse cards.]
It has footprints to remind you that a follower of Jesus is simply following the footsteps of the Holy Spirit. [Point to the PowerPoint slide with the Sticky Statement.] As a reminder to all of us, the card reads, “To follow the Spirit is to flee temptation.” But there are also some blank lines for you to fill in a verse that guides you in your situation to walk step by step with the Holy Spirit.
Ask your small group leader to help you find a verse that applies to temptation and perhaps even to your specific sin struggle. Then write in that verse and keep it with you throughout the day. Please understand that just carrying around a verse on a card will not guarantee you success, but if you apply it to memory and let God’s Word guide you, then you will be better equipped to flee the temptations rather than be derailed by them.
Teacher’s Note: Word of Life offers an eight-verse Scripture memory pack as a resource for students to address the issue of temptation in their lives. You can download and print this pack from the Resources section of the Multiply App and it can be found by clicking the following link and then clicking on the Verse List tab: https://teachersource.wol.org/resource/SBS25/5-2/. These eight verses would all be good to suggest for any student who is struggling with temptation.
If desired, print out enough copies of this pack to give to any students who need to memorize these verses. For convenience, this pack has been formatted to fit the perforated Avery 5371 Business Card template so the verse cards can be printed and then simply torn apart. These verse cards are available in five different versions of Scripture.
